1997 performance

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The choir last performed Schubert’s Mass in E flat 15 years ago, to mark his 200th birthday.

Much has changed …

Dr Steve Watson had been our conductor for several years;
The orchestra was very different;
Many choristers are no longer with the choir;
Joe Micali was president.

But there is a reassuring constancy in our tradition …

There are still familiar names in each section –  Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses;
The venue for our concert is still the iconic Cardinal Cerretti Chapel; and
Angela is still our incomparable rehearsal pianist and basoonist (no excuses Angela – you have played it before!).

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See what names you can recognise below:

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And the concert programme looked a little different.  This time around we are saving Rutter for our mid-year concert

Messiah short video clips

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Cindy and Harvey Broadbent have made a lovely DVD of the Messiah concert.  It is filmed from the audience so without always the best view, but being able to see and hear ourselves perform gives a great impression of what it would be like to attend one of our concerts.  Doubtless you’ll all want to spot yourselves in the chorus.

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I can only load very short clips onto this website because of a limit on the file size, but we are investigating whether we can use some longer clips on youtube.  In the meantime here are the short excerpts.

These clips currently only work with Quicktime or a Quicktime plugin to your other media player.  Working on it 🙂

And The Glory

For Unto Us

All We Like Sheep

Hallelujah Chorus

Manly Choral Concert

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Thank you to the twenty or so members of the Choir who joined the chorus for the Manly Choral Concert last Thursday.  Our contribution really helped to ensure a full sound, especially in the Vivaldi Gloria and the Hallelujah Chorus.  There may not have been as many people there as in previous years, but the weather was probably somewhat discouraging to many.  I must admit that singing the Hallelujah chorus outside in the rain and to the accompaniment of fireworks was quite a new experience for me!

Hallelujah!

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“So uplifting!  What a wonderful way to spend a dreary Sunday afternoon!”

“Quite the most engaging Messiah I have heard in 70 years!”

“Such a great performance!  And without the hassle of going to the City!”

These comments are representative of the feedback we have received from members of the audience at last weekend’s performances of Messiah.  It’s great to have taken part in concerts where the audience reaction is so positive.  It reflects very well on ourselves as a Choir, on the soloists, on the orchestra, and of course on the guy who pulls all the strands together, our conductor, Carlos.

So, many thanks to everyone who contributed to the success.  To Bryony, Anna, Pascal and Alexander, who captivated the audience with their powerful yet sensitive solo singing.  To Alexandra, for leading the orchestra which played so well, and to Anthony for his fabulous trumpet solo.  To Carlos, for sharing his vision of the words and music with performers and audience alike, making for an intense musical experience.  Thank you all.

And thanks too to the many unsung heroes of the Choir, who, together with many friends and family members, worked behind the scenes to ensure that the performances went off without a hitch.  Your efforts are much appreciated.

Now it’s over, we can relax in the run up to Christmas.  Hallelujah!