Bulletins

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21 May 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 29

Summary:

This week, rehearsals focused on key sections of the Credo, Cum Sancto Spiritu, and Et vitam venturi, with more sectionals to come next week. A hiccup at the WNC entrance delayed the start, but George adapted seamlessly. GCS is preparing a new recruitment flyer and launching a parallel drive for volunteers to support the choir’s busy activities – no matter your time or skill level, there’s a role for you (or someone you know!).

We also celebrate member Eddie Bilimoria, whose book Unfolding Consciousness has won the 2025 People’s Book Award for Best Achievement.

13 May 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 28

Summary:

This week’s rehearsal focused on the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and the Credo. Sectionals next week will concentrate on Et vitam venturi. Concert tickets are now available online, and preparations are under way for the Tombola stall at the Town Show – bottle donations and volunteers are warmly welcomed.

8 May 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 27

This week the choir focused on sectional work for Cum Sancto Spiritu (pp.57–82) and saw encouraging progress. George has asked everyone to prepare Et vitam venturi (pp.121–142) for next week’s rehearsal. The extra rehearsal on Thursday 3rd July will now take place at St John’s Church, Farncombe.

Tombola preparations are in full swing for the Town Show on Saturday 7th June — volunteers are needed and all bottle donations are welcome. William’s laptop is now working, so Rossini rehearsal aid links will be shared this weekend.

1 May 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 26

Thank you for returning the Elijah scores in good condition. We appreciate your understanding, as sourcing hire copies is becoming more challenging. Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle scores will be issueThis week we started rehearsing Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, focusing on the Kyrie (p2) and the Cum Sancto Spiritu (p58-82). Please review these sections ahead of next week. Tombola preparations are underway for the Town Show on 7th June – volunteers and bottle donations are needed! Fire wardens for this term are Antonia and Helen G – thank you both. Rossini rehearsal aids will be shared once technical issues are resolved. Lost white earphones found post-Elijah concert – contact William if they’re yours.

25 April 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 25

Thank you for returning the Elijah scores in good condition. We appreciate your understanding, as sourcing hire copies is becoming more challenging. Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle scores will be issueThis week we started rehearsing Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, focusing on the Kyrie (p2) and the Cum Sancto Spiritu (p58-82). Please review these sections ahead of next week. Tombola preparations are underway for the Town Show on 7th June – volunteers and bottle donations are needed! Fire wardens for this term are Antonia and Helen G – thank you both. Rossini rehearsal aids will be shared once technical issues are resolved. Lost white earphones found post-Elijah concert – contact William if they’re yours.

18 April 2025 Scores for summer term

Thank you for returning the Elijah scores in good condition. We appreciate your understanding, as sourcing hire copies is becoming more challenging. Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle scores will be issued at rehearsal on Tuesday. Please bring £3.00 in cash and arrive early to help ensure smooth distribution.

Dear Choir Member

We were due to start our summer term rehearsals on 15th April, but it transpires that there are a substantial number of people on holiday that week. We have decided therefore to begin next term on 22nd April. George assures us that we shall still have plenty of rehearsal time for the Rossini.

02 April 2025 Message from the Chairman

Gilles shares his heartfelt gratitude following the “most memorable” Elijah performance at Charterhouse. He praises George’s masterful direction, the orchestra’s sensitivity, and the soloists’ dramatic impact. He reflects on the journey from early rehearsals to a triumphant standing ovation, and warmly welcomes the new singers who joined the project. Gilles encourages everyone to build on this success by inviting friends to join for the summer concert, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle. He thanks the anonymous donors, the trustees, and each singer for making this spring concert so special.

26 March 2025 Message from George

In a heartfelt message, George congratulates the choir on a superb performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah at Charterhouse. He praises the choir’s stamina, tuning, and energy, calling the concert “a joy.” He extends thanks to guest singers, the trustees, and generous donors, and looks forward to the next large-scale work: Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor. George also invites feedback on the earlier concert start time.

26 March 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 24

Final Elijah rehearsals are underway! This week we welcomed more singers, bringing us close to 100 performers on Sunday. George is pleased with both the size and sound of the choir. Please protect your voices, and remember Thursday’s rehearsal is at Godalming United Church (doors open 7:15pm). Parking and toilet directions for Charterhouse now available. We’re deeply grateful for generous anonymous donations covering soloists and organist costs. Also included is a touching funeral invitation for Jocelyn Wilson from her family.

19 March 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 23

A reminder of our extra rehearsal on Thursday 27th March at 7.30pm at Godalming United Church—please avoid using supermarket car parks. This week we focused on polishing key movements; next week is full concert revision. New Elijah materials include the seating plan, room plans, and risk assessments. Programmes, tickets, and wine are still on sale.

13 March 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 22

A final reminder that notices will be read at 7:25pm—please be seated on time! This week, we rehearsed Holy, Holy, Holy and And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth. Next week, we’ll focus on We Heard It with Our Ears and He Watching Over Israel. Volunteers needed to wash glasses after the concert—please let William know. A professional photographer will take photos at next week’s rehearsal. Elijah tickets and programmes are available—get yours now! Check the updated sits, stands, and cuts.

7 March 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 21

A reminder that notices will be read at 7:25pm to allow a full interval. This week, we rehearsed Behold, God the Lord Passed By (please note the pronunciation of “fire” as “fah-ah”) and Then Did Elijah. Next week, we’ll work on Holy, Holy, Holy and And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth. Elijah concert details updated—please annotate your scores with sits, stands, and cuts. Sparkling wine tickets are still available!

27 February 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 20

We’re trialling reading notices at the start of rehearsals—please be seated by 7:25pm. This week, we rehearsed He Watching Over Israel, Woe to Him!, and Behold, God the Lord Passed By (please practice this at home). Next week, we’ll work on Blessed Are the Men, Thou Art Elijah, and Thanks Be to God. Elijah concert tickets and sparkling wine tickets are on sale—get yours before the price increases! The 2025-26 concert programme has been finalised and is now available online.

21 February 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 19

A big thank you to George and James Speakman for this week’s rehearsals! We focused on Woe to Him! (extra practice at home recommended), He Watching Over Israel, and revisited Be Not Afraid and Help, Lord! Next week, we’ll revise and continue with new sections. Volunteers are needed to help set up for rehearsals while Mike is away. If you need disabled parking for the concert, please sign up with Pauline. A risk assessment for rehearsals is now available here.

13 February 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 18

Gilles thanked George and Oli for their engaging rehearsals! This week, we covered Be Not Afraid and Thanks Be to God. Next week, we’ll revise Help, Lord! and Lord! Bow Thine Ear, and start new sections. Concert tickets and flyers are available—please help spread the word! Volunteers are still needed for rehearsal setup. The concert programme is nearly complete, and a big thank you to Archie for his work on it. Full rehearsal resources and updated schedules are available on the GCS

05 February 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 17

A warm welcome to more new singers joining us for Elijah! This week’s rehearsals covered key sections including The Fire Descends and Thanks Be to God. Next week, we’ll focus on Be Not Afraid and revisit previous pieces. Elijah concert tickets and flyers are available—please help spread the word! Volunteers are needed for setup at rehearsals, and don’t forget to confirm your participation in the concert by 11th February. Updates on the Charterhouse site visit and disabled access information are also included.

29 January 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 16

A warm welcome to new singers joining us for Elijah! This week, we tackled pages 24–95, including the challenging The Fire Descends. Next week, we’ll revise these sections and start Thanks Be to Heaven and Be Not Afraid. Elijah concert tickets and drinks tickets are now on sale—please collect yours early. Flyers are available to help with promotion. We are also seeking a photographer for the choir’s website update. Check the rolling calendar and details of upcoming musical events below.

22 January 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 15

Welcome to our new members and extra singers for Elijah! This week’s rehearsals covered pages 24–74, with a focus on pronunciation and tempo. Next week, we’ll recap and add pages 79–95. Note the updated venue for the extra rehearsal on 27th March. Save the dates for upcoming sectional rehearsals and our Spring Concert on 30th March. Explore other musical events and access the rehearsal schedule for more details.

16 January 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 14

Welcome to our new members and extra singers for Elijah! This week’s rehearsals focused on pages 6–58, and next week we’ll cover pages 20–95. The Children’s Choir had a successful first performance, and videos are available on our website. Save the dates for sectional rehearsals on 21st and 28th January and our Spring Concert on 30th March. Check out upcoming musical events and more in the rolling calendar.

13 January 2025 Weekly Choir Bulletin No. 13

Welcome back! Last week’s rehearsals covered pages 6–28 of Elijah, and this week we’ll revisit those and add pages 55–58 (As God the Lord). Download the rehearsal schedule for preparation. Key updates include Gilles Gergaud as Acting Chair, a new suggestion box, and upcoming sectional rehearsals. Don’t miss our concert on 30th March and other exciting events!

06 January 2025 Scores for Mendelssohn

Happy New Year! Scores for Mendelssohn’s Elijah will be issued at the first rehearsal on Tuesday. Please bring £4.00 in cash and arrive early to ensure a smooth distribution process.

30 December 2024 Rehearsal resources for next term

Prepare for next term with voice part recordings for Elijah available to stream or download here. George also suggests listening to a full performance in English on YouTube. Wishing you a wonderful festive break – see you on 7th January!

17 December 2024 A Conductor's Christmas message

George reflects on the choir’s outstanding performance in Farncombe and shares a favourite recording of Elijah for inspiration ahead of next term. He emphasises the importance of consistent attendance and invites you to tune in to BBC Radio 3 on New Year’s Day to hear him perform. Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to January!

05 December 2024 Choir Christmas Party – 10th December

Join us for a festive celebration on Tuesday, 10th December at 8pm at the Wilfred Noyce Centre. Enjoy a shared buffet, games, a music quiz, carol singing, and a raffle. Please bring your contributions, tableware, and prepare to make merry! Arrive at 7pm if you've volunteered to help set up.

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