HCS Newsletter Number 100 (8 Sept 2009)

"Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill
He treasures up his bright designs and works his sovereign will
(from Newsletter No 13 May ’82 – but to whom could it possibly refer?) "

The HCS newsletter has long been a treasured part of our organisation. Rich in its variety of content, it provides a unique history of our choir, containing as it does programme outlines, reviews, information about personalities, details of other local musical events, all sorts of interesting articles and generous smatterings of humour. Where would we be without the wit and wise musings of Auntie Di? It is so eagerly awaited at the start of each term that on occasions, so it is alleged, it even distracts some from the warm-up exercises that begin our rehearsals. Fortunately, basses can do two things at the same time! 

Congratulations to all the people who throughout many years have contributed to this very special aspect of our choir, but particularly to June, the editor and producer of this 100th edition and very many others. Grateful thanks also to June’s family for all their efforts in helping to produce our newsletter. 

Elsewhere in this edition (pages 11& 12) I have set out some of the initiatives I presented at our AGM last June. We did not have much time to reflect on them at the time, as our focus was more on finance, so your thoughts and suggestions will be extremely helpful. One of the great strengths of HCS is that we continue to be financially secure enough to enable us to take on new ideas, to have a varied repertoire and to hire orchestras and soloists of real quality. We can, for example, afford to fund up-front the making of a CD, a not inexpensive enterprise and to hire brass and steel bands. 

Last year the choir made a greater financial loss than we had planned for. To be able to sustain unexpected losses of this kind the trustees decided that cash reserves should not fall below £20,000 - it was agreed that legacy and major donation money should be kept separate for specific objectives. At the end of 2008/2009, our cash reserves were just under £21,000 (excluding the balance of legacy money). We therefore need to avoid making a loss in 2009/2010 and ideally would like to make a profit so that initiatives mentioned later in this newsletter can be pursued. 

After much debate, the trustees decided not to propose an increase in subscriptions for 2009/ 2010. Subs therefore remain at about £20 less than the actual cost per person of running the choir. For those of you who are able, it was suggested at the AGM that you are asked to consider making a voluntary additional contribution. This will not solve the problem of our declining bank balance. We therefore need to be more proactive in fundraising. We will be setting a fundraising target for the coming season. Please support a range of events as they come along during the year, so we are successful in reaching our target. If you can, please also offer to help with organising one or more of these activities. More details to come! 

Finally, the age-old question of ticket sales remains a challenge. If we could just gear up a few notches it would make a significant difference both to our concerts and to our income. Audiences for each of the 2008/2009 concerts were lower than in previous years and we need to get them back up again to, at least, where they were. It is always really good to perform to a full house. Analysis suggests that a fairly large number of us either sell none or just one ticket. Please therefore would each of you make a special effort to sell at least one or preferably two more tickets than you typically do for each of our concerts this year. 

We have an exciting and varied season ahead of us and, I hope you will agree, some innovative developments. Your feedback and suggestions really do make a difference so please keep them coming, either directly or through our suggestion box. Meanwhile, I wish you a great deal of pleasure as we sing our way through the coming year. Keith Hutt

STOP PRESS Proof of global warming in Hertford. Jim’s plums ripened even earlier this year. He picked his last ten plums last Sunday. Jim thanks all of his loyal customers who for 30 years have eagerly awaited the start of the season. Alas – it is the end of The Era of Jim’s Plums.

First – Congratulations to everybody for Newsletter number ONE HUNDRED! They are such a distinctive and impressive feature of HCS. Looked forward to at the beginning of every term by all. Distributed far and wide. The two people that I would single out are the first editor, Chris Stuart (then Taylor), who nurtured it through many editions from the beginning, and our present editor, June. I have lost track of how long she has been compiling it but it is a very long time. Special congratulations to them. 

Perhaps it is appropriate that issue 100 should coincide with the beginning of a new season. One in which HCS will be taking on new or unusual things: a CD to be recorded, a different format of Christmas concert, a major piece by Bach with our local lad (Jeremy) telling the story as the Evangelist and a performance with a steel band. 

At Christmas, our audience will find it quite familiar from the point of view of the music we shall perform – and indeed their participation as well. However, we shall also be featuring a trumpeter (well known local girl, Eleanor Lovegrove, who has just completed her studies at the Royal College), our own accompanist, Peter, a compere, Bob Jones, who writes for The Mercury, as well as performing around the country (take a look at his website www.bobjones.co.uk) and the school choir from Morgans School. I intend to revive the idea of using performers popping up in different parts of the building. 

Thinking of next summer’s concert, I’m still not aware of any other large choir working with a steel band so there is much for me to think about in trying to bring it off! It seems a good idea, therefore, to try out some ideas with some steel pan players and that is what I hope we shall do at a mini-workshop in January. More about that anon. 

I am very interested indeed in how choirs like HCS are going to be viable and vibrant in 10 - 15 years time. When talking about that, the usual response is to consider doing something for young people – setting up a youth choir for example. However, while that is very important, I don’t see it as the most logical way of ensuring the mid-term future. Young people will be up and away to college or to building a career anywhere in the world; then perhaps taking on family responsibilities. They will come to singing but more likely in the long-term. That is why I think we should be more interested in encouraging the 30-40 somethings who may be interested or may have sung at some point long ago but need a little encouragement and refreshing on how to cope with what we do! I am delighted that we shall be making a start with the “How the music works” sessions. We are very fortunate to have Sue Graham-Smith to take them. She has run a similar programme for Harlow Chorus. It will be very interesting to see how members (and friends) find it and how we can develop this and other ideas. So much to look forward to - I hope you will enjoy it all!                 Derek

It’s now only a 18 days to the concert, which Lucy is holding in Cambridge to raise funds for Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where Matt was so well cared for during his illness. We now really need to sell more tickets in order that the project is a financial success. I know that many of you have already got the date in your diary but I’m appealing to you to book your seats now if you are able to come. Please try to bring along a friend or two to swell our numbers and help create a good, friendly atmosphere in the hall. 

If you are unable to come, but would like to support our efforts, you can either send a cheque to me, or donate on the Just Giving website: www.justgiving.com/lucytaylor8 Chris Stuart: tel 01763 272990 or 07990572543 email: chris.camelot@virgin.net Camelot, 81a High Street, Buntingford, SG9 9AE

From September, Maureen will be taking on the role of Membership Secretary, allowing me to spend more time working on publicity. Working with the membership of a group like HCS is a real privilege and I hope Maureen will enjoy it as much as I have – we’ve known each other a long time and I know she will do an excellent job! From my experience, over the past few years, I’m aware that she will need some help from all of us, especially with the welcoming of new members. So just to remind you, this is what should happen: 

Let’s imagine a friend of yours has expressed an interest in the choir and wants to come and sing with us for a week or two to see how they get on. This is great, BUT, we need to know! So, if possible, phone Maureen on 01920 870632 and tell her that this dashing young tenor (well, we can all dream!) is planning to come to a rehearsal….give the date if possible, and a name (it’s so embarrassing to rush up and welcome the wrong person). Maureen will then make sure someone is looking out for them, will welcome them as they arrive, give them all the necessary information and, most importantly, make sure there is a set of music available. Believe me, walking into that hall full of people is scary enough, but then having to share music, if you’re not feeling very confident, is enough to put anyone off! Suggest to your friend that they arrive early (preferably between 7 and 7:15) so that they don’t have to creep about during the warm-up with all those eyes watching them (yes, I know they should be watching Derek but you know how it is…). They’ll be welcomed and found a seat by their part rep and, hopefully, immediately made to feel one of the team, and that’s where everyone else can help. 

So, if you notice someone looking lost it may be a new singer who has ‘just turned up’ - it happens from time to time - or it may be one of our long-established members who is having a bad day. In either case, see if you can help - but, if the former, introduce them to Maureen (or, if she’s busy welcoming someone else, to a relevant part rep) and they’ll do the rest. 

HCS has a reputation for being a friendly choir and with your help we can keep it that way. Thank you all. Trish Goldsmith

The Membership Secretary, Trish Goldsmith, called me one evening following a very tentative phone call I had made to her with an enquiry about my possibly joining and becoming a member of the soprano section. This was an easy conversation, with Trish being extremely relaxed and encouraging. I think I may have been biting my nails! With what seemed to be the click of a finger, there I was in the third row of Sops 1 gazing about me bemused with the sheer number of people, who would be regularly turning out religiously on a Tuesday evening for rehearsal. And, such fine voices for me to emulate! For several weeks I was working at a slight disadvantage in that I did not, as a new recruit, have a folder of music because the sins of others must be suffered by all. On the third week, however, Sheila very kindly passed me a folder of what I believe was 12 pieces of music. This gave me quite a fright – I had sung only one of the pieces before and failed to see how we would become proficient by the end of June. Silly me! Dear Derek cracked his whip with smiles, only one occasion of … He is absolutely right to have high expectations, of course; that’s what makes him so good. I am in awe of him being able to teach, control (the uncontrollable) and attain such excellent results. I never knew I could sing so well! 

Well, I loved it. 

The cogs of the organisation whirr gently, by some very dedicated people. Jess (Sops 1 rep) rushed up to me on my first fearful evening to put me at rest as she was so inviting. And she is ever helpful with my incessant queries. Keith rules, sorry I meant to say runs, sorry I meant to say chairs, the organisation with a low key and effective manner. What can I say, he sings, …. Alleluia! I am rapidly making friends with this diverse set of people, some from very musical backgrounds, and some, like me, with a simple desire to follow their hearts and their love of singing. 

I moved to Standon, near Hertford, two years ago with my husband Rob. And before you all come running with your hooks to bait him, I think he would have a heart attack at the suggestion of joining the men’s section! I lived in Buckinghamshire for nearly thirty years. My parish and its people provided me with sincere friendships and help in times of need, of which there have been many. Amongst other things I was requested to join the church choir. We were a small but very ‘elite’ (wishful thinking) choir, very dedicated, but there were problems at various times of the year with keeping us well-balanced. Well, I ought to explain that it was a lack of men present in the choir, not under the table. I think this is a universal problem, the number not the drinking! As a child I loved singing in church, especially Christmas carols. My four brothers, sister and I frequently had competitions to determine the loudest singer, all conducted during Christmas Midnight Mass. Naughty kids we were. But it had the effect of instilling in me a love of singing. My father is a jazz fan and we grew up listening to him playing the piano. After an extremely busy couple of years in our new environment I was approached by several choir members at church to encourage me to join them and I was also passed an HCS brochure with membership details. I succumbed. 

And, happily, here I am.                                Vanessa Calladine

My definition of a memory is an event, which sticks in the mind for some reason, but doesn’t necessarily contain all the historically accurate facts (who said “don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story”?). Such are my memories of two events in the HCS history, which bear relating; the Evron and St Brieuc trips. I don’t remember the particular years of these events, and I don’t remember most of the music we sang, but they were both highly enjoyable experiences, but memorable for entirely different reasons. 

Evron 

As I remember it, it was well-organized by HCS. How were they to know that the coach driver’s knowledge of the route to Evron left a little to be desired (no Satnavs then!), and that the concert, where we would concentrate on secular music, had been arranged for an afternoon on the French equivalent of Mother’s day? - a ‘bijou’ audience one could say. We were assigned to French families. I lodged (alone) with a charming family, who unfortunately spoke no English, apart from the young son who had just started learning it in school. As I was on my own, I wanted to make sure I was up in time on the first morning to attend choir rehearsal. I woke during the night to check the time, and, horror of horrors, my watch and my alarm clock showed different times. I knew there was a grandfather clock downstairs, so I crept down to check. It agreed with my watch – all was well. The next morning I discovered that the clock hadn’t worked for years and stood at 4 o’clock for eternity. My guardian angel was working overtime that night! The memorable thing for me however was the fact that I was able, in my pidgin French, to explain to my guests the joke. They seemed to understand, but perhaps they were just being polite. I’ll never know now. 

However, the most memorable part of the experience was our performance in the beautiful, but freezing cold basilica. We were performing Faure’s Requiem, and every eye in the audience and choir was raised upwards, as a pure soprano voice soared across the space. I swear that, for a nanosecond, everyone believed that an angel had floated on to the rafters for our delight. In fact this was a mere mortal, named Mary, daughter of our then chairman Richard and Susan Hitch. I was fortunate to travel back on the same coach as some of the HSO brass, who were accompanying us on the trip. This was a very jolly, if noisy affair, with a sing-song, led largely by our own Diana Salthouse. 

St Brieuc 

This was an altogether different kettle of fish. When recalling the purpose of this excursion, the facts become rather fuzzy. It seemed that a football competition was being held, and someone thought it would be a good idea if some choirs were available to sing around and about, and eventually on the football pitch, after the final. In hindsight, this seems very far-fetched, but I’ll leave the details to the historians. We were to be lodged in a college of some sorts. We realized that it was not to be plain sailing, when we arrived very late at night to find that ‘accommodation was limited’ i.e we were to be housed in one open dormitory. We greeted this with disbelief. When we realized they were serious, it was decided that, men would park at one end and women at the other. I was stationed at one end of the woman’s section so I am not sure what went on in the middle ‘grey’ area. Fortunately, the shower stalls had doors on them, and the toilets were segregated. My most memorable moment of this trip was the sight of Derek, strolling the length of the dormitory, freshly showered, wearing only (allegedly) a bath towel round his waist. Gone, in a trice, was the awesome image of the suave, white tuxedo-clad musical director, whom we know and respect, but here was a human being, willing to ‘muck in’ with the rest of us. The organization of our stay continued in this manner. We were never quite sure when and where we were to rehearse, but we did sing in a market, and indeed did sing on the football pitch at midnight. So perhaps my memory wasn’t so fuzzy after all. We all had to be up at the crack of dawn to catch the ferry. My final memory is of chatting to Derek in the queue in the cafeteria, when he told me, tired though he was, he was already working on the music for our next concert. I don’t suppose anybody in the HCS will be surprised to hear that. Trish Olsen

Last autumn several members of HCS spent a thoroughly enjoyable day in the magnificent surroundings of Inner Temple Hall taking part in a singing day led by John Rutter. This formed part of a festival celebrating 400 years of the Inns of Court. After rehearsing in the splendid Hall and eating a generous packed lunch, the action moved to the historic Temple Church (as featured in the Da Vinci Code) for some unaccompanied singing, followed by a performance of Oh for the Wings of a Dove (the famous recording of which was made in the church) and a run through of the Faure Requiem. John Rutter was an entertaining but demanding conductor and the whole day was voted a great success.

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The Hertford Music Scene - 100 years ago

September 1909 - the concert season is just beginning and music lovers of Hertford are spoilt for choice. The Herts & Essex West Country Association has just announced its forthcoming Musical Evening to take place at the Corn Exchange on 21st October with the eminent musician Mr Charles Saunders, a distinguished tenor, who is to give a “Vocal Recital and Ballad Concert”. Perhaps more entertaining still might be the Grand Variety Concert on 23rd September in Aid of Hertford County Hospital which is to conclude with a “SCREAMING FARCE”. 

Another distinguished musician, Mr William Silverwood, will give a concert on 27 October at the Shire Hall and will be assisted by “eminent London Artists”. The Mercury reports that “few pianists of his age are occupying a more enviable position in London musical circles .... [he is the] possessor of a striking natural talent”. 

The first rehearsal has taken place of The East Herts Musical Society which is preparing to perform some “charming music by Elgar and Goss” at Cowbridge Hall in November. Meanwhile, just down the road, the Ware and District Choral Society will soon commence rehearsals in the “Vicar's Room” for their forthcoming performance of Sullivan's Festival Te Deum. 

Those eager for self improvement might avail themselves of the “specialist teaching techniques” of the above mentioned Mr Silverwood who visits Hertford to give lessons at 11 Queen's Road. Miss Louisa Hartwell offers lessons in violin and pianoforte at 28 Raynham Street and Miss Maud Bond LRAM (of Bechstein Studios, London) visits Chard's Musical Instrument shop in Fore Street to instruct in voice production and singing. Mr Shaw, organist and choirmaster at the parish church of Bengeo for 33 years, advertises “Vacancies for music pupils: pianoforte, organ, theory and singing. Choirs rehearsed”. 

Yet, despite the seemingly thriving musical life of Hertford in 1909, the Mercury expresses regret in its report on the Herts and Middlesex Musical Festival held in May, at the “very small number of competitions in the choral societies from small villages under 750 inhabitants”. It is hoped that more might enter next year. 

And finally, for those who prefer to listen in the comfort of their own home, J Wackett's Cycle shop in St Andrew Street has just the thing – the Edison Home Phonograph. Sheila White 

PS How interesting that the Mercury of the day found even the rehearsals of the local choral societies of sufficient interest to warrant coverage! Advertisements from the Hertfordshire Mercury reproduced with kind permission of Herts Archives & Local Studies

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Limerick competition

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Thanks to everyone who entered the competition. £40 was raised for choir funds. It is hoped to publish all the entries in due course. The winning entries were as follows: 

We’ve sung in St. Albans - a grand show
And in Sally Gardens, al fresco.
The huge Albert Hall
Is like home to us all,
But the one place we won’t sing is Tesco!
Sheila Dixon

At Christmas we’ll sing a new carol
And maybe we’ll change our apparel;
The Tenors and Basses
In bright coloured braces
Might launch into ‘Roll out the barrel’!

Our Chairman in jacket and trousies
With a suitcase, could go round the houses;
He could, with his smile,
In a very short while
Make a fortune in bright ladies’ blouses.

Then the Altos in tights and suspenders
Might give us the tune from ‘Eastenders’.
When Sopranos top that
What a programme, it would be horrendous!

Our Tenors in yellow pyjamas
Might look like they’re from the Bahamas;
But if every gent
Could be slightly bent,
They’d resemble a bunch of bananas!
Sheila Dorling

*************
There was a young student from Cuffley
Who only spoke French rather roughly,
Of our concert he said
Elgar won by a head,
But he wasn’t so keen on the DRUFFLEY!

So I said “You pronounce it Duruflé”
As I sat him down on my best pouffé;
He called it a “poof”
I said “That’s quite enoof” !
And his toupé fell into my soufflé.

Sheila Dorling

Unready, unable to sight read the notes,
Nor counting, nor blending, they tighten their throats.
The descant, so piercing, is soaring above.
The melody, only a mother would love.

They have a director but no one knows why.
No one in the choir deigns to turn him an eye.
It’s clear by his waving, he wants them to look
But each of them stands with his nose in the book.

Despite the offences, the music rings out.
The folks in the pews are enraptured no doubt.
Their faces are blissful; their thoughts are so deep.
But it is no wonder – for they are asleep!
(The above was spotted in Soham Church by Mary Gregg’s sister but at least two other people gave me a copy – ed)

Thank you to all members who sponsored my Land's End to John O'Groats Bike Ride in July. I duly completed 1,014 miles between 12th and 31st July and it looks like I will have raised over £5,000 for Changing Faces. Thank you! The section through Cornwall and Devon was definitely the most strenuous, followed by the route over the Grampians - passing ski lifts in the Braemar area, for example. The weather was amazingly, gloriously sunny in the north of Scotland and I was blessed with a tail wind for much of the journey. And this really is a very "green and pleasant land" we live in! Would I do it again? Yes! This photo was taken at the finish. Why does she still look as fresh as a daisy? Congratulations! Please be generous with the sponsor money. Memorable moments Reaching 39.8 mph down a Cairngorm after the Lecht Ski centre was quite exhilarating. Bumping into a young Ukrainian woman, I had last seen when we were both cycling up Cheddar Gorge heading for John O'Groats, while I was getting on the train at Inverness to come home was pretty coincidental - she'd made it in about two weeks per her Master Plan, got very wet and had a torrid time on main roads. Finding out that a waitress, in a small restaurant in Whalley, Lancs, had a 9-year old niece in the Philippines with a very rare syndrome causing a facial palsy, very little social or medical support, and that information on the Changing Faces website would be of interest and use to her, was also very heartening and re-emphasised why I was doing the ride (not that I particularly needed reminding!). Christine Muskett Changing Faces supports people with disfigurements by offering psychological and social support – not medical treatment. It campaigns to change public attitudes. See www.changingfaces.org.uk

>> 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)