Brockham Choral

Spring 2015 View from A very belated Happy New Year! an elder In future we want to focus the newsletter to interact more with you joined the choir in 1982 when rather than just report choir events. To kick this off, please take a look at Chris Pratt was conductor. It Iwas a small choir, say 25-30 Not a lot of people know that on the following page. We also need your people, but not lacking in feedback to find a winner for the caption competition on page 3. Enjoy! ambition, even singing Bach’s Joy & Soo Christmas Oratorio. We had several conductors over the years, more singers joined, and the standard of singing improved markedly. I particularly remember Paul Brough, David Swinson, who took us on tour to Bruges (such tours becoming a regular feature) and Chris Dawe. We sang demanding works including Monteverdi Vespers and Verdi Requiem, but it was not all plain sailing, and we had to ask one conductor to leave after only three months. Early on, talent evenings were held in Maureen’s sitting The Armed Man and the Gallant Knight room when 25 people could squeeze in making it really rockham Choral’s The music was composed Primary Schools screamed intimate. I remember singing The Armed Man and by Malcolm Archer, now well convincingly at the menacing She was Poor but She was Honest BThe Gallant Knight at established as a composer. dragon and rejoiced loudly as with Jenny Bartholomew and Dorking Halls. Two major The story features George as George won his fair lady. Ann and The Song of the Cheshire works were shoe-horned into the true-born son of English After the interval, choir Cheese with Ann. Of course one concert with the first, gentry slaying the dragon that and orchestra returned for Ron Hooper always made his The Gallant Knight, being a lurks in a dark forest, causing Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man inimitable contribution. world premiere of a specially grief to the local community. supported by the film created Yes, they were happy days. It commissioned piece. With choir on stage, the by Hefin Owen, which was was good to feel the standard Certainly it was an ambitious action took place around the shown on the screens. This of singing constantly improving undertaking by the Society, but orchestra – tenor Matt Spillett work captures the menace and as continues under Andy’s they are known for innovation taking the key role as George, horror of war, emerging into the leadership. Bruce Pennell and taking on big challenges. well supported by Ciaran Yeo sunshine and dream of eternal Booking the Dorking Halls on as the King and a convincing peace. The music is original and We’re very sorry that Bruce has Saturday was a key part of that dragon played by Alex Roose. thought-provoking. decided to step down from singing process. The inevitable finale is Conductor Paul Provost, with in the choir but delighted that he The libretto of The Gallant the betrothal of the hero to orchestra and choir dressed intends to keep in touch with us – he will be much missed. Editor Knight, which recounts the the King’s daughter Sabia, in black, each with a red rose, traditional story of St George performed by Alexandra produced a masterful version of slaying the dragon, was Stevenson. Joy Ridley directed this demanding work for which created by choir members well, which was not an easy all can be proud. Brockham ‘If you cannot teach Tony Earnshaw and Alison task in the space provided. Choral at their best. Jesson, both having successful Young children from Powell Simon Ames me to fly, teach me professional track records. Corderoy and St Joseph’s Abridged from Surrey Advertiser to sing’ Peter Pan

brockhamchoral.org promises, ideas and dingles

Over to you...

Maureen and Gareth on Sue and Nick’s boat, waiting for the sun to get over the yardarm. Promises, Promises t started with hope: it The talented twenty – a musical score... Robin Luff encouraging donations promised to be a relaxing Isocial time, an enjoyable evening with a little ‘I think that’s a great idea...’ fundraising. It continued with optimism: icture this – a beautiful church on a hill amongst trees, a balmy summer’s evening (oh alright-a bit inviting folk to offer skills, Pchilly-but dry) and 20 talented people presenting an Evening of Words & Music for Summer at musical and sporting St Barnabas Ranmore on 23 August – a programme of readings and music, devised by Mark Sayer and activities, works of art, boats Carolyn Bourton. A near capacity audience enjoyed great performances from Jenni Lee-Potter on flute and holiday homes. People and vocals, local pianist David Hughes, readings from Ali Jesson, Robin Luff and Tortie Harding-Rolls were very generous: personal and others and lovely singing from the St Barnabas choir and talented Guildford contralto Fiona Harris. gifts, precious talents, private Mark produced the music, played the church organ and keyboards, accompanied Jenni, conducted the homes. The hall was decorated choir and sang the baritone solo in the final piece Wonderful World! That’ll teach him to say ‘I think and delicious food donated. that’s a great idea, let’s see what we can do!’ All in all, it was a very enjoyable and successful evening, The choir gathered in beautiful raising around £700 for church maintenance, and thanks are due to all who contributed. Mark Sayer Betchworth Village Hall and as the auctioneer lifted his gavel...Going once! Going twice! Gone! to another generous Meanwhile, down at Dingley Dell... bidder bids were raised, hilarity increased, choir funds s a member of the programme featured the grew. As everyone paused for congregation of St Giles’ Meadvale Singers singing breath, the interval provided AAshtead, Romey was swing, folk, pop and classical fabulous finger food and aware of the church’s plans to pieces. Variety and contrast of course a little drink. The demolish the old, dilapidated were provided by Terry auction continued: works of church hall, and replace it with Spooner, an excellent local art admired and sold, people’s a new one, in the ‘The Dell’ singer and guitarist, and gifts given and received. next to the church. The new two very talented young It ended with triumph: the building will provide excellent musicians, cellist Emma amazing sum of £4850 raised facilities, for the church and Knight and pianist Elliot for the choir. But the highlight the community. The hall and Scott. Romey and Carol Belk was Brockham Choral members kitchen will be able to cater performed We’re a Couple of giving so generously and for celebrations, and a range Swell in The Dell, Carol Belk Swells. MC was Brockham’s bidding so enthusiastically while of rooms can be hired. own Soo Abram, who brought having a thoroughly enjoyable Two million pounds had well-supported raising over the whole thing together evening. already been raised. Ed and £1,100. with glamour, panache and With special thanks to Ges Ray, Romey each organised a Romey organised a humour. the auctioneer borrowed from fundraising concert. The first Midsummer Music and A number of loyal choir Dorking Choral, and Jane Stride, in May was a concert by Ed’s Merriment concert in June. members supported both Joint Organiser. folk band Childe Rolande at Before the concert, wine was concerts, which together Estelle Earnshaw St George’s Ashtead, sister served outside on a perfect raised nearly £2,500. The other Joint Organiser church to St Giles, and was midsummer’s evening. The The Criswicks

brockhamchoral.org Magnificat, cake, dates and more merlot

Review Mozart’s final composition before leaving Salzburg to April 2014 concert pursue his career in Vienna, Brockham Choral returned to gave the now increasingly traditional form with a rousing confident choir a more performance of J S Bach’s dominant role. Combining Magnificat in D (BWV 243) and from time to time with the

Mozart’s Solemn Vespers (K Brockham Choral presents four soloists — above all Have you got 339) on Saturday, 5 April at Bach Magnificat in D in the Beatus Vir (Psalm St Martin’s Church in Dorking. Mozart Solemn Vespers 112) — in a work which in a straw? As an amuse bouche between some respects presages Here are the entries we’ve the more spiritual halves of Saturday 5th April 2014 at 7:30 pm the genius of Mozart’s later St Martin’s Church, Dorking RH4 1UX received for the last caption the liturgical sandwich, the operatic glories, they excelled competition. Please tell us your talented Chameleon Arts the choir and the quartet themselves in the robust and favourite by 31 May. As well as Orchestra also gave a spirited of accomplished soloists energetic grandeur of the a prize for the winner there will con brio rendering, under the juxtaposed in moving final Magnificat. The soloists be a prize for the nominator! firm directing hand of Andrew passages, culminating in the all contributed commandingly Phillips, the choir’s Musical magnificent combined Gloria throughout, with Ruth Provost 1’And if one Merlot bottle Director, of Mozart’s evergreen at the close. If the soprano, now coming into her own in should accident’lly fall. There’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (K Ruth Provost, perhaps lacked the lingering and luxurious only one Merlot bottle, to share 525). a little power and projection passages of the simple but among us all.’ The Bach Magnificat, a in her opening Et exultavit, beautifully constructed 2 ‘This is what I gave up each precursor to his greater she combined beautifully with Laudate Dominum. day in February for Guildford masterpieces of the future, Eleanor Minney and Romey We often look to Brockham Cathedral!’ burst into life with its brilliant Criswick (from the choir) in Choral for innovation and 3 ‘No Andy, you’re only allowed trumpet-led orchestral the later hauntingly beautiful expanding our musical one bottle a day!’ introduction. This was quickly trio, Suscepit Israel. Both Jamie experience. On this occasion 4 ‘Temptress! You know that I’m gathered up by the choir Hall (bass) and James Atherton the choir was back on top form on the wagon at the moment! in the opening chorus of (tenor) sang their parts with with a clear home win in more 5 ‘I don’t bother with a glass the Magnificat anima mea great resonance and authority familiar traditional territory, these days!’ dominum, with the tenors and left us regretting that their which the full attendance 6 ‘I’ll match your glass and raise and basses in full throttle on roles were not more extended. clearly much appreciated. you one bottle’ the front rows. Thereafter The Solemn Vespers, Brian Unwin 7 ‘I like anything full-bodied.’ 8 ‘Glaash, bottle – bottle, glaash! Diary Dates Saturday 6 June 2015 St Paul’s Church Picnic Concert A celebration of the Teas on the green words and music of As I don’t generally do cake – but drink prodigious amounts of Noël Coward tea — Teas-on-the-Green has for me been a mysterious annual ritual organised and run by other BCS members. Admittedly I Saturday 21 November 2015 had occasionally done my bit dropping into the undercroft of St Martin’s Church Brockham church to extricate chairs, tables and signs before Will Todd Mass in Blue arranging them around the churchyard. So when Anne Hogarth A dragon getting a trim with Ramirez Misa Criolla announced she would be away for TotG last year I discovered in a Tudor Black & Decker Saturday 12 December 2015 full detail what an excellent job she and others do year-on-year. St Martin’s Church A trip to Sainsburys for tea and coffee and email and telephone And here is the new Family and Children’s cris de coeur resulted in a steady stream of cakes, many valued competition. Please email Christmas Concert 2015 volunteers and another successful and busy TotG for the choir. [email protected] by My sincere thanks to all those who helped. Nick Tanton 31 May with your nomination.

brockhamchoral.org water, webs, You and Friends...

Revamped website Last year the choir received a grant from Surrey County The wet, wet, wet seven... Council to enable us to replace our existing website, which was gradually failing, although the look of the website was NOT singing in the rain much admired. We now have a new, even better website, with a new The Evening Stroll is an the valley below. header designed by our very own Soo Abram – this eye- annual feature of Brockham’s We retraced our soggy catching design gives a glimpse of the wide range of things Social Programme, ably footsteps, water rolling off we do in addition to singing. The website was put together planned and coordinated our waterproofs and headed by Jenny Monro of Business Arch (who happens to be the by Estelle Earnshaw and downhill to join the dry and daughter of Estelle and Tony Earnshaw). The new website is Jules Welsh. It took place at prescient crowd at Café Rialto. now ready. You can visit it at www.brockhamchoral.org. Denbies Vineyard on 8 July, The Running Horses’ If you have the old website bookmarked or saved as a which proved to be one of patrons, who had not gone favourite, you will need to replace it with the new one as the rare wet days amidst the for the wet walk, had enjoyed the address is slightly different — the old website address beautiful summer. their pre-dinner drinks and included .asp at the end. Some Brockham conversation and looked It has all the features of the old website, plus extra menu stalwarts sensibly decided on somewhat pityingly buttons across the top of the page — under the header for access on a detour to the Running and smugly as we arrived, to popular pages, and there is potential for adding new features. Horses in Mickleham. distinctly bedraggled. We hope you like it and would love to know what you think. So a band of seven What pleasure could have Please send your comments and suggestions to Ed at waterproof-clad figures set been gained from venturing [email protected]. out amongst the vines. It was out on such an evening? A quite agreeable walking under bit of rain never did anyone the canopy of the woods on any harm – but it would be Friends of Brockham Choral the hillside and we climbed up preferable to try and pick a and along to the point where sunny evening for next year! e are keen to Before the next concert all Dorking can be viewed in Jane Dawson welcome additional in March, Stuart Chevalier, Wmembers to our senior English teacher at Friends’ section. Reigate Grammar School, has Not a lot of people know that... With this in mind, the kindly agreed to give a talk on Friends have recently had some war poems to contrast We want this newsletter to be more interactive with a re-launch, featuring some with those featured in the more stories about you. To kick this off we’re asking new benefits. concert and set everything in you to tell us something about yourself that no one These include special context. Drinks will be served else in the choir knows. It can be anything at all, Friends’ events, pre-concert to accompany his short talk. bizarre, funny or mundane, and anonymous if you talks and receptions on If you know anyone who prefer. Reuben has kindly taken the lead with: concert days and a pass for would be interested in ‘I spent the first ten years of my life in a 14th free interval drinks. becoming a Friend and century farmhouse, with no electricity or plumbing, Before the Mozart concert lending their support to the a Victorian range for cooking, log fire for heating and in November, there was a choir in this way, please let oil lamps and candles for lighting.’ drinks reception for Friends to Jane Dawson know. Email Now it’s over to you. Please submit your revelations meet one another and some [email protected] or to Joy at [email protected] by 22 May. choir committee members. telephone 01737 644111.

brockhamchoral.org