Jam and Chutneys in abundance were on offer at the choir’s last rehearsal. Nicola brought in produce before the start of rehearsal to sell in aid of the very worthy cause, The Porch Steppin’ Stone Centre, a homelessness charity in Oxford. The produce is produced by vulnerably housed or homeless people from fruit and vegetables grown on their own allotments.

Users of the Porch decide what preserves they are going to make each week. They are then prepared, bottled and sealed ready to be sold at fêtes, fairs and shops.

After weeks of preparing for this concert under the enjoyable and wonderful guidance of our Musical Director, Jonathan Kingston, we finally got to perform this magnificent work to a full house in St Mary’s Church, Banbury on Saturday 13th April.

The collaboration between musicians and singers was seamless due to the watchful, caring and detailed attention from Jonathan in his conducting. The percussionists from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire brought a thrilling excitement and heartbeat to the piece and the pianists were the ‘Royal Icing’ on the cake - some extraordinary talent under one roof. Particular thanks to Jules for his excellent accompanying throughout rehearsals and in the performance.

The soloists were first class and gave us a theatrical performance that created music in pictures. The packed house gave us a standing ovation and everyone left with a bounce in their step and a smile on their face. What a way to spend a Saturday! It shows how hard work pays off. Thanks to everyone who contributed and also those who could not take part in the concert due to illness (we missed you) - particularly, Jill G. and our Chair, Lorraine who still managed to help in the background with support from Trevor, her husband - thank you. What a team and what a leader. Here is to the next one…!

We received some wonderful news about Caroline Grant, a member of the choir. She has deservedly been awarded an MBE. The citation was given for services to young people and children with special educational needs and disabilities. She recently retired as Head Teacher of Billing Brook Academy Trust in Northampton.

It came as quite a surprise to her. “It really was the very best Christmas present I could have!” said Caroline. “I was nominated by my staff and peers on retirement which is the highest accolade they could give me, which is an honour in itself. I was unaware that they had nominated me.”

All of us from Banbury Choral send her our congratulations on this momentous achievement.

After several weeks of rehearsals, Banbury Choral Society is one week away from singing Evensong at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Huge thanks go to The Carice Singers and George Parris, their Musical Director, for agreeing to perform with us on stage at St Mary’s Church, Banbury last Saturday 16th July 2022. It was a very special collaboration of exquisite music-making particularly on the part of The Carice singers who brought an ethereal quality to their singing. Banbury Choral singers were amazing too and delivered an excellent performance of their three pieces particularly raising the roof with Parry’s ‘I was Glad’. Well done sops!

Lastly, thank you to Julian and Jonathan for their patience in getting us rehearsed in time for the concert and for bringing it all together on the night. The organ at St Mary’s has never sounded so good - congratulations Jonathan! We are so privileged to have such talent in our midst.

One of our industrious committee members has been working all day in Cropredy Church to decorate a beautiful holly Christmas Tree in honour of Banbury Choral Society. It is stunning and huge thanks to Sian for creating ‘The Holly and The Ivy’ themed Christmas Tree. It even has lights in the shape of musical notes!

Thank you from all the choir x

For the past month, members of Banbury Choral have been singing on Zoom albeit to themselves!! It is a great way to see everyone and socialise but not so good for singing together…! We are rehearsing Handel Coronation Anthems for our concert in December and are keeping fingers crossed that we will be able to perform once again in the beautiful setting of St Mary’s Church, Banbury.

We look forward to seeing all our supporters in December and in the meantime, take care and stay well.

Those members of Banbury Choral Society who were lucky to attend last Saturday’s workshop at the Marlborough Road Methodist Church in Banbury, Oxfordshire, were treated to a Masterclass of singing technique by Julian Harris. He took the choir through all of the Bach St John Passion chorales and introduced dynamics, emotion and feeling to the pieces.