June 2011 Issue 37 Hemiola
St George’s Singers
NEXT SEASON ’ S PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED INSIDE THIS ISSUE: The programme for our 2011- is the first time we will have copy or to download from the Concert Preview— 2 12 season has just been final- done this iconic work at our website. See you in Septem- Eastern Voices ized and promises to offer Singing Day, and we’re sure it ber! something for everyone. will be extremely popular. The Kodály method 3 For the first time for some years Onto spring, and something St John Passion—pics 4-5 we’ll be performing the whole completely different. In Spanish and reviews of Handel’s Messiah, with the Gold , we will be travelling south added bonus of singing it in the to Spain and across the Atlantic Malverns Tour report 6-7 fabulous surroundings of Gor- to the Americas, with an intri- George’s Tour Diary 8-9 ton Monastery. Soloists in- guing programme of music St George’s Singers news 10 clude our very own Marcus ranging from the Spanish re- Solar powered singers 11 Farnsworth, with Richard naissance masters to modern- Wonderwoman 12 Dowling and two newcomers to day American composers. St George’s—Ruth Jenkins and The play wot Eric wrote 13 Finally, we close the season Laura Kelly. Mary’s garden shines 14 with a bang—a concert to cele- Corrie returns to Africa 15 Christmas would not be the brate the Queens’ Diamond same without our traditional Jubilee, featuring royal music carol concert with VBS through the ages, helped by one ST GEORGE’S SINGERS Poynton Band, and this is then of the country’s greatest brass PRESIDENT: followed by another great cho- ensembles, Fine Arts Brass. Brigit Forsyth ral favourite at our Singing The new season brochure is Day—Mozart’s Requiem. This now available, either in hard VICE PRESIDENTS: Sue Roper Mark Rowlinson Stephen Threlfall Stephen Williams NIGHT OF PASSION AT MUSICAL DIRECTOR: THE BRIDGE- Neil Taylor WATER ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Calum Fraser Neil Taylor, the soloists and Nicho- ACCOMPANIST: las Kraemer take Jeffrey Makinson the applause after our performance of Registered Charity no 508686 Bach’s St John Pas- Member of Making Music, the National sion in March. Federation of Music Societies Read the reviews www.st-georges-singers.org.uk and see more pic- tures on pages 3-4. Page 2 Hemiola
EASTERN VOICES —CONCERT PREVIEW
For our final concert of the Janá ček completed Otce Nas , a House, where the work re- season we travel eastwards to setting of the Lord’s Prayer in ceived its premiere in a cloak- the Carpathian mountains and Czech, in 1901 and scored it for room February 1945, with the great plains of Eastern Eu- an unusual combination of harmonium and distant gun- rope, lands fought over for cen- harp, organ, tenor soloist and fire accompaniment. turies by invading armies, but mixed choir. It was inspired by which in the early 20th century a set of paintings by the artist To complete the programme, saw an uprising in the musical Krzesz-Mecina, which were the Choir will be performing culture of its native peoples. staged as a series of ‘tableaux Kodály’s beautiful Pange Lin- The concert features works by vivants’ by the Brno Home for gua, and G όrecki’s haunting some of the composers that led Women. Although the text is Totus Tuus. And as no concert this revival. pious, Janá ček’s interpretation of Eastern European music Janáček as a young man is less concerned with religion would be complete without Most of Leo Janá ek’s life š č than with social consciousness, Dvo řák, tenor Richard (1854-1928) was spent in de- and shows deep empathy for Dowling joins in with the pression, obscurity and a love- rural people and less marriage, and he received their lives. This scant recognition for his gifts as wonderful work, a composer until he was into which could be seen Eastern Voices his fifties. The son and grand- as the choral equiva- Saturday 25 June, 7.30 pm son of Moravian schoolmasters lent of Mussorgsky’s Gorton Monastery and organists, he studied, and Pictures at an Exhibi-
then joined the staff, at the Pra- tion, deserves to be Kodály: Pange Lingua, Missa Brevis gue Organ School, spending the Janáček: Mass in E flat, Otče Náš much more widely next 30-odd years in relative Dvořák: Zigeunermelodien known. Gόrecki: Tutus Tuus obscurity in Brno. Gradually his music began to be influ- Zoltan Kodály Tickets: £12, £10 concs, enced by Moravian folk-songs, (1882-1967) was £2 students/children which he had started to collect born in Kecskemét, in 1885. The fruits of his re- Hungary, now home Tel: 01663 764012 search were reaped in his first to the Kodály Insti- Email: tickets@st georges real success, the opera Jenufa tute of Music. In singers.org.uk written in 1904 but premiered 1900 he went to Online with Paypal: www.st georges singers.org.uk only in 1916, belatedly estab- Budapest to study lishing his national and interna- modern languages tional reputation. He is now and composition, recognised as a Czech compos- and in 1906 ob- er worthy to be ranked with tained his doctorate The Moravian Teachers' Choir (poster by Alphonse Smetana and Dvo řák, and as with a thesis on Mucha) was founded in 1910 and was an inspiration to one of the most original and Hungarian folk Janáček. Some of his choral works were written before the choir was formed and then rewritten for them; others immediately appealing opera music. He collabo- took their nature from the group's extraordinary tech composers of the 20th century. rated with his niques, rooted in Moravian traditional singing. friend Bartók in As an atheist, Janá ek wrote č collecting folk-song and creat- romantic song cycle Zigeuner- very little church music. The ing a style on the basis of the melodien, whilst Louise Thom- Mass in E flat from 1907-8 was rich Hungarian folk tradition. son will be setting the rafters left unfinished by Janá ček, dic- His love of the human voice of the Monastery ringing with tated to his pupils at the Brno was inextinguishable, however, a beautiful harp sonata. Organ School as a model for and all his life Kodály regarded setting Latin sacred texts. song as the basis of all music. If some of this music is un- Twenty years later he incorpo- The Missa Brevis was written known to you, then come rated most of it into the first during World War II, originally along to the Monastery, and draft of the Glagolitic Mass, as an organ mass, later rear- be prepared to be astonished! though this was later drastically ranged by the composer for Coach transport is available revised, leaving little of the mixed choir and organ. During from Poynton/Hazel Grove original. Fortunately, the in- the siege of Budapest Kodály as usual. £5, or free to complete original was preserved and his wife took refuge in the Friends of St George’s Sing- and completed by one of his cellars of the Budapest Opera ers. former pupils. Issue 37 Page 3
KOD ÁLY —TEACHER EXTRAORDINAIRE
The son of a stationmaster ing, learning and understanding Kodály method, in which ear- and enthusiastic amateur music through the experience of training was central. Kodály musician, Kodály was singing, giving direct access to also used a system of hand- brought up with a love of the world of music without the signs, which takes us back to both music and the country- technical problems involved John Curwen, the Congrega- with the use of an instrument. tional minister who established side. He was born in Hun- The musical material which has Tonic Sol Fah firmly at the gary at a time when its lan- proved to be the most potent centre of the Choralist move- guage and culture was sub- and effective is a country's own ment in the mid-19th century. servient to German and Aus- folksong material and the finest These signs have crept back trian tradition. His passion art music. Music is heard first into education, although usual- for the rediscovery of the of all and then learned using ly as a sort of infantile ap- Hungarian spirit resulted in ‘relative solfa’, derived from proached, to be superseded by extensive folk-song research. John Curwen's Tonic Solfa written notation as soon as Kodály was an untiring writ- which in turn was based on possible. However, hand signs er, a powerful critic, and a Sarah Glover’s Norwich meth- are a great help in aiding con- Zoltan Kodaly lifelong folksong activist of od, and inspired by and simpli- centration and perception, in- unrivalled energy. His own fied from the French rhythm cluding the teacher’s own per- musical compositions were solfa system of Galin, Paris and ception of when pupils have inspired by Hungarian melo- Chevé. ‘lost it’.” dy and folk-lore and works Relative solfa reduces all major Other elements of the Kodály like Háry Janos , and Psalmus and minor scales to one com- approach include ‘rhythm The Kodaly philosophy: Hungaricus have found a mon pattern, meaning that sing- names’ to convey the length of home in concert halls all over ing in solfa is just as simple in musical sounds. They are not “Everyone who learns an the world. any key and in any clef. Each meant to replace ‘actual’ names instrument should sing first. But although he became a solfa name has a function: do but to make a more logical ap- Singing, independent of an is the home note in a major proach. For example, the word instrument, is the real and well-known composer, it is as profound schooling of musical key, la is the home note in a ‘crotchet’ has two syllables, but an educator that Kodály is abilities." the meaning of a crotchet is revered. He became increas- minor key. easier to understand by using ingly concerned with musical One of St George’s Singers’ "Is there anything more the word ta —which only has education, developing a tenors, David Crossfield, wrote demonstrative of social one. solidarity than a choir? Many school music curriculum about his experiences with Ton- people unite to do something which ensured that every ic Solfa a few years ago. The basic Kodály philosophy— that cannot be done by a single child learned to sing at sight, “Where did it come from? In train the ear before the eye, you person alone, however talented and writing an enormous the 10th century Guido cannot sing without first hear- he or she may be." quantity of choral music for d’Arrezzo, a Benedictine monk, ing the sound in your head— children and amateurs. devised his own system of may be difficult for experienced “We should read music in the teaching young choristers to choral singers to come to terms same way that an educated adult Kodály is arguably the great- sing reliably and in tune, by with, accustomed as we are to will read a book: in silence, but est music educationalist of imagining the sound.” marking the pitches on their depend on written notation, the twentieth century; the hands, and using the singing and reluctant to abandon the astonishingly high standard "Teach music and singing at names ut, re, mi, fa, so, la. comfort blanket of the score. of choral singing and musical school in such a way that it is not The basic idea has been Whilst it is probably too late for achievement in Hungary was a torture but a joy for the pupil; adapted many times in the us to become adept at reading attained thanks to his innova- instill a thirst for finer music in cause of better singing. solfa, there is no reason why we tions and teaching methods. him, a thirst which will last for a can’t improve our listening and These are the inspiration “There is no doubt that, for lifetime." hearing—invaluable qualities in behind an approach to music training in solfa to be fully ef- any choir. For information: education, which has gained fective, it needs daily five or ten www.britishkodalyacademy.org world recognition. minute sessions, throughout at least a year of junior education. Kodály's approach to music In Hungary solfa has long been SGS soprano Barbara Gajda has education is based on teach- established as the basis of the done a postgraduate course at the Kodály Institute in Kecskemet, Hungary and offers lessons in the method. Email: [email protected] Page 4 Hemiola
ST JOHN PASSION—THE CRITICS ’ VIEWS
“A huge thank you to you MANCHESTER EVENING phasised the near-theatrical tives as Evangelist but for the NEWS: quality which animates it…... quality of his aria singing, and all of your colleagues. particularly in the meditation “The joint promotion by Man- The whole performance felt “The chorus – trained by Neil after the scourging. chester Camerata and St Taylor, who also played the like a real experience and George’s Singers of Bach’s St chamber organ for the perfor- “The female leads were is still ringing in my ears”. John Passion at the Bridgewater mance – were superb in those equally impressive. Julia —Bob Riley, Hall was not only a success at fugal interjections as Jesus is Doyle the soprano, and Clare Chief Executive, filling the building – it was also crowned with thorns and robed Wilkinson, who made the a great achievement in musical Manchester Camerata in purple before the hostile alto’s Es ist vollbracht a near- terms, under the expert hand of crowd. operatic scena. Nicholas Kraemer. “There is much more to the St “Impact hardly faltered in the “Borrowing good ideas from John Passion than drama, how- course of the long evening, other quarters in staging the ever, and …. the contrasts of and Kraemer brought it all to work, with the male solo sing- dynamic and colour obtained a deeply moving conclusion, ers on one side of the platform by Kraemer from his large army ending the final chorale with when ‘in character’ as Evange- of singers and players – by to- a surging crescendo of list, Jesus Christ or Pontius day’s canons of Bach practice – praise.” Pilate, but moving to the other were remarkable and effective. - Robert Beale, for the contemplative arias, and There was intimacy, too: I par- Manchester Evening News using lighting to focus on the ticularly admired Andrew Sta- chorus when necessary, it em- ples, not just for his fluid recita-
Bass’s eye view of Nicholas Kraemer during rehearsal
George’s Singers matched them in the opening Chorus Herr, unser Herrscher ( Lord, our ruler). They maintained that high standard through- out the work, not merely in strength, but in verbal nuance and sensitivity, each section of the choir, whether in unison or counterpoint, artic- MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL: that this performance was a ulating the words as well as “Currently the choir has a joint venture with the specialist the meaning, the concluding membership of over one hun- Manchester Camerata, the two Chorale (Ah Lord, let your "I thought the choir were dred, and ninety of them gave organisations sharing the bur- dear Angels) being particular- den and, hopefully, the benefits, great and look forward to yet another vibrant and com- ly well contrasted in its plain- mitted performance of one of artistically and fiscally, of their tive appeal. further collaborations. the great choral pieces. combined support. The well- “Nicholas Kramer and the Thanks for your hard filled Bridgewater Hall points to “I first heard them performing success in that field. Not to be Manchester Camerata played work." Elijah and later Bach’s St Mat- ignored is the association with an equally important part Nicholas Kraemer thew Passion and then his B Mi- Nicholas Kramer, a world- with the choir and the excel- nor Mass . It was evident to me lent soloists to give a memo- renowned baroque specialist from that time that the Man- working with Chorus Director rable night for lovers of “A terrific show—and chester area was home to an- Neil Taylor. Bach’s creation as we ap- very impressive singing.” other truly great amateur choir proach Easter.” comparable with that associated “If the LSO Chorus opened - Robert Farr, Stephen Threlfall with the Hallé Orchestra..... It Verdi’s Otello with strength and Musicweb International was with interest that I noted vibrancy on Saturday night, St Issue 37 Page 5
ST JOHN PASSION— THE SINGERS ’ TALES
“My very first landlady (in car parking arrangements.) He London many years ago) was turned, I smiled, he looked Nicholas Kraemer’s mother, wary but smiled back before and being a musician herself, disappearing rapidly upstairs. and mother of He obviously gets accosted by same, we could not have strange women all the time and wished for a kinder and more was taking no chances. Having accommodating landlady as spent so much we launched ourselves into time on the the exciting but uncertain day waters of the music profes- ‘assembling’ sion! NK and I used to pass in front of his like ships in the night, bound portrait back- for our respective musical stage in the trysts...... We were all so Bridgewater young then!!!” - Charlotte Hall, it was French pretty surreal seeing him in person!” - Susan a person “I popped down to the stage Hodgson than one Dr door during rehearsal break Vaughan to ask where the car park “I have wonderful childhood Williams, this experience has machine was—and found Sir memories of the St John Passion . Guests at the pre concert reception, remained very special over the Mark Elder talking to the Mother used to practise her including the Mayor of Poynton, Mary years!”- Mary Hoult Taylor, Elaine Griffiths of Gorton Mon stage door receptionist. solo part a lot – ‘Art not thou astery (with Eric Northey, our non (Presumably not discussing also one of this man’s disci- “I was thrilled to know that singing host for the evening), Choir ples?’ but Father didn’t practise Andy Staples was to be a soloist President, Brigit Forsyth , and Friends “A dazzling performance in all his much – ‘I am not’, not to with us in St John Passion . We respects. We thought the choir mention ‘I am no-ot’. At least I have a mutual friend in Nick must have learnt about appog- Smith, the conductor of Inter- sensational as did others we giaturas at an early age and in national Festival Chorus AUDIENCE REACTIONS talked to after the performance.” fact ‘I am not’ was always quite (IFC) Beijing. I had sent the a handy catchphrase in our concert flyer to Beijing, and “We were so grateful for sharing “Last night’s performance was household. I was deemed old Nick asked me to say hello to the Bach evening on Tuesday. We wonderful. The choir was on top enough to join the audience of Andy which of course I did and must congratulate the choir on a form as were the soloists and the a particular performance in then found out that he was splendidly controlled yet also Dorking Parish Church, which going to the party in London to orchestra, a truly memorable dramatic performance. (It is has remained clearly etched in celebrate Nick’s OBE. The par- evening. Thank you so much for the memory (although it was ty was at the home of Richard quite an experience singing St inviting us.” very long and my sweets ran Savage, another singer, known John’s Passion, isn’t it!).” out too early…). However, to Nick and also to St George’s. when the conductor was no less It sometimes seems as if all the “I cannot recall hearing St John’s musical threads of my life are Passion before, so I came to it weaving together in a lovely cosy blanket familiarity. But it’s completely new. I just want to probably because I failed to thank you for a truly amazing listen to my Mother's words not performance; it was quite superb to speak to strangers. My life and I enjoyed every minute of it – would have been very empty had I followed her instruc- right to the very end! “ tions.” - Sue Mason “As a German speaker, I thought “I cried at the end. Relief, ex- haustion, exhilaration, the emo- your pronunciation was excellent. tion of that final uplifting cho- I could hear every word.” rale after the sadness of the previous chorus—or just des- “Best concert I’ve ever been to at peration for a drink? All the the Bridgewater Hall!” above! What a wonderful night.” Choral manoeuvres in the dark Page 6 Hemiola
MALVERNS TOUR —GEORGE’S DIARY
Saturday 28th May must say was the best behaved (the lady guide was dressed in little girl I have ever met. clothing similar to my own After a simple breakfast (I style—very chic!), and others have never found the ‘full Eng- Then more food—Singers do visited a local castle. The lish’ to my liking—give me a eat a lot!—this time a very nice concert was in a lovely church plate of grass and leaves any tea made by the good folk of in the centre of the town, and day!) it was upstairs for re- Pershore for us, and where we afterwards dinner was an ex- hearsal. I was pleased to see sang happy birthday to Eric cellent barbecue in a local that Neil had taken note of my Northey, and tavern. And so request NOT to have those presented to bed! dangerous mobile rehearsals, him with a as we did last year in Prague, cake. The Monday George modelling this year’s must have and had scheduled an extra concert was 30th May accessory—multi function tour souvenir static rehearsal before we got lovely and bags overprinted with the Choir logo The last day— on the coach. The hotel guests our three and it’s raining. still having breakfast must soloists We elks do not have been astonished to hear (Jacqui, Tim “My idea is that there is music like rain: we are angelic sounds floating down and Mike) creatures of the in the air, music all around us, into the dining room at 9.15 sang beautifully. We all set off snow and ice. So I stayed in the world is full of it and you am! Then we were off for one for the hotel in good spirits the coach whilst the choir simply take as much as you of the tour highlights: a visit to and full of food. A few of the went on a walk around Elgar’s birthplace, a cottage choir members went down to require.” Worcester, before setting off which had been turned into a the hotel bar afterwards, and I for Malvern Priory. Here we beautiful museum. The Choir heard afterwards that there “This is what I hear all day. The had a fascinating and instruc- members were captivated by had been ‘legal representa- tive talk by a very learned trees are singing my music—or it, especially by the statue of tions’ to the hotel management gentleman on Elgar’s life, his am I singing theirs?” Elgar sitting at the bottom of to open the bar for a little long- many homes and his music. Sir Edward Elgar his garden looking out over the er, though to no avail. I also The concert was due to begin hills. The garden was a de- heard that there had been a at 6pm, but at 5.35pm the light, and I spent a happy few football game this same even- Friday 27th May minutes browsing amongst the ing of some consequence, but I’m so excited! It’s tour time flowers and shrubs until I was that the result had not been again, and my housekeeper advised favourable. and companion, Helen, had that this That may have made sure my hand-tailored was explained the Hungarian coachman’s hat frowned rather pained and coat were brushed, and upon by expressions my boots sparkling, ready the Muse- from some of for getting on the coach in um staff. the basses the following Poynton to depart for the After a morning….. region of England known as delicious the Malverns, or to music lunch, it Sunday 29th aficionados such as myself, was on to May ‘Elgar country’. The journey Pershore Abbey and more choir was still rehearsing and Ledbury today, a delightful was uneventful (not even rehearsals. This involved some the audience was arriving. I market town. The more ener- much singing, so I suspect extremely complex choreogra- was anxious that the Choir getic choir members strode off all the Singers were tired phy involving rows of singers wouldn’t have time to perfect on a 5 mile walk into the hills, after their exacting jobs), and standing up, moving forwards everything in time, but I need- others went on a leisurely we arrived at our hotel on and backwards, sitting down, n’t have worried. Another guided walk around the town time, our excellent driver Ian being shouted at, standing up great success (with our best navigating the dangers of the again, turning round—it went audience of the tour!) - except M6 expertly. Knowing that on for some considerable time, that Jeff didn’t seem able to the next three days would be and I must admit to being get out of his organ box very action packed and intense, I rather confused as to its pur- easily to take his applause. went to bed early, leaving pose. Fortunately I spent the Finally, it was over. The car the rest of the coach party to time chatting with young Me- drivers set off, and the rest of meet up with those who had gan Smith, who was utterly us headed back home on the travelled by car. Hopefully charmed by my velvet antlers coach after another brilliant St all had arrived safely! and furry coat, and who I George’s tour. Till next year! Issue 37 Page 7
GOLF—THE ELGAR WAY
We know that Elgar was a ularly successful manner being respectable, inasmuch as it is sel- football fan, a cyclist, a kite quoted in the Musical Opinion dom worth seeing and rarely flyer and a scientist. Did you and Music Trade Review maga- worth reading about.” In hon- know he was also a golfer? zine of November 1903 as our of Elgar’s golfing tradition, Elgar first played golf at saying “… golf. Splendid game. John Hodgson and Phil Eger- Christmas 1892, and was The best thing about it is this, ton (AKA The Dragons) taught the game by Richard when you are playing you cannot played three rounds on Baxter Townshend (RBT of think of anything else.” He also Worcestershire courses during the Enigma Variations). In said, “golf is the best form of exer- the tour, thoroughly enjoying March 1893 Elgar joined cise for writing men, as it involves the experience (apart from the Worcestershire Golf Club, and no risk of accident, is always ready summer torrents on the last played regularly from then on. without much preliminary ar- day), and playing golf of a He enjoyed playing golf in an rangement, and has the inestima- standard that fully lived up to enthusiastic rather than partic- ble advantage of being solidly Elgar’s description.
THE TALE OF EDDIE’S BALUSTRADE
At the end of the tour, organis- artist (David Birtwhistle) had ers Dave Francis and Pam chosen to paint the city from Craig were presented with this perspective for a particular lovely prints to remind them of reason. the weekend. Pam’s was a print of Elgar’s birthplace, and Whilst Elgar was living at Dave’s one of Worcester. But Marl Bank in the 1930s, the this was Worcester with a city council widened the old difference. bridge over the river, and threw away the old bridge balustrades and set it in his It was painted from the view- balustrades. Elgar was out- garden overlooking the city. point of Marl Bank, Elgar’s raged, as he regarded the origi- Touched by the story, the art- last house, in which he died. nals as far superior to their ist decided to paint the balus- The house itself was demol- modern replacements. So he trade, Elgar, and his dogs, into ished in the 1970s, but the bought one of the discarded the scene.
C ONCERT REVIEW A lady at the concert in Ledbury spoke to Joe Kearney We don’t normally have our “But while concert-goers may iar hymn tune by Holst at the afterwards. “My own choir is tour concerts reviewed, but not have recognised the St close. this was an exception—the George's Singers - the North of doing two of the Parry Songs of music reporter from the England choir so-called be- “The group also excelled in Farewell at our next concert. Worcester Times came along cause they were formed in their account of Charles Vil- liers Stanford's Heraclitus and Sitting here listening to you to Pershore Abbey to see who 1956 at St. George's Church in we were. We think he may the small town of Poynton in the six movement Songs of tonight was a bit like watching Farewell by Hubert H Parry, have missed the beginning of Cheshire - the choice of reper- Manchester United and conductor Neil Taylor giving a the concert (no mention of the toire was rather more well- Barcelona—and you were Finzi in his review!) but he known to the local area. decisive lead. seems to have enjoyed the rest: Barcelona.” “Early on in the programme, “Although arguably not as “THERE are two possible choices included works by affecting as Elgar, the Stanford reasons why Saturday night's Elgar, a fast-tempo rendition and the Parry works may re- concert at Pershore Abbey was of As Torrents in Summer and mind local audiences (if they not well attended: the football the famous Chanson de Matin indeed really need reminding) match was possibly one reason (played by organist Jeffrey that Elgar is by no means the why and the second could be Makinson as a solo organ ar- only English choral music of the unfamiliar name of the rangement.) stature.” choir performing. “Psalm 148 was set to a famil- - Lucas Ball, 30 May 2011 Page 8 Hemiola
MALVERNS TOUR—WE CAME , WE SANG , WE LOST THINGS
Another ‘reserved’ signs on the choir’s TOUR fantastic pews were forgotten in Per- HEROES! tour be- shore; the MD’s music stand Joe Kearney hind us, was left behind in Ledbury— —for tirelessly with fortunately Malvern Priory collecting memories rustled one up; a pair of shoes entrance mon- of great was abandoned in Malvern ey, handing perfor- (kindly posted on afterwards); out programmes, and selling mances, and we were constantly in fear merchandise —whether people stunning of losing tourists, as people wanted it or not! venues, forgot to tell Pam who was beautiful Dave Francis and Pam country- Craig —for organizing such side, fine an interesting, action-packed The Pershore Wave (1): A vigorous hand signal from a conductor food and and logistically complex tour. towards sections of a choir during performance, designed to convey drink, en- agitation, despair, fury, resignation or other appropriate emotion Jacqui Smith —for coming on tertaining tour at all, and then singing lectures, and—most im- solo so beautifully—whilst portantly—good company. It THE PERSHORE WAVE (2): eight months pregnant. was great to have Tim Kenne- a stage manoeuvre in which dy with us, Jeff worked won- going by car and who should Mark Warrington’s Mum— successive rows of singers step ders with a series of variable have been on the coach. How- for putting concert leaflets in down to the next level of staging quality organs, and Neil’s pa- ever, this year we managed every shop, gallery and eating before sitting down in the space tience was not to lose Eric and Mar- establishment in Ledbury— vacated by the previous line of (as usual) garet Adshead! But the then collecting the music stand inexhausti- we abandoned in the church. singers. Requires accurate ble. timing, intense concentration, The tour and responsiveness to was also conductor’s signals. System remarkable invented by St George’s Singers for the num- most important thing we ber of things in Pershore Abbey, May 2011. left behind were happy, that went Development work continues. appreciative audiences. missing: the And that’s what it’s all about!
For the entire three days of the tour we sang (in a rather baffled WHAT ’S ALL THIS WITH PELICANS THEN ? fashion) about pelicans in Finzi’s with his own blood in Holy Lo the full final sacrifice . “I do not know what led Ger- invention: specifically Crash- Peter Marcus decided to do some ald Finzi to Crashaw’s work aw draws from two of the Communion. Many people digging into this bird fetish, and when commissioned by the hymns of St Thomas Aquinas meditated on this, and peli- unearthed a sermon from 2007 Revd Walter Hussey. I do about Communion and the cans were used in medieval by Revd Canon Jeremy Fletcher of know that Finzi exercised the adoration of the sacrament. church imagery: they are to be
York Minster. Here is an extract. composer’s prerogative and found in the Minster still, if changed the words: specifical- “The pelican was thought to you look carefully. ly he took elements of two of care for its young so much “So even if Finzi couldn’t Crashaw’s poems and inter- that, in times of drought it attach the word to a memora- weaved them. Musicologists would wound itself and feed ble musical phrase, it needed would say that Finzi retained its young with its own blood. to be there for the poetry to the words which were most This symbol of sacrificial care make sense. ” singable. So, I ask myself, was used before Christian times, but was seized upon by why did he retain the pelican? The full sermon can be found the church as a way of show- at www.yorkminster.org, then O soft self-wounding Pelican! ing the love of God for his follow the links to Worship children, and, as the doctrine Whose breast weeps Balm for and Spirituality/Minster Ser- of Holy Communion was wounded man. mons, page 15. “The words are not Crashaw’s developed, as a way of reflect- ing on how Christ feeds us Issue 37 Page 9
THE TOUR IN SONG
“Ever blooming …..”
“They told me Man Utd, they told me you were dead. “Tired pilgrims’ limbs” They brought me bitter news to hear, and bitter tears to shed.”
“Dismal yew”
“One of Nature’s little kings”
“For rain has been falling ….”
“Lay a garland”
“The least and vilest things”
“Rich, royal food, bountiful bread!”
“My life’s a pain” “Scattered bodies go!” Page 10 Hemiola
ST GEORGE’S SINGERS’ NEWS
Following the sad passing of Very many congratulations to we were delighted to welcome Beryl Pearn, we were overcome alto Phil Smith , who gets mar- another good friend to the to learn that she had left a be- ried to Andrew on Saturday party. We wish Phil and An- quest to the Choir of £2,500. 18th June at Bramall Hall. drew every happiness for the The Committee is currently They’re then off on honeymoon future. considering how best to use the to Andalucia for two weeks— money for the benefit of the missing the ‘Eastern Voices’ A reminder of our Twitter Choir, and to commemorate concert, but under the circum- feed: @stgeorgessinger. And Beryl’s enormously generous stances it’s forgivable. Andrew if you want to send us a mes- gesture. has been coming to St George’s sage or let us know what you concerts for over three years, Beryl’s son Richard will be our thought about our concerts, but this year he decided to take guest at the ‘Eastern Voices’ log onto the Visitors Book on the plunge … and join us on his concert at Gorton Monastery our website at www.st- first choir tour to the Malverns. on 25 June. georges-singers.org.uk. He really enjoyed the trip, and
A PLACE TO REMEMBER BY GWYNETH PAILIN
Being retired and able to grab ty and was often at our con- good weather when it happens, certs. David and I went for a walk in The seat is in a beautiful spot the Hayfield area one day in near Bowden Bridge on the March. We stopped to rest on way to Tunstead Clough—and a seat, and found it was dedi- has a fantastic view. cated to the memory of Betty Strutt and Margot Young. Betty was a member of St George’s Singers for many years, and when she died in 2003 a group from the Choir went to sing at her funeral in Hayfield. Margot lectured in French at Manchester Universi-
Not everyone loves opera ………. PEARLS FROM THE PODIUM “In opera, there is always too much singing” Claude Debussy Basses—that’s a completely feeling the languish: just the new note you’ve sung there! anguish. ‘Oh how wonderful, really wonderful opera would be if I don’t think that’s ever been I thought we were in South- there were no singers!” Gioachino Rossini heard before. ampton Dock there—who sang Sopranos, leave this entry as that bottom D? “An unalterable and unquestioned law of the musical late as you can. Imagine you’re We’re not singing about female a bass for a day. world required that the German text of French operas sung wrestlers here. The words are by Swedish artists should be translated into Italian for the The phrase is ‘for which I lan- ‘Triumphant Text’ not Trium- clearer understanding of English speaking audiences.” guish’. At the moment, I’m not phant Tess. Edith Wharton (The Age of Innocence)
Issue 37 Page 11
SOLAR POWERED SINGER
The Royal Society’s Summer a solar cell that will use the Science Exhibition 2011 sun’s energy to make im- takes place from 5-10 July in portant fuels or chemicals London. Amongst the distin- needed by industry. guished exhibitors this year is These cells are ‘nanocells’, SGS alto Wendy Flavell, from the word nanotech- better known amongst her nology, which is con- work colleagues at Manches- cerned with manipulating ter University as Professor of matter at the atomic or Surface Physics in the Pho- molecular level, and is ton Physics Group of the sometimes called School of Physics and As- ‘molecular engineering’. tronomy. At the heart of these nano- From Oxford University, cells are clusters of semi- Wendy moved to Imperial conductors, or ‘quantum College London before being dots’, containing only a appointed to a Chair at few hundred atoms, and Phials with solutions of luminescent semiconductor clusters (‘quantum dots’) of UMIST (now the University molecules similar to those in- different sizes. By changing the size of the dots, the colour of light changes of Manchester). At the time volved in photosynthesis. The of her appointment in 1998 dots absorb light, and scientists she was only the 6th woman can select which colour of sun- in the UK to achieve a Chair light is absorbed by changing in Physics. the size of the dots. When the sunlight is absorbed, carriers of The exhibit Wendy and her electric current are created (as On her university profile, Wendy team have created shows in a solar panel), but in the talks about singing: how scientists are working to nanocell they provide the po- “I don’t understand how it’s use the sun’s energy direct- tential to create valuable chemi- possible to read music, watch ly—not to generate power, cal reactions—such as turning the conductor and sing the right but to make ‘solar fuel’. water into hydrogen fuel. Ulti- notes and words simultaneously Since solar panels only pro- mately, this could be a green – our brains really are duce power during the day way of making fuel for hydro- marvellous parallel processors! when the sun is shining, we gen-powered cars, instead of When things go really well, the have to find a way of storing, making them from fossil fuel. The only musical astrophysi shipping and using the sun’s cist’s joke we could find: choir sings much better than energy more efficiently at You can find out more about Q How are sopranos defying the individuals making it up, times when it isn’t shining. Wendy’s exhibit on the Royal the laws of astrophysics? which is a glorious thing to be Fuel can store much more Society website: http:// A The centre of the universe part of.” energy than batteries, so the royalsociety.org/summer- shifts with every step they scientists are working to build science/2011/solar-nanotech/ take.
Many thanks to all the volunteers NOTES FOR CHOIR PRACTICE who lugged the publicity box off and on the coach during the tour. They (WITH THANKS TO ELFED HUGHES ) will be relieved to know that next 1 Everyone should sing 4 If everyone gets lost but finished singing, you should not year the new, self propelling model will be available. the same piece. you, follow them. sing any notes you have left. 2 If you sing the wrong 5 If the passage is difficult, 8 A wrong note sung timidly note, give a nasty look at slow down. If it’s easy, speed is a wrong note; a wrong note one of the other choir mem- up. sung with authority is an inter- bers. pretation. 6 A true interpretation is real- 3 A right note at the ized when there remains not wrong time is the wrong one note of the original. note, and vice versa. 7 When everyone else has Page 12 Hemiola
JO BLUCK—WONDERWOMAN!
The day after choir practice for 4 laps round a park. “My legs the Malverns Tour, she set off were like jelly by now, and I for Nantwich, where the 2011 was still spitting out salt wa- Cheshire Triathlon was being ter—so attractive!” held: a 0.5km swim, a 20km Jo’s target was to finish in bike ride, and a 5km run. under 2 hours—and her final The swim was in an outdoor time was 1 hour, 49 minutes salt water pool, which Jo said and 57 seconds. Impeccable “aided buoyancy but was a bit timing as ever from the sopra- of a shock to the lungs, which nos! consumed quite a lot of salty Jo was running for Parkinsons water!” Next came the bike UK and to date has raised ride out of the centre of Nant- over £430 from the choir and wich, round a couple of large other sponsors. This was Jo’s roundabouts, then into the first triathlon, and although Jo couldn’t quite remember country and back again. Jo Bluck used to work wonders nervous beforehand (“I was where she’d left the staging, but “Going out I was nervous of as our Stage Manager. When more worried about infringing thought she’d better just run the roundabouts, but coming back to the Monastery to check it she gave up that job, she obvi- any of the complex rules at back I didn’t give a monkey’s wasn’t there ously needed something even the changeover than not fin- toss and just threw out my arm more challenging to keep her ishing the course!”) she’s and dared the cars to do some- busy, so took to the next best thrilled she did it, and defi- thing about it. Truly tiring”. thing—the triathlon. nitely intends to go back next The 5km run saw Jo pounding year to improve on her time.
MAKING OLYMPIC MUSIC
Making Music, the national breaking composer who writes St George’s Singers will be federation of music societies, of for both amateur and profes- hoping to join up with other which St George’s Singers is a sional choirs. The piece will community and music member, has commissioned a investigate the experience of groups in Poynton to per- new work inspired by the 2012 being British today, and will be form the Overture in Olympics. The Making Music scored for both choral and in- spring/summer 2012. More Overture is being written by Orlando Gough strumental forces in a flexible, information available in the Orlando Gough, a ground- ‘mix and match’ way. New Year.
HOW TO WIN EUROVISION
Wasn’t it great! Didn’t Ell and ‘winning formula’ needed to vision this year was 9.5 mil- Nikki do well? Weren’t we all gain maximum points in Euro- lion (more than for the FA thrilled that tiny Azerbaijan vision. The ‘perfect’ song Cup Final earlier the same finally won the 2011 Eurovision should be a solo or duet, be day). We don’t expect quite song contest? happy in tone and in a major that many to turn up at the Mm—well, perhaps thrilled is key, have a moderately fast Monastery on 25 June, but overstating it. (And if anyone pace and a strong two-beat perhaps we should ask our- did actually watch it, would rhythm, give opportunities for selves—does Kodaly deliver they own up to it!) But behind dramatic or comic gestures, the necessary quirkiness? Is all the show-biz glitter, dodgy include a quirky verse followed Gorecki happy enough? by a tuneful 16-bar refrain, and Should we transpose the Nikki was concerned that hair-dos and dubious tuning, the length of her skirt was there may be some tips for us in (most critical of all) should entire Janacek oeuvre into a not entirely suitable for planning future concerts. change key during the course of major key? Maybe our radi- Messiah the song to create a feeling of cal ‘canonization’ of Pange Derek Scott, professor of criti- elation. Lingua on last year’s tour cal musicology at Leeds Uni- wasn’t such a bad idea after The UK audience for Euro- versity, has produced the all! Issue 37 Page 13
THE PLAY WOT ERIC WROTE
Hemiola readers viewed! might know that ten- Such a ors—ours particular- priceless ly—are more than just detail for a pretty faces. St musician George’s tenor, Eric and writer. Northey, has had his “She had a play, Telling Lives, baby when selected, in competi- she was The manuscript detailing tion, for performance Lily Handley’s ‘madness’ twenty-one, by Manchester’s 24:7 which, of theatre festival. course, was It will be performed taken by Eric’s theatre group Prestwich Lunatic Asylum ward, 1900 away, so Cul-de-sac Theatre , who quite natu- some of you might rally she up—sometimes over many have seen in their prize win- suffered from puerperal melan- years, to see how they had pro- ning version of Waiting for cholia—baby blues. As a re- gressed. There were family Godot. sult, she spent the rest of her life details, letters, bits of conversa- in Prestwich. tion, medical histories, very moving accounts of deaths “I recently found her name on a etc, all written in what was list of 5,000 pauper lunatics sometimes quite elegant buried in a mass grave at St copperplate handwriting— Mary’s Parish Church in Prest- other times in a scrawl wich. It was really moving and If you want to catch the play worse than my own. It was in September we’re going to this summer, it will be on first a historical treasure trove, read out all the names and then at the Buxton Fringe in the Art perform the play in the nave of opening up the lives and Gallery on 15th July and Buxton loves of ordinary working- the church.” URC church on Saturday 16th class Mancunians from an- July, both shows starting at other age. Amazing! Hundreds— 7.00 pm. Then the big one— thousands of them. Manchester 24:7 theatre A writer’s dream.” festival, at Sasha’s Hotel (just behind Debenhams) between Eric was particularly 21st and 29th July. attracted to this lady, Lily Handley, whose There are six performances at cause for madness Eric found the source of his different times. Look at was given as new play in the dusty ar- www.247theatrefestival.co.uk ‘disappointment in chives of the Greater Man- to pick which time suits you love’. He went on, chester County Record Of- best. There are lunchtime fice. He said, “How many of us have performances for city workers. not suffered that? She “There were these great Tickets can be bought through had such a hauntingly brown books, the size of pav- the website or on the door. Do beautiful face and she ing slabs and in them every come—and bring your very large stares straight at the patient from the 1850s on- extended families! camera lens so that you wards had been named, pho- seem to get direct eye tographed, weighted, their contact with someone jobs, marital status and reli- from a hundred years gion noted. ago. “They were inspected for “And she played an bruises, given a ‘cause for imaginary piano, whilst madness’, offered a brief The haunting face of Lily Handley, driven to madness she was being inter- prognosis, then followed by ‘disappointment in love’ Page 14 Hemiola
HOW MY GARDEN SHINES BY MARY HOULT
Tatton Park Flower Show Have you ever been to the Tat- there isn’t yet a category for charity awareness and fund- is open to the public from ton Park Flower Show? If so, new old designers… raising for Cancer Research 21 24 July (20 July only do you remember “Thyme and UK. for RHS members). Money for Cancer Research And now “The SHINE Garden for Cancer Research UK” is So why not visit the Tatton Entrance £23 in advance, UK” in 2009, the garden with about to be revealed after a year Park Flower Show this sum- the olive trees and the puns? Or th th £28 on the day. perhaps “The Opera Fan Gar- of intense planning. Build-up mer between 20 and 24 th www.rhs.org.uk/ den”? Or even as far back as starts on July 4 and the show July and see “The SHINE Garden for Cancer Research TattonParkFlowerShow 2003 when the musically- expects upwards of 90,000 visi- themed “Garden Quartet” tors across its five days. UK” on site C172. It depicts
scooped gold medal and best-in a mini-walk as if through Stress? What stress? It’s not -show? (But that’s another Manchester at night to publi- unlike preparing for a concert – story…) cise the charity’s sponsored audiences often have little idea city night walks. That was the amazing event just how much time and hard that sent this concept-designer- work goes into the preparation If you also wish to add some cum-charity-fundraiser-who-is- and practice, or how many personal support for Cancer really-a-music-teacher back to people are involved behind the Research UK, you may like college. This time however, it scenes, or how much it costs to to sign the visitors’ book and was to exchange the likes of put on. At least musicians enjoy your own mini spon- allegro con brio for Veronica don’t have to worry about such sored walk through the gar- arvensis and to learn the funda- technicalities as building and den - it will be much easier mental principles of horticul- painting walls in torrential rain. than the real SHINE Man- ture and garden design. And what if the conifers com- chester, the marathon walk in ing from Leicestershire aren’t the middle of the night! Being more used to the stand- up to standard or the Astrantias www.shinegarden.co.uk ards of Edexcel and the are over or the Veronicastrums ABRSM, it does feel rather aren’t in flower by July 19th? Work in progress …. extraordinary to have your And as for the dreaded Heuche- creative efforts under the public ra rust…
scrutiny of the RHS! Although Tatton now hosts the new RHS If you are wondering what all Young Designer’s Competition ….. and a detail from Mary’s this is for, the answer is simple - finished ‘Thyme and Money’ garden in the 2009 show
One of the 10,000 packets of seeds Mary will be hand ing out for SHINE at the Tatton show Issue 37 Page 15
CORRIE’S NEXT AFRICAN ADVENTURE
In 2007 Dr Corrie Verduyn, hospital in Tanzania. The ex- skills and contributing one of St George’s long- perience made her more aware to improving the standing members, left her of the need of many African health and well-being job in the UK to spend two countries for skilled medical of women and their years working with VSO in staff. The rate of mothers dying families. So now Cor- Tanzania, where she was in in childbirth in most of Africa is rie is off on another charge of the HIV and mater- approximately 50 times higher African adventure, this nity services at a rural hospi- than in the UK, most of these time to Uganda. She tal. Originally from the deaths preventable with easy travels to Uganda un- Netherlands, Corrie trained and low-cost interventions. der the auspices of as a doctor in Rotterdam, CMS (Church Mission After her two years in Tanza- came to the UK in 1988 to do Society), and will be nia, during which the Choir post-graduate training in working at Kiwoko Hospital in Corrie Verduyn raised nearly £450 for the hos- Manchester, and currently Luweru, where she will be the pital to buy vital equipment, works as a non-consultant clinical lead for women’s Corrie then returned to the UK specialist in North Manches- health, obstetrics and gynaecol- (and St George’s) for a short ter. ogy. period. But having worked in As in many hospitals in East Africa, Corrie decided to de- We wish Corrie well with her Africa, she was the only uni- vote the rest of her working life work in Uganda, and hope to versity-trained doctor in the to the continent, sharing her stay in touch with her progress.
WHAT’S IN A NEUME? BY SUSAN HODGSON
On a cold, wet day in early cola ), but then things got more chant, other pieces were more May, a small group of St complicated when John intro- of a challenge. A three-part George’s Singers headed duced us to neumes —the me- canon in old French galloped down to the pretty market dieval system of musical nota- along at a frantic pace; an town of Leominster, on the tion, which uses a staff of four amazing ‘mirror’ canon by Ma- Herefordshire/Wales border, rather than five lines, has no chaut ( Ma fin est mon commence- for an early music workshop fixed pitch but indicates rela- ment) was ingenious in the way in the Priory Church. Organ- tionships only, and which prob- the composer reversed the lines ised by the Borders and Mid- ably was originally an attempt to form palindromes that lands Early Music Forum, to describe graphically the hand meshed together to form beauti- the workshop was run by signals a choirmaster might ful harmonies; a ‘chasing caça’ Leigh (aka John!) Nixon, a make to indicate a vocal shape. by a 14th century Spanish com- Lay Vicar at Westminster (Shades of Kodaly here!) Try- poser was simply gorgeous; and Abbey, formerly with the ing to make sense of the dots, Pycard’s Gloria in excelsis a 5 , Tavener Consort and Hilliard diamonds and squiggles (not to with its syncopated rhythms Ensemble, and now member mention the episemas, liques- and ‘hockets’ (literally hiccups!) of Gothic Voices. John sang cents and quilismas!) was a bit was as jazzy as anything writ- at Kate and Will’s wedding— confusing at first, but gradually ten 500 years later. and had some interesting things came into focus, and 77 We all had a fantastic day sing- tales to tell about the Rutter singers managed to give a cred- ing works that, in a large choir and the Maelor commissions. itable performance of a three- like St George’s, we would (But that’s another story!) part canon Salve Regina. normally not get the chance to Throughout the day, John en- Leominster Priory Church found The music was from the 13th try. One slight drawback was couraged us to ask questions, ed in 660AD by the Northumbrian and 14th centuries, and in- the organisation. The church saint, Edfrith. The majestic Norman which rather back-fired on him cluded secular and sacred was freezing (though we had nave survives from the former when the first question posed Benedictine Priory established by canons, plainchant, anti- been told it would be heated), was, “Shouldn’t this be the Henry I. The church houses the phons and extracts from the tea and coffee severely ra- genitive not the vocative town Ducking Stool (pictured), last Masses. We started off gen- tioned, and St George’s trade- used in 1809 on the unfortunate case?” (They really take their tly with the English round mark soup, sandwiches and Jenny Pipes —the last ducking to early music seriously at take place in England Sumer is icumen in in both its cakes sorely missed! A chance BMEMF!) Whilst some of the original and its bowdlerized to hire out our organizational music was fairly easy plain- Latin version ( Perspice Christi- services perhaps ……? St George’s Singers
For more information, please contact:
Anne Francis (Chair), 01663 764012 [email protected]
Jacqui Smith (Secretary), 01625 533779 [email protected]
Susan Hodgson (Publicity), 0161 338 3013 [email protected]
St George’s Singers was formed in 1956 by Rev Eric Chapman and Geoffrey Ver- ney, organist and choirmaster of St George’s Church, Poynton in Cheshire, where the Choir still rehearses every Tuesday night. Geoffrey’s dream was to build a community choir, capable of performing major choral works to a high standard and which would attract singers and audiences from neighbouring towns. Geof- Find us on the web at: frey died in 1964, but his legacy was nurtured by his successors Duncan Eyre, Ray www.st-georges-singers.org.uk. Lomax and Stephen Williams, and is continued by our present Musical Director, Neil Taylor.
St George’s Singers is now recognised as one of the leading and most innovative
choirs in the North West of England, performing an astonishingly varied reper- To receive a regular copy of Hemiola , toire, and with around 100 members drawn from an area far beyond the communi- complete the Mailing List registration on the ty of Poynton. We present at least four major concerts a year, in venues including website, or contact the Publicity Officer. The Bridgewater Hall, Gorton Monastery, Manchester Cathedral and Royal Northern College of Music, hold annual Singing Days, and tour regularly in the UK and abroad. St George’s Singers continues to explore and expand the bounda- ries of choral music. Entry to the Choir is via audition, and new members are wel- come to come along to rehearsals at any time.
ST GEORGE’S 2011 2012 SEASON MANCHESTER SINGS! 26 November 2011, 7.00pm Gorton Monastery Yoga-Sing Workshop Buxton Festival music to suit all tastes from Handel Messiah St George’s Singers will be Lots of interest for St George’s Panis Angelicus to Fields of holding its first Yoga-Sing Singers’ people at this year’s Gold . Buxton Methodist 3 December 2011, 7.30pm Workshop on Saturday 3rd Buxton Festival. As well as Church, £7 (Child Free, Conc £6). Bookings via St George’s Church, Stockport September. Tutors are Richard Eric Northey’s play (see p13): 01663 766410 Carols and Brass by Candlelight Strivens, singer, workshop lead- er and vocal coach, and Car- 22 July, 1.00 to 1.45pm
olyn Ferguson, qualified Songs of Romance —Tim Ken- 21 July, 3.00 pm 21 January 2012, 9.30 am Iyengar yoga teacher. The nedy presents a delightfully Marcus Farnsworth—recital Cheadle Hulme Methodist Church workshop combines alternating serene programme of sumptu- Marcus sings a programme of ous romantic songs, including songs by Brahms, Barber, and Singing Day—Mozart Requiem sessions of vocal work and yoga Schumann’s song cycle Britten. Accompanied by practice, the yoga sessions de- Liederkreis, and some English Elizabeth Burgess. Pavilion signed to help singers improve 24 March 2012, 7.30pm song. Accompanied by Cathe- Arts Centre, £12. their singing technique through St George’s Church, Stockport rine Hall-Smith on piano. Bux- Marcus is also appearing in Caption describing picture or practical demonstration. ton Methodist Church. £5. graphic. Spanish Gold Mark Antony Turnage’s new £20 for the day, including re- opera, Greek , on 14 and 25
freshments. Brookside School, 9 July, 7.30 pm, Summer Sere- July, Buxton Opera House. 17 June 2012, 7.30 pm High Lane, Disley, 9.30am to nade—SGS soprano Eileen £10-£47. Gorton Monastery 4.30 pm. The workshop is Halsall is appearing with Lady- VIVAT! now full, but if you wish to brook Singers in an evening of Main events: delightful music. Joined by www.buxtonfestival.co.uk. register interest in case vacan- cies arise, contact Susan Hodg- talented local musicians, violin- Fringe: Ticket Hotline: 01663 764012 son 0161 338 3013, email su- ist Ailsa Hoyle and cellist Miri- www.buxtonfringe.org.uk am Brown, they will perform tickets@st georges singers.org.uk [email protected]