This is my fourteenth annual report as Choir Director and every time I am prompted to reflect not only on what has changed, but also on what remains consistent. There are several choir members who are still singing with us every week since before I started, others who have left and returned, and others who have joined us more recently.
In 2022 we have sadly lost 2 beloved friends from our number; Julie Soos, who sang alto with us for a while some years ago, and Mary Milne, who was still singing with us through the summer last year. They are much missed and thought of regularly, and we have some new hymn books dedicated to them in their choir stalls.
In addition to leading our sung worship every week and usually providing a choir anthem, there are of course some special services each year. We were privileged in June last year to welcome the worship orchestra for a special evensong, and very much enjoyed singing arrangements of some well known hymns and songs, accompanied by the chancel filled with musicians.
The main event for the year was of course the concert that the choir performed in July. This was kindled by Allan Vaughan, who suggested after the carol service in December 2021, that he and others so liked the choral music we sing that he was sure a concert would be well received. It had also been in my mind to present a chronological evening of choral music, tracing the development of the tradition through the last 500 years. So that is what we did; singing 16 pieces starting with Byrd and Tallis, and concluding with a challenging piece by Jeremy Jackman that was actually commissioned and written for the choir and debuted on the night. Robert and Robin accompanied us brilliantly on the organ, and Dan Gleed provided the narration. I was subsequently able to turn the recording of the evening into a CD for sale and, combined with the ticket sales, this raised over £850 for the chancel lighting scheme.
Another highlight of the year was the Harvest Festival service on the 16th October, when we were joined by the junior school choir for the service and performed Rutter's All things bright and beautiful together as an anthem.
The Christmas carol service was on the 17th December and once again the choir responded magnificently to my ambition, learning yet more new music to include in our service. We learned Bob Chilcott's Gifts for the child of winter, and also reprised Rutters' Shepherd's pipe carol and the Nativity Carol from previous years.
I close with my continued thanks for the faithful support of Andrew Smith, my most patient and tolerant accompanist, who routinely has to sight-read music for us every week and does so with great skill and good cheer. To Robert for his marvellous playing every week, and also to all the singers for their time, commitment and friendship, and finally to David for his support, prayers and generous appreciation for our efforts.