16 NOVEMBER 2017

November 17, 2017

Dear All,

Our Christmas repertoire continues to grow! Do check the arrangements for our various events below as they are updated as the information becomes available. Also the growing list of Christmassy events in being given by other local groups that deserve our support.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS

Saturday 2 December: Carol Singing. Quaker Meeting House (in aid of the Friends of Shaftesbury Hospital). Please arrive 10.30 for a 10.45 start.

Monday 4 December: 6.00 p.m. Christmas lights and late night shopping. Karen’s new Christmas round (Shaftesbury Christmas Lights) followed by a massed choir/audience sing-a-long of Deck the Hall, O Little Town, Silent Night, Rudolph and We Wish you a Merry Christmas, all with the Town Band accompanying.

Friday 15 December: 2.15 Christmas entertainment for the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies. Durweston Village Hall.

Thursday 21 December: Singing around the wards at Shaftesbury Hospital. More details next week.

Wednesday 20 December: Choir Christmas Party

Wednesday 27 December: NO CHOIR

Wednesday 3 January: Choir meets as usual + a glass of something special to toast the New Year in.

OTHER EVENTS

Sunday 19 November: (this weekend) Lots happening:

The Gravellers at St Mary’s Motcombe in aid of Shaftesbury Women’s Refuge. 3.00 pm See flyer.

Ad Hoc Singers. 4.30 p.m. at Mere Church

Pagoda Project at Shaftesbury Arts Centre. 7.00 p.m. See website or previous newsletters.

until 21 November: DefinARTly in the gallery at Shaftesbury Arts Centre. Flyer attached

Saturday 25 November. Autumn Leaves concert given by Spectra Musica at St Mary’s Gillingham. See website or previous newsletters.

also

The Mill singers & Jubilate are putting on a concert for the Friends of the Hospital. 7.30pm. in St Peter’s Church Shaftesbury. Tickets available from the Hospital Reception or at the door cost £8.00 to include refreshments.

Saturday 2 December: Autumn Concert given by the Gillingham Singers. Flyer attached.

Thurs 7 – Sat 9 December: Rock Nativity by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, to be performed in St Peter’s, St James’ and St Mary’s (Motcombe). 7.30 p.m. Lots of choir members are taking part so do come and give it your support. Flyer attached.

Saturday 16 December: Pilgrim Singers with special guest local girl Marta Fontanals-Simmons, now international mezzo-soprano fresh from Glyndebourne! Parish Church of St. Peter and Paul Wincanton at 7.30pm

David

9 NOVEMBER 2017

November 16, 2017

Dear All,

Another great turnout and yet another really good sing last night. Our Christmas repertoire is going to be sensational!

COMING CHOIR EVENTS

Saturday 2 December: morning. Quaker Meeting House (in aid of the Friends of Shaftesbury Hospital).

Monday 4 December: 6.00 p.m. Christmas lights and late night shopping. Karen’s new Christmas round (Shaftesbury Christmas Lights) followed by a massed choir/audience sing-a-long of Deck the Halls, O Little Town, Away in a Manger, Silent Night, Rudolph and We Wish you a Merry Christmas, all with the Town Band accompanying.

Friday 15 December: 2.15 Christmas entertainment for the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies. Durweston Village Hall.

OTHER EVENTS

Saturday 11 November (this weekend): Jazz at St James. David Gordon Jazz Trio. See previous newsletters.

Sunday 19 November: Pagoda Project at Shaftesbury Arts Centre. See previous newsletters.

Saturday 25 November. Autumn Leaves concert given by Spectra Musica in Gillingham. See previous newsletters.

AND LOOKING AHEAD

Wednesday 20 December: Choir Christmas Party

Wednesday 27 December: NO CHOIR

Wednesday 3 January: Choir meets as usual + a glass of something special to toast the New Year in.

David

26 OCTOBER 2017

October 29, 2017

Dear All,

A great turnout and another really good sing last night. “Long and Winding Road” and “Don’t Worry Be Happy” are both pretty solid now, with the former staying in tune much, much better. Although I must confess I prefer the a cappella version of “Happy” that I posted the link to last week, some of you will enjoy https://youtu.be/-ozbX-yM8ao.

Next week we will be starting on our Christmas repertoire so can I remind you to check that you have our Christmas dates in your diaries please? Next week will also be BADGE WEDNESDAY. Please come along sporting a colourful name badge so we can all chat to a few new people. (Sticky labels provided for those who forget.)

COMING CHOIR EVENTS

Saturday 2 December: morning. Quaker Meeting House (in aid of the Friends of Shaftesbury Hospital). Details to follow.

Monday 4 December: 6.00 p.m. Christmas lights and late night shopping. Provisionally, the Community Choir and a specially formed children’s choir will meet in St Peter’s Church at around 5.15. When Father Christmas + Town Band arrive shortly after 6.00 the massed choir will sing a Christmas round (probably “Christmas Bells”) and then the lights will be switched on. Then there will then be a massed choir/audience sing-a-long of Deck the Halls, O Little Town, Away in a Manger, Silent Night, Rudolph and We Wish you a Merry Christmas with the + band accompanying.

Friday 15 December: 2.15 Christmas entertainment for the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies. Durweston Village Hall. (Durweston is the home of lots of traditional Dorset carols, so watch this space!)

Christmas Eve: Probably singing at Grosvenor Hotel. Confirmation awaited.

OTHER EVENTS

Saturday 28 October (this weekend). Sunny Side of Swing. Shroton. See flier.

Saturday 11 November: Jazz at St James. David Gordon Jazz Trio. See last week’s newsletter

Sunday 19 November: Pagoda Project at Shaftesbury Arts Centre. See flier.

Saturday 25 November. Autumn Leaves concert given by Spectra Musica in Gillingham. See flier.

David

19 OCTOBER 2017

October 20, 2017

Dear All,

A good sing last night with some great progress made on “Don’t Worry Be Happy” in particular. If you want a better idea of how the piece should sound, watch these two Youtube clips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0wTDn2X5tg OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU

Can I also remind you to check that you have our Christmas dates in your diaries please?

COMING CHOIR EVENTS

Saturday 2 December: morning. Quaker Meeting House (in aid of the Friends of Shaftesbury Hospital). Details to follow.

Monday 4 December: 6.00 p.m. Christmas lights and late night shopping. Details to follow.

Christmas Eve: Probably singing at Grosvenor Hotel. Confirmation awaited.

OTHER EVENTS

Saturday 21 October (this Saturday): SING YOUR HEART OUT. Sarah Pennington and Gilo return to lead a day of vibrant songs to nourish the heart and bring joy to the spirit. Their singing days are always popular and fill up fast so it’s best to book early. Venue: Village Hall, Cranborne, BH21 5QBTime: 10.30am – 4.30pm Cost: £25 on the day / £20 if booked and paid by 14th October. Email:info@joyousisle.com Tel: 01202 885294 or 01258 840097

Saturday 11 November: Jazz at St James. David Gordon Jazz Trio. See attached flier.

Sunday 19 November: Pagoda Project at Shaftesbury Arts Centre. Full details on: http://www.shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk/events/pagoda-project/

BIG BANG PIZZA

No more pizzas until April I’m afraid!

MESSAGE FROM SHAFTESBURY HOME GROWN via Matthew (tenor)

Please let me know asap if you wish to buy a half or whole lamb and/ or a tanned sheep-skin. 2017 meat will be delivered mid-December; 2017 skins by about next summer. Please contact ml.tagney@btopenworld.com

With best wishes – Home-grown committee members.

Details: This year we are offering meat from this season’s Homegrown lambs at £7 per kilo for members (£7.50 for others), roughly half what you’d pay in a supermarket for many of the cuts. It means members pay about £50 for a medium-sized half lamb. Once lambs are butchered, we will know precise weights: in 2016, weights averaged 7Kg per half, some varying by about 1Kg. This year we have equal numbers of male and female; males tend to weigh more. Cuts will be vacuum-packed by the butcher: that costs us a bit more, but helps people to store in their freezer and identify cuts easily. We have up to 18 half-lambs to bid for; it will be first come first served.

We are also offering tanned skins at £55 each for members (£60 for others), again well below shop prices. We’ve up to 8 skins to bid for; again, first come first served.

David

5 OCTOBER 2017

October 11, 2017

Dear All,

Just a short newsletter this week to draw your attention to our Christmas calendar of events and to other events later this month which involve a number of good friends. Christmas gets very busy I know, so please make sure you put our choir performances in your diaries NOW!

COMING CHOIR EVENTS

Saturday 2 December: morning. Quaker Meeting House (in aid of the Friends of Shaftesbury Hospital). Details to follow.

Monday 4 December: 6.00 p.m. Christmas lights and late night shopping. Details to follow.

OTHER EVENTS

Saturday 7 October: Tisbury Arts Group Cabaret. Full details at: http://www.tisburyparishchurch.org/cabaret/

A Cabaret Evening | St Johns Tisbury

www.tisburyparishchurch.org

A cabaret – a lively new collaboration between TAG (the Tisbury Arts Group) and the St John’s Swingers (the 17 piece St John’s Church Tisbury band) in the ...

Sunday 15 October: Karen’s choral piece “Heartwood” at Springhead. Flier attached.

Saturday 21 October: SING YOUR HEART OUT. Sarah Pennington and Gilo return to lead a day of vibrant songs to nourish the heart and bring joy to the spirit. Their singing days are always popular and fill up fast so it’s best to book early. Venue: Village Hall, Cranborne, BH21 5QBTime: 10.30am – 4.30pm Cost: £25 on the day / £20 if booked and paid by 14th October. Email: info@joyousisle.com Tel: 01202 885294 or 01258 840097

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

21 SEPTEMBER 2017

September 21, 2017

Dear All,

It was lovely to see new faces as well as some old friends last night and there was some great singing too. We are a bit worried about our performance this coming Sunday at Holnest however (see below). We were expecting maybe 40 or so singers but it is looking like there may only be around half that number! Do support us and the ”Future Roots” Project if you possibly can. If you didn’t pick up a parking pass last night you can get one from Julia. Alternatively, if you need to pay £5 for parking, the choir will reimburse you. Either way, PLEASE come if you are able. Two other things: don’t forget Bring-a-Friend Day next week; also we have been invited to give a couple more performances in the run up to Christmas. Please put the dates in your diaries now.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS

This Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm DT9 5PS. Arrive 1.45 for 2.00 start. NOTE EARLIER TIME.

Programme: Let the Sunshine, Bela Mama, Hold On, Sunshine Fire and Rain, Java Jive, Let’s call the whole thing off, Follow the Heron, Wake Up, Tree of life, My Little Cup, Evo Banke, Morning has come, Green Man, Throw It Away, Run Rabbit Run.

Dress code: shades of red of course.

Next Wednesday 27 September: Bring-a-Friend Day. Four or five completely new songs, so absolutely perfect for regulars, lapsed members and newcomers alike. £3 + mug as usual. Do try and make a few friends over the coming week and bring them along. (Who knows who you might meet at Rylands Farm for example!)

Saturday 2 December: morning. Quaker Meeting House (in aid of the Friends of Shaftesbury Hospital). Details to follow.

Monday 4 December: 6.00 p.m. Christmas lights and late night shopping. Details to follow.

CHORAL HISTORY OF BRITAIN

This has the makings of an excellent series. Wednesdays 9.00 am (repeated 9.30 pm) Radio 4. Thanks Irene (lapsed soprano!!) for flagging this up. You’ll be able to catch the first episode on i-player: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0952str

BBC Radio 4 - Choral History of Britain, Series 1, Singing ...

www.bbc.co.uk

Roderick Williams explores how singing together is at the heart of being human and the social bonds we make. From protest songs and football chants, to work choirs ...

LITHUANIAN FOLK MUSIC

Don’t forget to look up Sutartinės if you are interested– Lithuania’s unique multipart songs, complete with quarter tones.

OTHER EVENTS

Sunday 24 September: (same day as Holnest) Templecombe Ladies’ Choir concert.

Saturday 7 October: Tisbury Arts Group Cabaret. Full details at: http://www.tisburyparishchurch.org/cabaret/

A Cabaret Evening | St Johns Tisbury

www.tisburyparishchurch.org

The Tisbury Arts Group (TAG) and our St John’s Church Band (pictured) – some of our best local talent – combine forces to present a lively evening of music and ...

Sunday 15 October Karen’s choral piece “Heartwood” at Springhead.

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

14 SEPTEMBER 2017

September 14, 2017

Dear All,

Although it is a great pity that Stourhead had to be called all off, all our hard work will not go to waste as we have received a last minute invitation to sing for Shaftesbury Home Grown THIS COMING SATURDAY MORNING. We do hope you can make it. Arrive 10.15 at the Quaker Meeting House, Abbey Walk (just off Bimport, and very close to the hospital and Trinity Centre) for a 10.30 start. See attached flier.

Programme: Let the Sunshine, Hold On, Sunshine Fire and Rain, Java Jive, Let’s call the whole thing off, Follow the Heron, Wake Up, Tree of life, My Little Cup, Evo Banke, Morning has come, Green Man, Throw It Away, Run Rabbit Run.

Dress code: shades of red of course.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm DT9 5PS. Arrive 2.15 for a 2.30. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/ We have been given only 10 parking permits so it would be most helpful if choir members could share cars. However, if we need to use more cars the choir will reimburse the £5 charge. If we could all ask around and sort ourselves out, it would make Julia’s life a LOT easier!

Future Roots Care Farm, Dorset

www.futureroots.net

The idea of Future Roots was founded by Julie Plumley in 2006. She grew up on a dairy farm in Dorset, and qualified as a social worker … read more...

Wednesday 27 September: Bring-a-Friend Day. Four or five completely new songs, so absolutely perfect for regulars, lapsed members and newcomers alike. £3 + mug as usual. Do try and make a few friends over the next couple of weeks and bring them along.

The recordings we made last night of “Go Placidly” and “Follow the Heron” can be heard on the LISTEN page.

OTHER EVENTS

Sunday 24 September: (same day as Holnest) Templecombe Ladies’ Choir concert.

Saturday 7 October: Tisbury Arts Group Cabaret.

Sunday 15 October Karen’s choral piece “Heartwood” at Springhead.

SHAFTESBURY HOSPITAL

Dick (bass) reported the really excellent news that the Westminster Hospital is to be saved, a decision welcomed by Simon Hoare MP who writes:

"I warmly welcome the CCG recommendation to retain beds at the Westminster Memorial and to explore commissioning of a new health hub. There was a huge local campaign to retain these beds and the CCG has been as good as its word. The CCG promised me that it would listen to local voices and it is. There will be huge relief among my Constituents and I share that. I will continue to work with the CCG to ensure the best outcomes for North Dorset”

SIERRA LEONE

As you know, it has been suggested that the choir might like to raise money to help the people of Sierra Leone caught up in the devastating mudslide outside the capital, Freetown. Our intentions have been overtaken by other events, but the disaster has not been forgotten. One idea is to sing one morning in the town centre. When we did something similar for the tsunami in the Philippines a few years ago it raised several hundred pounds. Please come armed with your ideas next week.

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

8 SEPTEMBER 2017

September 8, 2017

CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED

Dear All,

The National Trust have cancelled tomorrow's event I am afraid. See message below.

Please pass on the news to everyone you know, especially any who do not have or do not regularly check their e-mails.

What a pity as our singing on Wednesday was excellent.

In haste .. I have phone calls to make!!

David

:=(

Shaftesbury Community Choir and Gasworks Choir are both due to perform tomorrow at Stourhead. We have been keeping an eye on the weather this week and unfortunately it is looking as though there will be thunderstorms over Stourhead (an 80% chance or above) for the late morning / lunchtime and afternoon period. All the locations for the performances are outdoors with no cover. We are also aware that the visiting public pay close attention to a weather forecast when making the decision to visit. Therefore after much consideration and deliberation we have decided to cancel tomorrows performances. I am sorry for the short notice, I have been hoping the forecast was going to change but the odds of the storms are increasing not decreasing. We have no indoor locations for performances and I fear that you would be singing to empty courtyards and gardens.

7 SEPTEMBER 2017

September 7, 2017

Dear All,

STOURHEAD

Great singing again last night. Our performance at Stourhead this coming Saturday should be sensational! Arrangements as follows:

Arrive 11 a.m. (approx.) and meet in the area by the restaurant / shop.

Sing: 11.30-12.00 (House Lawn); 12.30-1.00 (Spread Eagle Courtyard) and 2.00-2.30 (Restaurant Courtyard). We have a break from 1.00 to 2.00. Tea, coffee and of course scones will be provided afterwards but we need to bring our own picnics for lunch.

Programme: Let the Sunshine, Hold On, Sunshine Fire and Rain, Java Jive, Let’s call the whole thing off, Follow the Heron, Wake Up, Tree of life, Anthem, My Little Cup, Evo Banke, Morning has come, Green Man, Throw It Away, Run Rabbit Run.

Dress code: shades of red.

Entry is free for all choir members but please bring NT membership cards if you have them. If anyone is bringing along family or friends for support then they will need to pay for their own entry to the property or show their NT membership cards if they are members.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm, nr Sherborne. 2.00 – 2.45. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/ Full details next week.

Future Roots Care Farm, Dorset

www.futureroots.net

The idea of Future Roots was founded by Julie Plumley in 2006. She grew up on a dairy farm in Dorset, and qualified as a social worker … read more...

Wednesday 27 September: Bring-a-Friend Day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

Friday 15 December: 2.15 Christmas entertainment for the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies. Durweston Village Hall. (Durweston is the home of lots of traditional Dorset carols, so watch this space!)

OTHER EVENTS

Fri 8 – Sun 10 September: Cherubim Music Festival, Tisbury. See attached flier.

Saturday 9 September: (same day as Stourhead) Gillingham Walking Festival - Cheese and Wine Evening. Full details in previous newsletters and on our website.

Sunday 24 September: (same day as Holnest) Templecombe Ladies’ Choir concert. See attached flier.

Saturday 7 October: Tisbury Arts Group Cabaret. Tickets won’t be on sale until the beginning of September but it’s going to be a lively evening so please put the date in your diary if you’d like to come. Full details in previous newsletters and on our website.

Sunday 15 October Karen’s choral piece “Heartwood” at Springhead.

SIERRA LEONE

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

24 AUGUST 2017

August 25, 2017

Dear All

Every teacher knows that the weather has a significant effect on the success or otherwise of a lesson. In my experience, windy weather (more so than snow in fact) was always the most problematic – certainly when it came to dealing with teenagers. Last night it seemed to be the humidity rather than the heat that affected us. Working on our Stourhead programme (see up to date information below) it was mighty hard work for all! Still, we have another two weeks to get our act together and we’ll get there. We always do.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS

Saturday 9 September: Singing at Stourhead. Arrive 11am (approx.) Sing: 11.30-12.00 (House Lawn); 12.30-1.00 (Spread Eagle Courtyard) and 2.00-2.30 (Restaurant Courtyard). We have a break from 1.00 to 2.00. Tea, coffee and of course scones will be provided afterwards but we need to bring our own picnics for lunch.

Our programme will be selected from the following (most of which have a seasonal / times of day / nature / food theme): Let the Sunshine, Hold On, Sunshine Fire and Rain, Java Jive, Let’s call the whole thing off, Follow the Heron, Wake Up, Tree of life, Anthem, My Little Cup, Evo Banke, Morning has come, Green Man, Throw It Away, It don't mean a thing, Run Rabbit Run.

Dress code: shades of red.

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm, nr Sherborne. 2.00 – 2.45. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/ A flier is also attached.

Wednesday 27 September: Bring-a-Friend Day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

OTHER EVENTS

Saturday 26 August: (this weekend) Quentin Edwards (flute) and I are giving a short lunchtime concert at St Thomas’ Church, Salisbury. 12.00. Admission free! It would be great to see a few familiar faces in the audience.

Tuesday 29 August: (next week) Rehearsals start for “Rock Nativity”. 7.30 p.m. in Motcombe Church.

Saturday 9 September: (same day as Stourhead) Gillingham Walking Festival - Cheese and Wine Evening. See last week’s newsletter for more details.

Sunday 15 October Karen’s choral piece “Heartwood” at Springhead.

SIERRA LEONE

As you know, it has been suggested that the choir might like to raise money to help the people of Sierra Leone caught up in the devastating mudslide outside the capital, Freetown. One idea has been to sing one morning in the town centre. When we did something similar for the tsunami in the Philippines a few years ago it raised several hundred pounds. Please come armed with your ideas next week.

SHAFTESBURY HOMEGROWN

Our Community Farm needs you

- To vote for us with your Tesco tokens throughout September and October

- To join in with our project of sustainable fruit and vegetable growing and animal husbandry

Please come and find out more at a COFFEE MORNING, SATURDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 10am-12.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury.

Palida choir, cakes and a short presentation – for further details contact Debbie Simmons, Tel 01747 850439. Email: dsimmons.tads@btinternet.com

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

18 AUGUST 2017

August 18, 2017

Dear All

Small numbers last night but some brilliant singing nonetheless. Julie’s trial-wedding cake / trial wedding-cake was spectacular too. Thankyou for allowing us to be your guinea pigs and, in addition, enabling us to celebrate Julia’s birthday and the success of Clare’s (soprano) courageous Cancer Research sky-dive with such style. Clare has already raised well in excess of £1,500. Photos of the cake (+ Julia) and Clare attached.

It has been suggested that the choir might like to raise money to help the people of Sierra Leone caught up in the devastating mudslide outside the capital, Freetown. One idea has been to sing one morning in the town centre. When we did something similar for the tsunami in the Philippines a few years ago it raised several hundred pounds. Please come armed with your ideas next week.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS

Saturday 9 September: Singing at Stourhead. Arrive 11am (approx.) Sing: 11.30-12.00; 12.30-1.00 and 2.00-2.30. Tea, coffee and of course scones will be provided afterwards. Our programme will be selected from the following (most of which have a seasonal / times of day / nature / food theme): Let the Sunshine, Hold On, Sunshine Fire and Rain, Java Jive, Let’s call the whole thing off, Follow the Heron, Wake Up, Tree of life, Anthem, My Little Cup, Evo Banke, Morning has come, Green Man, Throw It Away, It don't mean a thing, Run Rabbit Run.

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm, nr Sherborne. 2.00 – 2.45. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/

Future Roots Care Farm, Dorset

www.futureroots.net

The idea of Future Roots was founded by Julie Plumley in 2006. She grew up on a dairy farm in Dorset, and qualified as a social worker … read more...

Wednesday 27 September: Bring-a-Friend Day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

OTHER EVENTS

Tuesday 22 August: (next week) Interest meeting for the production of “Rock Nativity” on 7, 8 and 9 December. 7.30 p.m. in Motcombe Church. See last week’s newsletter for more details.

Saturday 9 September: (same day as Stourhead) Gillingham Walking Festival - Cheese and Wine Evening. See attached flier.

Sunday 15 October Karen’s choral piece “Heartwood” at Springhead. See last week’s newsletter for more details.

LATVIAN CHOIR

If you are registered with i-player you should be able to see the wonderful choir from Riga in Latvia which both opened the Rachmaninov Proms the other day and which also sang between the performance of Rach’s third piano concerto (one of my favourites) and his second symphony. I particularly liked the way the opening singing led straight into the concerto. The link below should work.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b091gh8x/bbc-proms-2017-dausgaards-rachmaninov

IN THE NEWS

The link below, which will be of interest to ALL, is an article from The Times last week.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/richard-morrison-id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing-the-harmonys-less-important-2rk6fdp0z?shareToken=097d5486befa46ac9aa639d33d6e308f

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

11 AUGUST 2017

August 11, 2017

Dear All

Lovely singing again on Wednesday night. Bravo! A special treat next week (as a reward maybe). We have been offered a trial wedding cake for the cost of the ingredients. (By which is meant a trial wedding-cake, NOT a trial-wedding cake. At least, I assume that is what is meant.) It is coffee and cardamom with chocolate ganache filling and orange butter icing. It's HUGE and will be the devil to serve but it’ll be there next week and you are welcome to treat yourself to a slice or two. Cost per slice will be £1.50. Bring a Tupperware container if you want to take some away too.

COMING EVENTS

Saturday 9 September: Singing at Stourhead. More details to follow.

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm, nr Sherborne. 2.00 – 2.45. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/

Future Roots Care Farm, Dorset

www.futureroots.net

The idea of Future Roots was founded by Julie Plumley in 2006. She grew up on a dairy farm in Dorset, and qualified as a social worker … read more...

Wednesday 27 September: At last - our long awaited Bring-a-Friend Day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

HEARTWOOD

Karen’s choral piece “Heartwood” is being performed at Springhead on Sunday 15 October as part of their conference on ash trees. Three performances starting at 12.00 midday. Everyone welcome. Karen mentioned it to us a while back and a few people have already come forward to take part. It's a processional with walking and singing across fields so should appeal particularly to the hale and hearty amongst us! It is open to everyone, so if you know of anyone who might be interested do put them in touch. More details below on “Singers Call”

COME AND JOIN US TO SING IN HEARTWOOD

Heartwood celebrates the ecological and cultural value of ash trees in our landscape. Performances will take will take place on October 15th 2017 at Springhead http://www.springheadtrust.org.uk/ and will be the culmination of a national conference on ash trees. It will be a really exciting and unusual event!!

The work is an acapella choral piece combined with the sounds of an amplified ash tree. It is an outdoor promenade performance and requires people to walk and sing, so a degree of fitness is required! The score is of medium difficulty.

Rehearsal wise, there are possible rehearsals at Springhead on Sunday 10th September 3.00 –6.00 and Sunday 24th September 6.00 –9.00. The piece will also be taught on Tuesday rehearsals at Palida choir, Shaftesbury Arts Centre throughout September 7.30 –9.00pm and there is the option of joining in with some of these. (http://www.palidachoir.com/) Springhead also have an open day on July 16th and people are welcome to come along, enjoy the gardens and find out more about Heartwood (I’ll be there to present the piece at 4.00pm). Recorded rehearsal tracks are provided.

Please contact Karen Wimhurst at karen@karenwimhurst.co.uk tel. 01747 850978 for more details.

ROCK NATIVITY

Following on from the productions of Joseph and Godspell, there is to be a production of Rock Nativity on 7, 8 and 9 December in St Mary’s Motcombe and St Peter’s and St James’ in Shaftesbury. All are welcome to take part. There will be an initial interest meeting on Tuesday 22 August at 7.30 p.m. in Motcombe Church. Thereafter, rehearsals will be on Tuesday evenings. Tell your friends too!

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

3 AUGUST 2017

August 3, 2017

Dear All

More accolades following our concert at St James’ the other week. This from their Parish News: 'To round up the celebrations of our 150th anniversary, the Shaftesbury Community Choir, together with the Uke Shack Ensemble provided a full church with a wonderfully enjoying and entertaining afternoon of varied music followed by tea. Resplendent in various shades of red, the choir sang with infectious enthusiasm and enjoyment. What a fun afternoon!'

COMING EVENTS

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm, nr Sherborne. 2.00 – 2.45. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/ We are still awaiting final details.

Friday 15 December: 2.15 Christmas entertainment for the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies. Durweston Village Hall.

Unspecified Wednesday sometime VERY soon: Bring-a-friend day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

IMMINENT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – i.e. THIS EVENING

I am attaching a flier for Miracle Theatre who are performing “The Third Policeman” at Springhead, Fontmell Magna.

ROCK NATIVITY

Following on from the productions of Joseph and Godspell, there is to be a production of Rock Nativity on 7, 8 and 9 December in St Mary’s Motcombe and St Peter’s and St James’ in Shaftesbury. All are welcome to take part. There will be an initial interest meeting on Tuesday 22 August at 7.30 p.m. in Motcombe Church. Thereafter, rehearsals will be on Tuesday evenings. Tell your friends too!

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

STOP PRESS

The Red Arrows are doing a fly-past at Compton Abbas Airfield on Saturday at shortly after midday!

27 JULY 2017

July 27, 2017

Dear All

Following our performance at the weekend, which I think we would all agree was a really good one, we received the following from the church wardens at St James:

Just to say many congratulations on an excellent afternoon of performances from all angles; it just worked out perfectly, everyone looking so happy and engaged. You could hear every word and the choice of programme couldn't have been better for a soggy afternoon. We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did in the audience. These things can be quite a headache to bring to fruition but it was well worth it and so appreciated. … Please give St James’ Church's thanks to everyone for filling our building with such joy. All good wishes and keep up the good work – Philippa

LOST PROPERTY

I have two red choir folders that were left in the church last weekend and which were not claimed yesterday. I’ll bring them with me next week. Also, a pair of glasses were left behind in the church. They are still there, on the low shelf on the right as you enter.

COMING EVENTS

Future Roots Care Farm, Dorset

www.futureroots.net

Unspecified Wednesday sometime VERY soon: Bring-a-friend day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

IMMINENT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – i.e. THIS COMING WEEKEND

Fri – Sun 28 - 30 July – Flower Festival at Sedgehill. Easy to find (up the A350 towards Warminster and turn left about one mile after crossing over the railway line) and good parking. See flier attached.

SOME GREAT SINGING

Rosa (alto) is pretty sure most of you will like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbpwlqp5Qw&feature=em-share_video_in_list_user&list=RDyjbpwlqp5Qw

Perpetuum Jazzile - Africa - YouTube

www.youtube.com

Perpetuum Jazzile is an XXL vocal group from Slovenia. Toto's Africa by Perpetuum Jazzile, performed live at Vokal Xtravaganzza 2008 (October 2008 ...

ROCK NATIVITY

Following on from the productions of Joseph and Godspell, there is to be a production of Rock Nativity on 7, 8 and 9 December in St Mary’s Motcombe and St Peter’s and St James’ in Shaftesbury. All are welcome to take part. There will be an initial interest meeting on Tuesday 22 August at 7.30 p.m. in Motcombe Church. Thereafter, rehearsals will be on Tuesday evenings. Tell your friends too!

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

20 JULY 2017

July 20, 2017

Dear All,

What a great session last night. The singing sounded really good, truly wonderful at times – all we need now is an audience to appreciate it / us!

THIS SUNDAY- CONCERT AT ST JAMES 3PM

Please make sure you are in your seats in the nave by 2.45 at the latest so that we can make a prompt start. I will make some reserved row signs. You know where you are sitting, you know where you are standing, you know how to “process” between one place and the other (“others” actually – don’t forget Alleluia) – it would be lovely if these practicalities looked totally professional! And don’t forget to switch mobiles off and to leave your handbags, water bottles, iron lungs or whatever in the pews. One discreet red file with the songs in the correct order is all that you will need – plus those all-important train whistles of course.

We will go straight from Alleluia to afternoon tea but let the audience get their refreshments first. It’s a hard life.

COMING EVENTS

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm, nr Sherborne. 2.00 – 2.45. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/

Future Roots Care Farm, Dorset

www.futureroots.net

The idea of Future Roots was founded by Julie Plumley in 2006. She grew up on a dairy farm in Dorset, and qualified as a social worker … read more...

Unspecified Wednesday sometime VERY soon: Bring-a-friend day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

IMMINENT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – i.e. THIS COMING SATURDAY

Saturday 22 July – Picnic with Shaftesbury Ukes and Palida at Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens. 6.00 p.m. Free entry with donations to the Abbey. See flier attached.

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

14 JULY 2017

July 15, 2017

Dear all

Next week's rehearsal on Wednesday 19th July: REHEARSAL FOR OUR CONCERT IN SAINT JAMES CHURCH!!! PARKING IN THE FIELD JUST PAST THE CHURCH ENTERANCE ON THE LEFT.

Shaftesbury: St James : St James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8HGWe will start at the normal time 7.30 pm. Look forward to seeing you all there!

The programme for the concert at St James on Sunday 23 July is as follows.

Start 3 o’clock

3 x 15 / 20 minute slots:

SLOT ONE CHOIR (a cappella)EZULWINI. BAMBA LELA. LONESOME ROAD.FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE. I WISH I KNEW HOW.

SLOT TWO UKE THE UKESHACK ENSEMBLE

SLOT THREE CHOIR (a cappella) TREE OF LIFE, ETERNAL FLAME ,ANTHEM

CHOIR AND UKES I CAN’T HELP .ISN’T SHE LOVELY ,CHATANOOGA

ALLELUIA – CHOIR + UKES + AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Ukes to set up as far as possible in the chancel. Choir to sit in side aisle(s) and to “process” on to sing before each set. Usual dress code etc.

The concert on 23 July will be followed by afternoon tea and music from the palm court orchestra - The Phoenix Café Orchestra.

Other dates for your diary:

Saturday 15 July: Tisbury Community Choir Festival. See details on our website.

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm, nr Sherborne. 2.00 – 2.45. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/

Unspecified Wednesday sometime VERY soon: Bring-a-friend day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

The Gillingham Food Bank has sent this letter:

Dear Friends

It is quite a while since I had cause to circulate you with a list of food items that we are really in need of.

We had a successful collection at Waitrose a couple of weeks ago but failed to build up our stocks of the following. Would you be so good as to publicise this in your notices so folk know what to target when giving.

Tinned fruit

Rice pudding

Sweet treats

Savoury treats

Packet (NOT tinned) soup

Sponge puddings

For the record we do still have enormous stocks of:-

Tinned soup

Baked beans

Tea

Rice

Pasta

Once again may I say thank you for your continuing support. If for any reason your contact has changed please let me know and I will amend my mailing list.

Kind regards

Robert Rickards

Gillingham Foodbank foodstore manager

Karen

1 JULY2017

July 2, 2017

Dear All,

Great singing last night. Just to confirm arrangements for Gold Hill Fair. Sorry this is a little late but hopefully in time for those checking last minute!

SUNDAY PERFORMANCE Arrive at war memorial on Park Walk at 12.45. We start at 1.00 and are joined by ukes at approx 1.30 pm. Reds and shades of. Set list is ...

Goldhill Set Ezulwini; Bamba Lela; Eternal Flame; For Once in my Life; Anthem; As I went Down to the River to Pray.
with Ukes Isn't She Lovely; Stand By Me; Rongo Mau; I Can't Help Falling in Love with You. Chatanooga.

Not necessarily in this order!

FIND FRINGE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME HERE

www.shaftesburyfringe.co.uk

COMING EVENTS

Sunday 23 July: Afternoon concert at St James’ Church. 3 o’clock. Followed by afternoon tea.

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm, nr Sherborne. 2.00 – 2.45. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/

Unspecified Wednesday sometime VERY soon: Bring-a-friend day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

IMMINENT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – i.e. THIS COMING WEEK

OTHER DATES

Saturday 1 July: Summer Nights with Spectra Musica. North Cadbury. See details on our website.

Saturday 15 July: Tisbury Community Choir Festival. See details on our website.

REMINDER

The Abbey Museum shop has greetings cards with a watercolour of the choir on them. Get yours before stocks run out.

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

22 June 2017

22 JUNE 2017

June 26, 2017

Dear All,

Great singing last weekend and wonderful that the choir should have helped raise so much money for Cedars/Castle Hill. Our efforts were really appreciated and our new banner was nothing short of magnificent. Thankyou Andrea (alto). Congrats to Matthew (tenor) too for his fascinating historic walk which quite a few of us attended – also in aid of Cedars/Castle Hill.

COMING EVENTS

Sat 1 – Sun 2 July: Shaftesbury Fringe Festival. We have two events in the Shaftesbury Fringe / Gold Hill Fair. The first one on the Saturday (10.00 – 11.00 a.m.) in the Cattle Market is HOSTED by the community choir and Bell Street Jazz Band. This will be run like an ordinary choir session with the addition of a 6 piece jazz band (hence a bit more expensive at £5 a head) and much more of a sing-a-long. The idea is to throw open the doors to a whole lot of new people, possibly swelling our numbers as a result ... do come along and bring friends. The second is a PERFORMANCE (1 o’clock) on Park Walk on the Sunday, joining together with the ukes for part of the performance. Programme to include Chatanooga, Isn't She Lovely, Rongo Mau, Can't Help Falling in Love, Stand By Me. Remainder to be decided.

Sunday 23 July: Afternoon concert at St James’ Church. 3 o’clock. Followed by afternoon tea.

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm, nr Sherborne. 2.00 – 2.45. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/

Unspecified Wednesday sometime VERY soon: Bring-a-friend day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

IMMINENT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – i.e. THIS COMING WEEK

Wednesday 28 June: Open Garden with coffee and cake at Grove Farm House, Melbury Abbas, in aid of Shaftesbury women’s refuge. (See flier)

OTHER DATES

Saturday 1 July: Summer Nights with Spectra Musica. North Cadbury. See details on our website.

Saturday 15 July: Tisbury Community Choir Festival. See details on our website.

REMINDER

The Abbey Museum shop has greetings cards with a watercolour of the choir on them. Get yours before stocks run out.

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

15 JUNE 2017

June 16, 2017

Dear All,

Lovely singing last night. A fitting end to a glorious day I thought.

COMING EVENTS

This Saturday - 17 June: Castle Hill House Book Swap and BBQ. Community choir singing between 12.30 & 1.15 Please arrive by 12.15. Normal dress code (ie shades of red above the waist, black or dark below). The programme will consist of (in no particular order): Up above my head, Dvorak Anthem, Java Jive, Hold On, Bela Mama, Eternal Flame, For Once in my life, Alleluia, Rongo Mau, Chattanooga. We may also sing Haere Mai, Ego Sum Pauper and Hamba Nighale if there is time. Castle Hill House is on Bimport, about opposite Trinity Centre, in between Savoy Court and the Ambulance Station. And don’t forget, afterwards, you may like to visit Andrea’s wonderful exhibition in the gallery at Shaftesbury Arts Centre. Choir members can park in the marked spaces behind the Ambulance station in Bimport on Sat. & if by any chance that gets filled we can use the hospital car park.

Sat 1 – Sun 2 July: Shaftesbury Fringe Festival. We have two events in the Shaftesbury Fringe / Gold Hill Fair. The first one on the Saturday (10.00 – 11.00 a.m.) in the Cattle Market is HOSTED by the community choir and Bell Street Jazz Band. This will be run like an ordinary choir session with the addition of a 6 piece jazz band (hence a bit more expensive at £5 a head) and much more of a sing-a-long. The idea is to throw open the doors to a whole lot of new people, possibly swelling our numbers as a result ... do come along and bring friends. The second is a PERFORMANCE 1 - 2pm on Park Walk on the Sunday, joining together with the ukes for part of the performance. Programme to include Chatanooga, Isn't She Lovely, Rongo Mau, Can't Help Falling in Love, Stand By Me. Remainder to be decided.

Sunday 23 July: Afternoon concert at St James’ Church. 3 o’clock. Followed by afternoon tea.

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm, nr Sherborne. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/

Unspecified Wednesday sometime VERY soon: Bring-a-friend day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

OTHER DATES

Saturday 17 June: Bournemouth Male Voice Choir singing at St Mary’s Gillingham at 7-30pm. £5 on the door.

Sunday 18 June: Cream Tea (4 o’clock) and Songs of Praise (5.30). East Stour Church. See website.

Saturday 1 July: BIG SING DAY at Othona West Dorset with Gilo and Sarah 10am – 5pm£20 including buffet lunchContact Othona to book: 01308 897130 OR mail@othona-bb.org.uk

also

Summer Nights with Spectra Musica. North Cadbury. See details on our website.

Saturday 15 July: Tisbury Community Choir Festival. See details on our website.

REMINDER

The Abbey Museum shop has greetings cards with a watercolour of the choir on them. Get yours before stocks run out.

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David

8 JUNE 2017

June 14, 2017

Dear All,

Lots of coming events so please get your diaries out. The programme for Castle Hill is attached. Other programmes to follow.

Reminder: The Abbey Museum shop has greetings cards with a watercolour of the choir on them. Get yours before stocks run out.

And, most importantly, next Wednesday will be BADGE WEDNESDAY. Bring a name badge (as flamboyant or as simple as you like). Julia will have sticky labels if you forget.

COMING EVENTS

Saturday 17 June: Singing for Castle Hill House Book Swap and BBQ (including Great Pudding Bake Off). Community choir singing between 12.30 & 1.15 and any members may bring books & £1 to take any book away, or £5 for 6 books.The programme will consist of (in no particular order): Up above my head, Dvorak Anthem, Java Jive, Hold On, Bela Mama, Eternal Flame, For Once in my life, Alleluia, Rongo Mau, Chattanooga. Normal dress code please.

Saturday 1 July: Gospel Singalong at the Cattle Market (£5) as part of Shaftesbury Fringe Festival. 10.00 – 11.00 a.m.

Sunday 2 July: Singing on Park Walk in the early afternoon (partly in conjunction with the ukes) again as part of theShaftesbury Fringe Festival. .

Sunday 23 July: Afternoon concert at St James’ Church. 3 o’clock. Followed by afternoon tea.

Sunday 24 September: Holnest Country Fayre. Rylands Farm, nr Sherborne. 2.00 – 2.45. (In aid of the Future Roots project) Look it up on http://www.futureroots.net/

Unspecified Wednesday sometime VERY soon: Bring-a-friend day. Four or five new songs for regulars and newcomers alike. More details later.

SHAFTESBURY FRINGEMAKERS

Shaftesbury Fringe Festival (www.shaftesburyfringe.co.uk) is looking for volunteers to help over our 3 day festival. The tasks will include being a visible presence in the town, meeting and greeting visitors and helping them find the various venues. The Festival coincides with the Gold Hill Fair and we are expecting it to be a really busy, exciting weekend packed with a whole variety of live performances. If you're free over the weekend and would like to help with any of the morning, afternoon or evening sessions please email: Fringemakers@shaftesburyfringe.co.uk. As you know the choir is performing on Saturday morning (1 July) and Sunday afternoon (2 July) so as you'll be in town already you may like to volunteer before or after the performance.

Home - Shaftesbury Fringe 2017

www.shaftesburyfringe.co.uk

Yes we’re back! After last year’s hugely successful inaugural event, Shaftesbury Fringe 2017 is bigger than ever, with nearly a hundred shows by some 70 acts at ...

OTHER DATES

Thursday 15 June: Walk and Talk around Shaftesbury. Following the great success last year of Matthew’s (tenor) historic walk and talk around Shaftesbury there is a follow on at 6.30 p.m. starting at Cedars Nursing Home, Angel Lane. Free, but donations to Cedars / Castle Hill welcome. Contact Sue Daddy (alto) on 01747 853733 or via e-mail: drsuedaddy@hotmail.com

Saturday 17 June: Bournemouth Male Voice Choir singing at St Mary’s Gillingham at 7-30pm. £5 on the door.

Sunday 18 June: Cream Tea (4 o’clock) and Songs of Praise (5.30). East Stour Church. See attached flier

Saturday 1 July: BIG SING DAY at Othona West Dorset with Gilo and Sarah 10am – 5pm£20 including buffet lunchContact Othona to book: 01308 897130 OR mail@othona-bb.org.uk

Also

Summer Nights with Spectra Musica. North Cadbury. See details on our website.

Saturday 15 July: Tisbury Community Choir Festival. See details on our website.

BIG BANG PIZZA

If you want to order a pizza and have it waiting for you before choir on a Wednesday, call 07521 413720.

David