Weekly Notices

  • 6 December 2025

    Dear SCS member,

    The St Michael’s Choir Carol service will be on Sunday December 14th at 6.30pm. Click here for the poster. A beautiful selection of music from Palestrina to Walton, alongside traditional carols followed by mulled wine and mince pies. It would be lovely to see you there!

    I think last Thursday shows we are well on course for a triumph in February! Let’s get the music in great shape before Christmas, as the concert is soon after.

    Please target the following for next Thursday. The memorizing (over the next few weeks!) is so everybody can watch the beat (to sing in time) and perform to the audience.

    Bach

    Fecit Potentiam semi quavers;

    Altos bar 7

    Sopranos bars 19/20

    Tenors bar 3

    Basses bar 15

    All voices p.43

    Bars 30 and 33, the “s” goes into the following bar.

    Opening Magnificat,

    1st 4 choral bars from memory.

    Sicut Locutus Est – opening bass lead from memory.

    Gloria – as much from memory as possible. (The vocal writing is not doubled by instruments so timing needs to be perfect!).

    Haydn

    1st 5 bars from memory.

    Gloria – 1st 4 bars and bass lead, bar 49 from  memory.

    Gloria – bars 245 – 260 need preparation.

    Credo – opening leads from memory.

    Bars 93/94 from memory.

    Bar 185 to the end of Credo need preparation so we can get up to speed.

    Sanctus – bass leads at bars 14 and 17 from memory.

    Benedictus – only 7 bars at the end to shine!

    Many thanks for your hard work and you really were sounding brilliant last Thursday!

    Best wishes,

    Duncan

    One of our members has advised us that the ChordPerfect rehearsal aid site is particularly useful for the Bach. Click here to go there.

    Practising

    Please click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.

    Kind regards

    Summertown Choral Society Committee

  • 28th November 2025

    Next Rehearsal: 4th December 2025

    Dear SCS member,
    For our next rehearsal Duncan has asked that we prepare the following:

    • Haydn – complete
    • Bach – complete 

    One of our members has advised us that the ChordPerfect rehearsal aid site is particularly useful for the Bach. Click here to go there.

    Lift from Marston:

    A member is looking for a regular lift to rehearsal from Marston. Please reply to this email if you can help.

  • 22nd November 2025

    Next Rehearsal: 27th November 2025

    Dear SCS member,
    For our next rehearsal Duncan has asked that we prepare the following:

    • Haydn – Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei
    • Bach – complete, starting with the Gloria 

    One of our members has advised us that the ChordPerfect rehearsal aid site is particularly useful for the Bach. Click here to go there.

    From Caroline our librarian:
    This is a reminder to complete our survey about scores for our May 2026 concert as soon as possible, please, if you haven’t already done so. The deadline is Thursday 27th November, and, if you have replied that you’d like to buy a score from SCS (£14), payment must be made online by Thursday 4th December.
    Bank details are:

    •        Name: Summertown Choral Society.
    •        Account number: 83031812.
    •        Sort code: 60 03 57.

    Thank you.PractisingPlease click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.

  • 14th November 2025

    Next Rehearsal: 20th November 2025

    Dear SCS member,
    For our next rehearsal Duncan has asked that we prepare the following:

    • Haydn – Kyrie, Gloria and Credo
    • Bach – Gloria Patri to the end

    One of our members has advised us that the ChordPerfect rehearsal aid site is particularly useful for the Bach. Click here to go there.

    A link to this, as well as other rehearsal sites, is always available via our Rehearsal Aids webpage linked to below.

    Practising Please click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.

  • 8th November

    Next Rehearsal: 13th November 2025

    Dear SCS member,
    For our next rehearsal Duncan has asked that we prepare the following:

    • Haydn – Credo
    • Bach – Fecit Potentiam, Omnes generationes and Gloria

    May 2026 Concert
    In our concert on 16th May 2026 we will be singing Rossini’s (Petite) Messe Solennelle, and the rehearsals will begin on Thursday 19
    th February. We will be using the Ricordi 2nd edition vocal score LD436 (ISMN 979-0-570-02102-4).

    For members who would like to buy their own score, they will be available to order from SCS at the cost of £14.00, payment to be made online in advance.
    So that we know how many copies we will need, we will be sending out a Mailchimp survey next week asking you if you would like to buy a score or would like to have a hired copy (for which no charge will be made).

    When you receive the survey, please would you complete it as soon as possible.

    Practising
    Please click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.

  • 31st October 2025

    Next Rehearsal: 6th November 2025

    Dear SCS member,
    For our next rehearsal Duncan has asked that we prepare the following:

    • Haydn – Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei
    • Bach – opening Magnificat and Fecit Potentiam.

    Practising
    Please click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.

  • 25th October 2025

    Next Rehearsal: 30th October 2025

    Dear SCS member,
    For our next rehearsal Duncan has asked that we prepare the following:

    • Haydn – Gloria and Credo
    • Bach – Sicut Locutus Est and Gloria

    Practising
    Please click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.

  • 17th October 2025

    Next Rehearsal: 23rd October 2025

    Dear SCS member,
    For our next rehearsal Duncan has asked that we prepare the following:

    • Haydn – Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei
    • Bach – Sicut Locutus Est and Gloria Patri

    Practising
    Please click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.

  • 11th October 2025

    Next Rehearsal: 16th October 2025

    Dear SCS member,
    For our next rehearsal Duncan has asked that we prepare the following:

    • Haydn – Credo
    • Bach – opening Magnificat and Omnes Generationes.

    Please note that we will not be singing any of the inserts included in the appendix of the Bach score.
    Message from Duncan:
    As you may know, St Michael’s is raising funds for its beautiful “Father” Willis organ. Henry Willis was the “Rolls Royce” of organ building and his work can be found in some of the grandest cathedrals and concert halls in the country.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Willis

    On Saturday November 1st at 5.30pm we have the first of our celebrity organ recitals given by Stephen Darlington MBE. 
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Darlington

    Click here for the poster.

    On Sunday November 2nd at 6.30pm, there will be All Souls evensong with St. Michael’s Church Choir and music by Bainton, Parry, Ayleward and Faure.

    The service will be dedicated to David Crispin who passed away last month. David was a friend of SCS and the church choir. As a tenor he helped out on numerous occasions, and is sorely missed.

    As always, please spread the word and it would be great to see you at one or both events!
    Best wishes,
    Duncan 

    Practising
    Please click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.

  • 4th October 2025

    Next Rehearsal: 9th October 2025

    Dear SCS member,
    For our next rehearsal Duncan has asked that we prepare the following:

    • Haydn – Kyrie and Gloria
    • Bach – opening Magnificat, Fecit Potentiam and Omnes Generationes.

    Practising
    Please click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.

  • 27th September 2025

    Next Rehearsal: 2nd October 2025

    Dear SCS member,
    For our next rehearsal Duncan has asked that we prepare the following:

    • Haydn – Kyrie and Gloria
    • Bach – Fecit Potentiam and opening Magnificat

    Practising
    Please click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.

  • 19th September 2025

    Next Rehearsal: 25th September 2025 and Message from Duncan

    Dear SCS member,
    Last night was a brilliant sound – one of the best first rehearsals we’ve had. And what glorious music!

    New members, you are warmly welcomed!

    We usually have a trickle of new members over the next few weeks so please continue to spread the word and bring singing friends to try us out.

    Our concert in February, (usually sold out before the doors open), I’m sure will be wonderful.

    Enjoy the links below to our orchestra, two soprano Bach and Haydn soloists from Stile Antico and Louise Wayman, our soprano soloist for Rossini in May.

    https://www.timeandtruth.co.uk/
    https://www.stileantico.co.uk/
    https://louisewayman.com/about-2/

    Music for next Thursday;

    • Bach – opening chorus (Magnificat) and Fecit Potentiam
    • Haydn – Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei


    Many thanks and best wishes,
    Duncan

    Practising
    Please click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site after reading this page contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.

  • 3rd May 2025

    Next Rehearsal: 8th May 2025

    Dear SCS Member,

    • All music starting with Dvorak Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei.

    Dvorak solo sections note change in red;
    Kyrie p.5 bars 59 – 73
    Gloria p18 soloists from bars 82 – 90, p.19 bars 99 – 113
    Bars 119 – 140, bars 145 – 148
    Credo bars 119 – 182
    Benedictus soloists until bar 76 Hosanna
    Agnus Dei soloists until bar 33 Miserere, Bar 51 tenor solo, bar 54 full altos and sopranos and tutti to the end.

    Many thanks,
    DuncanPractising
    Please click here for a link to the Rehearsal Aid page. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the John Fletcher site after reading this page contact Maria at membership@summertownchoral.org.uk.

    Choral Parts Library has published rehearsal files on YouTube for the Dvorak. The following links to the tenor part for the Kyrie, but each voice part for each section is available:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRFCcdcjc8I&list=PLuihyFF2gM9gEKc7tWuXKK10rvdnhu7Cw
    Upcoming concerts and opportunities
    Please click here for a link to the Concerts and Opportunities page which gives details of events being held by other choral groups.