EMBER CHORAL SOCIETY
Last year I
reported that the Choir had a successful year, and it is gratifying to be able
to repeat that sentiment this year. Membership numbers are slightly up, our
concerts were well attended and we received many favourable reports on them.
John Sutton’s own report details the season’s concerts themselves, and the
accounts show how well we have built up the choir’s funds.
The
November concert (“Elijah”) was scheduled for Holy Trinity Church in Claygate, but
due to a very unfortunate set of circumstances we had to switch to Hinchley
Wood School Hall. Its acoustics were not the best, but the standard of singing
and playing minimised the drawbacks. The support of the RC Sherriff Trust for
this concert is much appreciated.
The choir
took part in the Claygate Music Festival in March by leading the evensong
service in Holy Trinity, Claygate. Again a well -received and appreciated
concert.
Our spring
concert took place in June rather than in the traditional month of May and the
extra weeks of rehearsal paid dividends in the quality of the performance.
The only
other singing event to record was carols at Garsons Farm in December. This has
become something of a tradition and raises a great deal of money in a short
space of time for The Princess Alice Hospice.
On the
social front, the Dream Auction in the
autumn was a great success financially, although the attendance was
rather disappointing and the Jazz
evening in April proved very popular – this event will be repeated! The
Christmas hampers were again most popular. The end of season Garden Party at
the home of the Chairman & Mrs Oldcorn was enjoyed by many members and
friends. The Social Committee works tremendously hard to make all these events
a success and we are grateful to Margaret Godwin, Gwen Crane, Sonia Powell,
Marjorie Duff and all the other helpers for their efforts.
Financially,
the results show that we are in a sound position, enabling us to realise our
ambition to secure our future and be able to put on concerts which demand
expensive resources. “Hodie” in December is one such work which will cost
several thousand pounds to mount. This level of activity depends not just on
subs. but also on programme advertisers, sponsors, social events and most
importantly, ticket sales. Grateful thanks go to our Treasurer, Bob Cotterill,
ably assisted by Audrey Coe, who has worked extremely hard to ensure our
finances are managed professionally, and thanks also go to all those who have
made a contribution by selling tickets on the door and space in the programmes,
particularly John Treneman who organises this latter activity to great effect,
as well as in poster design.
Many other
people have contributed to making the year such a success, especially Steve
Midson in setting up and taking down the staging for each concert, and he is
also heavily involved in the production of posters, handbills and the barbeque
king. Thanks to him and also to Jackie Allen for producing the programmes, to
Sheila Bailey the membership secretary, to Jill Midson, our librarian and to
Bob Saxton for producing the cd’s. And
of course, great thanks as ever to John Sutton for all his enthusiasm and for
making it happen on the night.
The coming
year looks to be exciting from a singing perspective. There is a new venue for
the December concert. As mentioned above, Vaughan Williams’ Hodie requires
large forces and the only suitable venue we have been able to identify in our
”patch” is the Sports Hall at Hinchley Wood School. We have invited the Music
Dept. of the school to participate in the carols part of the concert and an
underwriting grant has been obtained form the RC Sherriff Trust. We are also
giving a “Come and Sing” concert in the same place in February to raise funds
for the school’s Music Dept. and we hope it will encourage some parents to sing
regularly with us, thus renewing our long association with the school.
Our June
concert will take place in the Menuhin Hall, a perfect venue for an early
summer evening’s performance of Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle.
As you
know, I am not standing for re-election as Chairman this year, as planned. My
three years in office has not been without its moments, but overall a most
enjoyable time. I’m so grateful all who’ve helped make it so – all those
mentioned above and especially to the Secretary, Pam Goring-Thomas, whose quiet
efficiency is much valued, and to all those who have helped in any way to make
Ember Choral a very special choir.
My best
wishes go to the next chairman and committee and trust the choir will continue
to flourish.
See you all
in September.
Roger
Oldcorn
August 2008