Message from Sarah January 2026
John and I hope you have had a very Happy Christmas and New Year and are now looking forward to our 2026 Spring/Summer session which starts on Tuesday 20th January. We are delighted to be welcoming several new members. I know you will warmly welcome them and help them in any way possible to settle in.
Having given two excellent concerts in November and December, we are looking forward to the next concert on Saturday 25th April in St Botolph’s Church. We will be performing the following three magnificent Baroque works with orchestra:
• Handel: Dettingen Te Deum
• Vivaldi: Gloria
• Handel: Foundling Anthem (which ends with the Hallelujah Chorus)
Following the April concert, rehearsals will start for the Summer Concert when the Society will be performing a delightful variety of pieces including:
• Whitacre: 5 Hebrew Love Songs and his Seal Lullaby
• Rutter: For the Beauty of the Earth
• Stanford: The Bluebird
• John’s arrangements of Blackbird Singing, Teddy Bear’s Picnic, A Place in the Sun, The Armadillo … and much more.
Concerts and rehearsal details
First rehearsal – Tuesday 20th January, then every Tuesday including 21st April from 7.30pm–9.45pm in the hall (no rehearsal on Tuesday 7th April)
Thursday 23rd April – in the Church
Please note that the AGM is on Tuesday 10th February at 6.30pm followed by the rehearsal at 7.30pm. Please see the separate notice with the agenda.
Saturday 25th April at 7.30pm: concert in St Botolph’s Church with rehearsal in the afternoon.
First rehearsal after April Concert – Tuesday 5th May, then every Tuesday including 16th June from 7.30pm–9.45pm in the hall
Thursday 4th June – in the Church
Summer Concert: Saturday 6th June at Lexden Church – mid-morning rehearsal; packed lunch; rehearsal; mid-afternoon concert with cream tea to follow.
Music for April Concert
Hired scores of the Handel and Vivaldi will be available at the first rehearsal to all members who have requested copies. There will also be additional scores for new members. The hire charge is £3 for each score, paid by BACS with reference ‘Music’.
Membership Subscription
Subs are £88.00 – this covers the period from January to June. Please pay by 20th January by BACS with the reference ‘Subs’. Please note the Society has a new bank account (details sent by email.
Now that the Society is a registered charity, with your help and at no extra cost to you, we can claim gift aid on your subscriptions. If you are a taxpayer, please complete a gift aid form (available at rehearsals).
Autumn Season
First rehearsal: Tuesday 1st September
Remembrance and Thanksgiving Concert: Saturday 7th November, St Botolph’s
Christmas Concert: Saturday 12th December – venue to be confirmed
Do please continue to encourage your friends and family to join our vibrant and friendly choir. They will be warmly welcomed.
With all good wishes,
Sarah and John