Starting the morning rehearsal
Jonathan Kingston conducted a wonderful day of singing for over 100 singers on 9 November 2019 in St Mary & St Giles as we learned three pieces which we performed at the end of the day with the Willis Pipe organ.
Stuart Miles returned to accompany the singers on the piano then later the organ.
Learning Haydn
It was lovely to welcome new singers and many who know and enjoy our Come & Sing days and book the date in their diaries months in advance.
The format of our Come & Sing day is singer registration at 9:15am, singing from 10:00am, tea/coffee/cake break, more singing, lunch break (people bring their own sandwiches or go out for something in the town).
Learning Haydn
After lunch there is more singing, a short break, final singing rehearsal followed by tea/coffee/cake break when we welcome the audience then a mini concert at 4.30pm.
The three pieces we learned were Joseph Haydn's 'Te Deum in C Major No. 2' (which has no soloists), Benjamin Britten's 'Jubilate Deo in C Major' and 'Toward the Unknown Region' by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Jonathan Kingston conducting
The final piece (Toward the Unknown Region) was the hardest to learn and it was gratifying that although some of us struggled a bit with that piece, we managed a good account of it during the performance.
Thank you to Jonathan, Stuart, the legions of cake bakers and refreshment servers and the organising team who made sure the day ran smoothly.
Words by Anna Page, photos by Anna and Rosie Page
The Come & Singers from above
Come & Sing performance with the organ
Sopranos and altos
The Come & Singers during performance
Altos and Basses
Sopranos and Tenors
Stuart Miles at the Willis console
Jonathan Kingston conducting
Jonathan Kingston conducting
