chorus - Guildford Choral

The
CHORUS
Guildford Choral Society Newsletter: Issue 83, Summer
2013
Letter from the editor
Charlotte Beck
Summer is here at last and with it several events to look forward to. There’s our
imminent Singing Day, our concert in Guildford Cathedral and, for many of us,
another one in The Royal Albert Hall. Some of us will then join the Surrey Festival
Choir for Hilary Davan Wetton’s last concert.
I am very grateful to have received so many contributions to The Chorus. It took
a lot of cutting and pasting to fit everything in! Hilary Minor has written a piece
about Will Todd; John Thornley has given us details about a performance of
William Godfree’s Child Roland and Nigel Bain has supplied some more definitions
of musical terms. Liz Heanley kindly volunteered to be our ‘castaway’ this term
and has chosen eight pieces of music to take to her desert island. I’m sure you’ll
enjoy her engaging account. There is an article about the Music of Life
Foundation, from the CEO, Maria Teterina; further information about our website
from Ryan Soper-Powell; a familiar hymn – re-worded – from John Jones and
lastly Geoff Quick has once more compiled a musical crossword. Please note there
will be prizes awarded for the quiz and crossword this time! My thanks to you all.
Welcome!
Contents
We would like to welcome: Jasmine Welcome! ............................................ 1
Ducker, (Alto 2); Gillian Hillman, Will Todd: a musical mastermind .......... 2
(Soprano 1); Paul Savage, (Bass 2) and
GCS Singing day .................................. 3
Richard Ball, (Tenor 2).
Beethoven Choral Symphony ................ 4
Congratulations
on
passing
your Concert tickets ..................................... 4
auditions. We hope you have a most
Rehearsal notes ................................... 5
enjoyable time with GCS. Please don’t
hesitate to ask if you need any Looking ahead ..................................... 5
GCS Dates for your diary ...................... 6
information or advice.
GCS website ........................................ 7
Musical terminology ............................. 8
Desert Island Discs .............................. 9
www.guildfordchoral.org
Music of Life Foundation ..................... 12
Immortal, impossible ......................... 13
‘Quick’ crossword and quiz.................. 13
Contributions for The Chorus .............. 16
Page 1
The Chorus
Will Todd: a musical mastermind
Hilary Minor
Guildford has, living right in its heart, a talent to celebrate!
Early years
Will Todd has been playing the piano since the tender age of
three, encouraged in his attempts by his Dad – a traditional
jazz enthusiast and fan of Lonnie Donegan. Will’s family
loved music of all kinds, so young Will had the great fortune
to be in a place where no distinction was made between
musical genres: pop, jazz, opera – all were grist to the music
mill. Will learnt the violin until his teens and is still influenced
by the lyricism of that instrument. He sang in choirs, too, gaining a wide repertoire
in big choral music. Always an improviser who composed tunes on the piano before
he was able to read music, he began composing at the age of seven when, for his
birthday, he was given a music manuscript book by his sister. Will began composing
an opera … his life as a composer had begun! At the age of eleven, formal tuition in
composition began with tutor, David Higgins, himself a composer.
Will Todd
Teenage years
It was in his teens that Will realised that writing music and composing was what he
wanted to do. His mother, a gifted embroiderer, had said of the act of artistic
creation that ‘you don’t know where the journey will take you’, which is as true of
music as it is of embroidery, or painting, or writing. For Will, this is part of the
excitement of composing. It was also during his teen years that Will began to realise
how polarised and entrenched people can become about the music they listen to (or
don’t listen to!). We have all heard the nonsense: classical music is only listened to
by ‘posh’ people, who are the polar opposite of the sort of people who listen to such
music as rock, pop, jazz and reggae. This credo didn’t please young Will whose
musical upbringing had never introduced divisions of this sort.
Mass in Blue
The enormously popular Mass in Blue is living witness to Will’s belief that there are
no divisions in music and that all music is a potential source for inspiration. The
Mass is a fusion of the choral and jazz interests of Will - it has all the techniques of
these two great musical genres - they come together in a convincing and personal
way: it is an expression of its composer like no other. Mass in Blue was composed
for Hertfordshire Choral under the directorship of David Temple. Two weeks before
it was due to be performed, it underwent a radical overhaul and changed
completely! The composer thought his original work was ‘too clever’: the balance
between intellect and instinct was wrong – it lacked passion. Will threw it away and
re-wrote it! Starting with the Kyrie, in Aeolian mode, it was quickly rewritten – the
right balance had been found. The work is a major success and has been performed
over one hundred times.
Page 22
Page
The Chorus
For any performer, the great thing about performing the work of a living composer
is that the work is also living and breathing. Of course, the Mass in Blue is a written
work and the choir parts are not improvisatory, but every performance is slightly
different, as the reactions of its composer-performer will change with differing
circumstances. So, don’t read the score and expect Will’s piano sections to follow
exactly what is on the page. As he said: ‘I’m a wrong note guy!’ This is the
improvisation that charges performance batteries, animates singers and moves
audiences: it is the giving of 110% at every performance that makes the music live.
The sheer ‘cheekiness’ of the Mass in Blue reminds us that the work is a breaker-ofrules that blurs divisions between ‘high art’ and ‘not high art’ and, if this annoys
some listeners, it is a reminder that judgements are personal and subjective and
compartmentalise into ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in a way that hinders enjoyment.
The future
The future is bright for the musical mastermind in our
midst. A setting for some Dylan Thomas poems and
commissions for Salisbury Community Choir (Premiere,
October 2013) and Guildford High School (Premiere,
November 2013) are in the pipeline. These follow the
stunning Call of Wisdom written for the Queen’s
Jubilee and performed at the service of Thanksgiving
at St Paul’s Cathedral. Of this work Will said:
Will at work
‘It had to be ‘right’ and ‘simple’ but simplicity is difficult as it is a
hair’s breadth away from being bland or facile. It needed to be
succinct and eloquent and to say all the things that don’t need to be
said.’
Guildford Choral Society’s performance of Will’s Mass in
Blue with Bethany Halliday and the Will Todd Trio will be
something not to miss.
GCS Singing day
For reviews and more
descriptions of the piece go
to: www.willtodd.com and
www.vasarisingers.org
Claire Pocock
On Saturday 11th May Jonathan Willcocks is going to lead our
own Singing Day at Normandy Village Hall, where we will be
studying Mass in Blue. Will Todd and Bethany Halliday will also
be running jazz session workshops giving ‘hints on singing in a
jazz idiom’.
Bethany Halliday
Registration will begin at 9.45 for a 10.30 am start. Light
refreshments will be available during breaks, but it is advisable
to bring a packed lunch. The day will culminate in an informal
performance of the piece and will conclude by 5.15 pm.
Page 33
Page
The Chorus
Beethoven Choral Symphony
On Friday 7th June many of us will perform in The
Great Classics: Ode to Joy in The Royal Albert Hall.
The afternoon rehearsal will be at 4.30 pm; the
performance, 7.30 – 9.45 pm. As well as the choral
piece, the concert will feature the Piano Concerto no.
5.
A coach will be organised for those attending this event. Tickets will cost £18.
Further details of this will be confirmed at a later date.
On Monday 3rd June there will be an optional rehearsal for
this concert with the Royal Choral Society in London. It
will start at 6.30 pm at the City of London School for
Girls. This should finish between 8.30 and 9.00 pm
For details see their website:
www.royalchoralsociety.co.uk
Concert tickets
Derek Lake
Mass in Blue
We will be selling tickets through the Electric Theatre and
Cathedral box offices, but please encourage your families and
friends to buy through you, direct from me, so they don’t
need to pay commission.
Ticket prices
Front Nave
£20 Concessions £15
Mid Nave
£15 Concessions £10
Rear Nave
£10 Concessions £5
West Gallery
£17 Concessions £12
Concessions are for children, students, disabled and unwaged people. Please make
cheques payable to Guildford Choral Society.
The Choral Symphony
This concert is not being promoted by GCS so
you will need to purchase your tickets directly
from the Royal Albert Hall. Their website
sometimes gets very busy but the online queue
moves quickly. Queuing time is like to be worst in
April and May when the BBC Proms tickets go on
sale.
The RAH website is:
www.royalalberthall.com; box office
telephone number is 020 7589
8212.
Ticket prices range from £5 to £38.
 If you have any questions about either concert please speak to me at
rehearsals or email me: [email protected]. *
Page 44
Page
The Chorus
Rehearsal notes
Mass in Blue
You can use go to Will Todd’s website to download free midi
files of Mass in Blue. Choose the Mass in Blue menu option,
then register your email address as if you are going to
download the vocal score. You will be sent an email with a link
for downloads
Surrey Libraries online reference shelf gives
you access to the full Naxos label catalogue
which includes a recording of Mass in Blue,
which you can play online.
www1.surreycc.gov.uk/libraries/reference
/
The Choral Symphony
If you wish to have a rehearsal CD of your voice part for the
Beethoven, this can be ordered from Choraline for £11.99 or
you can purchase an MP3 download for £8.99. You can receive
a discount of 10% by using the discount code ‘guildford’.
Further details at:
www.choraline.co
m
Looking ahead - the next two seasons with CGS
Here’s a reminder about the exciting concert plans the committee has put together for the
next two seasons.
2013-2014
Saturday 9th November - Handel: Israel in Egypt: Hanover Band in Guildford
Cathedral.
Sunday 15th December - Christmas concert with Southern Pro Musica Brass in GLive – 3.00 pm.
Saturday 15th March 2014 - Elgar: Dream of Gerontius with Brussels Choral
Society and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in Guildford Cathedral.
Wednesday 19th March - Elgar: Dream of Gerontius with the City of London
Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Royal Albert Hall.
Saturday 10th May- Fauré: Requiem – ‘Come and sing’ evening at Holy Trinity Church.
Saturday 21st June - Ramirez: Misa Criolla; Fanshawe: African Sanctus in
Guildford Cathedral.
2014-15 season – our 175th anniversary
Saturday 1st November 2014 – Mozart: Overture: Marriage of Figaro; Solemn
Vespers K339 and Mozart: Exultate jubilate; Beethoven: Mass in C in Guildford
Cathedral.
Thursday 20th December - Handel: Messiah in Guildford Cathedral.
March 2015 (date tbc) – J.S.Bach: St Matthew Passion in Guildford Cathedral.
June 2015 (date tbc) - Widor (Toccata arr. D. Willcocks): Sing!; Saint-Saens:
Symphony no. 3 (Organ Symphony); Berlioz: Te Deum - Chichester Singers, City of
London Choir(tbc) and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (tbc).Royal Albert Hall.
Page 55
Page
The Chorus
GCS Dates for your diary
Saturday 11th May – Singing Day Mass in Blue with Jonathan Willcocks and Will
Todd. Registration 9.45 for a 10.30 am start. Finish at 5.15 pm.
Monday 3rd June - Optional rehearsal of Beethoven’s Symphony No 9, the Choral
with the Royal Choral Society in London.
Friday 7th June – The Great Classics: Ode to Joy at The Royal Albert Hall.
Saturday 22nd June – Sing Africa, Jazz Set, Will Todd: Mass in Blue 7.30 pm in
Guildford Cathedral.
Friday 28th June - AGM Onslow Village Hall 7.45pm start.
Thursday 18th July - Full committee meeting, with retiring and new committee
members, at Sheila Bennett's house in Godalming.
Thursday 12th September - First rehearsal of the Autumn term.
Thursday 26th September - Committee meeting after rehearsal (venue tbc).
Friday 18th October - Desert Island Discs – castaway: Jonathan Willcocks.
Around and about …
Friday 10th – Monday 27th May – Haslemere Festival. For further information see:
Highlights: piano recital - Ivana Gavric (Newcomer of www.haslemerefestival.org.uk
the Year 2011); cello and piano recital - Joy and James
Lisney; a performance of English song - Rebecca Moon; Opera South - Child Roland:
William Godfree.
Sunday 12th May – 7. 30 pm. Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, G-Live. Rimsky
Korsakav Introduction and Three Miracles from Tsar Saltan; Rachmaninov Piano
Concerto No. 2 and Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6.
Saturday 18th/Sunday 19th May – Child Roland, William Godfree.
Saturday 25th May - Come and Sing Vivaldi's Music Matters:
Gloria. Church of St Nicholas, Compton, Guildford. www.mmcourses.co.uk or phone
Singing and vocal/choral technique. Directed by Karen (01226 752738).
Gareth Green Tickets: £19.
Monday 3rd – 24th June – Haslemere Musical Society open summer sessions for
choir and orchestra in The Haslemere Hall, Haslemere. 7.30 – 10.00pm.
Wednesday 12th June – Concert in St John's Smith Square: In Paradisum. George
Dyson: Hierusalem; John Gardner: Stabat Mater; Gerald Finzi: God is gone up;
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem. City of London Choir, Holst Orchestra. Hilary Davan
Wetton, Lucy Hall, Thomas Humphreys. 7.30 pm start. Tickets available from Felicia
Pheasant (Soprano 1) - concessions may apply.
Saturday 6th July – Elgar’s The Kingdom with the Surrey Festival Choir.
Saturday 12th October - Come and Sing Thomas Tallis’ See www.guildfordSpem in Alium. City of London Sinfonia and Principal cathedral.org for further
Conductor Stephen Layton. Workshop. 10.30 am – 12.30 pm.
information.
Page 66
Page
The Chorus
Opera South: Child Roland - A new community opera
John Thornely
Opera south proudly announces the forthcoming production of
its newly-commissioned opera, Child Roland, by local
composer, William Godfree.
Based on an Arthurian legend, Child Roland will be a
community showpiece for ten child soloists, children’s chorus,
two adult professional soloists and adult chorus, with an
instrumental ensemble of eight players.
The opera is in two acts and lasts precisely one hour. It has
drama, humour, sword and sorcery, magic and mayhem, even
a ball game onstage, set to a dramatic score in an
approachable idiom.
A professional director, assisted by the composer and Opera South’s own production
resources, will ensure performances of quality. Four secondary schools in three
adjoining counties have been invited to take part, providing child soloists and chorus
members.
The project is part of Opera South’s mission to bring music education and
performance to young people in the region. The premiere performance will be on
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May at Haslemere Hall.
Surrey Festival Choir
SFC will be performing Elgar’s The Kingdom on 6th July. There will be 8 rehearsals on
Thursdays starting on 16th May, with a final compulsory rehearsal on concert day. A
Singing Day, which will be led by Hilary Davan Wetton, is planned for 8th June. The
enrolment letter and form can be found on the SFC website.
This will be Hilary Davan Wetton's last appearance
with SFC. He is very keen to see as many GCS
singers as possible. You will need to attend the
singing day on Saturday 8th June, the final
rehearsals on Thursdays 27th June, 4th July and the
afternoon on concert day.
Liz Scott, Membership Secretary:
[email protected],
or 01483 275 513, or go to:
www.surreyfestivalchoir.org.
GCS website
Ryan Soper-Powell
Very soon you will each
receive an email with a
username and password, which is unique to you. This will enable you to login to the
long-awaited members’ area of the website. Here are just a few of the highlights
awaiting you:


All our weekly notices at your fingertips;
Easy access to the most recent versions of key documents like the Chairman’s
letter;
Page 77
Page
The Chorus



Concert-specific information just for you;
A range of forums, which you can use to share ideas, advertise events and
seek assistance with activities like fundraising or recruitment;
A social network so you can get to know the people you sing with and interact
with one another away from rehearsals.
We hope you’ll find the members’ area easy to use and full of useful information and
we encourage you to get involved with the discussion online. So, keep your eyes on
your email in the days ahead – we’re putting a few finishing touches in place and
then we’ll contact you!
I’d like to thank Sheila Bennett, Natalie Thurley and Avril Blagbrough for all their
dedication and hard work in recent months.
Meanwhile, do remember to help spread the word about the choir and our concerts
by encouraging those you know to ‘follow’ us on Twitter, (@guildfordchoral) and
‘like’ both Guildford Choral and the events we post on Facebook. This helps us reach
a wider audience, which in turn attracts potential audience members and indeed
new singers.
 If you want to join our smashing team or have ideas for further
improvements, please email me or grab one of us at rehearsal:
[email protected]. *
Musical terminology
Nigel Bain
Nigel has provided us with the latest and most up-to-date definitions of traditional
musical terms. There are more to follow.
An-Dante - A tempo that's infernally slow.
Antiphonal - Referring to the prohibition of cell phones in the concert hall.
Bar line- What musicians form after the concert.
Ben sostenuto - First cousin of the second trombonist.
Cadenza - Something that happens when you forget what the composer wrote.
Cantabile - To achieve a complaining sound, as if you have a sour stomach.
Col legno - An indication to cellists to hold on tight with their lower extremities.
Con sordino - An indication to string players to bow in a slashing, rapier motion.
Espressivo - Used to indicate permission to take a coffee break.
L'istesso tempo - An indication to play listlessly; e.g., as if you don't care.
Page 88
Page
The Chorus
Desert Island Discs
Late one evening in 1941, the freelance
broadcaster, Roy Plomley, was at his home and
already in his pyjamas, when he first conceived the
idea of ‘Desert Island Discs’. The first recording was
in 1942. In the programme a well-known person
was asked the question: ‘If you were to be cast
away alone on a desert island, which eight
gramophone records would you choose to have with you, assuming of course, that
you had a gramophone and an inexhaustible supply of
needles?’ The programme has become a Radio 4 legend.
This term, Liz Heaney has volunteered to be our
castaway. I am sure you will enjoy reading her touching
account of the pieces she has chosen.
Most of you probably know me as the one waving a
clipboard at you, carrying refreshments or
encouraging you to help with social fund-raising
events.
I joined the choir in 1973 with a lady called Anne, who eventually married
the Vice Chairman, Philip Jones! I have been on the committee twice, helped
organise Hilary Davan Wetton’s leaving do and was on the Appointments’
Committee recently to choose our new Musical Director. I started as a second
alto and relatively recently I have been made a first soprano. Trust me to
buck the trend and go up rather than down as I get more wrinkly!
GCS is a hugely important part of my life – it is the one constant through
life’s rich tapestry of tough events - divorce, court cases and health issues to
name but a few. My choir friends are a huge support and much appreciated.
Music is a wonderful therapy and I can’t imagine life without it.
I was born in Epsom as the younger of twins and I come from a musical
family. I played the viola, joining Surrey Youth Orchestra when it was first
formed many years ago! I studied music at Teachers’ Training College in
Canterbury and I joined the College Chapel Choir. Since then choral music particularly Cathedral music tradition - has been a passion. Anyone want
to buy a viola? I was lucky enough to get a teaching job at Lanesborough,
the choir school for Guildford Cathedral, in 1991. I retired in 2009 and since
then I have been heavily involved with supporting the boys’ choir.
Page 99
Page
The Chorus
I have two children in their thirties - Sarah (a graphic designer) and Rob
(an actor/rugby referee). I have been with my partner, John, for 19 years
and we recently bought a house together. A great place for post-concert
parties!
All my choices remind me of significant times in my life.
Number one: Bach St Matthew Passion
This was the first major choral work I sang in. Whilst still at school I was
part of the ripieno choir and we sang this at the Leith Hill Music Festival. I
have never before or since heard the Barabbas shout so loudly! The track
Have mercy Lord on me, with that wonderful violin obligato was played at
my twin sister’s funeral and the organ played In Tears of Grief at my
father’s funeral. Although I know the alto line really well, I will have to
learn the soprano part now. I think that the phrase, Truly this was the Son
of God is one of the many sublime moments in this piece.
Number two: Art Garfunkel Bright Eyes
Simon and Garfunkel were a great part of my college years. This record
was in the charts when my daughter was born. She had - and still has stunning blue eyes. People would stop me in the street when I was wheeling
her in her buggy and remark on them. So this reminds me of my special
daughter, who fights a bone disease with amazing fortitude.
Number three: Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight
Yes - I know this is ‘cheese’ as Andy Gill would say, but I like cheese! John
and I were friends for ages before we got together at a dinner dance on New
Year’s Eve in 1993. This track was played then and it has become our song.
Most of you will know John as the ‘techie’ who helps with concert lighting
and social events where sound /lights are required.
Number four: Mozart Cosi Fan Tutte: Trio - Soave sia il Vento
The title of this reminds me of a wine! Mozart wrote the most sublime and
profound music ever. If you want to make an enemy of me please say his
work is light! I love the crunch chord near the end of this piece and think the
harmonies symbolise the genius of Mozart. I have memories of listening to
this at our favourite holiday destination, Binibeca in Menorca, with my feet
in the swimming pool and a glass of wine (not chardonnay!) in my hand!
Page 10
10
Page
The Chorus
Number five: Verdi Requiem
I know a lot of this from memory but only the alto line. I have wonderful
memories of singing this in Brussels on our second trip there with GCS.
The acoustics in the hall were such that John said he thought it was a
different piece from the one we sang in the cathedral. It is very exciting to
sing. My absolute favourite section is the wonderful and quiet solo quartet
Hostias. To quote Hilary: ‘I want this at my funeral’.
When we were in the pub we sang bits of the Dies irae interspersed with Rave
On! I still vividly remember seeing the surprised face of a poor man in the
square afterwards!
Number six: Allegri Miserere
An amazing piece - I love the way the treble floats down from the top C. Not
that I am biased of course, but I love the Guildford Cathedral Boys’ version
and remember hearing them practise this from my classroom in their early
morning sessions. This is another piece my father and I both loved, so it also
reminds me of him.
Number seven: Karl Jenkins The Armed Man: Benedictus
I have had interesting discussions with several high-flown musicians about
Karl Jenkins’ music. They have strong opinions, but I defy anyone not to
think the cello solo in the Benedictus is beautiful. Our own Hilary says he
‘has something’. I was lucky enough to sing in a concert in London
conducted by Karl Jenkins and he certainly struck a chord with a full
Festival Hall audience. He seems a nice man, too, and not a bit uppity!
When I was an alto it was lovely to have the tune in this!
Number eight: Mozart Requiem.
The emotional depth of this work never ceases to impress me. I remember
hearing the Rex Tremendae on the information tape as John and I were
walking around the volcano crater in Lanzarote. As usual, I was jumping
up and down excitedly saying, ‘John, John! Listen - it’s Mozart!’ He did his
usual calming-me-down bit. It was amazing listening to that while
looking at the inside of a crater. I share my favourite bit of this with my
son - the Recordare, for the wonderful harmony.
If I could only save one recording it would be the Mozart Requiem.
Page 11
11
Page
The Chorus
My book would be The Collected Works of Kahil Gibran.
Since I don’t drink wine as much as I used to, the
luxury I would choose would be an endless supply
of tea and soya milk.
Cheers, Liz.
 Jonathan will be our castaway at an evening
event on Friday 18th October. Liz will be coordinating this event and needs a team to help
her. Any volunteers please see her at rehearsal
or email [email protected]. *
Music of Life Foundation
Maria Teterina, CEO of Music of Life Foundation
The Music of Life Foundation supports youngsters with disabilities and special needs
through the provision of high-quality musical activities. From September 2013, we
will start regular singing workshops for a group of over one hundred special needs
students who attend the Park School in Woking. Students at this school have a
range of special needs within the category of Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD)
and/or Language and Communication including Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD etc.
Many of them have struggled in mainstream settings and come to the school with
very fragile self-esteem. A lot of work is needed to build their self-confidence.
Woking has the second highest percentage of children in Surrey living in poverty
and many of the children come from families with low incomes, which means most
of them have limited, or no access to quality music-making.
The Park School students responded brilliantly to the pilot session. The regular
sessions will make it possible to learn more challenging pieces and develop a
performance in front of an audience which will give them a real sense of
achievement.
Each workshop will last ninety minutes and comprise elements such as warm-ups,
learning and performing a piece of music, listening to the chorus and discussing the
key issues of each element. The sessions are led by a specialist workshop leader
with a small group of professional musicians.
Volunteers needed
It is hoped that members of the Guildford Choral
Society may be interested in becoming involved in this
worthwhile cause. You can support the project by
volunteering to sing in workshops.
Page 12
12
Page
For more information please
contact Maria Teterina,
[email protected].
The Chorus
Maestro- A person who, standing in front of the orchestra and/or
chorus, is able to follow them precisely.
Opera buffa - musical stage production performed by nudists.
Pesante - An effect distinctly non-upper-class.
Pizzicato - Too much coffee -- time to take a break.
Stringendo - An unpleasant effect produced by the violin section
when it doesn't use vibrato.
Immortal, impossible ...
John Jones
John has sent in his new wording for the well-known hymn, Immortal, Invisible God
only Wise. The trouble is that once learnt, an alternative wording tends to stick:
‘While shepherds wash their socks by night’ springs to mind!
Immortal, impossible, God only knows
How tenors and basses, sopranos, altos
At practice on Fridays are rarely the same
As those who last Friday to choir practice came.
Unready, unable to sight-read the notes,
Nor counting, nor blending, they tighten their
throats.
The descant so piercing is soaring above ...
A melody only a Mother could love.
They have a director, but one wonders why;
No-one in the choir deigns to turn but one eye.
It’s clear by the flailing – ‘Oh, why don’t’ they
look!’
But each singer slouches with nose in the book.
Despite these offences the music rings out,
The folks who have come are enraptured, no doubt.
Their faces are blissful, their thoughts appear deep
And it is no wonder ... for they are asleep!
‘Quick’ crossword and quiz
Have a go at the quiz and crossword which follow. There will be two small prizes –
one for each first correct answer to be pulled out of a hat. Please either send your
answers to me at [email protected] - if you have a scanner you could scan
the crossword answers - or you can hand them to me at rehearsal. The deadline is
Friday 24th May.
Page 13
13
Page
The Chorus
‘Quick’ crossword
Geoff Quick
Clues
Across
1. Fairy in Benjamin Britten's
Midsummer Night's Dream
sung by a boy treble. (6)
5. 'Heart's ------'; film starring
the acclaimed Austrian tenor,
Richard Tauber. (6)
8. '---- Redding'; 'Dock of the
Bay' singer. (4)
9. When we have to renew
our GCS subscription. (8)
10. 'Leopold ------'; accredited
composer of the Toy
Symphony. (6)
11. 'By the Beautiful Blue -----'; perhaps the most famous
waltz tune. (6)
12. Pagan god subject of the three exciting, consecutive choruses from
Mendelssohn's 'Elijah'. (4)
14. L'Oiseau_de_---'; Stravinsky's ballet score. (3)
15. 'The Protecting ----'; work by Sir John Tavener for cello and orchestra. (4)
16. ------ dance; ceremonial exhibition of an ethnic or native dance tradition. (6)
18. 'Woody ------'; American jazz clarinettist. (6)
19. Eric --------; American choral composer of the haunting pieces, 'Sleep' and
'Water Night'. (8)
21. 'Now the holly bears a berry'; Christmas carol also known as the '---- Day
Carol'.(4)
22. Susanna is a secret what ? In Wolf-Ferrari's opera 'Susanna's Secret'.(6)
23. Unusual Hebrew, ram's horn instrument used in Elgar's The Apostles. (6)
Down
2. I'm sure oratorio soloists never try to do this to each other. (5)
3. Spiced ale or mulled wine associated with carol singing. (7)
4. Last word of the first line of the favourite children's hymn by Mrs C F Alexander.
(9)
5. Giovanni, Josė and Pasquale were famous ones in opera. (3)
6. A young male suitor, e.g. Romeo. (5)
7. Patriotic song written by Thomas Arne. (4,9)
11. Relationship of Brunhilde and the other Valkyries to Wotan. (9)
13. Five Canticles of ------- and Isaac'; opus 51 composition by Benjamin Britten. (7)
Page 14
14
Page
The Chorus
15. The realistic approach to opera as first typified by Mascagni, Leoncavallo and
Puccini. (7)
17. Cloth that is traditionally made using a manual wax-resist dyeing technique. (5)
20. '--- ingrato'; Aria from Handel's Rinaldo, translated as 'ungrateful heart'. (3)
Answers for Issue 82
Across
1. Entomb 5. Hamish 8. Aria 9. Evensong 10. Danish 11. Doctor 12. Icon 14. Vos 15. Judy 16.
Unison 18. Excess 19. Moderato 21. Dais 22. Astray 23. Always
Down
2. Norma 3. Ovation 4. Beethoven 5. Hue 6. Music 7. Song of Destiny 11. Desdemona 13.
Cannons 15. Jackdaw 17. Swear 20. Amy
Quiz
1. Which composer was the first to use a typewriter in the orchestra?
2. Who composed the Lieder eines fahrendes Gesellen cycle of songs?
3. Which nationality were the composers Fetis, Aubert, Ysaye and Lekeu?
4. Which one of the following was not one of Stravinsky’s works: Oedipus Rex, The
Wedding, Dumbarton Oaks, Niagara Symphony?
5. Why is the piece 4'33' famous?
6. In Vaughan Williams' Sir John in Love, who is the John referred to in the title?
7. Which Verdi opera tells the tale of the Violetta's affair with Alfredo Germont?
8. What vocal range was sung by the following famous singers: Carlo Broschi,
Alessandro Moreschi, and Dominico Mustafa?
9. Randall Thompson's The Testament of Freedom is a setting to music of the works
of which American Patriot?
10. Whose 1607 Orfeo is considered by some to be the oldest surviving example of
Opera?
Quiz answers for Issue 82
1. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina 2. Heinrich Schutz 3. Claudio Monteverdi 4. Matthew and
John 5. Israel in Egypt 6. The famous Hallelujah Chorus is sung at the conclusion of
Handel's Messiah. 7. Chaos 8. The Lord Nelson Mass 9. Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus
Dei 10. Missa Solemnis 11. Schiller 12. Hector Berlioz 13. All of these 14. Rossini and Verdi
15. Anton Bruckner 16. Gustav Mahler 17. Fortune 18. William Walton 19. Benjamin Britten
20. Aaron Copland 21. Hebrew 22. Francis Poulenc 23. Sergei Rachmaninoff 24. Dies Irae
25. Igor Stravinsk
Page 15
15
Page
The Chorus
Contributions for The Chorus
The Chorus is your magazine - and here are just some ways you can contribute:
 write a short article about something you do in your spare time: a hobby or
interest;
 be a guest on Desert Island Discs;
 submit some dates for the diary;
 write about the music we’re going to be singing;
 tell us your special news.
 Please email any ideas or articles to Charlotte Beck: [email protected] *
The Drummond
‘An absolute Gem of a pub. Comfy seats, warm
and welcoming staff and a great selection of real
ales and lagers make this one of Guildford’s best
pubs.’
Do join us after rehearsals at The Drummond,
where we reserve a table each week and have the
odd beer or glass of wine together. It’s a great
way to get to know other choir members in a
comfortable setting and, of course, vital for
relaxing our hard-worked vocal chords!
And finally ...
Bob has been caretaker at Guildford Methodist
Church for 2 ½ years. During this time he has
been looking after us with courtesy and good
humour. His employment will end when the
church closes.
Bob can offer his services as a gardener. We
wish him every success in the future.
Bob’s Universal Services
100% gardening
Free estimates, affordable prices
Guildford area. Please call 07501092346
Holiday cottage in Dorset
Grade II listed thatched
cottage walking distance
from Wareham, 5 minute
drive to Corfe Castle and
only 9 miles from the
beautiful Studland
beaches. To rent - only
£350 per week, short
lets available.
For further details,
please see me, Denise
Lynch (sop) or tel. 07854
010532.
Page 16
16
Page