St George’s Singers
2019-2020 Season Copland Mozart Vaughan Williams Rutter Tormis McDowall Brahms Britten Gretchaninov
St George’s Singers St George’s Singers Welcome to our 2019-20 season
President John Smith Marcus Farnsworth MA ARAM Chair, St George’s Singers
Vice-Presidents Dear Friends, Sasha Johnson Manning Welcome to our 63rd season of choral concerts. St George’s Composer and Singer Singers has an excellent (and deserved!) reputation for the huge Susan Roper range of musical experiences that our programmes offer for both Deputy Head of Vocal Studies and Opera, RNCM singers and audiences alike, and 2019–2020 is no exception. Stephen Threlfall We will be performing at a wide range of venues this season: Conductor and Teacher Bridgewater Hall, Royal Northern College of Music, St George’s Church Stockport, St George’s Church Poynton, St Michael and All Angels Stephen Williams Church Bramhall, and Gorton Monastery. The music we offer is equally Director of Music, Bryanston School varied, covering the 18th century (Mozart), the 19th (Brahms), the Musical Director 20th (Vaughan Williams, Gretchaninov, Copland, Britten) and the 21st Neil Taylor century (Tormis, McDowall). Assistant Musical Director And the musical forces employed provide experiences to suit Robert Brooks everyone’s particular musical tastes, ranging from a full symphony Accompanist orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall, a chamber orchestra to accompany Peter Durrant Mozart’s Requiem at the RNCM, a brass ensemble for our traditional carol concert, the ravishing sound of the solo violin in a new choral Ticket hotline: 01663 764012 version of The Lark Ascending or a four-handed piano extravaganza for Online ticket bookings: www.st-georges-singers.org.uk Brahms and Copland, and the unadorned sound of St George’s General enquiries: 01625 875437 Singers’ voices singing a capella at Gorton Monastery in Gretchaninov’s spell-binding Vespers. St George’s Singers is a Registered Charity, No 508686, and a member of Making Music, the National Federation of Music Societies All this, plus our ever-popular and sell-out Singing Day, means that you www.st-georges-singers.org.uk can not only listen to beautiful music in excellent venues, but also sing yourself, with 200 others, learning and performing the lovely John Rutter Requiem all in one day. The Choir, together with our Musical Director Neil Taylor, our soloists, accompanists, ensembles and orchestras, look forward to sharing this amazing music with you, our wonderful audience.
St George’s Singers St George’s people St George’s Singers A passion for singing
Neil Taylor Robert Brooks Peter Durrant Musical Director Assistant Musical Accompanist Director
Neil Taylor is a sought after and renowned choral director, organist, St George’s Singers is widely recognised as one of the most piano accompanist, teacher and coach, based in the North West of enterprising, innovative and versatile choirs in the North of England, England. After winning a Scholarship to the Royal College of Music, with a genuine passion for singing. The Choir was formed in Poynton, he held appointments at St Albans and Norwich Cathedrals, and was Cheshire in 1956 with 23 founding members drawn from the local Organist and Director of Music at Sheffield Cathedral until 2016. During community. Today, it has over 100 members who travel from Cheshire, his time in Sheffield, the cathedral choir toured both at home and abroad Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. and broadcast frequently on BBC Radios 2, 3 and 4. His CD Recordings include Music for a Millennium, a Classic FM Magazine CD of the Year Under Musical Director Neil Taylor, the Choir performs an extensive and Award Winner, and numerous releases as organist and conductor, all eclectic repertoire that covers renaissance, baroque, classical, jazz, to high critical acclaim. As solo organist, he has played at major venues modern and newly commissioned choral works. We put on four major in the UK, and has worked with the Hallé, Manchester Camerata, concerts a year, hold an annual open Singing Day, are frequently invited Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, the to take part in collaborative ventures with other choirs and orchestras, orchestras of Opera North and of Welsh National Opera, and particularly Chetham’s School of Music. Concert venues in Huddersfield Choral Society. He is Musical Director of St George’s Manchester include the Bridgewater Hall, The Stoller Hall, Gorton Singers, Manchester, The Sheffield Chorale, and Keele Bach Choir; he Monastery, Manchester Cathedral and the Royal Northern College appears frequently with the BBC as Musical Director and Organist on of Music, but we also perform in our ‘home’ churches of St George’s Songs of Praise, Daily Service and Sunday Worship. Stockport and St George’s Poynton. We sing with world-class soloists and orchestras, and tour regularly in the UK and overseas. Robert Brooks is a baritone, conductor and composer based in Manchester. As well as solo recital and concert appearances across the Although a large choir, St George’s Singers is also an extremely friendly UK, he directs the Preston Cecilian Choral Society, the Manchester and welcoming group. Entry to the Choir is by audition, and new Singers and the Abney Orchestra. Robert attended Junior Guildhall, members can join at any time. We rehearse on Tuesday evenings in St studying piano, guitar and cello and sang as a treble in New College George’s Church Hall, Poynton, SK12 1NH and we recommend you Choir under Edward Higginbottom. He completed a music degree at come along to a few rehearsals before auditioning. Manchester University, where he directed the chamber choir Ad Solem, receiving an award for services to choral conducting, and also sang in the Genesis Sixteen choral programme. After graduating, Robert directed the Leeds College of Music Choral Society and the Edinburgh University Chamber Choir, and in 2018 was a member of the National Youth Choir St George’s Singers at The Stoller Hall, Rachmaninov Vespers, October 2017 Fellowship. He is assistant conductor and vocal coach of St George’s Singers and conducting scholar with Leeds Festival Chorus.
Pete Durrant is a pianist, accompanist and teacher in demand across the North of England. He is the accompanist of Stafford Choral Society and St George’s Singers, and has accompanied the BBCSO Chorus, the Hallé Choir, Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, Sheffield Chorale, Manchester Chamber Choir, Keele Bach Choir and Marple Choral Society. He regularly plays with the Hallé Orchestra. Pete was a chorister at Westminster Abbey. He studied music at The University of Manchester, and in 2010 he completed a Masters in Piano Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music. Pete has also conducted Manchester University’s chamber choir, Ad Solem, and Leek Choral Society, for whom he composed his Requiem in May 2018. pbauerphotography.co.uk Saturday 23 November 2019, 7.30 pm Saturday 18 January 2020 Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester 9.30–10.15 am (registration for singers), 6.00 pm (concert) St George’s Church, London Road, Poynton Mozart Requiem McDowall Magnificat Singing Day Rutter Requiem
Stockport Symphony Orchestra Conductor Neil Taylor Conductor Neil Taylor Piano Pete Durrant Soprano Ella Taylor For our ever-popular Singing Day in 2020, maestro Neil Taylor has Contralto Amy Shaw-Holyland chosen a choir and audience favourite: John Rutter’s Requiem. Tenor Alex Grainger Following in the distinguished footsteps of Fauré, Brahms and Duruflé, Baritone Terence Ayebare Rutter ignores the conventional Catholic Liturgy for the Dead, and
Cecilia McDowall has a rare communicative gift, combining rhythmic creates his Requiem from texts drawn from the Requiem Mass and the vitality with expressive lyricism, and has won numerous awards, includ- Book of Common Prayer. First performed in its entirety on 13 ing the 2014 British Composer Award for choral music. Magnificat was October 1985 in Dallas, Texas, and conducted by Rutter himself, the commissioned in 2003 by Finchley Choral Society, and is a graceful, work is optimistic in its message of hope and comfort, and after the reflective work that grows in intensity to a genuine sense of exultation. It tragic events of 9/11 was chosen for performance at the many makes an ideal companion to Mozart’s Requiem, one of the greatest of memorial services which followed across the USA. all choral works. £22 to sing (including music), £5 students, £5 audience £16, £14 concessions, £7 students/children, group discounts To register to sing, please download our Singing Day application form from www. st-georges-singers.org.uk, or contact Gillian Banks, tel 01925 213949, email Coach transport is available from /Macclesfield/Poynton/Hazel Grove to RNCM. [email protected]. Tickets from Dave Francis on 01663 764012. £6 or free to Friends of St George’s Singers. Saturday 28 March 2020, 7.30 pm Saturday 7 December 2019, 7.00 pm St Michael and All Angels Church, St Michael’s Avenue, Bramhall St George’s Church, Buxton Road, Stockport Simple Gifts Carols and Brass by Candlelight Brahms Liebeslieder Walzer Conductor Neil Taylor Britten Choral Dances from Gloriana Organ Pete Durrant Copland Old American Songs with Tormis Estonian Lullabies Chetham’s Brass Ensemble and Conductor Neil Taylor Bradshaw Hall Primary School Choir Accompanist Pete Durrant Director Vicky Sunderland A concert of charming choral works with their origins in the traditional It’s Christmas time again, so come and join us for our traditional concert song and dance music of peoples from around the world. Brahms’ of carols and festive music from St George’s Singers, the outrageously Liebeslieder Walzer (Love Song Waltzes) with piano accompaniment for talented young brass players from Chetham’s School of Music, and four hands explore the subject of love. Copland’s Old American the fun-loving children from Bradshaw Hall. Hundreds of candles adorn Songs are based on traditional Shaker, minstrel, hymn and other tunes the church, mulled wine perfumes the air, the music fills our hearts with reflecting the history of the American nation. Britten’s simple and festive joy… and the mince pies aren’t bad either! unpretentious Choral Dances from his opera Gloriana are sung in honour of Queen Elizabeth I by country girls and young rustics. Tormis’ £13, £11 concession, £4 students/children, group discounts Estonian Lullabies are unembellished four-part settings of songs which Coach transport is available from Macclesfield/Poynton/Hazel Grove to St George’s lie at the heart of Estonia’s cultural and musical heritage. Stockport. Tickets from Dave Francis on 01663 764012. £6 or free to Friends of St George’s Singers. £13, £10 concession, £7 students/children, group discounts Sunday 28 June 2020, 7.30 pm And more... Gorton Monastery, Manchester
Gretchaninov Vespers Come and Sing evening – Tuesday 18 February 2020 Vaughan Williams Mass in G minor, Our annual Come and Sing evening is open to all, and this season The Lark Ascending will be held on Tuesday 18 February 2020 at St George’s Church in Poynton. If you already sing with another choir and just want an extra Conductor Neil Taylor evening’s music-making, or are thinking of joining St George’s Singers, you are invited to join Neil Taylor, accompanist Pete Durrant and all the Our final concert of the season brings together two sacred works that Choir members in rehearsing a selection of music from our current were composed within nine years of each other, providing glimpses into repertoire. More details will be found on our website towards the end the musical heritages of the eastern and western reaches of Europe. of 2019, or contact Jacqui Smith on enquiries@st-georges-singers. The Vespers or All-Night Vigil by Alexander Gretchaninov was premiered org.uk. in the Kremlin in November 1912, but was then banned by the Soviet authorities and only rediscovered decades later. Not as well known as CDs Rachmaninov’s Vespers, it is no less magical in its use of Russian folk The Choir has made a number of CD recordings, obtainable at melodies, Orthodox chant and traditional church music. Ralph Vaughan concerts or via our website. The most recent, The Christmas Life, Williams’ Mass in G minor was composed in 1921, and marries the was selected for broadcast by Classic FM, and features traditional sound worlds of Tallis and Byrd with modern idioms to produce a work and modern carols, including special commissions by St George’s that is quintessentially English. The concert is completed by a thrilling Singers. Other CDs include Our Spirits Sing, recorded for our Golden new version by Paul Drayton of The Lark Ascending for choir and violin. Jubilee in 2006, and Carols from St George’s. Perfect for the Monastery on a summer’s evening. Newsletter £16, £14 concession, £7 students/children, group discounts Pick up a copy of the choir newsletter Hemiola at our concerts, Coach transport is available from Macclesfield/Poynton/Hazel Grove to Gorton download it from our website, or sign up to our Mailing List on the Monastery. Tickets from Dave Francis on 01663 764012. £6 or free to Friends of St website. You can also follow the Choir on Twitter (@stgeorgessinger) George’s Singers. and Facebook.
By invitation Choir Tour Every year members of St George’s Singers go on tour, alternating Sunday 20 October 2019, 7.30pm overseas trips with home tours. In 2019 we sang in Belgium; in 2020 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester we stay closer to home, with a tour centred on Bristol and surrounding area. If you happen to be in the area over the Spring Bank Holiday Brahms Song of Destiny weekend, come along to one of our concerts. Details on our website Shostakovich Symphony No 7, ‘Leningrad’ nearer the time. Copland Fanfare for the Common Man The Cheshire Consort European Doctors Orchestra The Cheshire Consort chamber choir was formed by St George’s St George’s Singers Singers to sing at church and civil weddings and other formal events throughout Greater Manchester, Cheshire and North Wales. The Conductor Peter Stark Consort’s repertoire covers sacred and secular choral music to suit any venue and style of ceremony. For more information telephone The European Doctors Orchestra raises money for charities related to Alison McLay on 0161 969 7698, email enquiries@cheshireconsort. health and well-being, and performs two public charity concerts each org.uk, or visit our website. www.cheshireconsort.org.uk. You can also year in major European and UK concert halls. They have invited St follow The Cheshire Consort on Facebook and Twitter. George’s Singers to join them in their Bridgewater Hall debut, the pro- ceeds of which will go to St Ann’s Hospice. Brahms’ Song of Destiny is one of his most original and profound works, contrasting the blissful lives of those in Elysium with the sufferings of earth-bound mortals, but ending with Brahms’ characteristically humanistic belief in hope and consolation.
Tickets: £15, £25, £35, students and under-18s £5 From: Bridgewater Hall Box office 0161 907 9000, www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk Friends of St George’s Singers
The Friends of St George’s Singers play an important part in the social and musical life of the Choir, as well as providing vital financial support. Annual membership of the Friends costs only £20 for Red Rose, and £30 for Gold Rose Membership, though many Friends make even more generous donations. Many long-standing Friends have also been invited to become Life Friends, in recognition of their contribution to the Choir. In return Friends receive a number of generous benefits: Reserved seats at concerts, where available, for Friends plus two guests Acknowledgement in programmes Free coach transport to city centre venues, when available Free concert programmes Invitation to the annual Friends’ Reception The Choir newsletter, Hemiola
To join our Friends, simply complete and return the Application Form in this brochure, or contact Barbara Forshaw on: [email protected], tel 0161 215 2112. Patrons We are immensely grateful to our Patrons, individual and corporate supporters of the Choir who contribute funds for specific purposes, such as sponsoring concerts, soloists, new music commissions or other Choir activities. All Patrons are acknowledged in our Season Brochure, in concert programmes and on relevant concert publicity.
If you or your company are interested in becoming a Patron, please contact the Chair, John Smith, on [email protected], or our Choir Secretary, Jacqui Smith, on 01625 875437.
Thanks We would like to offer our grateful thanks to our 2019–20 supporters:
Take2TheWeb.com Poynton Round Table We acknowledge with gratitude the help provided by Cheshire East Library Services throughout the season.
St George’s Singers performing Bach’s Mass in B minor at Gorton Monastery, March 2019 detach along dotted line dotted along detach Booking your tickets Application form
There are four easy ways to buy tickets for our concerts: Online booking Please complete this form and tick the appropriate boxes below To buy online using PayPal or credit card, or to download a booking form, visit our website at www.st-georges-singers.org.uk, and go to Title First Name ‘Online Tickets’.
Telephone Surname Ring the Ticket Hotline on 01663 764012. Email Address Email your requirements to: [email protected]. Post Complete the Application Form overleaf and post with your cheque, payable to ‘St George’s Singers Poynton’, to the Ticket Secretary, 11 The Ridgeway South, Disley, Stockport, Cheshire SK12 2JG Postcode Telephone
Concessionary rates are available for senior citizens, claimants, students Email and children.
Discounts are available for group bookings as follows: 10% off 5–9 Mailing list registration tickets and 15% off 10 or more tickets. Please contact the Ticket Secretary on 01663 764012 for more information. Please tick the appropriate box(es) below: Coach to concerts Return coach tickets are offered from Macclesfield/Poynton/Hazel Grove Please include me on your mailing list: by post by email to most of our concerts at Royal Northern College of Music and Gorton Monastery in Manchester, and St George’s Church in Stockport. Please I agree to my details being stored on St George’s Singers database, see concert information for coach availability. Friends of St George’s and to receiving information relating to St George’s Singers Singers – one free coach ticket per concert. Others - £6 per person. I do not wish to receive further information about St George’s Singers Singing Day – please remove my details from your Mailing List To book a place on the Singing Day on Saturday 18 January 2020, please download our separate Singing Day brochure from www. st-georges-singers.org.uk, or contact Gillian Banks, tel 01925 213949, Please note that we do not share your personal information with any third email [email protected]. If you wish to buy a ticket to parties. A copy of St George’s Singers’ Privacy Policy can be found on our attend the concert in the evening, please use the Ticket Application website, www.st-georges-singers.org.uk Form overleaf. Mailing list To order tickets, please remember to complete the ticket booking For early notification of concerts, ticket availability, special events, and to form overleaf receive a copy of our Choir newsletter, please register with our Mailing List by completing the Application Form overleaf, or register online at www.st-georges-singers.org.uk. Concert venues Maps showing the location of all this season’s concert venues are provided on p 15, with details of closest car parking.
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**Anyone wishing to perform in the Singing Day should see our separate Singing Day Application Form, available on our website
per person.
* Return coach tickets available from Macclesfield/Poynton/Hazel Grove to RNCM, Gorton Monastery, St George’s Stockport: Friends of St George’s Singers – one free ticket per concert; others – £6
For tickets to the Brahms
For information on group discounts, please contact the Ticket Secretary on 01663 764012.
Grand Total Grand £
Gold rose £30
Friends Membership 2019 - 20
£6
Gretchaninov
Simple Gifts - 28/3/20 - £13, £10, £7
Singing Day - 18/1/20 - £5 audience only
Carols and Brass - 7/12/19 - £13, £11, £4
£6
Mozart
Concert - Date - Price No. full price
Remember to complete your name and address details overleaf!
Cheshire SK12 2DJ.
Please complete the form and post with your cheque, made payable to ‘St George’s Singers Poynton’, to: Ticket Secretary, St George’s Singers, 11 The Ridgeway South, Disley, Stockport,
Ticket booking form
£6
Concert Venues
Requiem
Royal Northern College of Music St George’s Church
Vespers - Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD Buxton Road, Stockport, SK2 6NU - 23/11/19 - £16, £14 Mancunian Way A57M Wellington
Song of Destiny Rd South St Mary’s Way 28/6/20 - £16, £14, £7 Grosvenor
Street Hampshaw Lane
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concert on 20 October 2019, contact Bridgewater Hall Box office.
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Cambridge St A5102 Red rose £20
The Monastery St George’s Church Gorton Lane, Gorton, London Road, Poynton Manchester, M12 5WF SK12 1NH
Alan Turing Way Ashton Old Rd A635 Stockport Torkington Rd Hazel Grove
M60 J1 A6
London Rd No. concession No. stdnt/chldn No. coach tickets* P
Monastery P St George’s Poynton
Belle Vue St A34
Hyde Rd A57
St Michael’s Church Bramhall, SK7 2PG
To Stockport
A5102
Bridge Lane A5143
Carr Wood Rd
Free Free Free To Hazel
Grove
St Michaels Ave
St Michael’s Bramhall Lane P South A5102 Robins La. To Cheadle Hulme
Bramhall Total £ Ack Lane West A514 Ack Lane East Woodford Rd A5102
To Poynton & A555
St George’s Singers
2019-20 Season at a glance
20 October 2019 Brahms Song of Destiny 23 November 2019 Mozart Requiem, McDowall Magnificat 7 December 2019 Carols and Brass by Candlelight 18 January 2020 Singing Day – Rutter Requiem 28 March 2020 Simple Gifts 23–25 May 2020 Tour to Bristol 28 June 2020 Gretchaninov Vespers
Ticket hotline 01663 764012
Online ticket bookings www.st-georges-singers.org.uk
General enquiries 01625 875437
St George’s Singers is a Registered Charity, No 508686, and a member of Making Music, the National Federation of Music Societies
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