Online Zoom Sessions
Our concert on Saturday 14th March 2020 was wisely cancelled as the Coronavirus pandemic rapidly evolved. Initially rehearsals for the rest of the term were also cancelled hoping that we’d recommence after Easter or September 2020 at the latest – little did we know!
Once it became clear that no choirs were going to be able to meet in person and sing safely for a very long time SPS began to meet via Zoom. This was a steep learning curve for everyone, something that was mirrored in many hundreds of choirs across the globe, and due to the inherent and different time lags across the internet hearing each other singing together was pretty impossible. So, except for the sheer fun of occasionally trying to coordinate a sing-through, most of the sessions were done with individuals muted.
Garden Sing
Following 15 months of being unable to meet due to the Coronavirus pandemic, a good number of SPS members began to meet to sing in various members’ gardens during June, July and August of 2021. This gentle return to singing together – outdoors being the safest possible environment for this – proved to be great fun and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Music
During the months online we have learnt a range of music. We began in Summer 2020 by proceeding to look at some of the repertoire we had planned for our autumn 2020 concert. Once it was clear that we wouldn’t be doing any concerts for a while we took a different route.
Alongside the singing sessions each term we also included some entertainment sessions discovering a wealth of talents amongst SPS members and also sessions which focussed on maintaining vocal health.
Repertoire Autumn 2020
A whistle-stop tour to experience some different eras of composition. This was a valuable opportunity to explore music from 1500s through to 1900s.
All as a Sea – Byrd (1540-1623)
Messiah – Worthy is the Lamb – Handel (1685-1759)
Lo! where the rosy-bosom’d hours – Goss (1800-1880)
I heard the Bells – Brewer (1865-1928)
Repertoire Spring 2021
A range of part songs on the theme of Spring
Spring – Walter Cecil Macfarren
Looking for Spring – Charles Harford Lloyd
A Spring Song – Ciro Pinsuti
Summer 2021
Arrangements of Spirituals
Steal Away
Go tell it on the mountain
Deep River
Somebody’s Knockin’ at your Door
Angels Watchin’ Over Me