Choral Workshop Cancelled
I have just had a long telephone conversation with Vivien Pike and we feel that it is in everyone's interest and more importantly - saftey - that we make the decision now to cancel Saturday's workshop.


We are so very disappointed as we have been trying to arrange this for such a long time. I have a new set of dates when Vivien is free and hopefully we will be able to reschedule very soon.

I hope that we will all meet up next Wednesday for our first rehearsal of 2010

Damian

Wedenesday 13th January NO REHEARSAL

Regrettably, after some discussion this evening, we have made the decision to cancel tonights rehearsal. It is just not sensible or safe to expect fellas to turn out at night given the continued bleak conditions. We had hoped, that since the swimming pool car park had been cleared, that parking would be available there for tomorrow, but after a quick inspection drive around Station Road, Smithy Lane and up to the car park tonight (8.00p.m – i.e. around the same time as tomorrow’s rehearsal) the roads are not good. Parking would be very limited along the street near the rehearsal room due to the snow and conditions on the pavements are very dodgy, especially for those less firm on their feet.

A couple of us have looked at tomorrow’s forecast on a number of websites and it’s predicting light snow all day in the area. This will only add to the problems (as we found at school today) Although we are all itching to get back to rehearsals, these are unusual circumstance and we do not need to risk accidents and travel problems. Even if we went ahead it is likely that the attendance would be very low given the conditions.

CHORAL WORKSHOP ~ GIVEN BY VIVIEN PIKE

SATURDAY, 16TH JANUARY 2010 ~ THE OLD SCHOOL LEE STREET.

Aims of the Day:
To explore a range of vocal techniques which contribute to good choral singing and apply these to both current and new repertoire.

9.30 am – 10.00 am Register & Coffee

10.00 am – 11.15 am Session 1 Exploring Vocal Techniques

11.15am – 11.45 am Coffee Break

11.45 am – 1.15 p.m. Session 2 Applying Technique to Repertoire

1.15 pm. 2.00 p.m. Lunch (Drinks will be provided please bring packed lunch)

2.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. Session 3 More Advanced Vocal Technique

3.00 p.m. – 3.15 p.m. Break

3.15pm – 4.15 p.m. Session 4 Applying Technique to Repertoire

4.15 p.m – 4.30 p.m. Consolidation & Thanks

Repertoire to be included on the day:

EASY: Medley from Man of La Mancha, Let It Be Me, Softly As I Leave You

MORE ADVANCED/NEW: Sanctus (Schubert) Night (Schubert) Comrades In Arms (Adam) Cavalry of the Steppes (Knipper)

Performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ at Uppermill Civic Hall
Saturday 19th December 2009

Fine choral singing, the fresh vocal sound of young soloists and sensitive orchestral
playing were all expertly drawn together under the accomplished direction of Damian Cunningham, to produce a joyous and uplifting performance of Handel’s great oratorio ‘The Messiah’.

Since its first performance on 13th April 1742, in Dublin, ‘The Messiah’ has become one of the most enduring and well known of all Handel’s choral works and, because it is so well known, it presents a particular challenge for all the performers. The audience know the work and have expectations about the music making they are about to hear!

They were certainly not disappointed on Saturday evening at the Civic Hall in Uppermill. The Saddleworth Male Voice Choir was joined by the Ladies of local choirs to provide the chorus - the backbone of any performance of ‘The Messiah’. These combined forces produced some excellent singing- well balanced and with an ability to vary the tone colour to reflect the text. The contrapuntal lines of many of the great choruses present a range of technical challenges for singers, but these were mainly met and the choral sound was bright and well tuned with a good range of dynamic contrasts.

The soloists were four young singers, past or current students of the RNCM. Soprano Charlotte Carter, although suffering with a cold, nevertheless produced a beautiful and seemingly effortless soprano line, singing with great conviction. Particularly beautiful was her performance of “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth”. Mezzo Soprano Helen Jarmany provided some poised and stylish singing although the tessitura of some of the alto arias was perhaps too low in places for her voice.

‘The Messiah’ is a demanding vocal score for young male voices still in the early stages of development. Bass Nick Beever sang with conviction and a real understanding of the marriage between words and music. Yes, there were occasions when the technical hurdles were not all totally overcome but there is no doubt that he is developing a fine bass voice. Tenor David Shaw provided some of the most accomplished and outstanding solo work of the evening. His voice has a beauty of tone throughout the entire range and this is rooted in a secure technique and musical awareness.

The orchestra, expertly led by Donald Clarke, provided well crafted and sensitive accompaniments for both soloists and chorus, with mainly excellent intonation throughout. The contributions of David Chapman – Solo Trumpet, Peter Collier – Harpsichord and Angela Costello – Principal Cello added significantly to the musicality of the whole performance.

Musical Director Damian Cunningham brought out the very best in all the forces before him. He demonstrated great skill in moulding together a performance which had great impact, was well paced, sensitive and always musical. EB

Result of the December 100 Club Draw.

1st Prize No.1 Peter Smallwood drawn by Peter O’Neill

2nd Prize No.35 Mrs Doreen Buchanan drawn by Eric Watts

3rd Prize No.18 Mrs Marian Bardsley drawn by Edward Marshall

Christmas/New Years Social

If you weren’t at last Wednesday’s rehearsal and would like to attend the Christmas/New Years Social at Boarshurst Band Club in Greenfield on Wednesday 30th December 2009 with your wife/partner, will you please let either your Section Leader or me know.

2010 ENGAGEMENTS (as at 14/12/09)

***** Saturday 16th January 2010 *****
Choral Workshop with Vivienne Pike
10.00am to 4.00pm - Venue to be confirmed

Saturday 6th February 2010
Concert for Rochdale Rotary at St.Aidan’s Church, Rochdale

***** Saturday 20th February 2010 (Venue Confirmed) *****
SMVC Dinner at Saddleworth Golf Club

Saturday 6th March 2010
Concert with Blackley Band at Higher Blackley Community Centre

Saturday 20th March 2010
Concert at Christ Church, Croft, Nr. Leigh

***** Sunday 28th March 2010 (Confirmed Date) *****
Don Valley Festival at the Elsecar Heritage Centre

***** Saturday 10th April 2010 *****
Eskdale Music Festival

Saturday 24th April 2010
Concert for St. George at Uppermill Civic Hall
(Guest Artiste to be confirmed)

Saturday 15th May 2010
Concert with Chapel-en-le-Frith Ladies Choir at Corpus Christi Church, Hollinwood

Saturday 12th June 2010
Concert at Christ Church, Denton

Saturday 26th June 2010
Concert at St. George’s Church, Mossley

Saturday 13th November 2010
Concert of Remembrance at Uppermill Civic Hall
(Guest Artiste to be confirmed)

Saturday 18th December 2010 at 7.00pm
“Messiah” at Uppermill Civic Hall

Please Note:………………… ***** *****
means that this item has been added or amended since the last issue of the list

JR 14/12/09

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