Singing on the Sunday afternoon

We have two upcoming events for summer 2012 -

First of all we will be at Edale Folk Festival on Sunday 20th May, joining the likes of Bella Hardy (of Radio 2 Folk Awards fame) and a former Derbyshire Poet Laureate, amongst many other acts performing across the weekend.

When: Sunday 20th May 2012, 2 sets between 1 and 4pm

Where:  Edale Folk Festival, Edale, Derbyshire

What:  British and international folk song, sung a cappella.

Tickets: Available from the Edale Folk Festival website:

http://www.edalefolkfestival.co.uk/index.html

traditional song at St Matthew's, Stretford

After the fresh air and hills at Edale we will be bringing mostly the same programme to Stretford St Matthew’s Church, on 9th June, 7.30pm.  The 19th century church is a beautiful space for song, and our a cappella harmonies will fill it up with folk song from around the world.

When: Saturday 9th June, 7.30pm

Where:  St Matthew’s Church, Chapel Lane, Stretford, M32 9AJ

What:  Traditional song from Britain and around the world.

Tickets:  £5, £3 in advance and concessions.  Interval refreshments by donation.

We were at Manchester Christmas Markets on Sunday 11th December, between 4 – 6pm, to raise money for Christies Hospital and the Autistic Society Greater Manchester Area. Setting up by the War Memorial we gathered quite a crowd, particularly in the early part of the set – in total we raised £250 for our charities!

When: Sunday 11th December, 4 – 6pm

Where:  St Anne’s Square, Manchester, next to the War Memorial.

What:  Lovely carol singing, in aid of Christies Hospital and the Autistic Society.

Full of the Christmas Spirit we were ready for our concert at Chorley Methodist Church on 17th December, 19.30pm. As part of their Christmas Tree Festival we performed a range of traditional carols and modern songs, with some solos and audience participation!! The church makes a spectacular setting with all their trees lit and magical atmosphere for enjoying the real Christmas spirit.

When: Saturday 17th December, 7.30pm

Where:  Chorley Methodist Church, Gillibrand Walks, Chorley, PR7 2EZ

What:  Music for Christmas, as part of the Christmas Tree Festival

Ding Dong Merrily on High, 16th cent French, harm. Wood

Vamos Pastorcitos, Trad. Puerta Rican

Winter Wonderland, F. Bernard, arr. Smith

Deck the Hall, Welsh trad. arr. Willcocks

Coventry Carol, 16th cent. English

Gaudete, 16th cent. Finnish / Swedish

Joy to the World, Lowell Mason, arr. Rutter

We’ve had a great weekend with our Swedish visitors from ‘Rostrum’ choir. It’s lovely to share songs, learn some of each other’s favourites and enjoy some general good times!

Listen some highlighted clips here:

Thankyou for the music, Abba

Lullaby of Birdland, Shearing, arr. Carter

Let’s do it, Cole Porter, arr. Blackwell

Linden Lea, Vaughan Williams

Beati Quorum Via, Stanford

The Blue Bird, Stanford

To Daffodils, Darke

And some from their programme:

Danse ikke gråte nå, L Nielsen, arr. Brännström

There must be an angel, Lennox/Steward, arr. M Ekman

On the day we competed against another 13 choirs, ranging from one a little smaller than us to large scale choral society groups. We were one of only 2 groups who didn’t learn their music by heart – but chatting to other singers backstage we realised that some had been rehearsing for a year!

It was a good day, and a great opportunity to reflect on how other groups do things – We realise that learning your music definately helps you communicate with the audience – but an over-use of “Jazz Hands” can be distracting!

The judges were Jeffrey Lawton, Ian Chesworth and David King, and here are some of their comments:

“… good, …freely produced voices, singing and blending well together. Intonation was pretty solid, …Some of your volume changes were musically very effective; in other places there was scope for a little more dynamic contrast, … The final piece was pretty challenging, and you were definitely a bit too note-bound here. In a competition environment, you might consider singing the pieces from memory rather than holding folders – of course for good readers (and I guess many of you will also be busy singers outside this choir) that is hard work – but it really does help to connect you with the audience.”

“…Good cultured singing”

…and although we weren’t placed on the day, we did learn that we were amongst those vying for 4th place. But we don’t do it for the glory…

As part of New Mills Festival we performed at St James Arts Centre to a happy and appreciative audience.

In full song

We gave a mixed exciting programme from around the world,  singing in English, French, Italian, Russian, Samoan and a bit of Swedish for good measure!  The songs came from a range of traditions, from sacred to secular madrigals and folk songs.

We were excited to be hosted by St James Church as their last concert before they close for a major re-development as an Arts and Heritage centre.

Their review:

Duodecimo sang “exquisitely” to a large audience last Saturday. “It was altogether a superb and calming evening.”

Thankyou!

For more information about St James’ plans, click here to go to their website.

We enjoyed our ‘one-night-only’ concert with Drake’s Viols, and a CD is available. Or listen some highlighted clips here:

Kyrie, From William Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices

Oh Let Me Live For True Love, Thomas Tomkins

Weep No More, Thou Sorry Boy, Thomas Tomkins

Yet Again, As Soon Revived, Thomas Tomkins

Agnus Dei, From William Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices

richard@richardmchale1.wanadoo.co.uk

Go to our Past Events to hear audio clips.

We generally perform in the Manchester area, but have been known to travel further afield.

If you would like to book Duodecimo, please contact Sophie Mackreth at this email address:

smackreth@waitrose.com

cxc

Would you like to sing with us? To find out more about joining the choir, click here.