Message from our Conductor

What a great evening back in December when we presented Handel's Messiah to a full house - a highly enjoyable and memorable concert with lively, expressive and meaningful singing both from the choir and soloists, backed of course by the fine accompaniment from the North Wales Philharmonia. 

Of course, the Messiah always draws a good audience, so we mustn't slack off with the publicity of our April concert - 20th century masterworks.  From the extrovert Chichester Psalms of Leonard Bernstein with its imaginative accompaniment of organ, harp and percussion to the deeply moving and sincere Requiem of Maurice Durufle (mostly based on plainsong themes), we are in for a real treat of choral music.  We have plenty of work to do, but having a head start with the Bernstein last term in some of the rehearsals will give us extra time to look ahead once again.

In December we will have a complete change of mood with David Fanshawe's African Sanctus - a work I first knew at School where I did my best to sing with the basses of the choral society.  It is a big challenge, not least with coordinating the live singing with the recordings of African music made by the composer on his journeys in the 60's and 70's.

Then after that in March 2009, we have the opportunity to sing one of the great pieces of all time, the St John Passion of Bach and this will be a very special occasion as it will be the Jubilee concert for the society.

Do make a note for the date of St Asaph Choral Society's Baroque concert on 26 April in St Asaph Cathedral - on the menu will be Bach's Cantata 147 as well as Vivaldi's Gloria.

In the meantime, spread the word about Colwyn Choral Society throughout the district and beyond!  See you very soon,

Graham Eccles

6 January 2008

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