Items in the latest news page:
The
preparatory work completed – words and music learned by 125 participants, the
show was ready.
51 members of Ruskin Junior School Choir arrived at the Wyvern Theatre for 4.00pm rehearsals. Highly strung, excited and keen to sing! Firstly staging was required, making sure everyone, no matter how small, was in the right place to see the Choir’s conductor - Jacki Pattenden. Then they sang – for a number of children, their first experience of the vast Wyvern Theatre stage and auditorium. The sound this choir of children aged 8 – 11 years produced was of the best quality.
Back
stage, 44 members of Swindon Male Voice Choir and 30 members of North Wiltshire
Young Musicians Choir were preparing for their rehearsals.
At 4.30pm, the stage was filled with all 125 singers, ready to rehearse the combined material for the ‘Message for Peace’ and the finale. They did all fit on the stage! With speakers and singers being well prepared, the rehearsal was an enjoyable experience! Children using microphones for the first time to speak their lines. The Youth Choir singing in the Theatre for the first time; and the men of the male choir cheerfully supporting the younger voices to achieve a good strong performance for the finale.
And so to the Show! The choirs were pleased to welcome an audience of near 450, including, The Mayor of Swindon – Ray Fisher and his wife; The Choir’s President – Ken Knox and his wife; Families, Friends, and supporters of the three choirs; and those seeing the choirs in concert for the first time.
A
warm and confident beginning by Swindon Male Choir, with ‘A Voice of
Singing’ followed by a delightful unaccompanied arrangement of ‘All Through
the Night’. The group of songs was closed with a lively delivery of ‘Amen!
– This Little Light of Mine’. With
Max’s welcome and introductions the evening was off to a very good start. They
later presented a power arrangement of a South African anthem, and closed the
first half with a well contrasted and powerful delivery of ‘Battle Hymn of the
Republic’. The men were certainly on very good form.
The audience were treated to three items by the children of Ruskin School Choir. Very well coached and prepared, the Choir enchanted the audience with very high quality choral singing. ‘God Bless the Master’, and ‘Alleluia Train’ and a touching presentation of ‘Kwmbyah’, delivered with the children providing the sign language as they sang. This Choir deserved the long and rich applause from the audience.
The
Choir of the North Wiltshire Young Musicians have not previously appeared on the
Wyvern Theatre Stage, but they truly made the most of this occasion! From
My Fair Lady, the choir delivered ‘I could Have Danced All Night’ with a
bright lively style and showed they clearly enjoyed their delivery.
This was contrasted with a warm arrangement of ‘I Dreamed a Dream’
from Les Miserables. Two items very well presented by this young choir.
The second half of the concert featured a ‘Message for Peace’ bringing the three choirs together to deliver ‘The Message of the Children’. Ruskin School Choir captivated the audience with ‘I am a small part of the world’ telling the world that children can together be strong and bold, they can have dreams to reach the skies, and a small voice, but a voice that can sing for freedom with nothing to fear. Child, youth and adult speakers in verse and text implored those listening to consider the things that are important and to consider one another and the world in which we live. These thoughts were echoed in the words of ‘A Green Prayer’ sung sensitively by the North Wilts Young Musicians Choir. The three choirs then combined to present an emotive and passionate arrangement of ‘Let there be peace on earth’. A favourite of many in the audience and certainly the resulting audience applause indicated that ‘The Message of the Children’ was understood and appreciated!
In
contrast to the many voices of the Choir a very special moment for Annie
Quinton-Smith of the North Wilts Youth Choir as she stepped to the front of the
stage and sang a lovely arrangement of ‘Over the Rainbow’. Confident and with a clear tone, Annie won many hearts with
this presentation.
The
Show was brought to a close with the Choirs and the Audience singing ‘Let
there be Peace on Earth’ – a touching and wonderful end to a very good Show.
It
didn’t quite end there, as the three Choirs were loudly cheered and applauded
by the audience until the very last singer had left the stage – a tribute to a
good show indeed!
Carol concert presented by Swindon Male Voice Choir - 17th December 2005
Christ Church, Old Town, Swindon was the venue for a Carol concert presented by Swindon Male Voice Choir. During Friday 16th December the temperatures plummeted, however by the time the Church was full at 7.25pm everyone inside was warm and cosy, ready for the event that many supporters of the Choir view as the real ‘start of Christmas’!
The Choir had invited other performers to share this special event, namely the Concert Choir of the Janice Thompson Performance Trust, and the South Central Fellowship Band of the Salvation Army.
The Band were playing by 7.15pm to help the audience take their seats, and to give a taste of the high class music that was to follow. Every seat was taken, including those behind the Church’s substantial pillars - sorry!
The Choir were delighted to welcome Rev Simon Stevenette to participate this year, having been forced by health issues to miss last year’s Carol concert. Simon extended a warm welcome to those present and started the evening leading the singing of the opening carol, ably accompanied by the band.
Swindon Male Voice Choir then took to the stage to deliver the first of 7 Carols written and arranged for Male voices. Their Director of Music – Max Brockman-More – was this year forced to conduct and lead events with one hand! A week ago, as the result of a nasty fall, he broke his left arm, and was therefore left with only his right arm with which to conduct the choir and turn the pages of his music copy! However, Max made light of the limitation and made his choir work as hard as ever to present good standard choral presentations.
The Concert Choir presented by Janice Thompson has seen a number of changes, the older members having moved on to pastures new. This has not diminished the ability of this choir! The 25 young singers worked very well together to present an excellent choral presentation showing real ability and blend in such young voices. A warm tribute is due to Janice, Val Weston and Shelley Morgan who coach these young singers and show them the full enjoyment available through their music.
The South Central Fellowship Band of the Salvation Army traveled some way to take part in this Carol concert. Members of this high class brass band came from as far away as Slough, Maidenhead, Woking, Reading, Newbury and two from Swindon! Directed by Brian Cooper, these are seasoned brass players who were able to use the acoustics of Christ Church to maximum effect to long applause throughout the evening. An excellent band!
Two special moments during the evening -
Firstly with cheques being presented to the Wiltshire Blind Association, and to Diabetes UK - Swindon Support Group. Individual members of Swindon Male Voice Choir have cause to appreciate these charities more than normal, and therefore the Choir was proud to support these local groups from the proceeds of the concert.
The Second moment was the presentation of long service awards made to two members of the Male Choir.
Jon Jones has completed 30 years continual membership with the Choir and received a framed certificate presented on behalf of the choir by The Mayor of Swindon Ray Fisher.
Les Lane has completed 45 years of continual service with the Choir – a remarkable loyalty and commitment to Swindon’s long established Choir. Les has seen many changes through the years, changes in the Nation’s lifestyle, changes of dress, changes in Choir membership, changes in music and choral styles, however he still retains a real enjoyment of the Choir life and it’s music. The Choir were very proud to see Les presented with an engraved plaque from The Mayor, recognizing his devotion to Music over so many years.
Christmas music comes in many forms, and as well as the audience enjoying singing traditional Christmas carols, they delighted ‘raising the roof’ with Frosty the Snowman, Winter Wonderland and Jingle Bells. So many people singing so heartily with Band and Choir! What a super experience and a memorable introduction to Christmas 2005!
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