TOP CHESTER CHOIR SET TO STAGE FESTIVE CONCERT AT HISTORIC CITY CENTRE CHURCH

Final rehearsals are underway as one of Chester's top choirs prepares to stage its annual Christmas Carol concert in the historic surroundings of a City centre church.

Chester Bach Singers are preparing to stage the concert, one of the highlights of the festive calendar in Chester, at St Werburgh's Church on Grosvenor Park Road on Saturday 16^th December at 3pm. The concert will include a mix of familiar and much-loved Carols together with some new discoveries. 

Speaking about the festive concert, Helen Crich, the Chair of Chester Bach Singers said:

"Join us in singing favourites such as Hark the Herald Angels Sing and O little town of Bethlehem then sit back and relax as the choir sings Peter Warlock’s timeless Bethlehem Down and O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen which is now regarded as a modern classic. The choir is also delighted to be singing more music by Cecilia McDowall who joined us for our October concert. Cecillia's A Winter's Night takes five Carols, including Dulci Jubilo and The Sussex Carol and weaves them into a captivating unbroken sequence. We are very much looking forward to our annual Christmas Carol concert which is once again being held in the beautiful surroundings of St Werburgh's Church."

Chester Bach Singers will also perform Illuminare Jerusalem by Master of the King's Music, Judith Weir, a dramatic setting of a medieval poem. The concert will also include a brand-new arrangement by the choir's Conductor Martin Bussey of festive favourite Santa Claus in Coming to Town.

In addition to the Christmas concert, 2024 is set to be a busy and exciting year for the choir with events including major workshop at St Mary's Creative Space, a joint concert with Chester Philharmonic Orchestra at Chester Cathedral , a performance of Handel's Messiah, and a concert showcasing the best of the music of the 50s.

Taking place at St Mary's Creative Space on  Saturday 27^th January  from 1pm, Chester Bach Singers will host the special workshop where singers will get the opportunity to study Poulenc's "Gloria" in detail before taking part in a public performance of the work later in the afternoon. 

Speaking about the workshop, Helen Crich said:

"Once again this year, we are looking forward to welcoming singers from across the country to work on a major choral piece for a day, followed by an informal performance. We are greatly looking forward to diving into Poulenc’s "Gloria" in January 2024. Rhythmic, intensely melodic and full of quirky harmonies, this is a work that presents just the right level of challenge but also many rewards. Poulenc had a unique approach to writing sacred music, he compared his approach to religious music to ‘a gargoyle sticking out its tongue’. This doesn’t mean Poulenc was flippant, his choral writing is heartfelt but he avoids undue or pompous solemnity, his style is unique – rich but sometimes strange, so, ears will need to be attuned to make those chords blend!  Our Conductor, Martin Bussey is looking forward to leading everyone through the challenges of this beautiful and uplifting work, accompanied at the keyboard by Catherine Barnett."

Full details of Chester Bach Singers Christmas Carol Concert and the Poulenc Workshop, along with all other events, can be found at: 

www.chesterbachsingers.org.uk 

...where tickets can be booked online.