Spring Concert

Our musical director, Emma Bishton, in her message to the choir, said that she has “had so much positive feedback both from people who have been to a Nayland Choir concert before, and for whom this was their first, as well as from members of the orchestra…Being able to sing works like the Puccini with orchestra  makes it a really satisfying musical experience. I hope it won’t be too long before we can do that again!” So a huge thank you goes to everyone who took part in our Spring Concert on 29th. Conducted by Emma, the choir were joined by Daniel Bartlette, singing tenor, as well as choir member Sean Moriarty who was singing the bass solo and an orchestra. We must also thank St. James’ Church for the use of the church for our performance and final rehearsals and our regular accompanist, Mary Blanchard.

If you were in the audience, we really hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did – and thank you to you, too, for supporting us. Maybe that you are thinking of being ‘on the other side’ for our next concert! If you would like to give it a try, do come along to a rehearsal or two to see if it’s for you before paying subs. We meet in Nayland school hall on Thursday evenings between 8 – 10 p.m. and our first rehearsal for the new term will be on 24th April.

If you prefer to remain in the audience, do look out for our summer concert – A Summer Garland of Song – which will take place on Friday July 4th in the village hall, accompanied by a light supper. Emma describes this as “completely different musical fare … ranging from romantic part songs to Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World, via the odd musical or two.” Nearer to the time, tickets will be available at naylandevents.org

Happy New Year!

We will be practising again on Thursday evenings from 9th January 2025 and we will be learning to sing Puccini’s Messa di Gloria which we will be performing on Saturday 29th March in Nayland church. Due to popular demand (from both choir members and audience), we will one again be singing with a small orchestra and we hope to see many of you there.

December concert 2024

We would love to invite you to our next concert, Winter Solstice in Song, which will capture the descent into dark winter nights but with the promise of celebration and the coming of the lengthening days ahead.

The concert will take place on Sunday December 15th at 4.00 p.m. in the village hall. We hope to offer you lots of wonderful music, ranging from the 16th to the 21st centuries – and a mince pie and mulled wine! Tickets are now available on naylandevents.org and are £10 p.p. (free for under 18s.)

Our programme includes:

Ave Maria – Sergei Rachmaninoff

Der Winter ist ein Strenger Gast – Michael Praetorius

Abendlied – Josef Rheinberger

O Nata Lux – Thomas Tallis

Sure on this Shining Night – Samuel Barber

Sure on this Shining Night – Morten Lauridsen

Wolcum Yole! – Benjamin Britten

Halsway Carol – Nigel Eaton, Iain Frisk

Northern Lights – Ola Gjeilo

Underneath the Stars – Kate Rusby

A Winter Day – Sarah Quartel

Autumn 2024: Winter Solstice Concert

This term we’re working towards a concert on December 15th in Nayland Village Hall with a solstice theme – music from across four centuries to take us from darkness to light. We’ll sing another work by Sarah Quartel, whose music we have been enjoying exploring over the last year, alongside some choral classics by Barber, Lauridsen and Tallis – music that by turn evokes stillness or wakening!

Rehearsals start again on Thursday, September 12th at Nayland Primary School.

Everyone is welcome whether you’re new to singing in parts or an experienced singer – do come and try us out!

Shakespeare in Song

If music be the food of love, play on.

We continue our 30th anniversary celebrations with a programme of music inspired by Shakespeare – varying from jazzy settings of Shakespeare’s Sonnets by George Shearing, classical settings of songs from his plays, and familiar tunes from two re-tellings of Shakespeare plays: Kiss Me Kate and West Side Story. As has become our tradition, the summer concert will follow a well-tried recipe: Music, Food and Wine!

Rehearsals start Thursday 25th April, 8pm in Nayland School Hall. Everyone is welcome whether you’re new to singing in parts or an experienced singer – do come and try us out!

The concert will be performed on Friday 5th July.