A busy lead up to Christmas for members of Westbury Choral Society began with a Christmas coffee morning on November 25th which raised £176 – a welcome addition to funds.
The choir were again privileged to be invited to sing at both the annual Christmas Service of Remembrance at West Wilts Crematorium on December 7th and at the Carol Festival at Imber Church on December 23rd.
The society’s Christmas Concert on December 15th was well attended. Under its conductor Luke Pickett and with Rob Danter accompanying, the choir performed a variety of seasonal items including ‘O Holy Night’ and a little known setting of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ by William Llewellyn. Trumpet and organ solos, readings and audience carols completed the programme.
The concert ended with audience and choir joining in a rousing encore of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas.’
Rehearsals commenced on January 10th for the society’s Spring Concert which will be held at All Saints Parish Church on Saturday April 21st.
The choir meets for rehearsals at Westbury Methodist Church on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm until 9.30pm. New members in all voice sections would be warmly welcomed. No auditions are required. The ability to read music, while obviously helpful, is not essential – enthusiasm and commitment being paramount.
The Spring Concert will be a showcase of choral works from Bach to Bernstein. The main work will be Schubert’s Mass in G.
Pieces by Bach, Brahms and Sullivan, among others, will also feature and the concert will conclude with a selection from ‘West Side Story,’ marking the centenary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth.
A choral workshop concentrating on the Schubert and Brahms’ ‘How lovely is thy Dwelling Place’ will be held at Westbury Methodist Church on Saturday January 17th. Open to all, friends from other local music groups would be especially welcome. Registration (£8/students £4) to include music hire and interval refreshments is from 1.30pm, with the workshop running from 2pm until approximately 5pm.
For further information about the workshop or choir visit www.westburychoral .org.uk or call Luke Pickett on 01225 345408.
