Spring Term 2023

May

Choir Social Evening

May Bank Holiday provided the choir with an opportunity to meet and socialise with each other at a Skittles Night at The Wheatsheaf Inn in Thurcaston. A great night was had by all, enabling us to chat to other choir members.

Another successful term has been enjoyed by the growing number of choristers in the Chorale. As the New Year, began we were introduced by Simon to quite a few different musical pieces, with the aim of performing them all in the concert in March. We were helped significantly in this by his diligently produced practice tracks - creating many and varied 'ear worms' for us as the term progressed.

For the concert on 18th March we joined forces with Knighton Community Choir and our venue, Birstall Methodist Church, became the stage for almost 90 singers. As well as our own repertoires, we sang several joint numbers and, as the Vicar commented, local residents could probably hear those songs from the comfort of their own homes! A full house of supporters almost led to standing room only until extra chairs were found and what an appreciative audience they were! Simon's easy manner and asides to the crowd, coupled with a varied and polished concert by all concerned, led to the magnificent sum of £975 being raised for charity - a record amount since the Chorale's fund raising efforts began many years ago!

Roll on the Summer term, with more new music to learn prior to our Summer concerts - but not discounting some of the old favourites....'Is this the way to Amarrilo' is a real crowd-pleaser and it is always great to see the audience participating with such enthusiasm!

Summer Term 2023

June

After a lengthy Summer term of Monday rehearsals, interspersed with an unusual number of Bank Holidays, we finished the season with two very well attended and enthusiastically received summer concerts. Our first gig was in St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Frisby on the Wreake and on a beautiful, warm summer's evening we sang a wide variety of musical pieces to a very appreciative audience. The concert proved to be a great money raiser for the chosen charities - the raffle alone brought in £200 and ticket sales boosted that figure considerably! If Simon ever needs a change of career he could become a champion raffle ticket seller!

July

The Chorale's final concert was at Wyggeston's in Leicester on a Sunday afternoon- a bigger and more comfortable venue but another very warm one! Our performance was once again very well received and we were invited back to both venues to perform again some time in the future.

End of year social event

July

Our final Monday meeting of 2022/23 was the traditional end of term picnic in the grounds of one of the member gardens. The weather was not the best but we managed nearly 2 hours outside, including a stroll round the stunning gardens, and then a few stalwarts retired to the local pub to end the evening

Autum Term 2023

December

The Autumn Term has been a busy one for us all. A break away from our normal schedule found us performing a short and informal concert in October, showcasing to friends and family the music that we had worked on in early Autumn. The evening was a very successful venture, enjoyed by all, and it was lovely to be able to socialise over a drink and some simple refreshments afterwards.

Then it was November and we began to work on Christmas music in earnest. With only four Monday rehearsals until our first Xmas concert on 2nd December we had our work cut out to perfect our programme of music. However, members practised hard and we must have sounded OK because, thanks to our appreciative and generous audiences, we raised over £600 in Syston Methodist Church and nearly £400 in Brooksby Church - all money going to various charities.

In the afternoon of 13th December a smallish group of us (largely of retirement age!) entertained the Charnwood U3A members and Simon's usual banter with the audience led to a very amiable and enjoyable event - smiling faces were definitely in evidence!