Come and Sing "The Messiah"
A powerful review indeed:
Halstead Choral's Come-and-Sing was, hopefully, a glorious experience for everyone. Certainly our audience position for the concluding concert, on cushioned seats in the choir stalls of St Andrews church Earls Colne was a privileged as any opera house front row.
Dynamic masterclass leaders James Davey and Sara Brymer Davey, outstanding accompanist Nigel Brown and his assistant Fran Jefferies, "delivered the goods".
From the soprano's top note Glory and the crescendo and antiphonal delight of And He Shall Purify, musical moments followed.
Soloists tunefully responded to Sara's bidding - Sue Bennett, Margaret Hill, Monica Cook and Rachel Barnes.
The confident prowess of some of these singers is already well known but their humility to learn more was much respected.
The event provided a taster for what is to come in the society's full-scale Messiah in March 2024.
If you enjoyed operatic choruses you will certainly enjoy this oratorio.
Prepare to be emotionally moved too.
Pat Rudkin "Curtain Call" Nov 2023
Was very well received. The Vicar of Wethersfield church has asked for a further performance next Summer
OPERA CHORUSES
"We weren't very keen on Opera but this performance has changed our minds"
So good was our "Opera Choruses" concert that the audience was enthralled.
Soloists Sara Brimer-Davey and Ben Thapa were exemplary and organist / pianist Nigel Brown was superb.
Val Hammond, chairperson of Halstead Choral, told me they were set fair for an exciting season and so their opening concert in St Andrew's church indicated.
It was inspirational to welcome Haverhill Singers as joint performers in Opera Choruses. This meant added gusto for the tricky-rhythmed opening Waltz and a rousing Brindisi conclusion.
Apropos this event's outstanding soloists - Ben Thapa as befits a former member of G4, didn't need the book to deliver his Nessum Dorma.
Soprano Sara Brimer Davey's eminent experience with Sam Smith and Gareth Malone made her sultry voiced Carmen interaction with the strong chorus, the show's highlight.
Sara and Ben made magical duettists too, especially complementing each other in Monteverdi's Pur Ti Miro.
The evening's success was again grounded by accompanist Nigel Brown, who dynamically responded to the needs of his singers. Above all conductor/MD James Davey, delivered this well-planned programme with aplomb.
With invaluable thanks to Malcolm S
Pat Rudkins "Curtain Call" March 2023
We smashed it - Brahms' Requiem November 2022
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Brahms German Requiem - we had a blast! I know I'm biased, being in the choir, but we had a great evening.
A big thank you to James, our musical director- he had faith in us, and coaxed us out of comfort zone! We had the most amazing soloists and just the best duo accompanying us |
Our July 2022 performance was well received:
James Davey's well-rehearsed singers struck just the right note with their up-beat Handel and Vivaldi. By contrast, delightful accompanist Christopher Benham added a most sympathetic touch to Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus.
Meanwhile, debonair, trombone-playing conductor and deputy added fun to the evening with their bijou Bocking Concert Brass. The young Amadeus was a well-balanced success.
"Curtain Call"
Halstead Gazette 15/07/22
Meanwhile, debonair, trombone-playing conductor and deputy added fun to the evening with their bijou Bocking Concert Brass. The young Amadeus was a well-balanced success.
"Curtain Call"
Halstead Gazette 15/07/22
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Halstead Choral did it again
and turned Covid disaster into triumph. A major Mass performance was replaced by a concert which followed a come and sing rehearsal in a beautifully warm St Andrew's church. Augmented by singers from Haverhill and the now defunct Braintree Choral Society, musical director James Davey superbly led us through six powerful works. The early dynamics of Vivaldi's Gloria led to the crescendo in Panis Angelicus and a delightfully strengthened vocal line. The sustained last note of Faure's Cantique was followed by a Zadok the Priest that achieved a final crisp staccato. The pin drop moment of Mozart's Ave Verum preceded the brilliantly chosen Hallelujah finale from Handel's Messiah in which the top sopranos met their challenge with consummate ease. Outstanding organist Nigel Brown made a magnificent contribution to this event's success, accompanying everything with tremendous skill. I dashed out at the end, holding back the tears at what Halstead Choral had achieved. The effect of live music cannot be overestimated. Well done! "Curtain Call", Halstead Gazette April 21st 2022 |
"Curtain Call"
Friday December 10th 2021
Halstead Choral members turned into masked singers in their Christmas concert in St Andrew's church, Halstead. The masking did not affect the delicate part arrangements they were able to project, especially in Myn Lyking.
A beautifully arranged programme including a surprisingly sombre Bob Chilcott number and my favourite Berlioz's The Shepherd's Farewell.
The latter preceded the choir serving interval refreshments to their seated audience.
Is there nothing that this wonderful local group won't do to keep music alive?
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Our Musical Medley at Marshall Estate was a resounding success.
Bocking Concert Brass joined the choir, conducted by James Davey, to perform , Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, I have Confidence and Keep the home fires Burning to a full capacity (Covid19 permitted) audience. |
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Our Christmas Medley was a "virtual" success !
Over the last few weeks before Christmas members of Halstead Choral recorded themselves singing a medley of "White Christmas" and "Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer".
The videos were merged together into an online "performance" The finished result can be viewed as part of Braintree Districts virtual Christmas Lights switch-on 12th December 6.30pm watched by thousands of people
Our Mayor and Patron, sent us this lovely message:
A big thank you to all at Halstead Choral who did an excellent job in producing such a good clip for the BDC Christmas video. It was so good to see so many of you able to take part, I don't know how you did it but the production was brilliant. I thought it was the best part of the whole video and certainly did Halstead proud.
Lets hope next year enable you to get back to staging your concerts as normal.
Many thanks and best wishes for Christmas
The "Event" received the following write-up as part of "Curtain Call" in the Halstead Gazette
Braintree Christmas lights virtual switch-on was preceded by a short show.
Halstead Chorale's two contrasting carols were pleasing on the ear and visuals matched sound.
An appealing display of singers, centre by conductor James Davey, wisely had their video assembled by "Night Owl". The performance did this group full justice.
Pat Rudkins
Arts Correspondent
Arts Correspondent
CANCELLED
Considering the uncertainty of the spread of Covid-19 and with regard to the safety of our choir members and guests it has been decided by the committee in consultation with our musical director to cancel this event.
Please continue to view the website and our facebook page for future events.
Considering the uncertainty of the spread of Covid-19 and with regard to the safety of our choir members and guests it has been decided by the committee in consultation with our musical director to cancel this event.
Please continue to view the website and our facebook page for future events.
CANCELLED
Considering the uncertainty of the spread of Covid19 and with regard to the safety of our choir members and guests it has been decided by the committee in consultation with our musical director to cancel this event.
Please continue to view the website and our facebook page for future events.
Past Events |
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2019
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Pat Rudkin writes:
"At St Andrew’s Church, Halstead Choral ‘s Cradle Song revealed a captivating Infantasia. So tiny were Wendy Powell’s confident instrumentalists, they were heard rather than seen.
Bravo "
Curtain Call Halstead Gazette December 20th 2019
The Choral Society was joined by choirs from Ramsey Academy and St Andrew's primary school.
Ramsey Academy also supplied a band who performed a medley of Christmas favourites to a packed church.
The enthusiasm of the children and adults was said by one participant to have "washed over the whole audience".
Pat Rudkin writes:
"At St Andrew’s Church, Halstead Choral ‘s Cradle Song revealed a captivating Infantasia. So tiny were Wendy Powell’s confident instrumentalists, they were heard rather than seen.
Bravo "
Curtain Call Halstead Gazette December 20th 2019
The Choral Society was joined by choirs from Ramsey Academy and St Andrew's primary school.
Ramsey Academy also supplied a band who performed a medley of Christmas favourites to a packed church.
The enthusiasm of the children and adults was said by one participant to have "washed over the whole audience".
‘Halstead Choral’s recent celebration of women composers in St Andrews Earls Colne matched the primary school’s military strength fireworks opposite.
Musical director James Davey provided an exciting programme, exquisite soloists and a choir that sang some delightful harmonies.
Eleanor Daley’s refreshing Canadian Requiem started the concert and Janet Wheeler’s captivating novelty song ‘A Place in The Choir’ made a tremendous audience involving finale.
Lyrical Baritone James Sherwood sang Clara Schumann’s lieder superbly, the latter every bit as good as works composed by her dissolute husband.
Soprano Kate Thomas sent shivers down the spine with the vocal range of her fabulous selection while, on the organ or piano, the evening’s musical backbone Nigel Brown was on outstanding form throughout.’
Curtain Call Halstead Gazette November 29th
Musical director James Davey provided an exciting programme, exquisite soloists and a choir that sang some delightful harmonies.
Eleanor Daley’s refreshing Canadian Requiem started the concert and Janet Wheeler’s captivating novelty song ‘A Place in The Choir’ made a tremendous audience involving finale.
Lyrical Baritone James Sherwood sang Clara Schumann’s lieder superbly, the latter every bit as good as works composed by her dissolute husband.
Soprano Kate Thomas sent shivers down the spine with the vocal range of her fabulous selection while, on the organ or piano, the evening’s musical backbone Nigel Brown was on outstanding form throughout.’
Curtain Call Halstead Gazette November 29th
Cabaret concert on Saturday June 22nd
At Earls Colne Village Hall, Eddie Morley's gorgeous Gasman and Sue Bennett's forthright Old-Fashioned Girl stole the show
Acoustic guitar playing from Peter Tremayne and Angela Dennis, and Catherine Turner and Jess Lewis' vocal poignancy, contrasted with the choir's bold Lion and their excellent Beatles medley finale .
Pat Rudkin
Halstead Gazette's curtain call Friday July 5th
At Earls Colne Village Hall, Eddie Morley's gorgeous Gasman and Sue Bennett's forthright Old-Fashioned Girl stole the show
Acoustic guitar playing from Peter Tremayne and Angela Dennis, and Catherine Turner and Jess Lewis' vocal poignancy, contrasted with the choir's bold Lion and their excellent Beatles medley finale .
Pat Rudkin
Halstead Gazette's curtain call Friday July 5th
Spring Concert on Saturday 30th March 2019
Halstead Choral’s Spring Concert, in St. Andrew’s Church, was tremendously impressive.
Soprano soloist Sara Brimer Davey, radiated excellence, from Ave Maria via Weep You to her seemly effortless Hear My Prayer.
In the brilliantly chosen Rutter’s Requiem, the choir’s antiphonal response to Sara produced an emotional performance that stunned the audience into pre-applause, pin-drop silence.
Ubiquitous accompanist Nigel Brown, again on tremendous form and the charismatic conductor James Davey enabled the bass-light choir to smoothly navigate any challenges. Bravo!!
PAT RUDKIN
Halstead Gazette’s Curtain Call, Friday 5th April 2019
Halstead Choral’s Spring Concert, in St. Andrew’s Church, was tremendously impressive.
Soprano soloist Sara Brimer Davey, radiated excellence, from Ave Maria via Weep You to her seemly effortless Hear My Prayer.
In the brilliantly chosen Rutter’s Requiem, the choir’s antiphonal response to Sara produced an emotional performance that stunned the audience into pre-applause, pin-drop silence.
Ubiquitous accompanist Nigel Brown, again on tremendous form and the charismatic conductor James Davey enabled the bass-light choir to smoothly navigate any challenges. Bravo!!
PAT RUDKIN
Halstead Gazette’s Curtain Call, Friday 5th April 2019
2018
All Creatures Great and Small on Saturday 16th June 2018
Musical Director James Davey presented a cracking cabaret concert, All Creatures Great & Small, for Halstead Choral Society. Duettists Margaret Hill and Liz Pottinger heralded the second half entertainment which brought the house down. Sue Bennett’s Memory was spot on and Ann Reed’s bluesy lady had a tramp in accompanist Nigel Brown. His seemingly untiring keyboard skills shone throughout the night. Meanwhile Margaret and Helen Marr’s cat duet rightly drew tremendous audience acclaim and James’ exuberant working of the latter with My Dog was another show-stealing number. A gorgeous Gibbon’s madrigal, a Nigel enhanced nightingale chorus and the glorious crescendo of Stanford’s Blue Bird, were also choral delights.
PAT RUDKINS
Halstead Gazette's Curtain Call, 29th June 2018
PAT RUDKINS
Halstead Gazette's Curtain Call, 29th June 2018
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Mozart’s Requiem on Saturday 21st April 2018Halstead and District Choral Society’s rendition of Mozart’s Requiem in Halstead’s St. Andrew’s Church, fully justified the audience’s wow shout. The momentum achieved by Musical Director James Davey led to a memorable performance.
The opening Kyrie set the standard that, with only one flag, turned local singers into musical powerhouses. Bass Ben Beurklian-Carter’s sustained opening Tuba thrilled, while never more aptly chosen, when Ben Thapa’s Rex Tremendae confirmed his tremendous Tenor/Baritone resonance. Also Katie Bingham-Best’s Handel Aria and gorgeous Soprano Kate Harris’ lead of Laudate Dominum proved that these outstanding professionals were not just there for the ride. PAT RUDKINS Halstead Gazette's Curtain Call, 4th May 2018 |
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2017
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My Spirit Sang All Day On Saturday 26th June 2017
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Spring: A programme of works by Vivaldi including his Gloria
Halstead and District Choral Society went on tour to a beautifully warm St Peter Ad Vincula, Coggeshall. Musical Director, Philip Prior, packed the choir and Chamber Orchestra and hidden soloists, on to the chancel steps of his home venue. The highlight of this Spring concert, Vivaldi's Gloria vindicated this cheek by jowl arrangement.
What bliss to hear Soprano Beverly Lockyer and Alto Katie Bingham-Best, in duet with oboe and cello respectively.Philip's rollicking pace imbued the choir with joyful confidence, including their effective a cappella moment. Also sublime was Gill Gerrard and Victoria Richmond rendition of Vivaldi's Concerto For Two Oboes. Modest Christopher Moore delivered a delightful Organ Concerto too, one of his several roles in the evening. PAT RUDKINS Halstead Gazette's Curtain Call, Friday 7th April 2017 |
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2016
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Music for a Summer Evening - Saturday 18th June 2016
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Vive La France Concert
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Rejoice in the Lamb Concert - Saturday 19th March 2016
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2015
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Sing Lullaby Concert - Saturday 12th December 2015
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Handel in Halstead Concert - Saturday 14th November 2015
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I Dreamed a Dream Concert - Saturday 20th June 2015
In Earls Colne village hall, Halstead and District Choral Society's Oliver!, arranged by their director Philip Prior, was a triumph. After a first half mixed bag, Eddie Morley's outstanding performances and Sue Bennett's dulcet tones and strong audience participation, showed the Society at its best. New Society accompanist Hector Preston added just the right touch to the delightful Who Will Buy?
Ensemble. In fact, his superb keyboard contribution throughout, for me , negated the need for fancy staging and an imported band. Bravo to soloists, choir and especially Hector. PAT RUDKINS Halstead Gazette's Curtain Call, Friday 3rd July 2015 |
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Schubert and Friends Concert - 21st March 2015
Halstead and District Choral Society, suitably for Lent, pleasingly presented Schubert’s Mass in G. Unsurprisingly musical director Philip Prior brought back some of the popular soloists.
Tenor Andrew Johnson and bass Ben Beurklian-Carter, gave good value throughout. Soprano Beverley Lockyer stole the show again. She and the choir ensured that Hear My Prayer was the concert's highlight. PAT RUDKINS Halstead Gazette's Curtain Call, 3rd April 2015 |
2014
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A Christmas Concert to Suit All - A Babe Is Born
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Choral society impress with their Spirit of England
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14th June 2014, A Night at the Movies ConcertHats off to the members of Halstead and District Choral Society, for creating a cabaret atmosphere in A Night at the Movies, in Earls Colne Village hall. Children in the packed audience were rewarded for their patience by the upbeat Mamma Mia and James Bond medleys. The latter featured musical director Philip Prior’s mock martini and in-tune reed players. Pianist Simon Harvey did splendid work from a difficult position. Among varied solos, from Liz Pottinger’s Autumn Days to Janet Webb’s Skyfall, one singer stood out. The pure pitch of Margaret’ Hill’s voice was the perfect match for Walking in the Air.
PAT RUDKINS Halstead Gazette's Curtain Call, 27th June 2014 |
2013
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14th December 2013 - Christmas Concert
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During the Christmas concert he passed his conducting baton onto Philip Prior, an organist and director of music at St Peter-ad-Vinacular in Coggeshall who will take over in the role of musical director. He will be leading the choir in Mozart's Requiem for their next concert in March.
Report from the Halstead Gazette. Friday December 27th 2013 |
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16th November 2013 - The Armed ManThe departing musical director of the Halstead and District Choral Society Ellis Bell, left a magnificent legacy, when he conducted Karl Jenkin's Armed man, in Halstead's St Andrew's Church. Choir and instrumentalists excelled in this mass for peace …….. From Sue Bennett's impeccable recitative to the choir's emotive battle cries, everything worked. I loved where Ellis placed the tenors, giving lustre at the centre. Dynamics shone, whether in the dramatic Introit and its effective reprise or the resolute tempo of the famous Sanctus. Trumpeter Martin Elms played the Last Post. Alex and Eleanor Beattie's bloody men drumbeats and Torches' clashing cymbals were galvanising. The fine piano and organ interplay between Daniel law and Victor Scott, respectively, was captivating. Britten's centenary was cleverly celebrated in the first half. Rachel Bell's glorious voice soared in the well-modulated Te Deum and Victor found some delightful organ stops in the Jubilato Deo. Elsewhere the choir did what I think it does best, some lovely tuneful a cappella and Margaret Hill was another one of the successful soloist. Very, very well done.
PAT RUDKINS Halstead Gazette's Curtain Call, 29th November 2013 |
Concert Review June 2013 - Last Night of the PromsHalstead Choral Society had its buoyant Last Night Of The Proms at St Francis of Assisi Church, dedicated to the much missed front of house manager David Marner.
The Proms sparkled under the musical director Ellis Bell's merry baton, with Margaret Hill and Liz Pottinger as duetting Carmen. Tenors Eddie Morley and Dennis Hume performed a very pleasing West Side Story Medley that revealed a tuneful choir. Outstanding accompanist Christian White made the electric piano sing. Guests, Clacton-On-Sea Co-Operative Band, finally matched their dynamics to the acoustics, behind the choir, in the flag waving finale. The audience wanted more. |
2012
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16th November 2012 - Haydn's Creation
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16th June 2012 - Pirates of Penzance
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Bill Berks' Pirate King exuded confidence, and splendidly costumed David Kelly was a near perfect Major General. Margaret Hill, Liz Pottinger, John Nichols and the always attentive chorus completed a cast that looked as if it enjoyed performing as much as we loved watching them. More Gilbert and Sullivan please.
PAT RUDKINS Halstead Gazette, 22nd June 201 |
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17th March 2012 - Stainer and Chilcott
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Chilcott's Requiem, which opened the concert, was notable for strong
soprano Christine Cunnold, as well as Peter Dollimore making the most of
the catchy piano theme. Pleasant though this item was, it was the
wonderful Stainer that made it for me.
PAT RUDKINS Halstead Gazett |
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17th December 2011 - Christmas Carol Concert
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18th November 2011 - My Messiah
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18th June 2011 - Summer Concert
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