Famous for its horse racing, on 14 February 2015, Chantilly will be the venue for a Choral Singing Day. I will be leading choristers from across northern France in a workshop of music from the English choral tradition, culminating in a service of Choral Evensong in St Peter’s Church.
More details, including the music being sung in the workshop will be posted in due course.
On Saturday 25th October 2014, I directed be directing a ‘Come and Sing’ rehearsal and performance of Fauré’s Requiem in St Mary’s Church, Banbury. The concert was a fundraising event for the Katherine House Hospice, where my mother was cared for in the weeks before she passed away – Fauré’s Requiem was one of her favourite pieces and one of the first larger choral works that she introduced me to.
The first half of the concert will included an organ recital on St Mary’s unique Hill, Norman and Beard organ.
I am pleased to be able to report that the day raised £1,800 for the hospice, and it is hoped that we may be able to do another follow-up event next year – watch this space for details!
Below are some photographs from the rehearsal during the afternoon, taken by Sophie Tate, who also sang the Soprano solo in the concert.
On Saturday 16th March, I am conducting a ‘Bring and Sing’ workshop and performance of John Stainer’s Passiontide Oratorio “The Crucifixion”.
It’s taking place in Holy Trinity Church, Broadstairs between 2 and 6pm and anyone is welcome, whether a member of an RSCM affiliated choir or not. For more details, click on the image to the left to see the full poster, and make contact with the Canterbury Area RSCM secretary, Tracey Laws, who will take you booking.
I look forward to seeing you there!
St Stephen’s Church Choir, Canterbury, under Stephen’s direction, have recorded a carol for broadcast on BBC South East Today. It will go out on Friday 21st December on BBC1 between 6.30 and 7.00pm in the South East region. For more information about St Stephen’s Choir, please visit their website.
The Choir will be singing for a number of Christmas services at St Stephen’s including the Carol Service of readings and music for Christmas at 6pm on Sunday 23rd December. On Christmas Eve they will be singing for Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury only days before he leaves the position. In 2013 St Stephen’s will be singing services in Winchester and Southwark Cathedrals and have been invited to sing at Westminster Abbey again at the end of the year.
