| An evening of delightful Baroque music |
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Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’, his most famous and much-loved choral masterpiece, has a wonderfully sunny nature, and melodies which give it immediate and universal appeal. A joyful hymn of praise, with interludes of quieter contemplation, it is perhaps one of choral music’s most uplifting works. In ‘Beatus Vir’ (Blessed is the Man), Vivaldi’s setting of Psalm 111, the dramatic and expressive music again matches the varying moods of the text, from joy to meditation. Pergolesi’s ‘Stabat Mater’, one of his most celebrated sacred works, uses hauntingly beautiful melodies to express reflections on the sorrows of Mary at the foot of the cross, which also include moments of joy in the protection of the Virgin. Finally, Torelli’s sparkling little Sinfonia in D for Trumpet & Strings, featuring well-known local trumpeter Andy Gill, completes an evening of delightful Baroque music.
Tickets for the concert on 18th May are available for £14 in advance from Second Spin in Sackville Rd, Bexhill (cash), choir members, from Ticketsource at ticketsource.co.uk/bcs or phone 0333 666 3366; or £16 on the door. ‘Friends of BCS’ have a reduced rate of £12.
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Bexhill Choral is joined by the Sussex Concert Orchestra and well-known local soloists soprano Caroline Charnock and mezzo Rebecca Hughes. Caroline began her singing career at the age of 9 in St Peter’s Church Choir, where she became head chorister, and is delighted to be singing some of her favourite works with Bexhill Choral Society, back at St Peter’s where her musical journey began!
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Mezzo soprano Rebecca Hughes has sung as a soloist in a number of operas and choral works, and spends most of her time singing, teaching and giving vocal workshops to choral societies in and around East Sussex.
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| Standing ovation for our February concert! |
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Bexhill Choral Society received enthusiastic applause – indeed a standing ovation! - and reviews for our last concert in February at St Barnabas (postponed from the previous October) which featured the premiere of Director of Music Kenneth Roberts’ cantata ‘Iseult’, with the brilliant soprano soloist Kristy Swift singing the title role. Arthur Sullivan’s music for ‘King Arthur’, Holst’s setting of Psalm 86 (with soloists Caroline Charnock and Roger Elias), and two movements of Roberts’ ‘Flute Concerto’ (with flautist Susan Gregg) rounded out what Vice Chair of Rother Richard Thomas described as ‘passionate and committed music making, dramatically and beautifully played and sung’ and ‘a memorable and moving event’.
Video recording For those who missed this unique and exciting event, a recording of ‘Iseult’ can be found on Kenneth Roberts Composer’s YouTube channel, while the Holst and Sullivan pieces can be found on Bexhill Choral Society’s YouTube channel.
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Looking ahead, Bexhill Choral Society will be presenting one of Kenneth Roberts’ entertaining lecture recitals, ‘The Piano at the Movies’ at 7.30 on Friday 14th June 2024 at Little Common Community Centre, TN39 4SQ. Ken is well-known as a pianist and raconteur as well as composer and conductor, and will be exploring some of the wonderful piano music which was either borrowed or composed for the film industry, ranging from Mozart to Scott Joplin.
Tickets are on sale at £12 from Second Spin, choir members, and Ticketsource.co.uk/bcs or 0333 666 3366, or on the door. This is always a very popular and entertaining evening, held as part of the Bexhill Festival of Music, and booking is strongly recommended.
On 5th October 2024 our autumn concert of great British choral music, including works by Vaughan Williams, Parry, Holst, Sullivan and Elgar, will be held at St Barnabas Church, Sea Rd TN40 1JG. We also hope to hold another of our popular open Singing Mornings on 2nd November. More information to come!
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| Joining the choir or becoming a Friend |
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Bexhill Choral Society is a friendly non-audition choir and warmly welcomes new members. We perform 3 concerts a year and rehearse on Wednesday evenings with our renowned Director of Music, Kenneth Roberts, and well-known local pianist and organist Nigel Howard as accompanist. There is increasing evidence that singing in a choir is good for physical, social and mental health, and it’s never too late to start! Potential members are welcome to come along to a few rehearsals free of charge to try it out. Immediately after a concert is a good time to start but you are welcome at any time of year.
We have a social side as well – we recently held a very enjoyable Quiz evening with Ploughman’s Supper, and have other social events such as regular drop-in coffee mornings, a Christmas lunch and summer social. For more information please visit our website at bexhillchoral.org.uk or email info@bexhillchoral.org.uk.
If you prefer listening to taking part, you might want to consider joining the Friends of Bexhill Choral Society. Friends pay an annual membership subscription of £25.00 which entitles them to a discount of £2 on the price of two tickets for each concert and are notified of other events. For more information email info@bexhillchoral.org.
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