Choir Members at Castle Cornet Guernsey May 2025
ST JOHN SINGERS UPDATE
Our year started with singing the New Year Salisbury Cathedral Services, a job we always enjoy in a peaceful environment that contrasts with the rush of Christmas. We sang a 'slot' at the St Thomas's Choir Festival; it was lovely to hear so many other choirs - choral singing remains strong in Salisbury. Stainer's Crucifixion on Good Friday is another staple in our annual diary, and this year we sang at St Francis Church with soloists Rob Blakey and Morley Beswick whom you will hear at our Gala Concert this Summer.
At the beginning of May we took a trip to Guernsey, travelling by air, ferry, cars, bicycles, and even a small(ish) yacht. A concert and church service was shared with their excellent town church choir, in the presence of the Lieutenant Governor. We booked a very central hotel at a good rate and the weekend was filled with meals and outings. Some people even swam in the sea (12°C), but not for long. Highlights of the trip included admiring the yacht and paying homage to five British short haired cats chez choir member Jules, who helped a lot with the trip administration and is now living on the island.
We look forward to seeing all our supporters and friends, and former members at our Celebration Concert. Spread the word.
2024
This year's Christmas concert was dedicated to the memory of our founder John Powell who continued to sing with the choir up to his death in May 2024. It took place in a packed St Thomas's Church the week before Christmas and opened in soft light with a solo phrase sung by Freya Webb which was then picked up by the rest of the choir who were spread round the church, singing Bach's " O Little One Sweet ". The choir sang a mixture of familiar pieces such as "Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day " which were interspersed by less familiar ones and compositions by our own Musical Director Steve Abbott and also Rob Blakey who sings in the bass section. There were audience carols as well as the ever popular " Twelve Days of Christmas".
Brother and sister trumpeters Luke and Emma Lane performed 2 duets and later Luke performed a jazz piece by Kenny Baker which lived up to its title - Virtuosity.
Thanks to the support of local businesses, the choir was able to hand ÂŁ4,000 to this year's chosen charity : Bath and Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
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Come and Sing 12th October 2024
The Methodist Church was filled to capacity when 130 vocalists joined the 50 strong St John Singers to sing through a range of music, which included "Zadok the Priest" and the "Cantique de Jean Racine". Stephen Abbott moulded our sound with a light touch, his own inimitable commentary, and some pertinent anecdotes. Andrew Post provided an inspiring accompaniment that could, surprisingly, be heard clearly alongside the massed voices as they enjoyed some lusty singing and more disciplined quiet sections. A superb tea was provided by St John Singers, and a good time was had by all.
All You Need is LOVE
Our summer concert was held in St Thomas's Church in July and we were joined by Salisbury Cathedral's Youth Choir and 2 readers : Lisa Day and Robert Gordon Clark. This was an exceptionally well attended event and Steve Abbott compiled a wonderful programme of readings and music to illustrate the theme of LOVE. The concert was dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and soprano Frances Pitt-Brooke who has left us far too soon.
Our accompanist, Ben Mills, enjoyed his final appearance with us as he is moving to Durham to further his musical career. However, we have been lucky to secure another fine musician as his replacement - a face already familiar to many - Andrew Post.
Our Spring concert in the very warm and comfortable Methodist Church on March 9th was well supported and coffee, tea and cakes contributed to a satisfying interval break. We sang the wonderful service music of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, in his centenary year, some of his motets, and the supremely peaceful "Blue Bird. ÂŁ700 was raised for Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital.
The 2023 Magic of Christmas concert sold every ticket and lifted everyone's spirits for the final week before the big day. The audience enjoyed singing traditional carols to fantastic fanfares and spine tingling accompaniments, provided by Ben Mills on the organ and Gallery Brass. Our guest artist, Mary Chelu, played some lovely flute solos. ÂŁ5000 was raised for Alabare, who kindly provided wine and mince pies for the interval.
Our 2023 Summer Concert entertained a large audience in St Thomas’s and we hugely enjoyed singing with an outstanding orchestra led by Daphne Moody, under the direction of Steve Abbott, our Musical Director. The concert opened with Hear My Prayer by Mendelssohn with Susannah Groome and Rosanna Wicks sharing the sublime solo passages and Sam Bristow on the organ. This was followed by Haydn’s Saint Nicholas Mass for which Susannah and Rosanna were joined by Clement Hetherington and Robert Blakey together with the choir and orchestra.
After an interval glass of wine, Malcolm Archer’s Vespers was the newest and most keenly anticipated work of the evening. Challenging to learn, the choir reaped the reward in its performance and it was well received both by a very appreciative audience and the composer, who attended the concert. Malcolm wrote warmly to Steve commenting on “beautiful shaping” and that “the choir and orchestra were so well integrated”.
Last Lent, we sang at St Andrew's Church, Great Durnford on Friday 7th April when we sang Music for Holy Week and Compline. The pieces were appropriate to Good Friday, followed by a short plainsong service of Compline.
"Magic of Christmas" photos by kind permission of Ash Mills
