Wedding: 6th September 2014

As mentioned previously Nick and Jen's daughter is to be married in September this year. With Eds agreement they have asked if the Chamber Choir would sing at the wedding.

The wedding is on Saturday 6th September 2014 at 2.00pm  St Andrews Church, Corbridge.

Ed has kindly agreed to conduct the choir and Steve will play the organ (and sing!).

The plan would be to sing a number of pieces from the Chamber Choir repertoire at stages throughout the service and then perhaps one new piece (not confirmed) which Ed, Nick and Jen are looking at.

We appreciate that the date is some time off still and for some people it is difficult to make a commitment at this stage, however others may well be able to and therefore to help with Nick and Jen's planning it would be extremely helpful if choir members could indicate now if they can sing. If you reply to this email with a yes/no/maybe, I (Nicky) will keep a tally of everyone's responses.

There will be a rehearsal (time to be decided but probably on the day at around midday). The new piece can be looked at a bit sooner but it is not difficult.

Jen and Nick are extremely grateful to Ed and the Chamber Choir for agreeing to sing on what will be a very special day.They plan to make a financial contribution to choir funds as a thank you.

From Julie - The Sixteen workshop

I thought Chamber Choir might be interested in this workshop run by The Sixteen in Edinburgh next October. Places book up very quickly as only 75 spaces in total. I've booked a place for myself already. It also entitles you to discount on their concerts including the one at Durham Cathedral the day before. Please see link below.


I have checked and there are 12 places left each for altos and sops, 14 tenors and 11 basses so people will have to be quick. They do operate a waiting list system.

Regards
Julie

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-sixteen-choral-workshop-edinburgh-tickets-9813264739?aff=efblike

The Benevolent Dictatorship

 

As you know, I had to miss quite a few rehearsals last term, far more than I would usually miss. As the challenges continue in the cultural and educational sectors, it means that my time in my day job is more and more pressed and I quite often simply have to drop everything to go somewhere. Sometimes I go to places where I gain benefits that I bring back to you (Brazil, Europe.....) but sometimes, frankly, it’s a meeting in London that I need to be at.


I was really hoping that this term would be different with better planning and a New Year to try again in, and I knew of one date in March I couldn’t do and was well prepared for. However! I now have to go to London on Monday and so won’t be at the rehearsal.

I know that you enjoy working with other conductors, but I’m also aware that chopping and changing isn’t what you signed up for, so I wanted to thank you for your patience and let you know that I will continue to attempt to plan well ahead. There are bound to be more last minute changes like this, as this is what the climate demands right now, but I won’t leave you exposed or underprepared and you will always be in safe hands.

If you want to talk about this, please do drop me an email or grab a champion and Len is looking forward to seeing you all on Monday.

Thanks,

Ed

SGCC 2014 Update

Dates for spring and summer 2014:

Spring Concert
29th March, at Church of the Holy Saviour, Tynemouth

Summer Concert
12th July, at Whitburn Parish Church

Summer Trip
Bruges, singing days will be 16th and 17th August

Please could you let me know ASAP whether you are a yes, no or a maybe for that weekend.  We already have venues lined up and so if we do have a choir who want to go then we can start booking travel and accommodation, so the sooner I hear from you the better :-) Thank you

Travel options appear to be:  fly to Brussels (BMI from Newcastle currently showing £123 return.  There may be other flights from different regional airports) then approx 1hr 40min train journey to Bruges; train all the way via Eurostar; ferry from Hull to Zeebrugee.

Tips from Douglas on how to get to St Giles Church

St Giles’ Church is not accessible from the main road up Gilesgate – you need to take the narrow lane to the left of the main Gilesgate road on the way up the hill (also called Gilesgate).

The easiest way to drive there is take A690 into Durham, at the Gilesgate roundabout take St Hild’s Lane (signposted Hild and Bede College) – this is the second turning from the A690, then turn left immediately up the lane. The church is on the left where the hill levels out. It is set back from the road but the war memorial is next to the lane. There is also on street parking nearby (no charge). 

Music for Saturday - again

Hosanna to the Son of David (Gibbons)

Ave maris stella (Grieg)

Denn Er hat seinen Engeln befohlen (Mendelssohn)

Bogoroditse Dyevo (Part)

Geistliches Lied (Brahms)

A New Song (MacMillan)

Insanae et vanae curae (Haydn)

Seek Him That Maketh the Seven Stars (Dove)

Justorum animae & Coelos Ascendit Hodie (Stanford)

Ave Maria (Lukaszewski)

Ave Maria (Biebl)

The Lamb (Tavener)

Dostoino est (Tchaikovsky)

There will be rest (Ticheli)

Rytmus (Hrosovsky)

Times and map for St Giles' Church Durham Concert 7th December

Please arrive at the church in time to start rehearsing at 4.30pm.

The concert starts at 7.00pm

Dress:  All black with a  splash of colour on top half.  Black folders.

Here is a map. the postcode is DH1 1QQ