Christmas Concert 2009

The Twyford Singers performed a world première to a capacity audience at their annual Christmas concert at St Mary’s Church, Twyford.

The première, 'Gentle Mary laid her child', written specially for the choir by their musical director Samuel Rathbone, was well received by the audience.

Samuel said: ‘The Twyford Singers did a fantastic job at the concert. I was particularly pleased with the Haydn mass, a work that challenges many choral groups. As always, the more reflective, gentle carols were beautifully sung with expression and care.'  

Simon Rigby, who conducted the choir from 2005 to 2007, congratulated Samuel for directing the choir with clarity and musical conviction.  He added: ‘The singers delivered a poignant and expressive concert."
 

Singers chairman Marjorie Harrison said: 'We loved singing the carol Sam wrote: it has a simplicity and gentleness which captures the spirit of Christmas. We really appreciate the musical skills he brings to the choir and the atmosphere he creates during rehearsals.’

Summer Concert 2009

Twyford Singers celebrate composers' anniversaries

This year saw the anniversaries of some of our favourite composers including Haydn, Handel and Purcell. We celebrated some of their music in our Summer Concert at Loddon Hall, Twyford on Saturday 27th June.

The concert opened with movements from Joseph Haydn's 'The Creation' performed by the choir and our  guest soloists: Rachel Major (soprano), Peter Stobart (Tenor) and Simon Whiteley (Bass) who sang the parts of the archangels Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael. The choir were accompanied by Geraldine Marsden and guest accompanist David Stevens.

The choir then performed 'Fairest Isle' and 'If music be the food of love' by Henry Purcell. This was followed up by an amusing round by Purcell - 'Five Reasons', which explains the five reasons why we should drink.

Marjorie Harrison and Sue Thomas both sang solo items by Handel, which were followed  by a total change of tempo and style from the choir with a jazz set of five pieces including "Aint Misbehavin"

The final item was a rousing performance of Handel's much loved 'Zadok The Priest'.

Former musical director of the choir, Simon Rigby, afterwards told the audience: ''This was a splendid concert in which the choir showed great sensitivity and awareness in a stylistically diverse programme. Their excellent Musical Director, Sam Rathbone, is to be commended for having interpreted the pieces with such musicality, conviction and originality, imbuing each performance with his own distinctive artistic vision.'

Musical director Samuel Rathbone said later: 'In a diverse programme of music, the Twyford Singers showed skill and dedication in their performances.  The Choruses of Haydn's Creation were thrilling, particularly when joined by the trio of soloists, and the jazz songs were neatly sung with style and character.'

Palm Sunday Concert 2009

'Vibrant and Passionate performance' at Twyford Singers Easter Concert

This year's Easter Concert by The Twyford Singers was held on Palm Sunday at St. Mary's Church, Twyford, where the choir performed J.H. Maunder's 'Olivet to Calvary'.

Musical Director Samuel Rathbone said afterwards "It was a joy to conduct the Twyford Singers' Palm Sunday performance of Olivet to Calvary.  The choir did themselves great credit with a vibrant and passionate performance of this dramatic work, and were supported fantastically by the two soloists, Ronan Busfield (tenor) and Simon Whiteley (bass/baritone)."

Sam is shortly to graduate from the Royal Academy of Music and will also be starting a new job as an organ scholar at Westminster Abbey in September. He will still continue to conduct the Twyford Singers.

Ronan and Simon are Lay Clerks at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle and, in addition to their Chapel duties, have busy professional solo careers.  Ronan has just finished singing with the English National Opera and locally with Park Opera.

The other solo part of Pilate was taken by the choir's own Ted Wallington.

The choir will now be rehearsing for their Summer Concert which will be held at Loddon Hall, Twyford on Saturday June 27th.

The choir is always looking for new members. For more information contact the secretary on 0118 969 5181 or visit our website www.twyford-singers.org.uk  

Palm Sunday Concert 2008

St Mary's Church, Twyford, was filled with more than 100 people on Sunday March 16 for Twyford Singers' presentation of Stainer's Crucifixion, a Victorian meditation for Easter.  It was hailed by members of the audience as an impressive performance, excellent, and passionate.  Guest soloists Nick Madden, tenor, and Gareth Dayus-Jones, baritone, Lay Clerks at St George's Chapel, Windsor, interpreted their parts with great beauty and insight. The accompanist was Geraldine Marsden.

 
Twyford Singers Musical Director, Ronan Busfield, said that the evening's performance was a fresh new approach to an old favourite, masterfully performed by the choir and soloists, and adhering to the message of Palm Sunday and Holy Week. The Singers are pictured below at their rehearsal. Twyford Singers' next Concert will be on June 28 at Loddon Hall, Twyford.  The first part of the programme will be a performance of Faure's Requiem.  The second half will include settings of Beatles' songs and other modern music. If you would like to sing with Twyford Singers, or for more information about the choir, please contact the Choir Secretary on 0118 969 5181

Our last Summer Concert - 2008

Twyford Singers presented A Summer Soiree to a full house at Loddon Hall in the village.

Musical director Rónan Busfield said: "Yet again Twyford Singers performed with musical

sensitivity and flair, this time showing their skills by singing Faure's masterpiece, his Requiem."The solo parts in the Requiem were sung choir members Julie Thomas and David Wootten.

The second half of the concert provided a wide selection of lighter music including three romantic part songs and two traditional folk songs. Sue Thomas from the alto section sang three solo items, one being a surprise item dedicated to Rónan. Rónan, an accomplished tenor soloist who has now left the choir to pursue his own solo singing career, was persuaded to perform three solo items by Roger Quilter.

The evening concluded with Beatles' songs and "Goodnight Sweetheart" as an encore.This year, as well as the usual presentations to soloists, there was a special presentation to a much respected member of the choir, Ted Wallington who sings with bass section. Chairwoman Marjorie Harrison gave Ted a gift and card signed by all the choir members to celebrate his 40 years with the Twyford Singers. Rehearsals restart after the summer break on Tuesday 9th September at 7.45pm at the United Reformed Church Hall. Twyford. New members are very welcome to come to a rehearsal to 

see how we work together. If you would like to sing with Twyford Singers, or for more 

information about the choir, please contact the Choir Secretary on 0118 969181.

Other Summer Concerts