Hark! Christmas concert, 21st December 2024

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Holy Trinity Church in Minchinhampton looked wonderfully festive for our Christmas concert this year.

It began with an a capella rendition of Weelkes’ ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, sung from the Lady Chapel and then followed a seasonal mix of carols, old and new to get everyone into the festive spirit.  The audience did a fine job of joining in with a number of favourite carols too.

Beautifully accompanied by Julian Elloway on the organ – what a lovely way to start the Christmas week!

The concert also raised £260 for the Trinity Rooms Community Hub in Stroud.


Ding Dong Merrily on High


Deck The Halls


Ukrainian Alleluia

 

 

Fauré Requiem – 3rd November 2024

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It was lovely to be back at St Laurence Church to sing this serene and uplifting mass to celebrate 100 years of Gabriel Fauré.  We also performed his Cantique de Jean Racine – a sublimely beautiful setting of words by the 17th century dramatist and poet Jean Racine. It was Fauré’s first significant composition, written in 1865 whilst he was in his final year at the École Niedermeyer, the ‘École de musique religieuse et classique.

This beautiful requiem is always a very popular piece and we were overjoyed to have such a wonderful audience in the heart of Stroud.

Thanks to Julian Elloway for his wonderful accompaniment.

Time and Tide – Songs of Summer and the Sea. 29th June 2024

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This was an enchanting evening celebrating 100 years of Stanford and Fauré, also featuring pieces by Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Sting and Diemer.

Our Musical Director, Andrew Hopwood fulfilled his ambition to perform the wonderful solo in Stanford’s ‘Songs of the Sea’ accompanied by the choir and directed by Peter Tims. (Clip from final rehearsal below).

 

23rd March 2024, Come and Sing Day

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We were joined by lots of wonderful singers to rehearse and perform Stainer’s Crucifixion in the lead up to Easter.
There was some great vocal coaching from Andrew and fantastic refreshments were served up by ‘The Two Carols’ throughout the day.
Julian Elloway did a grand job of accompanying us and the day culminated in a very credible performance in St. Mary’s Church, Painswick.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for this very enjoyable day.

Under a Christmas Star 23rd December 2023

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This year’s Christmas concert felt very special, being so very close to the big day!  The sell out audience at Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton enjoyed a sparkling selection of music including Rutter’s Gloria, Rachmaninov, Darke and Todd as well as joining in a series of roof-raising traditional carols which really got the Christmas spirit going.

There was a talk and retiring collection for NoSH (Network of Stroud Hubs) and over £800 was raised to support their work providing food and warm spaces for those in need.

Bogoroditsye Dyevo (Rachmaninov)

Will Todd’s Mass in Blue 8th July 2023

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This year’s summer concert was a bit different! Will Todd’s Mass in Blue uses the words of the traditional Latin mass but with jazz and blues music. We were lucky to be accompanied by a fantastic jazz quartet and soprano soloist, Megan Strachan.  The choir put in lots of hard work learning the unusual rhythms, chords and notes – quite new to us as a chamber choir!  We were rewarded with a full house, a standing ovation and a very exciting and enjoyable evening for all.

The concert also featured a colourful selection of pieces by choir, soloists and musicians including three beautiful songs by Stroud composer, Emily Hall, sung by Kevin Ashby.


Musical Director, Andrew Hopwood conducts the choir and soloist, Megan Strachan.


The Jazz quartet;  Matthew Morris (Saxophone), Julian Elloway (piano), Pam Smith (drums) and Dave Ayre (Double Bass).

Residency at Worcester Cathedral 18th and 19th February 2023

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Choir and supporters spent a wonderful weekend at Worcester Cathedral singing three services over the two days.

It’s always a great honour to sing in a Cathedral and Worcester was the most incredible setting with wonderful architecture and acoustics.

Thanks to Tim Ingold for his fantastic accompaniment on the organ and to Andrew for guiding us through the music for 3 services which is no mean feat!

We’re very grateful to everyone at the Cathedral for being so friendly and welcoming and we hope to return again in future.

Christmas Concert 17th December 2022

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Our Christmas concert at Minchinhampton Church explored the history of Christmas songs and carols from medieval to modern.

The programme featured Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams (in honour of his 150th anniversary) and a host of beautiful a capella pieces and traditional carols – with the customary audience participation!

There was a  retiring collection for local charity, The Long Table, who talked to us about their work in the Stroud community.

Summer Concert , 17th July 2022

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The beautiful canal-side church of St. Cyr’s in Stonehouse was a cool sanctuary on a searingly hot summer’s day as we celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with music from all around Britain.

The programme included Britten’s Choral Dances from Gloriana as well as modern classics from Lennon and McCartney and Lloyd Webber – plus a wonderful medley of theme tunes from her majesty’s favourite – James Bond.

We were joined by the wonderful soprano, Megan Strachan who performed two beautiful arias for us and the afternoon was rounded off with a delicious afternoon tea.

Thanks to all the team at St Cyr’s who made us feel so welcome.