Rolleston Music Circle & Choral Society News 2004

Newsletter - Autumn 2004

St Mary's Church was packed to capacity on Friday 9th July, when no fewer than four musical groups got together to celebrate our 40th anniversary. The highlight for many was the variety and style of the Lingener Mannerquartett (male voice choir) from northern Germany, but there were excellent turns too from the girls' vocal group Voce from de Ferrers Specialist Technology College, and from Beyne Upbeat, the jazz band from Abbot Beyne School. We would like to thank everyone who supported the concert, either by being in the audience or through helping front-of-house - not least The Rev Ian Whitehead for being such a welcoming and enthusiastic compere, and Rolleston Cricket Club for their hospitality afterwards. 

The following night, in Burton, we took part in an equally glittering concert - this time to mark the 21st anniversary of East Staffordshire's twinning link with Lingen. Here we were joined by the Needwood Singers and the Gresley Male Voice Choir, along with the Lingen singers once again. All the forces combined at the end for a lusty rendition of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, which almost brought the Town Hall down.

At the end of July we took part in a concert at the Priory Church of St Mary in Tutbury to mark the retirement of its long-standing vicar, the Rev Timothy Ganz. Mr Ganz - an accomplished musician in his own right - was standing down after more than 23 years' service at this beautiful 12th century church. Happily, we won't have seen the last of him, as he plans to settle in Stretton.

We reconvene for rehearsals at 7.45 pm on Wednesday 8th September at the Methodist Chapel in Chapel Lane. New members are always welcome. Plans for the new season, subject to confirmation, include the Vivaldi Gloria, Britten's Hymn to St Cecilia, the Mozart Requiem or Haydn's Nelson Mass, and a performance by Sarah Vernon of Bruch's Violin Concerto.

Newsletter - Summer 2004

40th Anniversary Celebrations

Rehearsals are well under way for our major music Festival in July. It's a double celebration of the choir's 40th anniversary, and of the 21st anniversary of East Staffordshire's twinning link with the German town of Lingen.

On Friday 9 July four choirs - from Rolleston, Lingen and from two East Staffordshire schools - will give a joint concert at St.Mary's Church in Rolleston. There'll be a wide variety of music, with something to appeal to all tastes, and promises to be a grand occasion for the village. Tickets at £5 will be available nearer the time from choir members or from Starbuck's News.

On the morning of Saturday 10 July, from 11 am, the Rolleston and Lingen choirs will be giving informal performances in Burton's three main shopping centres: Burton Place, Cooper's Square and The Octagon.

The climax of the festival will be at 7 pm at Burton Town Hall on Saturday 10 July, with a concert given by Rolleston Choral Society, the Lingener Mannerquartett, the Needwood Singers and the Gresley Male Voice Choir. This will be a unique occasion for East Staffordshire, and promises to be an event to remember. Tickets at £7.50 will be available from the Town Hall, from the Council Link office or from Starbuck's News.

Newsletter - Spring 2004

Rolleston Choral Society Anniversary

2004 marks the fortieth anniversary of Rolleston Choral Society, who are celebrating with a series of special concerts in a variety of venues. On Saturday 28 February, they will perform the work given at their inaugural concert on Ascension Day 1964, the magnificent "Messiah" by G.F.Handel. This will be at St John's Church, Horninglow at 7.30 pm. The soloists will be Darquise Bilodeau, Sally McInnes, Mark Pollard and Tom Oldham. The Chamber Orchestra will be led by the distinguished young local violinist Sarah Vernon and the concert will be conducted by the musical director Peter Vernon. Tickets will soon be on sale from Starbuck News, from Jane Fisher (tel. 561817), or from any choir member.

On Saturday 22 May, the choir will join forces with the Barton-based Needwood Singers for a performance of Mendelssohn's oratorio "Elijah", in St Peter's Church, Stapenhill. Then on Friday and Saturday 9 and 10 July, the Society will be spearheading a major choral festival to celebrate not only its own 40th anniversary but also the 21st anniversary of Burton's twinning link with the German town of Lingen. On Friday 9 July four choirs from Rolleston, Lingen and two local schools will give a joint concert at St Mary's Church, Rolleston. On 10 July the Rolleston and Lingen Choirs will entertain shoppers at various locations in Burton town centre. In the evening, the climax of the festival will be a concert at Burton Town Hall by the Rolleston Choral Society, the singers from Lingen, the Needwood Singers and the Gresley Male Voice Choir. This will be a unique occasion for East Staffordshire, and promises to be an event to remember.

New singers are always welcome, so anyone interested can attend a rehearsal at the Rolleston Methodist church on Wednesday evenings at 7.45pm, or contact the Hon. Secretary Meg Moore (tel. 813769).

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Last updated: 11 September 2004