Chepstow Choral Society enjoyed a hugely successful concert on Saturday July 6, at St. Mary's Church, Chepstow, when they joined with an orchestra comprising young aspiring players made up from various youth orchestras, including The National Youth Orchestra of Wales, the Gwent County Youth Orchestra and Cardiff University.
The occasion was the Choral Society's Golden Jubilee Concert, and the fact that this was a major event during the festival added to the air of celebration.
The concert opened with a choral tribute to the memory of HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, which was the Purcell anthem Thou Knowest, Lord the Secrets of our Hearts.
The choir and orchestra performed the four coronation anthems by Handel. The four choral anthems were interspersed with orchestral items, which included Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and the music for the Royal Fireworks.
It was especially gratifying for the choir and orchestra alike to have the total support of a packed church with very few seats available at the commencement of the concert. The enthusiastic reception given to the performers was greatly appreciated and fully justified. The orchestra demonstrated a vitality and maturity that bodes well for the future of orchestral playing in this country and the obvious enjoyment of the occasion by all who participated was evident to everyone in the church.
Chepstow Choral Society is directed by Graham Bull and the orchestra was coordinated by Tom Breeze, both of whom are well known locally for their involvement in Chepstow music over recent years. Tom has just completed his fourth year at Cardiff University as he works towards his masters degree.
The Choral Society has developed a policy this year of supporting youth in music and will be hoping to continue this into next year. Their next concert at St. Mary's church will be the Carol Concert on Sunday, December 8, and it is planned to perform the major choral work by Haydn, The Creation, in May 2003. Further information about the Society can be obtained from the secretary (tel 01633 400529) or by telephoning 01291 623310. Rehearsals resume at the Leisure Centre on Wednesday September 4, when any new members will be warmly welcomed, especially tenors and basses!
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