We will begin rehearsing for ‘A Choral Christmas’ on Thursday 5th September 2024. (See the EBM Calendar for rehearsal dates.)
This choral concert will include music from the baroque period alongside 20th century music and a couple of carols for all to join in with for good measure. We will be accompanied by organ and orchestra at St Barnabas Church, Wellingborough, on 5th and 6th December 2024.
Schütz (1585 – 1672), was an early baroque, German composer who wrote ‘The Christmas Story’ in 1664. It is for chorus and soloists and is not difficult to sing so do not worry if you don’t read music at all, or very well, our rehearsals/sectionals will soon sort you out! And the music is beautiful.
Bach, (1685 – 1750), composed his cantata ‘Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben’ in 1723 when he was Music Director at St Thomas Kirche, Leipzig. It is more well-known as ‘Jesu joy of man’s desiring’. An outstanding opening chorus is followed by solos, duets and more.
Rutter, an English composer, (b, 1945), is well-known for his choral compositions and we will be singing Child in a Manger and Christmas Night. Also in the programme are pieces by Gjeilo, (b 1978, Norway), and the Harold Darke, (1888 – 1976, English), arrangement of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’.
Finally, the concert will start and finish with carols arranged for audience, choir, orchestra and organ.
Originally planned for 29th February, our concert, ONE DAY MORE! AN EVENING OF SONGS FROM THE MUSICALS turned into three nights of concerts, with each night a sellout.
Opening with our own very special version of One Day More, (‘one more day of long rehearsals…’), we segued into a Les Miserables medley with solos pieces from Janette, Esther, Hannah, Simon and John Johnathan and Rachel, followed by a very entertaining couple of numbers from Matilda, featuring Sarah, Holly and Zoe.
Next up was a medley of tunes from Miss Saigon, featuring a beautiful rendition of I’d Give my Life for You by Helen.
And then…pirates! A trio of Viv, Peter and Ian sang Paradox from Pirates of Penzance after which a 21st birthday balloon was presented to a member of the audience who, at the age of 84 was only just celebrating her 21st birthday – and what a great way to celebrate 🙂
The first half of the concert was drawn to a close with an Andrew Lloyd Webber Concert Celebration, featuring the amazing Sophie singing Memory.
The second half of our concert began with a lively selection of songs from The Lion King. Soloist Alaina wowed us with For Good from Wicked, and Helen led a semi chorus in a fun rendition of We Don’t Talk about Bruno from Encanto with the audience joining in.
Hakuna Matata and more from The Lion King
Soloist John raised the roof with If I were a Rich Man from Fiddler on the Roof, and the full choir rounded off the evenings with Rogers and Hammerstein on Broadway. Songs from The Sound of Music featured, including a very authentic The Lonely Goatherd by Vicki, and Helen as a convincing Maria. The male contingent treated us with a rousing There Ain’t Nothing Like a Dame, and we sang our way into the final number…You’ll Never Walk Alone.
These concerts would not have been possible without the incredible direction and music arranging from Jon and Helen, and the fantastic band made up of Richard on piano, Steve on bass guitar, and Kev on Cajon. We are also grateful to our staging, sound, lighting teams and front of house teams (special mentions to Alistair, Steve, Adam, Dave, and Will), as well as Lorna and team from The Good Plate who treated our audiences and choir to refreshments on all three nights. We’re also grateful for the support of the Methodist Church for the use of the premises for all our rehearsals and concerts, and to Jeyes of Earls Barton who have been our Box Office.
The male voices of Earls Barton Music singing about a dame!
This series of concerts have been enjoyed by so many people – the choir of 100+, including several new faces and voices, and our audiences and supporters, without whom we wouldn’t be able to make music.
‘…one more song, one more day, ONE DAY MORE!’
Our next concerts will be in July – Barton Plays Pop, featuring songs from the 70s and 80s. Registration, concert and rehearsal dates are on the EBM calendar.
‘Autumn Days and Winter Nights’, November 23rd and 24th at All Saints’ Church, Earls Barton 7.30pm
Featuring:
Vivaldi Magnificat (extracts) Vaughan-Williams All People that on Earth do dwell Karl Jenkins Adiemus Trad When the boat comes in Rees & Rees Ebenezer Scrooge’s Quiet Night In
Tickets are available online from ticket source (click on the link below), and from Jeyes Earls Barton
Earls Barton Music 