HCS Newsletter Number 101 (12 January 2010)



"To make divine things human and human things divine, such is Bach Pablo Casals "


Choir notes by Chairman Hutt

Immediately after our Christmas concert, and subsequently, mainly via emails, I’ve received lots of feedback, but more of that in a minute. In January 2009 we consulted members of the choir about items you would especially like to be included in a Christmas concert. The following received the most support:

Include a 'key' choir piece e.g. extract from the Christmas Oratorio
Include a specialist performer e.g. trumpeter/organist/singer
Choose some items on the basis that they must be fun/lively/amusing
Involve more young people, perhaps from more than one school/group
Use small instrumental groups, e.g brass and timpani
Include some candle-lit items e.g. solo first verse of Once in Royal, The Boar's Head Carol
Include semi-choruses from the choir, perhaps singing from different parts of the church
More audience opportunities to join in
Make more use of the church organ

So how well did we accomplish what we set out to achieve? Did we deliver some Christmas magic? Typical comments I received were:

‘My husband and daughter have been coming to HCS Christmas concerts as long as I have been a member (30+years) and latterly they had started to feel that they had somehow lost their sparkle. But the latest production has restored their faith in the HCS's ability to entertain at the highest level. The positive comments were too numerous to list out here but I have included a few quotes to give you a feel. I don't mind the orchestra, but we come to hear the choir and now we can! She's (the trumpeter) obviously a class act. The wine and mince pies slipped down easily.’

‘I too really enjoyed the evening as did my guests.’

‘My Dad and sister came down from Scotland to attend and they thought it was absolutely brilliant ...! It was a fantastic night…’

‘I can only echo what has been written already. It was a huge success, enjoyed for its liveliness and variety. All our friends who came were very impressed’

‘Everyone I spoke to said that they had thoroughly enjoyed last night's concert. I did too!! Thank you Derek for all your hard work!’

‘This was excellent. Virtually everything went well and sounded lovely. The mixture of accompanied choir, unaccompanied choir, trumpet solos, school choir and audience items was perfect. The high spot for me was Mary's Child - beautifully sung, with moving improvisations from Peter. The Boar's Head Carol worked really well, as did The Echo Carol (but why is it always the same people in the semi-chorus? Perhaps different people need encouragement to take part.) Rather to my surprise, I didn't miss the orchestra, probably because you could hear the choir so well and Peter's accompaniments were marvellous.’

There were various comments about other aspects of the concert. For example, there was a range of views about the coloured shirts and blouses and many felt that the commentary between items could have been sharper. Some people clearly come for the communal singing whilst others don’t especially enjoy it. The look and atmosphere within the church was universally agreed to be special. Others commented very favourably on Morgans School Choir and Ellie Lovegrove’s contribution. Peter, as always, was hugely appreciated. From all the feedback I received it was clearly an extremely successful event - and of course lots of especial praise for Derek’s programming and direction. Despite reducing ticket prices we made a profit of over £1100 and the audience was our largest for many years. Our charity collection raised £850.

Many thanks to those of you who took the trouble to share your thoughts with me. As always it made fascinating reading and was very thought provoking. Meanwhile I hope you all had a really good break and are now champing at the bit to get cracking on the Bach, but especially that you and yours have a great year. Keith


Message from Derek

Happy New Year! May 2010 be a good year for you.
Last term seems to have been particularly memorable. Though in the case of the CD, the memory is there to be played at any time. I hope you, and all those you have given copies to, have enjoyed listening to the outcome of our sessions in Watford. I am very pleased with it and do hope that it will continue to be of interest for a good long time. I hope every member feels proud of what HCS has achieved, especially as it is not the normal style of repertoire for such a choir. (See Initiatives/Recordings for details and order form) how to buy a CD) I am delighted to have received many positive reactions to our “Christmas Magic”. As you can imagine, the first paragraph of the review (see below) is a particular delight to me! We know there is “room for improvement” but there were many good things about it, not least the choral singing!

After quite a long period of variety and relatively easy listening for our audience, we are now taking on a single major piece – Bach St John Passion. Even though it tells a well-known story, I still think it is right to sing it in English so that it is more readily understood in performance. Nevertheless it calls for deeper and more sustained involvement from us as well as from our audience. I wonder whether there is anything that we can do to help our audience to appreciate the work? Maybe it’s time to consider something like those Concert Information Packs that we produced a long time ago. I would appreciate any thoughts you (whether singer or potential audience) have about that.

Looking to our summer concert, we shall also be having a short exploratory session later this month with a small group of steel pan players. As it is quite innovative, it seems a good idea to try out some ideas before we decide on exactly what we shall put into the programme! I hope you will enjoy the rather different challenge that the Bach will bring and all the other aspects of another term with HCS! Derek


Concert Review: CHRISTMAS MAGIC; Saturday 12th December 2009, All Saints’ Church, Hertford

See the review under Concerts/Reviews


HCS Beetle Drive Saturday 13 February

7.15 for 7.45 start St John’s Hall There will be a licensed paying bar and light supper, but most of all, good fun for all. Tickets will cost £7.50 for adults, £5.00 for children. Tickets will be on sale at rehearsals from Tues 12 January. We do hope you will support this function (maybe we should be calling it a Blue-Black Beetle Drive!) Sally Paques


In the bleak midwinter .....

And so it was, and is. I am standing at my bedroom window, leaning out (well, but for the pile of discarded clothes blocking my way) to survey beautiful whiteness, and brownness too. It is quite revolting what car tyres, slush and mud do to the scenery.
On Tues evening I had a phone call from lovely Jessie to inform me there would be no choir rehearsal, our first of 2010, with my introduction to the St John Passion, JS Bach, the Master. The weather has defeated all of us and we are all quietly relishing the opportunity to warm our toes by the fire instead! But I would far rather be on an adventure learning our Easter piece. I was one of Jessie’s last calls so I advised her to recover with a hot cup of tea. Myself? A nice glass of Burgundy would suit me. Hopefully the snow will have gone by next Tuesday evening.


Christmas Concert 2009

This was quite a logistical experience. Firstly, I am amazed at the willingness of people to be helpful. When I arrived in All Saints Church I came upon an extravagant, beautiful floral arrangement, which took my breath away. I quietly seated myself in a pew whilst a multitude of people buzzed around building staging and setting up tables, etc. Finally, Derek’s dais became more stable, and off we went with the final rehearsal.
We women do giggle! We smiled sweetly through our lesson on safe lighting of candles. Very wise; listening, that is. Someone sitting next to me, very pretty and petite, was able to light hers and in the process drop masses of wax all over everything on the floor nearly setting light to the church!
Then we were tasked with practising again. Much needed. This time P….. managed to keep her candles upright and alight but then for some unknown reason amidst tears and giggles she blew them out again! Well, we were both done for after that – just like schoolchildren. The effect of the dimmed lighting, candles lit and our beautiful, melodic sounds for the concert was warming indeed for The Echo Carol and the jolly minstrels’ songs. Derek triumphs again.
It was a privilege for me to sing for the first time the pieces from Vivaldi, the Gloria and Cum Sancto Spiritu, and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. I could have done with another couple of year’s practice but was encouraged by more than a hundred other proficient voices, fortunately. The audience really loved the whole experience and so did I. We all left on a high, choir and audience, so roll on next Christmas.
I am looking out and snowing it is. I wish I could say the snow was ‘….. a long, long time ago.’ Vanessa Calladine


HERTFORD VOICES

HERTFORD VOICES was formed four years ago as a touring choir, partly so that exchange visits with the Kantorei (from Wildeshausen, Germany) begun with HCS, could be continued, but also to visit other places and sing with other choirs. There are around forty members including singers from HCS and other local choirs. In 2008 they visited Ghent in Belgium and last October sang in Mirepoix, near Carcassonne, France. These are always relaxed, fun weekends A Singing Day is planned for Saturday 8 May – date and details still to be confirmed but if you are interested please watch this space (or talk to Harold Chaplin, Trish Goldsmith, John Roberts, Dave Benson or Colin Howard). In October there will be a visit to Wildeshausen.


Tickets for March 27th concert

Tickets for March 27th concert will be on sale for members at rehearsals from Tues 19 January. The HCS Box Office for the general public will open on Sat 30 January. In Jan and Feb members will be able to reserve tickets for up to 3 weeks. If the tickets have not been paid for they will then be returned into the general ticket sales pool. In March we shall not be retaining tickets without payment, as we do not always find it possible to resell late returns even for popular concerts. This March will probably be another popular concert for our supporters. We hope to follow a similar pattern of sales for all concerts: tickets on sale for members from the second week of rehearsals, followed by the public box office opening 11 days later.


Just to remind you……..

Whether you are new to HCS or have been singing with the choir since it began, there are a few things, which seem to cause confusion. Please forgive us for mentioning them again:
YOUR PART REP is your first point of contact if you have a question or problem. Please phone him or her if you miss two consecutive rehearsals and let him or her know the reason, because if you miss three consecutive rehearsals with no explanation you are considered to have left the choir!
S1 Jessie Hopkins 01992 550802
S2 Mary Cole 01992 442187
A1 Jenny Lee 01992 500626
A2 Sheila Mander 01992 420114
T Hugh Parry 01992 874329
B Brian Coe 01992 582388
REHEARSALS begin at 7.30 and end at 9.45pm. You need to attend 75% of the rehearsals to gain a place in any concert. Your part rep will be able to advise if you are unsure, as he or she keeps a register of attendance. Obviously if you arrive or leave at the break you will be given half a mark for attendance – but did you know that if you arrive later than 8pm you are given only half a mark? There may be special circumstances. If this is the case, tell your part rep.
MUSIC is borrowed from the library (unless you sign up to purchase your own copy). Music hire is costly so we agree to return it within a few days of each concert. If you are unable to sing in a concert, you MUST return your music BEFORE the concert. Please try to be responsible for your own music – the librarians have enough to do without having to ring around after each concert to trace missing music. If we fail to return music, we are fined. We feel it not unreasonable to pass any fine on to the member who has failed to return his or her music.


Bach’s St John Passion

The last time HCS sang the St John Passion was in 1993. The soloists included Ian Bostridge and Emma Kirkby
* * * * * * * *
The last time I sang the St. John Passion was with Mark Padmore! (and a few others). In March 2002 the English National Opera was putting on a staged production of this work for a few nights. As a Friend of ENO and someone who had attended some of their singing days, I was invited to join in singing the chorales from the boxes in the Coliseum. ‘Yes, please!’ What a chance! However, the response from fellow sopranos was overwhelming, and I was unlucky in the ballot. So I booked an audience ticket as usual so as not to miss the work and to see the finished result.
Many weeks later, in fact after the dress rehearsal, I received a phone call; was I still available, as some people had dropped out? Luckily, I could do that night and the last one. No, I did not need to bring my score; singers were supplied with music. Just report at 5.30pm wearing autumn colours.
At the Coliseum, everyone seemed very quiet, conserving his or her strength. First came the warm up with Mary King. (You may have seen this dynamic lady on TV, judging or commenting on singers). It was a revelation. Amongst other things, we had to wobble like jellies, whinny like horses, blow raspberries, make weird faces and say some wicked tongue twisters fast and repeatedly. Next we moved to the boxes, voices mixed, for a run-through of the chorales. Two initial problems for me here (apart from three over-assertive altos (sigh – altos! – ed) who insisted that they had to be side by side and at the front to be heard): firstly, music may have been distributed originally, but after the many rehearsals most had attended, singers were now expected to sing from memory, which this explained the earlier concentration. That wasn’t too bad, as I knew the work well, and had looked through it, but exactly in what order did the chorales come? At the raised baton we had to come in with the right notes and words. Secondly, a berry-red top I was wearing was not deemed autumnal. Did I have anything more subdued? (This from the TV producer, as two performances were being filmed, the best to be shown on BBC2 a week later). Fortunately I had a long-sleeved brown blouse that I could put over it. Then came the actual performance. The production was a real success; all the cast singing marvellously, with apparent religious conviction and Stephen Layton as conductor helped us acquit ourselves well. The whole event was emotionally moving. I smiled as I read in the programme later, ‘English National Opera thanks the members of the Community Chorus, who, following workshops and training led by ENO Bayliss, sing the chorales from the boxes on either side of the proscenium’. Lynette Wilson (S2)

‘Sunset Song’ a fund-raising concert in memory of Matt Stuart.

I would like to thank everyone in HCS who supported this event in Cambridge on 26 September. The evening was a great success with around 300 friends and family, as well as staff from Addenbrookes, coming to enjoy the words and music and a drink or two in his memory.
One of the undoubted highlights of the evening was a contribution from the BRAS, (back row altos and sopranos) of HCS! Their offering, Joyful Noise by Joyce Grenfell and Donald Swann, both of whom were among Matt’s favourite performers, would have much amused him! Over the 22 years that we were partners, he was a loyal, if occasionally reluctant supporter of HCS and was always present at the many ‘outings’ to the Royal Albert Hall, which of course as many of you will know, is the subject of this hilarious ‘Grenfell’ song, so it was particularly appropriate!
It’s hard to believe that a year has gone since Matt and I were together celebrating our recent marriage, as well as the festive season for the last time. We knew that his life was nearing its end, but certainly not that the journey would be over so early in the new year.
The total raised for the Planned Short Stay Unit at Addenbrookes is £5000. This unit, which does such great work caring for people like Matt needing treatment to make life more comfortable during their illness, rarely gets any money raised for them, so they are delighted that such a substantial amount is coming their way.
He would have been amazed and touched that such an event would have been organised in his memory, and grateful thanks for making this happen are due to my daughter Lucy, who put an enormous amount of care, time and energy into planning such an unforgettable evening for us all. Christine Stuart
Some of the (slightly changed) words of Joyful Noise by Joyce Grenfell
Three lady choristers, members of the Hertford Choral Society, singing eagerly but with piety all the oratorios. Coming long distances to rehearse, fully familiar, chapter and verse, with all the oratorio. Three lady choristers, silver voices all; some are sop who sing on top and some are alto who sing contralto at the Albert Hall. We sometimes sing in churches and at the BBC. We sometimes sing ffff and sometimes ppp but we are at our happiest when we hear the call as long as its oratorio – at the Albert Hall.

The 2009 HCS Christmas Concert

The 2009 HCS Christmas Concert was a great success but it was not necessarily predestined to be so.
For many years it has been traditional that the choir join forces with the Hertford Symphony Orchestra to present a Christmas concert. It seems logical that the town’s two leading musical organisations should come together for this seasonal celebration and over the years there have been some truly memorable concerts. For Christmas 2009, however, it was decided to experiment by presenting a concert featuring the choir alone, relying on the twin pillars, Derek and Peter, plus a solo guest spot. The results justified the Trustees’ decision and I think the organizers can feel well pleased with their efforts.
Having missed all rehearsals, I had the opportunity to test the WAE (aka the Whole Audience Experience). My first impression on entering the church was the warm, relaxed atmosphere. The extra lighting directed up into the roof produced a cathedral like effect (money well spent). The decorations and Christmas trees were beautiful. Crucially, the church was full to capacity.
The challenge was what to programme, bearing in mind the extra singing time now available. There needed to be a blend of the traditional (which is really what a Christmas audience wants to hear) and the unfamiliar. A splendid balance was struck by excluding the unfamiliar. Derek is to be congratulated on successfully negotiating this changed Christmas format.
Guest spots were filled by Bob Harding-Jones as compere, Eleanor Lovegrove as solo trumpet, the Morgans Primary School Choir and, of course, Peter on organ and piano (not at the same time). Eleanor played two well-known solos to the audience’s delight. The children’s choir were very good, obviously well rehearsed by their teacher, Carrie Gilham. I greatly admired the apparent lone boy among the 30 girls (maybe he will get his reward in a few years’ time). Peter was excellent in his crucial role, as we have come to expect from our much-loved accompanist.
The choir was in good voice. Joy to the World, The Zither Carol, Rejoice and be Merry were well sung. The Calypso Carol was great fun too (the children in the audience joined in noisily). The Wassailers and Boar’s Headers did a great job and The Echo Carol was most effective as usual (…. as usual). Extracts from the Messiah and from one of Vivaldi’s Glorias were sensible inclusions, giving the programme some substance. The Messiah pieces were particularly lovely. In the Vivaldi the singers were torn between the tempo of the conductor and that of the trumpet. The baton lost narrowly on points. There was also sufficient audience singing to offer relief from pew fatigue.
A tremendous amount of background work went on, as usual. Hilary and her troops *(aka Tom) worked tirelessly to produce interval drinks, which are much appreciated, and to ensure that the whole church atmosphere pleases the audience.
I have to confess that for me the WAE was marred by the choir’s dress, multi-coloured shirts and blouses. This is distracting. The ladies individually all looked lovely, of course, but they should present a ‘corporate’ image. It’s important to look as though they’re all on the same team. They have the uniforms to do it. As for the men, men simply don’t look their best in shirtsleeves. In fact the caravan site image made them look a mess. I recall our Watford concert with the BBC Concert Orchestra last Christmas when the orchestra’s manager commented on the quality of the choir’s singing, adding “and didn’t they look smart!” (black tie/DJs/black blouses etc). Not this time they didn’t.
That niggle apart, though, this was a splendid occasion, one of which Trustees, choir members and Derek can all be proud. Alan Cropp
*the following from Hilary - with thanks

'Hilary's team' is not only Tom but a myriad of helpers. Alan and Lorna were around only afterwards when Tom & I were refilling our cars with empty bottles etc, so had not realised that we were at the end of the effort of others. ALL the team leaders and their helpers need to be recognised: the decorators worked from Thursday through Friday and Saturday too. The many candles were lit at 6.40pm (takes ages). Colin did a great job with smoother lighting and sound effects; not easy in that church. Ken calmly coped with all the requirements of the staging and had organised lots more scouts, s that many weren't exhausted by the time the concert started - and could have a normal Sunday start too. The wine washer-uppers are much loved by me, as the load is shared so well. Gone are the days when I would race to wash the hired 450 glasses before Tom returned from the barn, when we then drove around Hertford returning the glasses to 3 supermarkets - as one branch never had enough for us. It has improved a lot. The publicity must have been sound to fill the church and Debbie did a splendid first run with the tickets selling.
The much-appreciated mince pies (thanks to very many of you) started multiplying like the 5 loaves and we had enough to supply the whole of the Scout group, who dismantled the staging and restored the church to Sunday order, as well. The rest went to a Crisis at Christmas Lunch.

The Basses

To be successful as a musical director, especially one who is primarily involved in conducting mixed choirs, it is helpful (but not imperative) to have one or more of the following qualities:
• An ego the size of Wales
• The patience of Job (on tranquillizers)
• A sense of humour worthy of Morecambe and Wise.
And why?
Because these conductors have to cope with a section of the choir/choral society known as “the basses”. I have been singing in mixed choirs, from small (12) to large (100+), both at home and abroad, for more than 50 years. In that time, evidence has been piling up (confirmed by friends and colleagues) that there must a gene in some men called “the bass gene”, which manifests itself by a total devil-may-care attitude which seems to separate them from the rest of relatively law-abiding choristers.
In any analysis there are exceptions to the rule, and I apologize to those who strangely do not possess this gene, but these are some of the observations I have made over time.
• They are the last section to find the place in the music when we are about to sing.
• They sing at their own pace until forced by the conductor, after several attempts, to conform.
• They unashamedly make fun of their shortfalls. Is this being called “laid back”?
• They need several prompts to mark their copies for dynamics.
• Sits and stands for concerts are hastily marked in the Saturday rehearsal (if at all!). If there is more than one piece of music, this is also when it’s “sorted into order”.
• Folders – what are they?
• They usually come up trumps for the final performance, staggering the rest of the choir.
You get the gist?
Recently, I was beginning to feel I had been unkind in my assessments but at the next rehearsal Derek, began a run through of a Messiah anthem with the instruction to take it at a “steady pace”. Off the basses went like an express train, leaving Derek flapping his arms trying to keep up, much to the amusement of one and all.
Which brings me to perhaps one of the most lovable qualities of basses in general. They’re loadsafun! That’s why I try hard to go to workshops, and performances outside of Hertford, because then one can mix freely with this happy-go-lucky group. I remember well a recent workshop, when one brash new bass had the temerity to claim that Derek’s pitch was not always spot on. Now did Derek march across to said bass and punch him on the nose? Not a bit of it. He smiled sweetly, as the rest of the choir gasped then tittered. At the earliest opportunity, Derek gave said bass a part in the semi- chorus in the summer concert!
My husband (bless him) claims he can’t sing for toffee, though he seems to enjoy singing the carols at the Christmas concert and knows all the verses of The Blaydon Races, a requirement when we get together with our Geordie friends on all too rare occasions now. He has a low register voice, and I believe if he could be trained to stick to the same key for the requisite number of bars, he could well be a candidate for “the basses”. Maybe that’s why our marriage has lasted 50 years?
Name and address supplied (note to basses – you do have the right to reply….ed)
Christine’s epic ride

Christine Muskett’s final tally raised from her Land’s End to John O’Groats bike ride in July was a magnificent £6,601.90 (minus some admin costs) for Changing Faces, a charity supporting people with disfigurements.
All went according to a carefully devised Master Plan throughout the three weeks. Family, friends, and colleagues met her along the way; there were only a few days when she didn’t see someone she knew. Having just pushed my bike up the slight slope of my road, I was shamed when Christine said that she succumbed to the hills only once – and very reluctantly. It was on a ‘particularly vicious, tightly wound hill up out of Crackington Haven (east of Boscastle) when I felt the bike practically tipping over backwards. So I swallowed my pride and walked about 150 yards.’ Only 150 yards pushing in over 1000 miles! That’s true grit and determination and awesome. She said ‘both the bike and the body stood up very well. There was no time when I questioned whether I would survive physically (or questioned her sanity - ed). Training paid off and the bike was fantastic – the pre-trip service was well worth it. I didn’t even need to pump up the tyres or get a puncture. I was blessed with a tail wind for much of the journey. Would I do it again? Yes! This really is a very ‘green and pleasant land’. Thank you to all those who sponsored and supported me.’ ed
In Memoriam

Barbara Woodhall 29.04.37 – 26.09.09
Barbara (sop1) sadly died in September. Her funeral was at Hertford Methodist Church on 8 October. Some members of HCS attended. Apart from joining the congregation to sing the hymns, they sang Mozart’s Ave verum Corpus. It was Barbara’s wish that this should be sung.

Do you remember Rodney Ranzetta in the basses? He was a member of Hertford Choral Society for many years but, some years ago, he joined Stevenage Choral Society. Sadly he died on 27 Dec. Thanksgiving Sat 16 Jan at Watton at Stone.
Poetry corner

Why people sing
The joy of singing
When the bells are ringing
Is because they have a lovely chime
All the beats
Are always neat
If you sing them right on time

When the music plays
There's all different ways
To make it sound great
With alto's, soprano's, bass and tenor
All put together on the same plate

Singing is a joyful thing
Because of what it has to bring
Music is relaxing
And not too taxing
So that's why people sing
Clare Brittain aged 9 (daughter of Pam)

The recording
‘Twas on a Saturday morning,
As autumn leaves were falling,
We all assembled to meet the bus
Quite early in the day.
We dared not to be late, you see,
‘Cos Derek couldn’t wait to be
Dashing away from the podium,
Dashing away from the podium
To check the sound was Okay!

And on that Saturday morning,
As autumn leaves were falling,
St. Luke’s was bathed in sunlight
But alas, we have to say,
The sight lines took them unawares
So all the men played musical chairs,
As Derek stood on the podium,
As Derek stood on the podium
To check the sound was Okay!

ow on that Saturday morning,
As autumn leaves were falling,
You could have heard a pin drop
In the stillness, as they say!
We sat in silence, afraid to speak
Till Derek developed an ominous creak,
Dashing away from the podium,
Dashing away from the podium
To check the sound was Okay!
Sheila Dorling

Remembrance Sunday 2009
As we stood in silent remembrance
The breeze in the fields far away
Breathed a song through the trees
As it played in the leaves;
And poppies on white crosses lay.

But our songs were way out of season,
“Welcome Summer” we sang - in November!
Just one mobile phone filled the air with its drone
As we struggled our notes to remember.

But now as the season changes
Peter sees in his dreams, thinking back,
Nine lovely ladies all turning his pages
Resplendent in ‘long nighties BLACK’!
Sheila Dorling

Ask Auntie Di

Di: Iris, my dear, you look worried
I Stedford:
I’ve got this friend who likes singing. She came to our Christmas concert and says she’d like to join HCS. Shall I just bring her along one week?
Di: Of course but please let Maureen Freeman, our Membership Sec., know beforehand.
Iris: What difference will that make?
Di: She’ll get a proper HCS welcome; a new member’s pack, an introduction to her part rep, and some music (which could be useful!). Oh, and ask her to come asap so she gets the magic number of rehearsals to sing in the concert.
Iris: OK, I’ll bring her along next Tuesday....and I’ll ring Maureen and let her know. I also know a man who might be interested.
Di: A good-looking tenor perhaps?
Iris: Might be
Di: Forget Maureen – definitely my department; bring him along at the earliest opportunity – I’ll give him a proper HCS welcome.
Iris:Er.....just a thought..... if someone just came along without telling anyone and sat in the back row of the basses....well, they could be there for weeks trying to sing without any music....is that possible?
Di: Quite likely...... it might explain a lot!
(Sorry basses but please see above)

Happiness is like a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight on you. Nathaniel Hawthorne

Ed: June Crew with some help from Victor. Thanks very much to all contributors; what would I do without you? Please note email address has been changed to
mang@junecrew.plus.com
26 St Davids Drive, Broxbourne, Herts EN10 7LS
HCS website www.choral-society.com
Past Newsletters

>> HCS Newsletter Number 100 (September 2009)

>> HCS Newsletter Number 99 (April 2009)

>> HCS Newsletter Number 98 (Jan 2009)

>> HCS Newsletter Number 97 (September 2008)

>> HCS Newsletter Number 96 (April 2008)

>> HCS Newsletter Number 95 (January 2007)

>> HCS Newsletter Number 94 (September 2007)

>> HCS Newsletter Number 93 (April 2007)

>> HCS Newsletter Number 92 (December 2006)

>> HCS Newsletter Number 91 (September 2006)

>> HCS Newsletter Number 90 (April 2006)

>> HCS Newsletter Number 89 (January 2006)

 

HCS is a Registered Charity, number 276220