Choir Blog – Page 2 – Sheffield Bach Society

Mulled wine and mince pies at St James’

Thursday 14 December 2023

A packed church and plenty of mince pies ensured that Sheffield Bach Choir’s annual Come and Sing Messiah fostered a suitably festive atmosphere at St James’ church Norton on Monday 11 December.

“The mulled wine was fantastic – really fruity, and there were lots of mince pies – plenty for everyone despite the packed out church” said choir Secretary Liz Buxton. “The singing was enjoyable as well of course. We decided to stick to just the choruses – which therefore came thick and fast! “

Choir President Professor George Nicholson led the proceedings, and the organ was played by the choir’s new Music Director Philip Collin.

Elijah workshop leads to new members

Monday 27 November 2023

The choir is thrilled about the number of new members who have joined following the extremely successful workshop held at Wesley Hall Crooks on Saturday 14 October 2023. Choir members and visitors had a packed day working on Mendelssohn’s magnificent Elijah prior to the choir’s performance in November.

Everyone enjoyed the singing – and the delicious cakes on offer during the refreshment breaks! At only £10 for singers, it was certainly a day to remember!

Dramatic Elijah enjoyed by all

Monday 20 November 2023

Sheffield Bach Choir were very pleased with their first concert of the season, when Mendelssohn’s wonderful oratorio was presented in St Mark’s church Broomhill.

“This amazing and popular work tells the story of the prophet Elijah” said choir Chair Chris Walker. “It’s certainly dramatic – there’s a duel of the Gods, temptation by Jezebel, Elijah’s time in the wilderness seeking the Lord in tempest, earthquake, and fire, and his final ascent into heaven!”

The choir was conducted by their new Music Director Philip Collin, with the National Festival Orchestra and Peter Shepherd on the organ.

Elijah Workshop

The choir is holding a workshop on Saturday 14 October, for anyone who would like to join us for a day immersed in Mendelssohn’s superb oratorio Elijah.

This is a truly great choral classic that is hard for choral singers to resist – full of wonderfully tuneful pieces, some rousing, others quiet and calm – and just downright beautiful.

The day runs from 10.30 to 12.30, and then from 2pm to 4pm, with breaks for drinks and cake which are included in the ticket price of just £10. It will be held at Wesley Hall, Crookes, a super-friendly venue with a great acoustic. It’s close to lots of places to eat so participants will be spoiled for choice at lunchtime.

Tickets cost just £10 and are available by email from secretary@sheffieldbachchoir.org.uk

Choir seeks new members

Sheffield Bach Choir is looking for new members from all voice parts, to join them for an up-coming season of great music making with their new conductor Philip Collin.

‘We have a really super season coming up, that few singers could resist’ explained choir Chairman Chris Walker, ‘We already have a decent-sized choir but we’d like to swell our numbers a bit more, and welcome singers from all voice parts – and from all parts of the city and round-about’

The choir rehearse on Monday evenings from 7.30pm in Cemetery Road Baptist Church’s recently refurbished hall. There’s a refreshment break around 8.20 when members can chat over tea or coffee and biscuits, and the rehearsal ends at 9.30pm. Members who supply their car registration details can park at Waitrose which is just across the road. There’s a fund-raising stall every month, when members supply books, music, garden produce, unwanted gifts – and cakes and scones !

‘Anyone who’s interested in joining can come along any Monday evening to try us out’ said Chris, ‘They can try us for a while and then join after a short audition that’s really very simple – and doesn’t involve sight singing!’

So, if you’re keen to sing with a well-established choir that sings wonderful choral classics with an accomplished orchestra – including an annual performance of Handel’s Messiah – contact members@sheffieldbachchoir.org.uk

Great season ahead!

Sheffield Bach Choir kicked off the new season with rehearsals for Mendelssohn’s wonderfully tuneful oratorio Elijah, with their new conductor Philip Collin. And what a season it is! The Mendelssohn is followed by the choir’s annual Messiah, this year in the magnificent Victoria Hall, with the ever-popular Come and Sing Messiah a week later in St James’ Church Norton.

The spring term features Bach’s masterful St John Passion at St Mark’s Church, and ends with the beautiful and majestic German Requiem by Brahms, a collaboration with the Sheffield Oratorio Chorus.

‘We are thrilled to be launching such a wonderful season of music making with our fantastic new conductor Philip Collin’ said choir Chairman Chris Walker, ‘It’s especially great to be singing Elijah again – it was a favourite of Dr Roger Bullivant who was our Conductor for many years and with good reason – it’s such a tuneful work, few choral singers can resist it – so we’re offering an opportunity for people to come and have a go at an Elijah workshop in October’.

The workshop will be held on Saturday 14 October from 10.30 to 4pm. Scores will be available to hire for those who don’t have one, and the ticket price includes refreshments – and cake! Tickets just £10 from secretary@sheffieldbachchoir.org uk.

President’s celebration

The choir held a special presentation to celebrate the end of the 2022-23 season and to thank President George Nicholson for stepping into the breach following the retirement of Dr Simon Lindley. Professor Nicholson conducted his very first Messiah with just two day’s notice, only receiving the full score on the day before the concert.

‘Of course,George pulled it off magnificently’ said Choir Chair Chris Walker ‘The choir were thrilled to be able to thank him properly on this special evening’.

George was presented with gifts including an engraved tankard – and a string of musical notes each bearing a message from a member of the choir. Members of the choir provided entertainment, a quiz, and a sumptuous buffet, and an enjoyable time was had by all.

New Conductor for the choir

Sheffield Bach Choir has appointed a new conductor following the retirement of Dr. Simon Lindley and a period of support from choir President Professor George Nicholson. Philip Collin starts in September 2023 – and the choir can’t wait!

‘We have enjoyed superb support from our President, who pitched in, with great success, to lead rehearsals and conduct concerts at very short notice’ explains Chair Chris Walker ‘However, we were keen to appoint a Conductor following Dr. Lindley’s retirement, and are very pleased to welcome the very experienced Philip Collin as our new Conductor’.

Philip, originally from Nottingham, was Organ Scholar of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and has worked extensively as a vocal coach, organist, accompanist and conductor across the UK and beyond.

He was Musical Director of Manchester Bach Choir, West Barnes Singers and Carshalton Choral Society, and Director of Music at several churches. Since 2017, he has been Musical Director of St Peter’s Consort and Artistic Director and Conductor of Halifax Choral Society.

He is now Director of Music at St John’s Ranmoor and a maths teacher at UTC Sheffield, and is really looking forward to taking up the position of Conductor of Sheffield Bach Society in September.

Read about Philip here

Choir seeks new Conductor

The Sheffield Bach Choir is seeking a new Conductor to take up post on 1st September 2023. The new post-holder will play a key role in shaping future programmes and supporting the Committee in identifying potential soloists.

‘We have enjoyed over ten years of fantastic leadership from Dr Simon Lindley, but all good things come to an end and we are now looking forward to working with a new Conductor’ said Chair Chris Walker. ‘We plan well in advance, so the programme for next season is already scheduled, but the post-holder will play a key role in planning future schedules and choosing soloists to work with us, as well as leading auditions and of course, preparing us for concerts’.

Anyone interested in this exciting opportunity should follow the link to the further details. The closing date is 10 February 2023. SBS Appointment of Conductor – details for applicants

Standing ovation for Messiah

Sheffield Bach Choir, along with friends from St Peter’s Singers and Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, sang Handel’s Messiah on Monday evening, and the audience leapt to their feet in appreciation at the magnificent conclusion.

‘What a terrific performance! … With the orchestra in fine form and a great team of soloists keeping us on our toes it’s no wonder the adrenaline flew in abundance.’ said conductor George Nicholson. The choir ‘clearly picked up the charge that was in the air and the results were amazing. …..a brilliant performance!’

Sally Robinson’s National Festival Orchestra were on great form, giving a polished and committed performance, not least the amazing Anthony Thompson, who played the trumpet accompaniment to ‘the Trumpet shall sound’, marvellously sung by bass-baritone Florian Stӧrtz. Tenor David Brown started the evening with a lyrical ‘Comfort Ye’, and beautiful singing from both alto Hannah Mason and soprano Nicola Hooke soared around the cathedral as though from angels themselves.

‘It was amazing and although I’m no expert ,the music and the atmosphere was definitely the best and I have listened to 35 of your Messiahs.’ said one audience member. ‘It was most enjoyable and such a quality performance by ALL. Thank you.’ echoed another.