Thank you all for last week’s rehearsal. It feels like the choir is finding its feet with the Brahms and I am very much looking forward to the concert on April 29th! 

I would also like to echo Carole Oliver’s words about ticket sales for the concert. This is our first concert outing since Covid lockdowns doomed us all to inactivity. We are in the position of having to build back the kind of audience we achieved when we last performed the Brahms’ requiem. Please do your best to encourage as many acquaintances, family and friends to come so that we can confidently plan for future concerts - particularly for the 25th anniversary which is just around the corner!

As I may have mentioned a few times, Andrea Brown, the head of conducting at the RWCMD is coming to our rehearsal this week to observe me in my natural habitat! I am looking forward to her hearing and meeting you all so please do feel free to speak to her at the half mark - maybe she will buy a raffle ticket! 

At this week’s rehearsal we will be looking at the following - 

Brahms - 

Moments 2, 3 and the opening of 6.

Venables - 

Sanctus and Libera Me (from page 44 to the end)

Finally - if you have access to a recording of the Venables (currently 2 are available by Gloucester Cathedral choir with organ and Merton college, Oxford with orchestra) please do take a listen so that you can immerse yourself in Ian’s beautifully distinctive harmonic world. 

See you next Thursday. 

Stephen