Tuesday 27 July 2010

To Don!

Party Pieces may never be the same again....but there gain, Don will only be 80 once! It was our very special pleasure and honour to share our end of term bash with our esteemed President - and dear Doreen, of course - on his four-score birthday. Here is Vince's memorable tribute - sung to the tune of Schubert's setting of Shalespeare's To Sylvia ;-)

An Don (To Don)
Upon his eightieth birthday !

Happy greetings,
Don, dear maestro,
on this your four-score birthday.
Wholly loved,
and praised indeed,
for wisdom and great kindness.
Friend to all,
undoubtedly,
You’re our great celebrity !


Nineteen thirty.
Birthplace: Hoxton.
From there you have ascended.
Ivor Evans
made no mistake,
in giving you your first break !
Ever since,
from time to time,
you have reached such heights sublime !

Don, we thank you,
double forte,
and gladly sing your praises.
Valentine Singers,
is safe in care
of you, its founder member.
And we declare –
assuredly -
that you must our president be !

Saturday 24 July 2010

ENO Baylis 'Know the Show'

In most seasons the ENO Baylis programme runs a 'Know the Show' event, for adult non-professional singers, providing an opportunity to work with members of the ENO music staff and learn music from the ENO's repertoire.
For the Autum 2010 season a 2-day event is taking place at Cecil Sharp House (just North of Regents Park) on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th August, 10am to 4.15pm.
Participants can book for one or both days, and the repertoire (sung in English with music provided) is:
Thursday 26th Faust & Radamisto
Friday 27th La boheme & Don Giovanni
There is a parallel event for children aged 7 to 12.
I have taken part in several 'Know the Show' events, and can thoroughly recommend them; the music staff are brilliant, and usually members of the ENO chorus are present to sing with the sections.
Full details are on the ENO website at
http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=914
Tickets can only be booked at the Box Office or by phone.

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Mozart fest & feast

Here are some of the comments that have been sent in since Saturday's Mozart Evening:


From the audience

"Passionate singing"
"We want to thank you for a wonderful concert this evening. The choir gave us a lovely performance under your baton, and you got the very best from the soloists and the orchestra. Tim's majestic playing of the Piano concerto was thrilling."

From members of the professional orchestra
"fab concert"
"I thought it went really well on the night - the choir did a great performance!"
"A real pleasure to work with you "
"It was a lovely concert. Choir and soloists good too. Nice to work with you again"

From members of the choir
"Thanks again for a wonderful experience yesterday evening, I thoroughly enjoyed being part of it."
"Thanks to you for a great experience on Saturday....the concerto was sparkling"