Jules, one of the altos of the Nottingham Chamber Singers, writes this week’s postcard: When I tell my two-year-old daughter that I’m heading out for rehearsal, she always says, ‘Mummy, you going singing with your friends?’ And she’s absolutely right. After more than ten years with this choir, these voices have become more than just fellow singers – they’reContinue reading “Sharing the love of music making”
Author Archives: choiradmin
Performing at the Last Night of the Proms!
One of our sopranos went to a choral workshop led by Bob Chilcott and sat next to Eloise Toone. Eloise shares our enthusiasm for choral singing and sings with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain (18-25 age group). She has kindly penned a postcard about an amazing experience she had in September…. On SaturdayContinue reading “Performing at the Last Night of the Proms!”
Charles Hubert Hastings Parry
John pens a second postcard from time spent in Gloucestershire… Parry’s big three pieces are ‘Jerusalem’, I was glad (sung at many royal occasions) and ‘Repton’ – the hymn tune used for ‘Dear Lord and Father’ of mankind’. In our next concert we are singing Parry’s Songs of Farewell, a collection of songs generally quieter in nature andContinue reading “Charles Hubert Hastings Parry”
National Musicians’ Church
Nottingham Chamber Singers’ soprano Helena goes to London: I’d never known such a place existed! The name of this London church appears in many forms, but I’ll stick with the one used on its website, Holy Sepulchre Church. Located diagonally opposite the Old Bailey and near St Paul’s Cathedral, its north and south side chapelsContinue reading “National Musicians’ Church”
Connections
John Hobbs, bass and sometimes pianist of the choir, explores the connections between a composition and two composers living and working in Gloucester. 1910 – what a year to be alive! A time when Elgar, Richard Strauss, Vaughan Williams, Sibelius, Debussy, Ravel, Mahler, Bartok, Poulenc, Stravinsky, Copland, Schoenberg and many other famous composers were addingContinue reading “Connections”
Teamwork makes the dream work
This week’s postcard comes from Rachel Bacon, our rugby and singing loving first soprano. If you’ve been watching the women’s rugby world cup over the last few weeks, you’ll have seen some amazing rugby, record breaking crowds and a masterclass in plaiting hair. You’re probably thinking ‘What on earth has this got to do withContinue reading “Teamwork makes the dream work”
Music of the Stars
Rachel Parkes, who will be conducting our concert at St John’s Carrington, 29 November 2025, has chosen a programme that includes Cecilia McDowall’s Music of the Stars. The score contains a ‘Composer’s note’ that conductor and singer can use to deepen their understanding of both text and the music, resulting in a richer performance forContinue reading “Music of the Stars”
Something for Everyone
Wasn’t the Last Night of the Proms from the Royal Albert Hall fantastic yesterday? We were treated to an eclectic and exuberant programme with superb instrumental players, singers and soloists joyfully conducted by Elim Chan. A thrill for participants and audience alike. Bill Bailey’s rendition of Leroy Anderson’s The Typewriter was great fun, and AlisonContinue reading “Something for Everyone”
Sourcing copies to sing from
This photo was taken at our Nottingham Chamber Singers 40th anniversary party in July. Here we’re singing the first movement of Handel’s Dixit Dominus. There seems to be some mischief going on with our first sopranos! You can see that the four of them have the same edition copy – Novello. Sourcing music for a choirContinue reading “Sourcing copies to sing from”
And we’re back – Season 41
We’re always glad of the summer break, particularly after a season as busy as our 40th. We put on extra performances, sang hugely varied repertoire, gave a concert one sweltering 33 Celsius Saturday and rounded it all off in July with a party and a Desert Island Discs of music we couldn’t live without! ButContinue reading “And we’re back – Season 41”