Christmas 2014
On December 10th a small group of sopranos and altos sang carols at the Haven Day Centre in Tiverton. The singers were directed by Lynne Lyddon who also embellished some of the carols on the flute and accompanied on the organ by John Blythe. A short programme of choir items and carols for audience participation was well received by a lively audience and the occasion was enjoyed by all.
On the following Saturday the choir gave their final concert of the year with a programme of Advent and Christmas music at Tiverton Baptist Church. One member of the audience who had been given a ticket as a Christmas gift said, “it was a perfect gift ….. a lovely evening”
In November we presented a concert to mark the centenary of the First World War. The evening was presented by Stephanie Hughes. The Last Post was played by Damian Challis from the Royal Marines.
Programme
Mars, the Bringer of War from The Planets, Op 32. Gustav Holst
In Flanders Fields – Poem by John McCrae, May 1915
The Lark Ascending – Ralph Vaughan Williams Soloist: Marie Langrishe
Lamplight – Poem by May Wedderburn Cannan, 1917
Nimrod from Enigma Variations – Sir Edward Elgar
The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace – Karl Jenkins
Feedback
From a member of the orchestra:
I felt I had to get in touch with you all to let you know just how much I enjoyed working with you on Saturday. …..the positive spirit and theatrical energy which the choir produced was simply magical. ….. It was an inspired interpretation. The sheer performance nerves of steel from Damian Challis and the way it was staged was spine tingling…a memorable musical experience, its not often I will leave a stage feeling, “that was really special “.
From a choir member:
“It was a privilege to be part of last night’s concert. Far too many highlights to mention, the most spine tingling moment for me was the opening of “Nimrod”, still tingling at the memory of it. Thank you Andrew.”
One of the floral arrangements of hand made poppies
by Choir Member Gill Matthews
The Choir performed Bach’s B minor Mass
on 10th May at the Baptist Church in Tiverton.
Saturday Afternoon Rehearsal – Photo by George Daldorph
Part of the choir rehearsing the B minor Mass in the Baptist Church, Tiverton.
Photo by Luch Caise-Dearg
Here are some of the comments received:
From members of the audience:
“The Bach Mass in B minor ……. was tremendous. You must all have worked so hard.”
“It was truly wonderful…we enjoyed it so much”
“It was the best concert you have ever done!!”
“I thought the Bach B minor mass was excellent. I didn’t look at my watch!
All EDCS concerts have been of a good length of time and not too long.”
“You were all obviously enjoying yourselves – that always goes down well with the audience.”
“Highlights for me were the opening Kyrie (surprise and relief because of the quality of the singing) and the Sanctus (beautifully rendered beautiful, if unBachlike, music).”
“I thought the whole performance was very good indeed.”
“Despite some roughness the choir maintained the spirit of Bach throughout.”
From choir members:
My 12 year old daughter said that “we sounded really professional.”
“I don’t think I have ever concentrated as hard as I did last night. It was exhausting, but I think that we should feel really proud of our efforts!”
“I have wanted to sing this for years, I loved every minute of every rehearsal and the concert was uplifting.”
Summer Concert 2014
“That was such fun!” was the reaction from many who attended our Summer concert at Tiverton Baptist Church. The programme included lively performances of Disney Medleys by choir and soloists of all ages and was well received by the audience. All the solo performances were of a high standard, everyone very taken by the assured presentations by Yasmin and Emilia from Newton-St-Cyres Primary School.
As a result of the collection and donations from the choir a sum of £1000 is to be presented to Hospicecare.