6 NOVEMBER 2025

We galloped through things somewhat on Wednesday but, with luck, all is ready for our various performances over the next couple of weeks. 

This Monday we are singing at St Denis Lodge.  Please be there just before 2.15 ready to start our entertainment at 2.30.  we will be singing standard carols (white booklets and / or Bethlehem Carol Sheets), the Christmas Songs and a selection from our “featured repertoire”. 

On Wednesday we will continue work on Shaftesbury Christmas Light and continue polishing the rest of our Christmas repertoire i.e. Little Donkey, No Small Wonder, The Holly and the Ivy, Ding Dong, Boar’s Head, Gaudete, Come tune your cheerful voice, Fais Dodo, Hosanna, My Dancing Day.

Words, where needed, have all been attached over the last few weeks.  Please print them out yourselves and maybe do a spare copy for the needy.  Bethlehem Carol Sheets will be available for all of course.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

2025

Monday 8 December Short Christmas entertainment for St Denis Lodge.  2.30 p.m.   Please be there just before 2.15.  Usual dress code (red / black or dark) + something a bit Christmassy (but no antlers please)

Thursday 11 December   Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping. 7 o’clock – 7.30.

Tuesday 16 December  Short Christmas entertainment for the Blind Association.  Meet 2.45 for 3.00 p.m.  British Legion Hall, Coppice Street.   Mince pies etc for people afterwards.

NB Normal Wednesday practices on 3rd, 10th and 17th December.  We will not be meeting on 24th and 31st.

2026

Wednesday 7 January  Choir New Year Party, celebrating 13th Night (a forgotten west country festival) and the Orthodox Church’s Christmas Day.

Sunday 18 January Westminster Hospital  Memorial Service   Afternoon.  (3.00 p.m?)  Town Hall

Wednesday 11 March  We welcome our guest leader Sarah Pennington

OTHER COMING EVENTS

2025

Sunday 7 December  Pilgrim Singers “Gaudete” Christmas concert in aid of North Dorset Women’s Refuge.  7.00 p.m. St Luke and St Teresa’s Church, Wincanton.  See attached flyer.

also

Concert for Peace 4.30 – 5.30.  Emily Burridge (cello) Assembly Rooms, Grosvenor Hotel  See attached flyer.

Saturday 13 December  The Romantic piano.  3.30 St John’s Church, Tisbury.  See attached flyer

also

Ruth Rogers & Simon Callaghan - violin & piano duo recital of Beethoven, Elgar, Ravel & Franck  5.00 p.m.  Farrington Hall, Port Regis School

Sunday 14 December  Afternoon tea with Jane Austen and the Phoenix Café orchestra.  3.00-5.00.  Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  NOT TO BE MISSED!

also

Wincanton Choral Society Christmas Concert.  See attached flier

Tuesday 16 December  Christmas Cheer – a festive programme of carols and readings presented by Gillingham Arts Workshop.  5.00 p.mn. Gillingham Library.  FREE  See attached flyer
Wednesday 17 December  11.30-12.30   Wessex Baroque Collective.  (Grosvenor Assembly Rooms.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)

2026

Friday 23 January  Soul Soundings.  Singing workshop with Jane Harris (Rolling Harmony).  Wells Cathedral and Chapter House.  7.30 – 9.30 p.m.   Details at:  www.tickettailor.com/events/songways/


PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

David

6 December 2025

29 NOVEMBER 2025

More lovely singing last Wednesday.  Next week we will work on Shaftesbury Christmas Lights (held over from last time) and hopefully polish the rest of our Christmas repertoire i.e. Little Donkey, No Small Wonder, The Holly and the Ivy, Ding Dong, Boar’s Head, Gaudete, Come tune your cheerful voice, Fais Dodo, Hosanna, My Dancing Day. All this alongside our traditional carols of course.  Words, where needed, have all been attached over the last few weeks.  Please print them out yourselves and maybe do a spare copy for the needy.  Bethlehem Carol Sheets will be available for all of course.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

2025

Monday 8 December Short Christmas entertainment for St Denis Lodge.  2.30 p.m.

Thursday 11 December   Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping. 7 o’clock – 7.30.

Tuesday 16 December  Short Christmas entertainment for the Blind Association.  Meet 2.45 for 3.00 p.m.  British Legion Hall, Coppice Street.   Mince pies etc for people afterwards.

NB Normal Wednesday practices on 3rd, 10th and 17th December.  We will not be meeting on 24th and 31st.

2026

Wednesday 7 January  Choir New Year Party, celebrating 13th Night (a forgotten west country festival) and the Orthodox Church’s Christmas Day.

Sunday 18 January Westminster Hospital  Memorial Service   Afternoon.  (3.00 p.m?)  Town Hall

Wednesday 11 March  We welcome our guest leader Sarah Pennington

OTHER COMING EVENTS

2025

Saturday 29 November 7.30 PM Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  Green Matthews return to perform Midwinter Revels their new festive show - a celebration of Yuletide past, guaranteed to warm the cockles of the most Scrooge-like heart.

also

Songs of the Sea  6.30 p.m. St Mary’s Church, Gillingham.  Top Brass and Wind Concert Band with the Dorset Mutineers Shanty Singers.  See attached flyer

Sunday 7 December  Pilgrim Singers “Gaudete” Christmas concert in aid of North Dorset Women’s Refuge.  7.00 p.m. St Luke and St Teresa’s Church, Wincanton.  See attached flyer.

Saturday 13 December  The Romantic piano.  3.30 St John’s Church, Tisbury.  See attached flyer

Sunday 14 December  Wincanton Choral Society Christmas Concert.  See attached flier

also

Afternoon tea with Jane Austen and the Phoenix Café orchestra.  3.00-5.00.  Shaftesbury Arts Centre
Wednesday 17 December  11.30-12.30   Wessex Baroque Collective.  (Grosvenor Assembly Rooms.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)

2026

Friday 23 January  Soul Soundings.  Singing workshop with Jane Harris (Rolling Harmony).  Wells Cathedral and Chapter House.  7.30 – 9.30 p.m.   Details at:  www.tickettailor.com/events/songways/


PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

David

29 November 2025

22 NOVEMBER 2025

First and foremost, many thanks to Holly for her work with us over the last couple of weeks.  And, of course, the best of luck with the Italian competition – it sounds really exciting.

We had yet another great turn-out on Wednesday.  Marvellous.  Next week we will polish Little Donkey, continue No Small Wonder + The Holly and the Ivy and make a start on Ding Dong (held over from last time) and Shaftesbury. All these alongside a couple of traditional carols of course.  If time we will also continue work on You are the Sunshine of my Life too for a bit of non-Christmassy respite.   Words for Christmas Lights attached, other words, where needed, were attached over the last couple of weeks.  Please print them out yourselves and maybe do a spare copy for the needy.  Bethlehem Carol Sheets will be available for all of course.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

2025

Monday 8 December Short Christmas entertainment for St Denis Lodge.  2.30 p.m.

Thursday 11 December   Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping. 7 o’clock – 7.30.

Tuesday 16 December  Short Christmas entertainment for the Blind Association.  Meet 2.45 for 3.00 p.m.  British Legion Hall, Coppice Street.   Mince pies etc for people afterwards.

NB Normal Wednesday practices on 3rd, 10th and 17th December.  We will not be meeting on 24th and 31st however but will resume on 7th January.

2026

Sunday 18 January Westminster Hospital  Memorial Service   Afternoon.  (3.00 p.m?)  Town Hall

OTHER COMING EVENTS

2025

TODAY Saturday 22 November  Under Winter Stars   Gillingham Singers.  St James’ Church Shaftesbury.  See attached flyer.  The concert features a first performance of Stars by Steven Doidge – great friend of Kathy (soprano)

also

O Come Emmanuel – meditational music for Advent.  Music exploring sound, space and silence.  7.30 St Mary’s Bruton.  See attached flyer.

Friday 28 November  Palida Choir.  (Semley Music Festival)  St Leonard’s Church, Semley.  See attached  flyer.

Saturday 29 November 7.30 PM Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  Green Matthews return to perform Midwinter Revels their new festive show - a celebration of Yuletide past, guaranteed to warm the cockles of the most Scrooge-like heart.

also

Songs of the Sea  6.30 p.m. St Mary’s Church, Gillingham.  Top Brass and Wind Concert Band with the Dorset Mutineers Shanty Singers.  See attached flyer

Sunday 7 December  Pilgrim Singers “Gaudete” Christmas concert in aid of North Dorset Women’s Refuge.  7.00 p.m. St Luke and St Teresa’s Church, Wincanton.  See attached flyer.

Saturday 13 December  The Romantic piano.  3.30 St John’s Church, Tisbury.  See attached flyer

Sunday 14 December  Wincanton Choral Society Christmas Concert.  See attached flier
Wednesday 17 December  11.30-12.30   Wessex Baroque Collective.  (Grosvenor Assembly Rooms.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)

2026

Friday 23 January  Soul Soundings.  Singing workshop with Jane Harris (Rolling Harmony).  Wells Cathedral and Chapter House.  7.30 – 9.30 p.m.   Details at:  www.tickettailor.com/events/songways/


PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

David

8 NOVEMBER 2025

Another great turn-out on Wednesday and a great start on our Christmas repertoire too.  Along with a couple of traditional carols, next week we will be continuing Little Donkey, polishing Hosanna and Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day and looking at No Small Wonder (held over from last time) + The Holly and the Ivy, Gaudete and Fais Dodo.  We will continue work on You are the Sunshine of my Life too for a bit of non-Christmassy respite.   Words, where needed are attached.  Please print them out yourselves and maybe do a spare copy for the needy.  Bethlehem Carol Sheets will be available for all of course.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

2025

Thursday 11 December   Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping. 7 o’clock – 7.45.

 

Tuesday 16 December  Short Christmas Concert for the Blind Association.  3.00 p.m.  British Legion Hall, Coppice Street.

2026

Sunday 18 January Westminster Hospital  Memorial Service   Afternoon.  (3.00 p.m?)  Town Hall

OTHER COMING EVENTS

2025

Sunday 16 November   

Shaftesbury Symphony Orchestra  St James Church 4.00 p.m.  Beethoven and Bizet.  See attached flyer.

also

Wessex Strings  Cheap Street Church, Sherborne  3.00 p.m. Bach, Elgar, Grieg, John Ireland.  See attached flyer

also

Pagoda Project  (Semley Music Festival)  )  St Leonard’s Church, Semley.  See attached  flyer.

Wednesday 19 November  11.30-12.30 violin and guitar, EMK and Colin Thompson. (Phoenix Room, Shaftesbury Arts Centre

Saturday 22 November  Under Winter Stars   Gillingham Singers.  St James’ Church Shaftesbury.  See attached flyer.  The concert features a first performance of Stars by Steven Doidge – great friend of Kathy (soprano)

Sunday 14 December  Wincanton Choral Society Christmas Concert.  See attached flier
Wednesday 17 December  11.30-12.30   Wessex Baroque Collective.  (Grosvenor Assembly Rooms.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)

2026

Friday 23 January  Soul Soundings.  Singing workshop with Jane Harris (Rolling Harmony).  Wells Cathedral and Chapter House.  7.30 – 9.30 p.m.   Details at:  www.tickettailor.com/events/songways/


PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

If you would like to be removed from this mailing list, just send me a short e-mail to that effect.  No hard feelings.

David

8 November 2025

3 OCTOBER 2025

It was lovely to see (and hear) so many of you on Wednesday – it’s good to be home.  Many, many thanks to Holly for her expertise and enthusiasm over the last few weeks.  It was very much appreciated and I am sure I speak for everyone when I say how much we enjoyed working with her.  Thanks to everyone, too, for the entertainment on Carnival Day last weekend.  There are a couple of photos attached.  Your efforts were much appreciated.

 We have, as you know, two imminent choir events when we will be singing a mixture of old favourites and newish songs as  follows:

 “Songs of Land and Sea” set - Gower Wassail, Chattanooga, Shenandoah, Five Hundred Miles, Ghafoors Bus, Blue Moon, Oak of Old

 “Apple Day” set - Apple Apple, Cherry Tree Carol, Jug of Punch, Grateful and Loved, Gower Wassail (with Palida), Bella Mama (with audience)

 

We will be looking at all of these over the next couple of weeks.

 Katie (alto) is calling for cakes for our concert with the Shanty group. Please bring any cake offerings to St James on the day.

 COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Saturday 11 October  “Songs of Land and Sea”   Afternoon tea at St James.  We will share this programme with the Shaftesbury shanty group  3.00 p.m.  Flyer attached.  Also attached are the words of the shanty choruses so that we can join in at the appropriate points.   Please print them off yourselves if you want them.

Thursday 16 October  Concert to mark the launching of “Making Shaftesbury an Orchard Town”   We will share this programme with Palida etc.  7.00 p.m. St Peter’s Church   Flyer attached

Thursday 11 December   Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping.

 

OTHER COMING EVENTS

Saturday 4 October  Come-and-sing Nelson Mass.  St James Church.  There will be a FREE concert at 4.00 p.m.   All are welcome.

Sunday 5 October  Organ recital by Gillingham organist Gordon Amery at Marnhull Church.  See attached flyer

Wednesday 15 October  11.30-12.30, Solo violin, Emma-Marie Kabanova.  (Phoenix Room, Shaftesbury Arts Centre)

Saturday 18 October Faure Requiem singing day.  Wincanton. See attached flyer
Wednesday 19 November  11.30-12.30 violin and guitar, EMK and Colin Thompson. (Phoenix Room, Shaftesbury Arts Centre)
Wednesday 17 December  5-6.60 Wessex Baroque Collective.  (Grosvenor Assembly Rooms.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)
CHRISTMAS IS COMING

Sturminster Choral Society is seeking new members.  See attached flyer for details.

 PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

 David

3 October 2025

 STOP PRESS

Elizabeth Hazlewood of postbox topper fame and erstwhile member of choir, has recently moved to St Denis's Lodge and would welcome visitors. 

30 AUGUST 2025

Thankyou Holly for making last Wednesday’s practice such fun and thankyou all of you who entertained the members of the Dementia Friendly group on Thursday.  Photo attached.   We were all on sparkling form and the audience were clearly very appreciative.  I particularly liked their rousing contribution to our choruses of “Mud, mud glorious mud”

As well as the Carnival next month, we have, as you know, two choir events in October when we will be singing a mixture of old favourites and new songs  This coming week we will be singing Good News Chariot’s Comin’ and Ceremony Boogie as warm-ups (no words needed) and finishing with Gently Let the Evening’s Peace once more – but in four parts this time.  We will continue working on Cherry Tree Carol and Apple, Apple, look at Gower Wassail (held over from last time) and make a start on Linden Lea.  The words of this last song are attached.   Please print them out yourselves if you can and maybe a spare copy to pass onto the needy!  

NELSON MASS

I am organising a singing day on Saturday 4th October at St James Church to work on Haydn’s Nelson Mass – my absolute favourite choral work.  If you are a decent sight reader and would like to take part, let me know over the weekend and I will zap you the details.  There will be a free public performance later in the afternoon for anyone who wishes to come and listen

 COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Saturday 27 September Shaftesbury Carnival.  More details later. (We will be taking part in the all-day entertainment, details tbc).

Saturday 11 October   Afternoon tea at St James.  We will share this programme with the Shaftesbury shanty group

Thursday 16 October  Concert to mark the launching of “Making Shaftesbury an Orchard Town”   We will share this programme with Palida etc.  Lots of fruity songs in store I’m sure.

Thursday 11 December   Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping.

 OTHER COMING EVENTS

Friday 5 September Words U/G with guest poets from Bridport.  Vivienne (soprano) will be doing an open reading too.  Hosted by Richard (tenor)  See attached flyer

Saturday 4 October  Come-and-sing Nelson Mass.  St James Church.  See above.

Wednesday 15 October  11.30-12.30, Solo violin, Emma-Marie Kabanova.  (Phoenix Room, Shaftesbury Arts Centre)
Wednesday 19 November  11.30-12.30 violin and guitar, EMK and Colin Thompson. (Phoenix Room, Shaftesbury Arts Centre)
Wednesday 17 December  5-6.60 Wessex Baroque Collective.  (Grosvenor Assembly Rooms.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)
PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

 David

30 August 2025

23 AUGUST 2025

What a lovely evening we had for our Songs Before Sunset on Wednesday, and, goodness me, wasn’t the weather kind?  A couple of photos attached.  Thanks Julia. 

If you are singing for Dementia Friendly next Thursday (28 August), we will be having our final singalong at the end of next week’s practice.  (See below. 

As well as the Carnival next month, we have two new choir events in October when we will be singing a mixture of old favourites and new songs with a distinctly fruity (or maybe nautical) flavour.  This coming week we will be singing Bella Mama and I am a River as warm-ups and hopefully finishing with Gently Let the Evening’s Peace which we made a start on at our picnic party.  Time permitting other songs (some new) will be Jug of Punch, Cherry Tree Carol, Gower Wassail and Apple, Apple.  Word attached.   Please print them out yourselves if you can and maybe a spare copy to pass onto the needy!  

 

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Thursday 28 August  Dementia Friendly Shaftesbury - Melodies Remembered.  Doors open at 2 pm, refreshments are served first and then the singing starts approx 2.30 for an hour. The event is in the function room  at the Football Club as before.  Usual dress code please – shades of red above the waist, dark or black below.

Saturday 27 September Shaftesbury Carnival.  More details later. (We will be taking part in the all-day entertainment at some stage). 

Saturday 11 October   Afternoon tea at St James.  We will share this programme with the Shaftesbury shanty group

Thursday 16 October  Concert to mark the launching of “Making Shaftesbury an Orchard Town”   We will share this programme with Palida etc.  Lots of fruity songs in store I’m sure.

Thursday 11 December   Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping.

OTHER COMING EVENTS

Sunday 24 August  John Radford (organ) at St. Gregory’s Church, Marnhull.  3.00 p.m.   See attached flyer

Wednesday 27 August  Music for oboe, cello and piano   2.00  St Andrew’s Church, Fontmell Magna.  See attached flyer

Friday 5 September Words U/G with guest poets from Bridport.  Vivienne (soprano) will be doing an open reading too.  Hosted by Richard (tenor)  See attached flyer

Wednesday 15 October  11.30-12.30, Solo violin, Emma-Marie Kabanova.  (St Peter’s Church.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)
Wednesday 19 November  11.30-12.30 violin and guitar, EMK and Colin Thompson .  (St Peter’s Church.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)
Wednesday 17 December  5-6.60 Wessex Baroque Collective.  (St Peter’s Church.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

 David

23 August 2025

16 AUGUST 2025

We may have been comparatively few in number on Wednesday but there was no doubting the quality of the singing.  It was excellent! 

Next week will be  “Songs Before Sunset” – our choir picnic party.  This is now going to be in the Queen Mother Garden which is off Bimport.  Heading away from the town centre, turn right by the ambulance station and take the made-up track towards Castle Hill.  The QMG is through a little gate on the right.   Get there at 6.30 or so for picnics, (earlier if you wish) ready to start singing at about 7 o’clock.  Do invite family and friends as it is much more fun to sing for an audience.  And who knows we may even be able to recruit some new members.   Dress suitably warmly, bring a blanket and / or chair and maybe £1 or so for a convivial glass of prosecco.  If the weather is bad we will revert to the Town Hall but keep with the earlier timing, picnics and prosecco.

Our programme will be taken from …

Eternal Flame; Forever Young; Grateful and Loved; Oak of Old; Heart to Heart; Dvorak Anthem; Blue Moon; Stille der Nacht; And so it goes; Haere Mai; Lifting as we climb; My Little Cup; Shenandoah; Simply There; To Walk Along this Shore; Iparadisi.

If you are singing for Dementia Friendly on Thursday 28th August, we will not be having a singalong at the end of the picnic party but will do so the following week.

We also have two new choir events in October – Saturday 11th and Thursday 16th – when we will be singing a mixture of old favourites and new songs with a distinctly nautical or fruity flavour. 

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Wednesday 20 August  “Songs Before Sunset” – our choir picnic party  See above.

Thursday 28 August  Dementia Friendly Shaftesbury - Melodies Remembered.  Afternoon.  Shaftesbury Football Club.  Times to be confirmed.

Saturday 27 September Shaftesbury Carnival.  More details later. (We will be taking part in the all-day entertainment at some stage). 

Saturday 11 October   Afternoon tea at St James.  We will share this programme with the Shaftesbury shanty group

Thursday 16 October  Concert to mark the launching of “Making Shaftesbury an Orchard Town”   We will share this programme with Palida etc.  Lots of fruity songs in store I’m sure.

Thursday 11 December   Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping.

OTHER COMING EVENTS

Sunday 24 August  John Radford (organ) at St. Gregory’s Church, Marnhull.  3.00 p.m.   See attached flyer

Wednesday 27 August  Music for oboe, cello and piano   2.00  St Andrew’s Church, Fontmell Magna.  See attached flyer

Wednesday 15 October  11.30-12.30, Solo violin, Emma-Marie Kabanova.  (St Peter’s Church.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)
Wednesday 19 November  11.30-12.30 violin and guitar, EMK and Colin Thompson .  (St Peter’s Church.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)
Wednesday 17 December  5-6.60 Wessex Baroque Collective.  (St Peter’s Church.  Promoted by Shaftesbury Arts Centre)

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

David

16 August 2025

8 AUGUST 2025

Great singing on Wednesday. Thanks for working hard. Good to make a start on Things at last and first part of And So It Goes sounding lovely.  

The choir picnic has changed venue.     We will now have it in the Queen Mother's Garden just off Castle Hill (off Bimport).  

This coming week as preparation for our choir picnic party on 20th August,  we will recap I Paradisi (I attach words for those who asked for them), continue And So It Goes, look at Things as well as recapping Lifting as we Climb  + a few others from our picnic long list is time permits (see below).   Words where needed have all been attached recently.   Please print them out yourselves if you can and maybe a spare copy to pass onto the needy!  

Picnic long list: Eternal Flame; Forever Young; Grateful and Loved; Oak of Old; Heart to Heart; Dvorak Anthem; Blue Moon; Stille der Nacht; And so it goes; Haere Mai; Lifting as we climb; My Little Cup; Shenandoah; Simply There; Things; To Walk Along this Shore; Iparadisi.

If you are singing for the Dementia Friendly on Thursday 28th August, we will be having a singalong at the end of next week’s practice .

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Wednesday 20 August  Supper & Song in the Queen Mother's Garden  (Choir Picnic Party).  More details soon. As with last year, there will be a collection in aid of the Abbey and the Hospital by a voluntary leaving donation.

Thursday 28 August  Dementia Friendly Shaftesbury - Melodies Remembered.  Afternoon.  More details soon.

Saturday 27 September Shaftesbury Carnival.  More details later. (We will be taking part in the all-day entertainment at some stage). 

Saturday 11 October   Afternoon tea at St James.  We will share this programme with the Shaftesbury shanty group

Thursday 11 December   Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping.

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

 Karen

8 August 2025

17 JULY 2025

An even earlier edition this week so that I can get all the info out about members and friends of the choir who have shows on at the Fringe.    

If you haven’t done so already, it would be very, very useful and very, very sensible if you were to get the items for our programme together in your folders.  All words, where needed, have been attached over the past few weeks. 

Next week we will be changing our repertoire and working on pieces for our choir picnic party (Wednesday 20 Aug) and Dementia Friendly performance (Thursday 28 Aug).

Our list for Sunday is (in no particular order):

Starters: Heart to Heart; Simama

Closers: This is home; Namaste

The rest: Anthem (Dvořak); Blue Moon; Eternal Flame; Every time I feel the spirit; Forever Young; Grateful and Loved; Green, Green; John Ball; Oak of Old; Stille der Nacht; Lighter than Hydrogen; 500 Miles; I believe that one fine day

OUR POSTER IS ATTACHED. IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY DONE SO PLEASE PRINT IT OFF AND DISPLAY IT PROMINENTLY.  LAST YEAR WE HAD THE SECOND BIGGEST FRINGE AUDIENCE SO WE HAVE A LOT TO LIVE UP TO.  USUAL DRESS CODE (shades of red above the waist – plain not patterned – dark or black below).  Can we assemble at 10.45 please?

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Sunday 20 July  “Songs for a Summer Day” (Shaftesbury Fringe).  11.00 a.m.  Abbey Gardens   (Assemble at 10.45 please)

Wednesday 20 August  Supper & Song in the Abbey Gardens  (Choir Picnic Party).  More details soon.

Thursday 28 August  Dementia Friendly Shaftesbury - Melodies Remembered.  Afternoon.  More details soon.

Saturday 27 September Shaftesbury Carnival.  More details later. (We will be taking part in the all-day entertainment at some stage). 

Saturday 11 October   Afternoon tea at St James.  We will share this programme with the Shaftesbury shanty group

Thursday 11 December   Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping.

FRINGE EVENTS featuring members of the choir and friends

FRIDAY

10.30 Richard Clarke, Busking shark.  Singalong.  St Peter’s Church

11.15 Julia Blinko and Karen Wimhurst  Clarinets with your Coffee  The Kings Arms

12.00  Robin Walter  Song of the Earth (poetry)  The Kings Arms

1.00 Madeline’s Witty Melodies (music for voice, oboe and piano)  St Peter’s Church. See attached flyer

3.00 The Reel Deal  Two Brewers

4.00  Richard Foreman “Out of His Box”  Grosvenor   See attached flyer    

5.00 The Reel Deal  King’s Arms

7.30 Shaston Shantyer  The Mitre See attached flyer

SATURDAY

11.00 Robin Walter “cleave” (a collection of writings tracing our estrangement from nature)  King Alfred’ s Kitchen (Nun’s Passage)

1.00  Richard Foreman “Out of His Box”  Grosvenor   See attached flyer

1.00 Jazz on Gold Hill  See attached flyer

2.00  The Reel Deal  Busking Stage

3.30 Phoenix Folk Sessions Park Walk  See attached flyer

3.30  Ancient Heart   British Legion

4.30 and 7.30  Shaston Shantyer  The Mitre See attached flyer

5.00 The Reel Deal  King’s Arms

7.30 Rolling Harmony   St Peter’s Church   See attached flyer

SUNDAY

11.00 a.m.  SHAFTESBURY COMMUNITY CHOIR “Songs for a Summer Day”  Abbey Gardens See attached flyer

11.45  Palida “Circle Games” – tribute to Joni Mitchell. Abbey Gardens  See attached flyer

12.00 Dorset Mutineeers  Coffee #1 See attached flyer

3.00  Dorset Mutineers  Kings Arms  See attached flyer

3.15   Phoenix Café Orchestra.  St James’ Church. See attached flyer

4.00  Phoenix Folk Sessions.  Swan’s Yard  See attached flyer

6.00  Dorset Mutineers  Grosvenor  See attached flyer

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

STOP PRESS

If you, like me, despair of the state and status of music in many of our state schools, be heartened by what is happening in at least one school in Bath.  Jon, whose brain-child it  Richard (bass)’s son-in-law. 

https://www.itv.com/watch/news/orchestra-of-everything-foundation-the-bath-charity-transforming-local-schools-with-music/c40cn8y

David

17 July 2025

12 JULY 2025

Wednesday was a lot of fun and things bode well for the Fringe.   This coming week we will continue do as many of the songs that Karen and I have chosen for our programme as possible.   If you haven’t done so already, it would be very, very useful and very, very sensible  if you were to get these together in your folders.  All words, where needed, have been attached over the past few weeks.

Our provisional list is (in no particular order):

Starters: Heart to Heart; I believe that one fine day

Closers: This is home; Namaste

The rest: Anthem (Dvořak); Blue Moon; Eternal Flame; Every time I feel the spirit; Forever Young; Grateful and Loved; Green, Green; John Ball; Oak of Old; Simama; Stille der Nacht; Lighter than Hydrogen; 500 Miles.

OUR POSTER IS ATTACHED.  PLEASE PRINT IT OFF AND DISPLAY IT PROMINENTLY.  LAST YEAR WE HAD THE SECOND BIGGEST FRINGE AUDIENCE SO WE HAVE A LOT TO LIVE UP TO.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Sunday 20 July  “Songs for a Summer Day” (Shaftesbury Fringe).  11.00 a.m.  Abbey Gardens

Thursday 28 August  Dementia Friendly Shaftesbury - Melodies Remembered.  Afternoon.  More details soon.

Saturday 27 September Shaftesbury Carnival.  More details later. (We will be taking part in the all-day entertainment at some stage). 

Saturday 11 October   Afternoon tea at St James.  We will share this programme with the Shaftesbury shanty group

Thursday 11 December   Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping.

OTHER COMING EVENTS 

Saturday 12 July  Recital by Russian-Ukrainian pianist Alexei Karpeyev  St John’s Church, Tisbury.  See attached flyer

Wednesday 16 July  Lunchtime concert.  D’Cruz Trio  Fontmell Magna Church.  See attached flyer

FRINGE EVENTS featuring members of the choir and friends

FRIDAY

11.15 Julia Blinko and Karen Wimhurst  Clarinets with your Coffee  The Kings Arms

12.00  Robin Walter  Song of the Earth (poetry)  The Kings Arms

3.00 The Reel Deal  Two Brewers

4.00  Richard Foreman “Out of His Box”  Grosvenor   See attached flyer

5.00 The Reel Deal  King’s Arms

 

SATURDAY

11.00 Robin Walter “cleave” (a collection of writings tracing our estrangement from nature)  King Alfred’ s Kitchen (Nun’s Passage)

1.00  Richard Foreman “Out of His Box”  Grosvenor   See attached flyer

1.00 Jazz on Gold Hill  See attached flyer

2.00  The Reel Deal  Busking Stage

3.30 Phoenix Folk Sessions Park Walk  See attached flyer

3.30  Ancient Heart   British Legion 3.30

5.00 The Reel Deal  King’s Arms

7.30 Rolling Harmony   St Peter’s Church   See attached flyer

SUNDAY

11.00  SHAFTESBURY COMMUNITY CHOIR “Songs for a Summer Day”  Abbey Gardens See attached flyer

11.45  Palida “Circle Games” – tribute to Joni Mitchell. Abbey Gardens  See attached flyer

12.00 Dorset Mutineeers  Coffee #1 See attached flyer

3.00  Dorset Mutineers  Kings Arms  See attached flyer

3.15   Phoenix Café Orchestra.  St James’ Church. See attached flyer

4.00  Phoenix Folk Sessions.  Swan’s Yard  See attached flyer

6.00  Dorset Mutineers  Grosvenor  See attached flyer

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

David

12 July 2025

28 JUNE 2025

Great singing on Wednesday.  The end of Eternal Flame and Green Green still need bedding down but the rest was pretty secure I felt.   This coming week we will complete the Dvořak Anthem (held over from last time) and do as many of the other songs that Karen and I have chosen for our Fringe programme as possible.   It would be very useful if you were to get these together in your folders.  All words, where needed, have been attached over the past few weeks.

Our provisional list is (in no particular order):

Anthem (Dvořak); Blue Moon; Eternal Flame; Every time I feel the spirit; Forever Young; Grateful and Loved; Green, Green; Heart to Heart; I believe that one fine day; John Ball;

Oak of Old; Simama; Stille der Nacht; This is home; Lighter than Hydrogen; Namaste; 500 Miles.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Sunday 20 July  “Songs for a Summer Day” (Shaftesbury Fringe).  11.00 a.m.  Abbey Gardens

Thursday 28 August  Dementia Friendly Shaftesbury - Melodies Remembered.  Afternoon.  More details soon.

Saturday 27 September We have been asked by the organisers of Shaftesbury Carnival whether the choir be able to take part in the all-day entertainment. 

also

There is a possibility that we might be asked to entertain for an afternoon tea at St James on Saturday 11 October.  Could you check your diaries between now and next time please?

OTHER COMING EVENTS  Something for everyone here I am certain.

Saturday 28 June (TODAY)  Stretto.  6.00 p.m. St manure’s Church Sixpenny Handley.  UK tour of a youth chamber orchestra from New Jersey.  See attached flyer

Thurs 3 - Sat 12 July   Sound of Music.  Shaftesbury Arts Centre See attached flyer 

Sunday 6 July  Summer Serenade with The Pilgrim Singers at The Dogs, Wincanton.  See attached flyer

Friday 11 July  Spanish Evening at The Exchange, Sturminster.  See earlier flyer

Wednesday 16 July  Lunchtime concert.  Fontmell Magna Church.  See earlier flyer

Saturday 12 July  Recital by Russian-Ukrainian pianist Alexei Karpeyev  St John’s Church, Tisbury.  See earlier flyer.

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for. 

David

28 June 2025

31 MAY 2025

Numbers were a bit down again on Wednesday – half term maybe - but we worked hard and were in good voice.  Next week we will polish Banana Boat Song and A Little Bit of Love, recap Eternal Flame (held over from last time), continue Grateful and Loved and have a look at  Anthem (Dvorak) and Say, Say Yes, both of which we ran out of time for.  All these plus a few simple warm-ups.  As you know, these pieces are likely to form part of our programme for the Shaftesbury Fringe.  Words, where needed, have been attached in recent weeks.   

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Sunday 20 July  “Songs for a Summer Day” (Shaftesbury Fringe).  11.00 a.m.  Abbey Gardens

Thursday 28 August  Dementia Friendly Shaftesbury - Melodies Remembered.  Afternoon.  More details soon.

Saturday 27 September We have been asked by the organisers of Shaftesbury Carnival whether the choir be able to take part in the all-day entertainment. 

OTHER COMING EVENTS  Something for everyone here I am certain.

Sunday 1 June  80th Birthday Celebration Recital by Chris Mahon.  St James Church.  FREE  See attached flyer

Thursday 5 June  Medical Aid for Palestinians – free event Marnhull Village Hall  7.30pm   The evening will include a film: ‘The Present’ by Farah Nabusi – which won the BAFTA award for best short film in 2021 + free food and drink.   There will be a raffle with some excellent prizes.  Tickets are free and available in both shops in Marnhull, at the Hub on Saturdays and on the door.  Any donations will be gratefully received and will go directly to Medical Aid for Palestinians – contactless payments accepted too.

also

Karen and Co. in Kanekt,  Indo-Jazz fusion.  6.30 p.m.  St Leonard’s Church, Semley.  See attached flyer

Sunday 8 June.  Norton Wind  Beethoven  3pm – St John’s Church Tisbury.  The concert will last under an hour after which refreshments will be available.  Free.

Saturday 14 June  Wincanton Choral Society Summer Soiree.  See earlier flyer

Sunday 15 June  Big local finale of Surtierra with the Chilean band Quimantu.  3.00 p.m. The Exchange, Sturminster Newton.     

Details at https://artsreach.co.uk/event/quimantu-surtierra-exchange

Wednesday 18 June  Lunchtime concert at St Andrew's, Fontmell Magna   Anna Gregory and Charlotte Collier, in a programme of songs, operatic arias and duets. See attached flyer

Sat 21 - Sun 22 June  Flower Festival, including a Hymns and Pimms at 5.00 p.m. on the Sunday.     St Michael and All Angels, Stour Provost  See attached flyer

Thurs 3 - Sat 12 July   Sound of Music.  Shaftesbury Arts Centre See attached flyer

 Sunday 6 July  Summer Serenade with The Pilgrim Singers at The Dogs, Wincanton.  See last week’s  flyer.

Friday 11 July  Spanish Evening at The Exchange, Sturminster.  See last week’s flyer.

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

David

31 May 2025

10 MAY 2025

More great singing last Wednesday although numbers were a bit down.  Next week we will continue with  Eternal Flame, Banana Boat Song and Don’t Worry Be Happy along with Stille der Nacht / Wie schön bist du (held over from last time), + Balanced Be the Way, Bamba Leyla, Alleluia and John Ball to top and tail.   John BAll attached.   Please print it out yourself if you can and maybe a spare copy to pass onto the needy!  Other words, where needed, have been attached in recent weeks. 

We have been asked to entertain Dementia Friendly Shaftesbury once again as part of their  Melodies Remembered programme and have suggested Thursday 28 August as a suitable date.   

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Sunday 20 July  “Songs for a Summer Day” (Shaftesbury Fringe).  11.00 a.m.  Abbey Gardens

Thursday 28 August  Dementia Friendly Shaftesbury - Melodies Remembered.  Afternoon.  More details soon.

Saturday 27 September We have been asked by the organisers of Shaftesbury Carnival whether the choir be able to take part in the all-day entertainment. 

OTHER COMING EVENTS

Saturday 10 May  Concert at St Mary’s, Sturminster given by Sturminster Newton Choral Society.  7.30 p.m. Tickets at the door. 

also

Gillingham VE celebrations, St. Mary’s, Gillingham given by Top Brass and Wind Concert Band and the Wriggle Valley Jazz Band.  6.30p.m. Free   See attached flyer

Friday 16 May  Concert for the 25th Anniversary of the Friends of the North Dorset Women’s Refuge.  St Andrew’s, Fontmell Magna.  Free Entry. 7.00 p.m.  See attached flyer

Saturday 17 May  Gillingham Singers Spring Concert, including Fauré Requiem.  St Mary’s Church, Motcombe.  See last week’s flyer.

Wednesday 21 May  Lunchtime guitar recital by the Altarra Duo.  See last week’s flyer

Sunday 8 June.  Norton Wind  Beethoven  3pm – St John’s Church Tisbury.  The concert will last under an hour after which refreshments will be available.  Free.

Saturday 14 June  Wincanton Choral Society Summer Soiree.  See attached flyer

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for. 

David

10 May 2025

3 MAY 2025

More great singing last Wednesday and really lovely to see a few old faces too.  Eternal Flame, Stille der Nacht and Don’t Worry Be Happy are all beginning to sound good and we will continue with these next time along with Banana Boat Song (held over from last time), Ooh-la-la-lay and Rongo Mau to start + This is Home to round the evening off.  All words, where needed, have been attached in recent weeks. 

REMINDER:  PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN MUGS IF POSSIBLE, BUT IF YOU DO USE A TOWN HALL ONE, PLEASE WASH IT UP AFTERWARDS.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Sunday 20 July  Shaftesbury Fringe.  11.00 a.m.  Abbey Gardens 

Saturday 27 September We have been asked by the organisers of Shaftesbury Carnival whether the choir be able to take part in the all-day entertainment. 

OTHER COMING EVENTS

Saturday 3 May  VE Day celebrations in Sturminster. 

also

Classical and Spanish guitar recital at Compton Abbas Church given by Mark Jennings.  7.00 p.m.  Tickets available at The Hub £12 to include a glass of wine.  Children half price.  Cash preferred.  Raising money for the village hall.  See markjenningsmusic.com

Saturday 17 May  Gillingham Singers Spring Concert, including Fauré Requiem.  St Mary’s Church, Motcombe.  See last week’s flyer.

Wednesday 21 May  Lunchtime guitar recital by the Altarra Duo.  See attached flyer

Sunday 8 June.  Norton Wind  Beethoven  3pm – St John’s Church Tisbury.  The concert will last under an hour after which refreshments will be available.  Free.

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

 David

3 May 2025

26 APRIL 2025

Lovely singing on Wednesday once more and great to join with members of Palida and pupils from Abbey School for Shaftesbury’s first ever Cuckoo Walk on Thursday.  A lot of fun and very, very interesting too.   Ten out of ten.

This coming week we will sing Illa Lucem and Lighter than Hydrogen as our warm-ups once more. Both are pretty secure now. We will then work on Stille der Nacht and Don’t Worry Be Happy* along with Banana Boat Song, Eternal Flame + Evo banke to finish.  Words of these last three are attached.  Please print them out yourselves if you can and maybe a spare copy to pass onto the needy!  Other words, where needed, have been attached in recent weeks. 

*This link will take you to a wonderful version of Don’t Worry which features children from around the world singing and playing along with “Music for Change” musicians

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWXUWepSak4

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Sunday 20 July  Shaftesbury Fringe.  11.00 a.m.  Abbey Gardens

Saturday 27 September We have been asked by the organisers of Shaftesbury Carnival whether the choir be able to take part in the all-day entertainment. 

OTHER COMING EVENTS – it’s a busy weekend, no mistake.

Saturday 26 April 

The Witches of Eastwick.  Milborne Port Opera.  See earlier flyer.

also

Town Twinning Ceilidh.  See earlier flyer

also

Rolling Harmony Concert and Workshop in Shaftesbury  See attached flyer

Sunday 27 April 

Phoenix Café Orchestra.  Marnhull Village Hall.  See attached flyer.

also

A Celebration of Spring.  Cerne Abbas.  3.00 p.m. See earlier flyer.

also

The Year Clock with Tim Laycock.  5.00 p.m. St Michael’s Church, Mere.  See attached flyer 

Thurs 1 – Sun 4 May Hidden Gems singing weekend in Brussels.  See earlier flyer

Saturday 3 May  VE Day celebrations in Sturminster.  See below for a message from Norman (tenor)

Saturday 17 May  Gillingham Singers Spring Concert, including Fauré Requiem.  St Mary’s Church, Motcombe.  See attached flyer.

Sunday 8 June.  Norton Wind  Beethoven  3pm – St John’s Church Tisbury.  The concert will last under an hour after which refreshments will be available.  Free.

VE DAY

NEXT MONTH IS 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY.

THE EXCHANGE IN STUR IS CELEBRATING ON

SATURDAY MAY 3RD WITH A CABARET STYLE

EVENT IN THE MAIN HALL. THE BAND IS CALLED

“MOONLIGHT SWING BAND” WITH A MIX OF

CLASSIC SWING, JAZZ, AND WARTIME TUNES.

STARTS AT 7.30PM, TICKETS ARE £15.00 EACH.

BUY YOUR TICKETS FROM THE EXCHANGE –

THEN WE SEE HOW MANY THERE ARE IN THIS

SHAFTESBURY GROUP AND ARRANGE SEATING

ACCORDINGLY. Q’S – NORMAN KING

07703 462964 / 01747 229325.

 PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

 David

26 April 2025

19 APRIL 2025

More great singing on Wednesday – we seemed full of the joys of spring. 

This coming week we will sing Summer is a-comin’ once more and finish Lighter than Hydrogen and, with luck, Stille der Nacht along with One Man’s Hands (held over from last time), Don’t Worry Be Happy + Love is Here and Alleluia as warm-ups.     Words of Don’t Worry attached.  Please print them out yourselves if you can and maybe a spare copy to pass onto the needy!  

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Thursday 24 April  Summer is a-comin’ in – a “welcoming springtime” procession.  More details on Wednesday.

Sunday 20 July  Shaftesbury Fringe.  11.00 a.m.  Abbey Gardens

Saturday 27 September We have been asked by the organisers of Shaftesbury Carnival whether the choir be able to take part in the all-day entertainment. 

OTHER COMING EVENTS

Wed 23 – Sat 26 April  The Witches of Eastwick.  Milborne Port Opera.  See last week’s flyer.

Saturday 26 April  Town Twinning Ceilidh.  See earlier flyer

also 

Rolling Harmony Concert and Workshop in Shaftesbury  See earlier flyer

Sunday 27 April  Phoenix Café Orchestra.  Marnhull Village Hall.  See attached flyer.

also

A Celebration of Spring.  Cerne Abbas.  3.00 p.m. See earlier flyer.

Thurs 1 – Sun 4 May Hidden Gems singing weekend in Brussels.  See earlier flyer

Saturday 3 May  VE Day celebration in Sturminster.  See below for a message from Norman (tenor)

Saturday 17 May  Gillingham Singers Spring Concert, including Fauré Requiem.  St Mary’s Church, Motcombe.  See earlier flyer.

Sunday 8 June.  Norton Wind  Beethoven  3pm – St John’s Church Tisbury.  The concert will last under an hour after which refreshments will be available.  Free entry but donations for the church please.   Norton Wind is a group of professionally trained and highly experienced amateur

VE DAY

NEXT MONTH IS 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY.

THE EXCHANGE IN STUR IS CELEBRATING ON

SATURDAY MAY 3RD WITH A CABARET STYLE

EVENT IN THE MAIN HALL. THE BAND IS CALLED

“MOONLIGHT SWING BAND” WITH A MIX OF

CLASSIC SWING, JAZZ, AND WARTIME TUNES.

STARTS AT 7.30PM, TICKETS ARE £15.00 EACH.

BUY YOUR TICKETS FROM THE EXCHANGE –

THEN WE SEE HOW MANY THERE ARE IN THIS

SHAFTESBURY GROUP AND ARRANGE SEATING

ACCORDINGLY. Q’S – NORMAN KING

07703 462964 / 01747 229325.

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE

David

19 April 2025

29 MARCH 2025

What a week we have had with two worthwhile and excellent performances – the Abbey opening ceremony last Saturday morning and the Melodies Remembered group on Thursday afternoon.  Photos from both attached.  Marvellous.  To those of you who took part, thankyou one and all, and don’t forget there is a crème egg for the first correct answer to my question “What do the Cliff Richard film “Summer Holiday” and the first New York stage production of “The Sound of Music” have in common?”

We made a start on Summer is a-comin’ in last time which we will continue with this coming week along with If there is to be peace, Forever Young, Kyrie, Morning Has Come, Senzeni Na and To Walk Along This Shore + We Got All the Love and Up Above My Head as warm-ups.     Words attached where needed.  Please print them out yourselves if you can and maybe a spare copy to pass onto the needy!  

Finally, and very reluctantly, don’t forget that we have had to raise our fees to £4 from this coming week onwards.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Thursday 24 April  Summer is a-comin’ in – a “welcoming springtime” procession.  More details later.

Sunday 20 July  Shaftesbury Fringe.  11.00 a.m.  Abbey Gardens

Saturday 27 September We have been asked by the organisers of Shaftesbury Carnival whether the choir be able to take part in the all-day entertainment. 

OTHER COMING EVENTS

TONIGHT Saturday 29 March  Wareham Whalers and the Shaston Shantyers  (featuring Marie [alto] and Elinor [tenor]).  Shaftesbury Arts Centre.

Thurs 3 – Sun 6 April  Fiction for Fun.  Grosvenor Hotel.  See earlier flyer.

Sunday 6 April  St John Passion by Bach.  Wincanton Choral Society.  See earlier flyer. The lead tenor is the very talented Matthew McKinney who last year won the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Award. 

also

Shaftesbury Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert, including Schumann Symphony No. 1  St James Church.  See attached flyer.

Saturday 26 April  Town Twinning Ceilidh.  See last week’s flyer.

Sunday 27 April  Phoenix Café Orchestra.  Marnhull Village Hall.  See attached flyer.

Thurs 1 – Sun 4 May Hidden Gems singing weekend in Brussels.  See earlier flyer

Saturday 17 May  Gillingham Singers Spring Concert, including Fauré Requiem.  St Mary’s Church, Motcombe.  See attached flyer.

 

 

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

David

29 March 2025

21 MARCH 2025

Welcome to this slightly earlier than usual newsletter.  I’m sending it out today (Friday) so that those of you taking part in the opening ceremony at the abbey on Saturday have all the info you need in good time. I am really hopeful we have a good turn-out of course.  (See below)

Great to see numbers creeping up on Wednesday and although it was hard work we had a good sing I thought.  Particular thanks to those who stayed behind for a quick look at our proposed “Melodies Remembered” singalong numbers too.  We will be having a similar session this coming week.  At our main practice we will be concentrating on the “featured” pieces: Blue Moon, Lili Marlene, California Dreamin’, Green Green, I Can’t Help Falling in Love, 500 Miles and Feelin’ Groovy.  We will also keep going with If there is to be peace and, if time, make a start on Summer is a-comin in.  Words of this last one are attached.  Please print them out yourselves if you can and maybe a spare copy to pass onto the needy!  

COMING CHOIR EVENTS    

Saturday 22 March  Opening of Shaftesbury Abbey. Please arrive by 10.30 for a short practice in the abbey “lodge” (inside the gates) before the 11.00 start.  We will be singing Shaftesbury Anthem (Our faith shall lasting be) + Ego sum pauper. Usual dress code - shades of red above the waist, dark or black below. It will be a short event and we are all invited for refreshments afterwards The order of service + a music copy of the anthem are attached for those who would like a copy.

Wednesday 26 March Short “Melodies Remembered” singalong practice following our main choir session.  Word sheets will be available on the day.

Thursday 27 March   Singing for “Melodies Remembered”  Shaftesbury Football Club -  Coppice Street (adjacent to the British Legion Hall).  There will probably be adequate parking space, though, as many of the audience are brought by car, it would be wise to walk or park elsewhere if you can.  Arrive at 2.00 for 2.15 – sing from 2.30 – 3.30. 

Thursday 24 April  Summer is a-comin’ in – a “welcoming springtime” procession.  More details later.

Sunday 20 July  Shaftesbury Fringe.  11.00 a.m.  Abbey Gardens

Saturday 27 September We have been asked by the organisers of Shaftesbury Carnival whether the choir be able to take part in the all-day entertainment. 

OTHER COMING EVENTS

Saturday 22 March  St Matthew Passion by Bach.  South Somerset Choral Society.  Yeovil.  See earlier flyer.

Sunday 23 March  Kanekt at the Grosvenor Hotel.  (Karen and Co featuring guitar, sitar and clarinet.)  See earlier flyer.

Saturday 29 March  Wareham Whalers and the Shaston Shantyers  (featuring Marie [alto] and Elinor [tenor]).  Shaftesbury Arts Centre.

Thurs 3 – Sun 6 April  Fiction for Fun.  Grosvenor Hotel.  See attached flyer.

Sunday 6 April  St John Passion by Bach.  Wincanton Choral Society.  See earlier flyer. The lead tenor is the very talented Matthew McKinney who last year won the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Award. 

Saturday 26 April  Town Twinning Ceilidh.  See attached flyer.

Sunday 27 April  Phoenix Café Orchestra.  Marnhull Village Hall.  See attached flyer.

Thurs 1 – Sun 4 May Hidden Gems singing weekend in Brussels.  See earlier flyer

CHOIR FEES

We have kept our weekly fees as low as possible for as long as possible but, very reluctantly, we are going to have to raise them to £4 from the beginning of April.

Over the last year we have not been getting quite enough regular attendees to cover our costs. If we can increase our numbers back to previous years we may even be able to return to the lower fees but we hope, even at £4, you'll agree it's great value!

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

David

21 March 2025

8 MARCH 2025

Although numbers were still a bit down there was no doubting both the hard work we put in and the quality of our singing last week.  This coming week we will be concentrating on our pieces for the opening of Shaftesbury Abbey and Melodies Remembered – I am really hopeful we have a good turn out for both these events of course. 

Songs for next week: Our faith shall lasting be*, If there is to be peace, Blue Moon, Lili Marlene* (with extra verses), California Dreamin’, Green Green, I Can’t Help Falling in Love* + Sunshine Fire and Rain and Heart to Heart to top and tail.   Words of those marked * are attached.  Others have been attached very recently or are not needed.    Please print them out yourselves if you can and maybe a spare copy to pass onto the needy!  

CHOIR FEES

We have kept our weekly fees as low as possible for as long as possible but, very reluctantly, we are going to have to raise them to £4 from the beginning of April.

Over the last year we have not been getting quite enough regular attendees to cover our costs. If we can increase our numbers back to previous years we may even be able to return to the lower fees but we hope, even at £4, you'll agree it's great value!

COMING CHOIR EVENTS

 Wednesday 19 March  Singalong (9.00 – 9.30) after our regular choir session for those hoping to take part in Melodies Remembered.   Thanks to those of you who have already suggested songs for inclusion in our programme - much appreciated.  

Saturday 22 March  Opening of Shaftesbury Abbey.  11.00 a.m.  Shaftesbury Anthem (Our faith shall lasting be) + If there is to be peace.

Thursday 27 March   Singing for “Melodies Remembered”  The venue is not the Town Hall (my mistake), but the Football Club in Coppice Street (adjacent to the British Legion Hall).  There will probably be adequate parking space, though, as many of the audience are brought by car, it would be wise to walk or park elsewhere if you can.  Arrive at 2.00 for 2.15 – sing from 2.30 – 3.30.  NB Members share various forms of dementia as well as well as a love of music and singing (and being sung to) and ages range from 60 – 90.

Thursday 24 April  Summer is a-comin’ in – a “welcoming springtime” procession.  More details later.

Sunday 20 July  Shaftesbury Fringe.  11.00 a.m.  Abbey Gardens

Saturday 27 September We have been asked by the organisers of Shaftesbury Carnival whether the choir be able to take part in the all-day entertainment. 

OTHER COMING EVENTS

 Friday 14 March  Words Under Ground.  Nun’s Passage (under King Alfred’s Kitchen).  See last week's flyer.

also

Afghan Musical Evening.  Quaker Meeting House, Salisbury.  Admission free.  See last week's flyer.

Saturday 15 March  For the Love of Song – singing day in Witchampton with Sarah Pennington.  (I have been to several of these and they are brilliant!)  Info sheet attached.

Saturday 22 March  St Matthew Passion by Bach.  South Somerset Choral Society.  Yeovil.  See attached flyer.

Sunday 23 March  Kanekt at the Grosvenor Hotel.  (Karen and Co featuring guitar, sitar and clarinet.)  See earlier flyer.

Sunday 6 April  St John Passion by Bach.  Wincanton Choral Society.  See attached flyer. The lead tenor is the very talented Matthew McKinney who last year won the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Award. 

 

Thurs 1 – Sun 4 May Hidden Gems singing weekend in Brussels.  See earlier flye 

APPLE TREES AVAILABLE FOR GARDEN PLANTING NOW!

The Shaftesbury Tree Group, as part of the Orchard Town initiative, is delighted to inform you that they have twelve top quality, nursery-grown apple trees available for planting in your garden this month.    They are available on a first come, first served basis to anyone living within the Shaftesbury Parish Boundary for half of the cost price, which means just £13 each. A wonderful opportunity to add some edible beauty to your home and our town. See attached flyer.

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for. 

David

8 March 2025