| Autumn concert 5th October 2024 |
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This October, in a change of mood, the choir will be singing an exciting and varied selection of works by famous British classical composers from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Parry’s glorious anthem ‘I was Glad’ will be familiar from the Coronation and other royal events, as will the music of Elgar’s ‘Song of Freedom’, an arrangement of Pomp & Circumstance March No. 4 with words by A P Herbert. Vaughan Williams’ ‘Toward the Unknown Region’, his first major choral piece, is perhaps less well-known but brilliantly expresses poet Walt Whitman’s inspirational text, with music that starts quietly and simply, but builds through waves of excitement to an exultant climax. We celebrate the 150th anniversary of Holst’s birth with his beautiful 'Short Festival Te Deum', and the centenary of Stanford’s death with his dramatic and atmospheric ‘Songs of the Sea’ and tranquil ‘The Bluebird’ - a piece particularly popular with ClassicFM listeners. Three of Vaughan Williams’ ‘Songs of Travel’ for baritone solo, Elgar’s ‘The Shower’, and Sullivan’s lovely and peaceful ‘The Long Day Closes’ complete a rich and varied programme.
Bexhill Choral Society is joined by well-known local baritone soloist Peter Grevatt, with accompaniment from the Sussex Concert Orchestra, conducted by Kenneth Roberts.
The concert takes place at St Barnabas Church, Sea Road, Bexhill TN40 1JG on Saturday 5th October at 7.30pm. Tickets are £14 in advance and £16 on the door. They can be obtained from choir members, or from Second Spin in Sackville Road, Bexhill (cash). Online tickets may be purchased from ticketsource.co.uk/bcs (or phone 0333 666 3366).
Bexhill Choral Society gratefully acknowledges the support of the Vaughan Williams Foundation for this concert.
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| Singing Morning open workshop |
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'I was glad!'
And you can be too - come and join our Singing Morning open workshop on Saturday 2nd November from 10 am to 1 pm, at Christchurch Methodist Church, Springfield Rd/Holliers Hill, Bexhill TN40 2BX.
This will be a fun and friendly morning giving people the opportunity to sing the exquisite ‘Lacrimosa’ from Mozart’s famous Requiem, and Parry’s joyful ‘I was Glad’ – familiar from the 2023 coronation and other royal occasions. Everyone is welcome, especially those with little or no experience of singing ‘classics’.
The morning will be led by our Director of Music, well-known local musician Kenneth Roberts. There will be plenty of help and support from singing coach Kristy Swift and from members of Bexhill Choral Society.
Music will be provided, as well as refreshments during a short break. There is a small charge of £10 to help cover costs, payable on the day.
So why not come and give it a go? Singing is good for your health!
For more information and an application form contact Bexhill Choral Society by email info@bexhillchoral.org.uk or phone 07796 954057 (from mid-September). More information and application forms will be available soon on our website www.bexhillchoral.org.uk and from choir members.
With thanks to Bexhill Town Council, whose grant has helped to make this Singing Morning possible.
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Christmas is still some way off, but the Wednesday after our concert on 5th October we will be returning to rehearsals for our Christmas offering, the very popular 'Carols and Christmas Music for Choir and Audience'. For anyone thinking of joining the choir, this would be a good time to start.
This concert is always a feast of seasonal music and carols, traditional and modern, familiar and less familiar, with the audience joining in some well-known favourites. As always the choir will be accompanied by the Cinque Ports Brass and organist Nigel Howard, and this year we will be joined by soprano soloist Louisa Alice-Rose.
The concert will take place at 7.30 on Saturday 7th December, at St Barnabas Church, Sea Rd, Bexhill TN40 1JG.
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| Into 2025! dates for your diary |
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After a short break following our Christmas concert we return to rehearsals in January 2025 (date to be decided), and again this would be an excellent time to join the choir! We will be working towards our next concert on 17th May - an exciting programme of Mozart's much-loved 'Requiem' and - in the 200th anniversary of his death - Salieri's 'Mass in D'.
Before this, on 7th March we will be holding a Quiz Evening and Ploughman's Supper - a popular social event.
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