The 2023-24 season was arguably the most successful in the society's history. Which was appropriate in that we continued to celebrate having been in existence for 50 years. The choir had the largest number of members - with at least 70 singers in each of the 4 concerts. We also sold out two of the concerts.
Concerts started in November with Bach's monumental Mass in B minor performed to a packed church. A firm favourite of Andrew O'Brien's, our conductor, this work was originally scheduled for performance in March 2020 but postponed then because of the coronavirus pandemic. It was wonderful to return to it with a marvellous quartet of soloists and some very fine playing from the orchestra.
December 2023 saw our customary concert of Christmas music - again to a large and appreciative audience. That concert was the last for our regular accompanist for the last few years - Michael Smith. He decided to reduce his regular commitments, but went out in style contributing some fine organ solos to the concert programme.
Jonathan Lilley joined as our new accompanist in January 2024 when we began rehearsing Verdi's Requiem. This was again performed to a packed church in April 2024.
The orchestral playing was again of a very high standard and the soloists - Elinor Rolfe Johnson, Rebecca Afonwy-Jones, David Webb and Frederick Long - were excellent. The logistics of fitting the large choir and orchestra into Royston Parish church had its challenges, but the sheer volume of sound and resulting drama more than made up for it!
For the summer concert we performed Vivaldi's popular Gloria along with other choral classics. Included amongst these were Geistliches Lied by Brahms, Mendelssohn's Verleih uns Frieden, Faure's Cantique de Jean Racine and, by Finzi, the ascensiontide anthem God is gone up and Lo, the full final sacrifice.
The majority of the concert was accompanied on the organ by Jonathan Lilley who also contributed the virtuosic solo Scherzo in G minor by Bossi. Jonathan was joined by a string quartet for the Vivaldi which made for a most effective performance.
We are fortunate to have a number of fine singers in the society and most of the vocal solos for this concert were taken by members of the choir. The quality of their voices was commented on in some of the audience feedback and our grafetul thanks go to:
Melissa Dell'Anno, Marianne Laker, Ann Hoptroff, Emma Sivyer, James Browne, Richard Prince and Steven Sivyer.
In addition for the duet in the Laudamus te of the Vivaldi, Andrew had brought along a couple of students from St Edmunds college - Amelia James and Liam Scott - whose young voices blended splendidly.
Whilst singing remains our raison d'être, society is also a sociable one. During the year we enjoyed a couple of fine evenings - at The Banyers in January and then at The Old Bull in July. Along with good food and drink on each occasion tables were challenged to some fun quizes devised by our social secretary Fay.