SUMMER SONGS
LONDON PRO ARTE CHOIR
SATURDAY 17 JUNE 2023
ST MICHAEL'S CHURCH, MILL HILL
The annual summer concert was performed in St Michael's church to a very full and appreciative audience on a lovely summer's day.
The first act began with accompanist Paul Ayres' 13th Century round about Summer which was followed by a World Premiere of David Stoll's arrangement of the Shakespeare speech " All the World's a Stage". Both set the tone for a very enjoyable evening. The new piece was warmly received by the audience. Paul then played a piano piece.
A summer song by William Byrd showed off the fine sopranos on top form before a medley "Songs of Springtime" by EJ Moeran brought the first half to a close.
It was heartening to see the rush to the produce and book stalls plus the wine and strawberries during the interval. Mill Hill's people know how to enjoy a summer's day !
The second act began with anther composition by Paul Ayres who set Byrd's choir instructions to a lively set of tunes for a choir showing off different parts of the choir. Great fun.
An Elgar and Stanford summer song were then performed with the choir sounding fantastic in The Blue Bird by Stanford. Another solo on the piano followed - "Here Comes The Sun" - which the audience loved.
As in the first act there was a set of songs to complete the programme. This was a set of Shakespearian Summer Songs set by Shearing. Some are well known songs often played on radio and it was the perfect end to a fantastic concert.
The choir were directed by Tom Winpenny who kept the choir light and summery throughout the evening. Paul Ayres who wrote two of the songs and accompanied with great aplomb on the piano replaced the advertised pianist on the day of the concert. Thank you to him for stepping in to make sure the concert could go ahead.
JOIN THE CHOIR
The London Pro Arte Choir are looking for new members to come and sing. In recent years several singers have left London and some have retired from performance. This means there is currently a great opportunity to join an established choir with professional direction. We recommend that you consider joining whether a beginner or an experienced singer. The London Pro Arte Choir is the jewel in the area's musical life and history with a fantastic friendly group of singers. Contact the choir via their website.
WEBSITE
COME AND SING
A chance to try out singing in a choir is being run for free in the next weeks. Details on flyer below. Totally informal and includes singing some well known pieces such as Zadok The Priest which we all heard during the Coronation. Just turn up on the day - all music is provided. ( Note there are also open rehearsals on September 14 and 21 for The Seasons )
DATE FOR DIARY
The next concert by the LONDON PRO ARTE CHOIR at St Michael's Church in Mill Hill is the epic SEASONS by Joseph Haydn. This takes place on Saturday 18 November at 7.30p.m. Tickets will go on sale from September via the website. A sell out audience is expected for this very popular concert and so we suggest you call into the website from September onwards in order to get your tickets or get them from a choir member the moment they are released. The support from the community for the concerts is fabulous and much appreciated by the choir.
Review courtesy of Mill Hill Today.
