News, information & policy issues
updated 14th July 2010

 Director of Music
Prof. Marco Fanti


Pre-concert rehearsal at the Priory Church Lancaster Nov 2009

Prof. Marco Fanti became Director with effect from 1st September 2009.

He was educated at the University of Bologna and the
Conservatorio 'GB Martini' (Bologna); he taught choral music at the Music Dept. of the University of Bologna and is also Professor of Literature at the Public High School.
He has been conductor of the 'Coro Athena' and the 'Coro Alma Musica' - both based in Bologna, was head of strings and 'Primo Violino di Spalla' of the 'Collegium Musicum Almae Matris' - Orchestra' of the University of Bologna' from 1999 to 2005 and has played with many eminent Italian conductors.

In 2009 he was placed 2nd in the prestigious Prague International Competition for Conductors
His fields of research include eighteenth century sacred music and children's choral music.

The Singers warmly welcome Marco and his wife Cristina and wish them every success in settling
to their new life in the UK.
 

.......Other Issues.....

Dates for commencing the remaining terms this year are:

Tuesday - 14th September '10   19.15
Tuesday 11th January '11   19.15
Tuesday 3rd may '11   19.15

Committee meeting dates

Tuesday 14th September '10 18.00 at the Chaplaincy Centre
AGM - Tuesday 19th October 21.00 at the Chaplaincy Centre
 

Our policy for those members who wish to sing in rehearsals despite being unable
to sing in the forthcoming concert is..........

.......providing members have paid their full term's subscription in advance, they can sing in rehearsals up to half-term.
They should then withdraw to allow the choir to work with the 'concert dynamic'.

Anyone taking a 'sabbatical' of a year or more will be expected to face a normal audition on their return.

Attendance...

Concerts are preceded by 10 weeks of rehearsals with another on the day of the concert. The normal rule is that
members missing more than two rehearsals, or the concert-day rehearsal,
will be expected to withdraw from the performance.

If we are rehearsing for a double concert members are expected to participate in both with the exception of the Carol Concerts in the Ashton Memorial Lancaster where fire regulations limit the numbers attending.
If you know you aren't going to make it to a rehearsal please, as a courtesy, phone or email our Director or Secretary in advance.

Voice Reps....

1st Sops - Harriet Pollock
2nd Sops - Heather Willes
Altos - Cathleen Dawson
Tenors - Tony Guenault
Basses - David Hopkins

Voice reps. serve as a link between choir members and the comittee
where direct contact isn't possible. Please use them.

Subscriptions for 2010/11

£105 per member

Singers choosing to sing only up to half term and not in the concerts or participate only in the Carol Concerts
must pay for a full term
There is no subscription for those in full time education.

Gift Aid - please 'gift aid' your subscription as we benefit by reclaiming tax you've paid at no cost to you.
Just ask for a form from our secretary or treasurer.

Music.....

A few copies may be available on loan but members are expected to obtain personal copies of the following:

Carols for Choirs 1, 2 and 3                          European Sacred Music
The Oxford Book of English Madrigals           English Romantic Part Songs
The Oxford Book of Tudor Anthems               The Oxford Book of Spirituals
You may be able to get these as modest rates new or second hand at www.highbarn books.co.uk
Members may also occasionally be required to pay for copying costs and additional music from time to time

New Choir Members....

A very warm welcome to all new members during the last year.
Maragret Fancy, Clare Fozard, Pamela Nicols (sops)
Emma Gallon, Emily Tysoe (altos)
Dougals lee (Tenor)
& Alison Hui as resident accompanist

Enjoy your music-making with us.

Minutes of Committee Meetings....

These are posted on the portable notice board erected at each rehearsal.
They're also available either in hard copy or electronically from our Secretary.

Concert Dress Code.....

For men:   either dinner suits, black bow-ties or (depending on the concert) black trousers/long sleeved shirts/no tie.
For women: all-black blouse/top (v-neck with below-elbow sleeves) and full length black skirt.
Scarves have been purchased which are loaned out for concerts.

Forthcoming social events for members

Bridgewater Hall
Sat 27th Nov '10 - BBC Philharmonic & City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
&
Sun 20th feb '11 - The New London Consort

Italian Tour for members of the Singers

A tour of Italy is in hand 26th April - 1st May 2011
35 in total will be on tour including members and partners
(additional members may still join - contact Mavis Fletcher - see 'contacts' page)

Voice Training

Alston Hall - Sat 25th Sept '10 - training day arranged by Mavis Fletcher

CD Recording

Two especial rehearsals noted for Tuesday 14th & Tuesday 21st June '11

Annual Dinner

This immensely successful event has been scheduled provisionally fo Friday 25th March '11

Finally.......

Please do not hesitate to contact me, your voice representative or any other member of the committee
if you're concerned about anything to do with the choir.



Chris Haughton