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Messiah parts II and
III, and Brandenburg Concert No. 4
AN EASTER CONCERT
by
Bromyard & District Choral
Society & the Hereford Cathedral School Chamber Orchestra
On Saturday March 15 at St. Peter’s Church, we were treated to a special and very impressive start to Holy Week, 2008.
The solo
parts were performed by the ever excellent David Barclay, Tenor – who last
year conducted Karl Jenkins’ “The Armed Man” at the Society’s 50th
Anniversary Concert – Elizabeth Allen (Soprano), Helen Keef (Mezzo-soprano)
and Simon Sherwood (Baritone). A
stirring, spine-tingling “Hallelujah” Chorus completed the first part of the
Concert.
After the
interval (well stocked as usual with wine and, for we Lent abstainers, fruit
juice) the choir were able to rest their voices further as we all enjoyed the
Chamber Orchestra from Hereford Cathedral School performing J.S. Bach’s
“Brandenburg Concerto No. 4”. The
musicians were given a standing ovation in appreciation of their youth &
polished performance.
The third part of “Messiah” rounded off a thrilling concert. The soloists melded into the choir for the final chorus, which was a lovely touch; and the expressions on the faces of the choir members as they finished the last, rousing “Amen” mirrored the audience’s feelings of delight and satisfaction.
And the news filtered through that Wales had won the Grand Slam at Rugby
A perfect
end to a perfect evening!
Ann Smith
|
A concert presented by the Bromyard & District Choral Society, on Saturday 1st December. |
At the last concert of its Golden Jubilee year, the Choral Society treated its audience to an evening of accomplished and delightful music. Choral pieces were interspersed with solo items both vocal and instrumental and rodent-related anecdotes.
During the first part of the evening, Sir Richard Mynors conducted Vivaldi's "Gloria", Mozart's "Exultate, Jubilate and Herbert Parry's "I was Glad when they said unto me". Unfortunately, Elizabeth MacDonald (soprano) and Kathryn Chrimes-Morgan (contralto) were both suffering with colds so were unable to perform "The Flower Duet" but their earlier contributions were most enjoyable.
The second part of the concert started strongly with a personal favourite "Zadok the Priest". The wonderful introduction was played with great flair and anticipation on the organ by Michael Hart, who was the accompanist for the evening.
The versatility of the choir was exemplified by Heather Yarnold and Wendy Harrison's beautiful solo performances on violin and flute respectively. Accompanied by Lindsey Taylor on the piano, they played well-loved pieces by Elgar. The History of the Society's Inception in 1957 by Police Sergeant George Nunn was told by his daughter, Hilary Jones, the present day's President, and Dr David Boddington. Other amusing anecdotes (including the afore-mentioned stories of mice and rats interrupting rehearsals) were told by various members of the Choir.
Faure's Cantique de Jean Racine, a medley of Richard Rogers' Songs from the Shows and Rutter's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" completed the evening's performance.
A wonderful start to the Advent Season. Thank you and Best Wishes for the next 50 years.
Ann Smith
Chairman's Report to AGM 2007
This year has seen some of the most profound changes in the Society since it was established 50 years ago. As a consequence of these changes the Society has secured the services of Sir Richard Mynors to be its first paid conductor. This has implications for the subscription you will be asked to pay. It will also be necessary to seek amendments to the Constitution. Your committee's recommendations are set out in the agenda for the AGM, so please give these matters some thought before you are asked to vote on them.
As
with every year there have been highs and lows; the disappointment over the
quality of the Christmas concert was
palpable, as was the excitement and sense of achievement at the end of the
Spring concert. In David Barclay and Sir Richard Mynors the Society found
two people to revive the enthusiasm and purpose of the choir and I know that
some feel that the end justified the means by which the services of Richard
Popple were dispensed with. This is not my view. The Society must always conduct
itself and its business within the framework of its Constitution. Until this
year the Society's conductor was elected at each AGM and could be changed by a
simple vote. Sir Richard Mynors will have a contract with the Society and any
move to change your Principal Conductor will now have to be done in accordance
with that contract as well as the Constitution.
My term of office will end
at the AGM. Whilst being Chairman has been largely enjoyable, thanks to the loyal support I have found, I shall be pleased to
step down. Having a non-singing Chairman was always something of an unknown
quantity, but perhaps, in the light of events following the Christmas concert,
it was not entirely without merit.
There will be considerable change in the
personnel on the committee for not only is it the end of my two year stint in
the Chair, but we are losing the services of Mary, Secretary for the past eight
years, Pat, who has been a long-serving, and at times long-suffering Librarian,
and Peder, our Publicity Officer. John, our long-time Treasurer has also stated
that he will be relinquishing that post at the AGM in 2008. This year also sees
the end of Walter's term as President. To all these people I wish to express my
own personal thanks for all that they have
done on the Society's behalf. To those who are elected, or re-elected to serve on
the committee I wish you well, and hope that the Society will go from strength
to strength over the coming years,
Martin