News

A composer in our midst

  • Posted on: 11 May 2021
  • By: huw

Richard Prince has a long association with the Royston Choral Society (including as our Musical Director some time ago) and other local choirs. The choir has enjoyed regularly performing his compositions, including ‘Northumbrian Folk Songs’, 'Suo Gân' (The Welsh Folk Song), and ‘Christmas Carols’. We asked him to give an insight into the creative process….

One singer, nine voices

  • Posted on: 11 May 2021
  • By: huw

The idea of a one-man band conjures up popular images of a street entertainer with a drum on his back, elbows adorned with tambourines, knocking knees clashing cymbals, and a harmonica for good measure. But what about a one-man choir in a church is Saffron Walden?

Neil's Musical Memory

  • Posted on: 11 May 2021
  • By: huw

RCS Bass Neil Heywood was asked to recall his earliest musical memory but instead, he tells us...

I was thinking about my earliest musical image, rather than a memory, when I came across this picture in my old school’s ’Old Boys’ magazine. It shows a section of the choir at our annual carol concert, which was quite a big event for the school and introduced me to many Christmas hardy annuals like ‘In Dulci Jubilo’, ‘The Coventry Carol’, and Howells ‘A Spotless Rose’.

Coal, Choir and Covid-19

  • Posted on: 11 May 2021
  • By: huw

The Dunvant Male Choir from near Swansea has endured world wars, industrial decline and mining disasters.

How would it handle rehearsals on Zoom? Jude Rogers finds out…

Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, their faces pop up: Norman, Nigel, Alan, Dai and the others. It’s become second nature to close the door at 6.30pm, click the Zoom link, check if everyone’s well, ask if anyone’s fled beyond Swansea, have a laugh.

Celebrity Connections

  • Posted on: 2 February 2021
  • By: huw

Celebrity Connections – Sue Pegram

Launching a new series in which members of the Royston Choral Society drop a few musical names. Alto Sue Pegram sets a high bar by dropping three (and all of them seem to involve alcohol!)

A flutter with Rutter

Royston Bells

  • Posted on: 2 February 2021
  • By: huw

Royston bells restored and returned

After the devastating fire of December 2018 which completely gutted the Royston Parish Church tower, all eight of the church bells were cracked. The 11cwt ring of eight was safely lowered to the floor and taken to the Taylors of Loughborough’s historic foundry for safe keeping and repair.

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