On a perfect English June evening at Holy Trinity Church in the village of Chrishall, set amid the fields, a concert was waiting to take place.
Royston & District Choral Society and Haileybury School musicians treated their audience to a fine selection of works. The audience took their seats and with the summer sun glistening through the church window forming a backdrop to the choir. The scene was set.
The large audience at the ancient church of St Mary’s, Standon were taken on a reflective and emotional journey during the RCS Spring Concert. Conductor Andrew O’Brien showed his deep understanding of English choral music and through his inspiring direction coaxed the most exquisite dynamic contrasts from both the choir and the Haileybury Consort.
‘Congratulations on a stunning performance’;
‘utterly brilliant’;
‘we’ve been attending Messiah concerts together since 1965 – this was the best’
were just a few of the comments from audience members at Royston and District Choral Society’s performance of Handel’s Messiah in Royston Parish Church on Saturday.
A change of MD can be an unsettling time for a choir but member feedback after the summer concert is positive:
“Since Andrew O’Brien was appointed as Musical Director at Royston Choral Society, he has certainly challenged our musical ability. He has provided support and encouragement to singers of all abilities in this community choir. So much so, that we were able to put on Purcell’s complex Dido and Æneas with confidence and I think we pulled it off.”
“A cracking concert, probably one of the best we’ve ever done. Soloists excellent, RCS soloists too. It was great for the choir to ’get into character’ and do something different. New people signing up already!”
The Royston Crow predicted ‘Purcell plus will be fitting final flourish’ for Royston Choral Society’s first season under its new Musical Director, Andrew O’Brien and so it was.
A beautiful concert by Royston Choral Society in the magnificent Standon church.
The impressive Standon Church played host to a moving concert by Royston Choral Society on the evening of Palm Sunday.
Our November concert – Saturday 21st November in Royston Parish Church, was our first under the baton of our award-winning new conductor, Andrew O’Brien
