Twyford-Singers.org.uk


		Twyford Singers
		(Berkshire)

News

Male singers heed call to sing songs from the shows

Twyford Singers were delighted when new male singers joined to help them sing hearty songs from the musicals for their summer concert.

Some members are pictured above during their campaign to find more tenors and basses.

They would would still welcome more male singers. A healthy number of sporanos have joined recently, so new alto singers would also be very welcome.

Rehearsals for the Christmas concert start on September 7 at the United Reformed Church Hall, Church Street, Twyford, RG10 9DR. They are on Tuesdays, 7.45-9.45pm.

For more details click on New Members on this website, email our choir secretary at secretary@twyford-singers.org.uk or telephone 0118 969 8362. There is no audition but you need to be able to sing in tune.

Bass singer Laurence Forster explained why he likes the choir: “I enjoy the singing and people here are ready for laughter. It takes away my daily stress. When I first started here I didn’t feel that confident about my singing but I was really helped by other choir members.”

Another singer, David Oakes, said: “I love it, it’s really sociable and everyone is very friendly. I always want to come.”

And why were singers dressed as South Sea islanders above?

One summer concert song from South Pacific had a chorus of sailors bemoaning the lack of female company with the words: “What ain’t we got? We ain’t got dames!” The choir adapted that to “What ain’t we got? We ain’t got enough men!” and were pleased when their plea was answered.

Large audience votes for Singers on X Factor night

Twyford Singers beat off competition from the last night of television's ‘X Factor’ by attracting a capacity audience to St Mary’s Twyford for their annual Christmas Concert.

The choir performed the world première of a new Christmas carol written especially for them by their talented young conductor, Samuel Rathbone, pictured above with choir members Christina Wyatt (left) and Nihan Baker.

Samuel, 23, said: “I wrote the carol ‘Gentle Mary laid her child’ for this year’s concert, aiming to write a piece traditional in style and accessible for any four part choir."

Twyford Singers’ chairman Marjorie Harrison said: “We loved singing Sam's carol: it has a simplicity and gentleness. We really appreciate his musical skills and the atmosphere he creates, encouraging us to work hard to keep improving."

Samuel and the two choir members are pictured outside Windsor Castle where he lives with an old university friend. Samuel used to deputise for the organist at St George's Chapel at the castle.

Click on Our previous concerts for concert review

Singers' carols for senior citizens and a garden centre

Twyford Singers have been out and about taking Christmas carols to a wide audience.

They had warm welcomes at Hare Hatch Sheeplands garden centre and farm shop (pictured above), Twyford Library and Arborfield Over 60s Club (pictured below) and also at care homes at Bridge House, Twyford; Liberty of Earley, Earley; and Beechbrook, Hare Hatch.

Top job at Westminster Abbey for Samuel

Twyford Singers' young conductor Samuel Rathbone (pictured above) has started work as one of Westminster Abbey's three organists.

This means he plays for nationally important celebrations and commemorations attended by the Queen and the country's leaders.

He was one of the organists at the nation's Armistice Day service to mark the passing of the World War I generation.

Samuel said: “That service was an amazing occasion, the biggest event I have been involved in. There were 2000 people there but I wasn’t really nervous: there was so much going on.

“It was very moving hearing the accounts of the World War I servicemen’s experiences. Previously I played for the Normandy veterans’ service at the abbey. It is a special place to be.” Part of his abbey work includes rehearsing the abbey choir.