‘A concert in a day’ – an inspired musical workshop and concert in Clare
Fauré Requiem
St Peter & St Paul Parish Church, Clare
Review by Geoffrey Bray
Under the exhilarating leadership of Tom Appleton, the conductor for the day, 90 talented singers from across East Anglia (Kings Lynn in the north to Southend in the south, and Norwich in the east to Milton Keynes in the west) and several from London, put on a memorable concert in Clare Parish church last Saturday.
From 11 o’clock in the morning to 5.30 in the afternoon the choir, who had never sung together before, took part in a workshop to rehearse the music they would perform in the evening.
Tom’s extraordinary musical talent, and his incredible ability to bring out the best in a choir, ensured a memorable and highly rewarding day for those that took part.
In the evening the choir performed a number of well-known, and less well-known, pieces of European Sacred Music and ended the evening with Fauré’s Requiem.
Charles Andrews’ organ playing, and his amazing ability to accompany the choir during rehearsals, as well as during the performance, and his two solo pieces revealed an outstanding, and musically sensitive, ability.
Alexandra Saunders (soprano) and Christopher Borrett (baritone), as soloists in the Fauré Requiem, ensured the quality of the evening was fully maintained.
With an audience of not far short of 150, and the choir of 90, every seat in the beautiful Grade One parish church of Clare was taken.
The Society for Music in Clare Church who organised the event (which included lunch and refreshments for the 90 singers during the day) was delighted with the response from the choir and the audience.
They were also exceedingly grateful for the hard work, dedication and efficiency of Pamela Garlick; she persuaded Tom Appleton to lead the musical side, ‘recruited’ the choir, and organised the large number of people who made it all, not only possible, but also such a huge success.
Quotes from some of the singers emails (Over 25% of the singers sent us unsolicited emails within 48 hours of the event)
“..never done anything like this before.. a great experience”
“One of the most exciting days I have spent for a long time …. the organisation was brilliant”
“One of the best workshops I have ever been to; Tom is such an enthusiast.
….we were looked after like royalty.”
“Singing with Tom’s enthusiastic guidance was a really wonderful experience.”
“We all at Haverhill Choral Society enjoyed it immensely, and all commented on the magnificent organisation and arrangements. Tom Appleton is an absolute treasure;
you simply must book him again. The effect of his charisma on the choir was unbelievable”
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Weather for Haverhill
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Thunderstorm
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
