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A message from the Chairwoman            [22 Sep 2020]

Start of Virtual Autumn Term                     [30 Sep 2020]

Sue our chairwoman

Dear Choir,

 

I hope this finds you all safe and well.

 

It will come as no surprise to you I am sure, that due to the dismal news about the rise in Covid infections across the country, and the imminent news from the Government that there will be more restrictions put in place over the coming weeks, we are sadly unable to restart rehearsals at this time.

This is very disappointing for us all.  Even last week we thought we would be able to go ahead.  We were delighted that so many of you were keen to return.  We had received reassurance that it would be possible within Covid-secure Government guidelines and we had done an extremely detailed risk assessment.  However, the nature of this pandemic is that things change very quickly, and I am sure you understand that we have, therefore, had to make this decision.

 

We are hoping that if the situation changes towards the end of next month, we may be able to arrange to get together to sing some carols and perhaps organise some carol singing events leading up to Christmas.  Our plans for the proposed concert in December have had to be cancelled.

 

A little bit of good news.  We will now restart our 'virtual' weekly term on Wednesday 7th October and have several exciting and interesting ideas which we are planning with Robert and Tom, and we hope will involve you, and at least keep us all connected.  If any of you have ideas to share, we would be delighted to hear from you.

 

Financially we are secure, which is largely due to your generosity last term, for which we are extremely grateful.  Robert and Tom will continue on the retainer until such time as we can sing together again.

 

It has become very clear that the choir means a great deal to us all.  It is not just the singing and the taking part, it is the personal connection we have with one another which we are all missing.  2021 will be the 70th anniversary of FHCS and some wonderful music and a party are in the planning, so lots to look forward to.

 

Take care, keep safe and 'see you' on the 7th October.

 

Best wishes

 

Sue

Barbara our secretary

Dear Choir,

 

Following up on our last email regarding a virtual term, we are pleased to tell you that next week will be the first session. We plan to offer weekly emails in a similar format as last term. The Committee is well aware that although we have been meeting regularly throughout this past year, many of you have not had a chance to reconnect with each other. Therefore, for our first virtual session, it was our wish that you, too, 

have an opportunity to see each other and say a few words should you want to, to say hello or to ask any questions you may have. Of course, you are welcomed to just listen in if you are feeling shy!

Agenda - FHCS Zoom Choir Get-together

Wednesday, 7th October - 7:15pm

 

  •    Welcome from the Committee

  •    Sue Hill: Update and plans

  •    Robert & Tom: Hello, updates, plans, concerts...

  •    Choir members: everyone who wants to will have a chance to say a few words

  •    Suggestions for future activities

  •    Any other business

 

 

We look forward to "seeing" you next week.

 

Best wishes,

 

Barbara

Ideas for the virtual term                           [14 Oct  2020]

Dear Choir,

 

We so enjoyed seeing those of you who joined in on our first Zoom meeting last Wednesday evening! It seems to have been a great success and the feedback was that members would like to have more moving forward. If you weren’t able to join last week not to worry, we have some great ideas coming and there will be more live sessions during this virtual term.

 

Following is a list of ideas that were discussed, and we of course would welcome more input:

 

  •    Tom or Robert live performance of a short piece followed by Q&A / general chat

  •    simply a talk about a piece of music or music theory (like a lesson)

  •    voice coaching

  •    fancy dress

  •    a mini desert island discs

  •    a “social” in which people put on performances  - singing, poem recital, dancing, whatever! - although not sure how many volunteers to perform there would be - quite a number said they definitely wouldn’t!

  •    a talk on wine by Robert

 

Lastly, in our Zoom meeting last week, one of our members mentioned she is currently singing the Nelson Mass in a church in Sloane Square. Some singers are there in person and some are singing virtually. For more information please contact Anne Samson (Soprano) directly.

 

Best wishes,

 

Barbara

A message from Rob                                    [14 Oct 2020]

Rob Patterson

Dear Choir,

 

I have often been asked (especially at school) what my favourite piece of music is. Much like food (and wine!), I do not have one single favourite; just like food (and wine!!) the glorious and endless variety that exists means many pleasures can be enjoyed without ever becoming boring. But if I had to choose one piece (Desert Island disk style) I would say....

 

Palestrina Missa Papae Marcelli.

For me it is simply perfect. Its melodic lines weave effortlessly in glorious 6-part polyphony. It is totally seamless. Its balance between consonance and gentle dissonance is marvellously judged.

Some of you may have sung it. In future years it could definitely be something the choir could consider if we wanted to present a Renaissance based programme.

Usefully there are many recordings.

 

                      If you wish to listen try this link:

You can also follow the score if you wish. This link is only the Kyrie. Do also listen to the Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei.

I had the privilege when I was at Canterbury Cathedral of performing in Palestrina (it's a place near Rome - he was named after where he came from!). Not surprisingly we performed a lot of Palestrina!!

 

Please enjoy!

 

Best,

Robert

An evening about wines and music          [28 Oct  2020]

Rob Patterson

Robert is going to give us a live talk about some wines he is particularly fond of and will play some appropriate music.  

 

Robert will be discussing 3 wines:

  • Californian oaked Chardonnay

  • Gran reserva Rioja

  • Sauternes.

Rioja
Chardonnay

Desert Island Discs                               [4 & 18 Nov 2020]

DJ Ana

2 lovely evenings presented by Jane and DJ Ana where choir members have shared their favourite music and some personal memories.

Jane
  • Tom: Quartet Bella iglia dell'amore Rigoletto

  • Judy: Fairwell to stromness - Peter

         Maxwell Davies

  • Francesca: Piano quintet no 2 - Dvorak

  • Valerie: Clair de lune - Debussy

  • Lisa: Il penseroso, ed il moderato Handel

  • Frances: Dance du grand calumet de la paix - Rameau

  • Zanna: Dio, Che nell'alma infondere amor - Verdi

  • Griselda: If I had my way

  • Belinda: Zadok the Priest

  • Charlie: Gabriel's oboe

  • Rodney: For those in peril on the sea

  • Mary HB: Summertime

  • Shanette: Va pensiero

  • Sonia: Fidelio quartet

  • Barbara: How Great Thou Art

  • Adam: Kukuleczka

  • Starry,starry night

Remembrance Day                                      [11 Nov 2020]

Carol

A lovely evening presented by Paula and Carol on the theme of Remembrance.

 

We've learned a lot about composers who fought and for some of them died during the 1st World War.

Paula

Several choir members have shared memories of their family members who have served during the wars.

Christmas DIDs                                               [2 Dec 2020]

Another successful Zoom meeting presented by Jane and Ana on the theme of Christmas.

  • Jane: On Christmas Night All Christians Sing

  • Francesca: Tu Scendi dalle Stelle

  • Mary: In the Bleak Midwinter

  • Ana: Verbum Caro - Cancionero de Uppsala

  • Ann: O Holy Night

  • Sue: O Magnum Mysterium

  • Shanette: Let There Be Peace on Earth

  • Belinda: O Come O Come Emmanuel

  • Tom: Bethlehem Down by Peter Warlock

  • Carol: In Dulci Jubilo

  • Carol: Troika from Lt Kije suite by Prokofiev

  • Jane: For Unto us a Child is Born – Messiah

Christmas lights 2

                                    A very special Christmas gift from Rob  - Brahms Sonata no 3 Opus 5                                

Movement I

Movement II

Movement III

Movement IV

Movement V

Merry Christmas
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