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Past Concerts

Below is a list of concerts previously performed by the Society (listed backwards in date order). To see information about our current concerts please go to the Current Season page.

May 2024 - Noah, Shakespeare, and All That Jazz

In the first half, settings of Shakespeare by George Shearing (Songs and Sonnets), Gerald Finzi (Fear No More the Heat of the Sun), and Colin Baines (Three Shakespeare Songs).  In the second half, Flanders and Swann's The Hippopotamus, and Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo by Joseph Horovitz and Michael Flanders.

Conductor:  Michael Turner 
Soloist:  Mark Horner (baritone). Instrumentalists: Sally Oak, keyboard; Elizabeth Jones, double bass; Oliver James, percussion.

 

December 2023 - Christmas Cantatas

For Christmas (by our Music Director, Michael Turner, adapted from his previous For A Coronation), and Christmas Cantata (Geoffrey Bush).  In the second half, various carols, including a medley set by Michael Turner, and A Christmas Greeting (Elgar).

Conductor:  Michael Turner 
Soloist:  Catherine Rooney (soprano). Orchestra: The Shropshire Hills Ensemble (leader David Joyce).

 

May 2023 - A Celebratory Concert

Mass in D (Dvorak) and Kleine Orgelmesse (Haydn), followed by For a Coronation written especially for the coronation of Charles III by our Music Director, Michael Turner.
Soloists: Caroline Clarke (soprano), Bethan Langford (mezzo soprano), John Bowen (tenor), Piran Legg (bass baritone).

 

December 2022 - Christmas Fantasias

The Hundreth Psalm and Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams plus Two Psalms (Nos 86 & 148) by Gustav Holst were sung by the choir.  Brook Green Suite (Holst) and Fantasia on Greensleeves (Vaughan Williams) were played by The Shropshire Hills Ensemble (leader David Joyce).  This was followed by carols and Christmas songs for Choir and audience.

Conductor:  Michael Turner 
Soloists:  Catherine Rooney (soprano), Gavin Ashenden (tenor) and, at just 24 hours notice, Dominic Turner, baritone.

 

The Programmes from our more recent concerts. (Apologies, some of these are in booklet-printing order rather than the natural reading order!) 

May 2022 - Fauré and Friends

Pater Noster and Ave Verum by Gounod, Psalm 150 by Franck, Requiem (op 48) and Pavane (op. 50) by Fauré
plus organ pieces by Gigout, Dupré and Alain from around the same period.
Conductor: Michael Turner.
Soloists: Richard Walker (organ), Catherine Rooney (soprano) and Mark Horner (bass baritone).

 

December 2021 - A Christmas Compendium.

Gloria by Vivaldi plus carols for choir and audience.
Conductor - Michael Turner.  Organ - Richard Walker.
Soloists:  Cecil Hayward, trumpet; Katy Rink, oboe; Catherine Rooney, soprano; Imogen Garner, mezzo soprano.

No concerts were performed during 2020 or spring 2021 owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

December 2019 - A Choral Christmas

Choral works by Chilcott, Britten and Lauridsen
Britten: A Ceremony of Carols
Chilcott: Christmas-tide,  Where Riches is Everlastingly,  Nidaros Jazz Mass,  Mid-Winter,  On Christmas Night
Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium,  O Nata Lux

Conductor - Paul Kelly; Harp - Penny Robin-Riddering; Piano/Keyboards - Nykkö-Michaël Grégoire; Flute - Ruth Hayward; Oboe - Chris Johnson; Bass - C J Allen; Drums - Tony Robinson. 

 

Good Friday, April 2019

St John Passion by J S Bach
Conductor:  Paul Kelly.  Cello Continuo:  Lilian Kelly.  Organ:  Nykkö-Mickaël Grégoire
Soloists:  Sarah Westwood (soprano), Deborah Milledge (contralto), Philip O'Connor (tenor), Paul Mocroft (baritone)
Orchestra: Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce

 

December 2018

Magnificat by Pachelbel,
In Navitatem Domini Canticum H.416 by Charpentier
Five Mystical Songs by R Vaughan Williams
Ensemble Musicale also played the Pachelbel Canon

Conductor:  Paul Kelly. 
Soloists: Paul Mocroft (baritone) and Ed Harrisson (Tenor)
Orchestra:  Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce

 

May 2018

Eternal Light - A Requiem by Howard Goodall and Mass in G by Schubert.  Conducted by Paul Kelly
Plus Elegischer Gesang by Beethoven and Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten by Mendelssohn

Soloists: Sarah Westwood (soprano), Ed Harrisson (tenor), Paul Mocroft (baritone)
Orchestra - Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce

 

December 2017 - Alleluia - A Concert of Christmas Music 

conducted by Paul Kelly and consisting of:
In Dulci Jubilo by Buxtehude, Fantasia on Christmas Carols by R Vaughan Williams, Alleluia (from Der Herr ist mit mir) by Buxtehude, In Terra Pax by Finzi, Alleluia by Randall Thompson and The First Nowell by R Vaughan Williams.

Soloists: Sarah Westwood (soprano) and Paul Mocroft (baritone)
Orchestra - Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce

 

May 2017

Requiem by Mozart and Theresienmesse by J Haydn- conductor Paul Kelly

Orchestra - Ensemble Musicale, Leader David Joyce
Soloists: Sarah Westwood (soprano), Chloe Pardoe (mezzo soprano), Ed Harrisson (tenor), Paul Mocroft (baritone)

 

December 2016 - 'Christmas Sunrise'

Gloria by Vivaldi and Sunrise Mass by Ola Gjeilo  - conductor Paul Kelly

Orchestra - Ensemble Musicale, Leader David Joyce
Soloists: Sarah Westwood (soprano), Kim Cleaton (soprano), Marcia Hall (alto)

 

May 2016

A German Requiem by Brahms (sung in English)

Insanae et Vanae Curae by Haydn

plus excerpts from the Incidental Music to Midsummer Night's Dream by Mendelssohn - conductor Paul Kelly

Orchestra - Ensemble Musicale, Leader David Joyce
Soloists: Sarah Westwood (soprano), Paul Mocroft (baritone); plus
Kim Cleaton (soprano) in the Mendelssohn

 

December 2015

Messa di Gloria by Puccini - conductor Paul Kelly

Orchestra - Ensemble Musicale, Leader David Joyce
Soloists: Ed Harrisson (tenor), Paul Mocroft (baritone).
Part 2 of the concert comprised a selection of Christmas songs and carols.

 

May 2015

Messiah by G F Handel (complete work)

conductor Paul Kelly

Orchestra - Ensemble Musicale, Leader David Joyce
Soloists: Sarah Westwood (soprano), Chloe Pardoe (mezzo soprano),
Ed Harrisson (tenor), Paul Mocroft (baritone)

 

December 2014

Stella Natalis by Karl Jenkins - conductor Paul Kelly

Orchestra - Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce
Soloists: Sarah Westwood (soprano), Kim Cleaton (soprano),
Cecil Hayward (trumpet)
Part 2 of the concert comprised a selection of Christmas songs and carols.

 

May 2014 - Magnificent Harmony

conductor Paul Kelly
Magnificat by J S Bach
Harmoniemesse by J Haydn
Haffner Symphony K385 by W A Mozart

Orchestra - Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce
Soloists: Sarah Westwood (soprano), Marcia Hall (alto), Ed Harrisson (tenor), Themba Mvula (baritone)

 

December 2013 - A Sacred Christmas

Conductor: Paul Kelly
A selection of music from the book European Sacred Music, edited by John Rutter.
Locus Iste* by Bruckner
Beatus Vir by Monteverdi
Ave Maria* by Rachmaninoff
Magnificat by Buxtehude
Sancta Maria, mater Dei by Mozart
* sung a capella

Accompaniment by Ensemble Musicale who also played Bach's Suite No 2 for flute (soloist Ruth Hayward) and strings. There were the usual carols for choir and audience in the second half of the concert.

 

May 2013 - Une Soirée Musicale

conductor Paul Kelly
Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré
Requiem by Fauré
Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile by Gounod

Accompaniment by Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce
Soloists: Jenny Crawford and Kim Cleaton, soprano
Craig Jackson, tenor, and Paul Mocroft, bass

 

December 2012 - Christmas Gloria

conductor Paul Kelly
Alleluia, Lobet den Herren by Schutz
O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen
Gloria by John Rutter
plus carols and other Christmas music for choir and audience.

Accompaniment by Random Brass

 

May 2012 - A Concert for Peace

conductor Paul Kelly
The Armed Man - a Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins
And the Mother did Weep (from Stabat Mater) by Karl Jenkins
Credo in E minor by Vivaldi

Ensemble Musical also played the Allegretto from Palladio for String Orchestra by Karl Jenkins and Spring from The Four Seasons by Vivaldi (soloist David Joyce, violin)

 

December 2011 - A Royal Christmas

conductor Paul Kelly
Handel's Coronation Anthems (Zadok the Priest, My Heart is Inditing, The King Shall Rejoice and Let Thy Hand be Strengthened) plus carols and other Christmas music for choir and audience

 

May 2011 - Best of British

conductor David Hart
Blest Pair of Sirens by Parry
Five Mystical Songs by Vaughan Williams
Songs of the Fleet by Stanford
Songs from the Bavarian Highlands by Elgar
Ensemble Musical also played The Banks of Green Willow by Butterworth and the Fantasia on 'Greensleeves' by Vaughan Williams

Soloist: Paul Mocroft, baritone
with Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce

 

December 2010 - A Classic Christmas

conductor David Hart
Schubert's Mass in G, Haydn's Te Deum and Mozart's Regina Coeli K108, followed by carols for choir and audience.

Soloists:
Cathy Benson, soprano and Fran Ambrose, baritone
with Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce

 

May 2010 - A Handel Celebration

conductor David Hart
A selection of works by Handel including Zadok the Priest, and extracts from Messiah and Chandos Anthem No. 9. Orchestral works included Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and the Flute Minuet and Trumpet Minuet from Water Music

Soloists:
Cathy Benson, soprano
Paul Mocroft, bass
Richard Silk, organ

with Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce

 

December 2009 - Bach at Christmas

conductor David Hart
Extracts from Christmas Oratorio and other music by J S Bach
Christmas carols for choir and audience.

Soloists:
Emma Peaurt, soprano
Harriet Goodwin, mezzo soprano
Nick Drew, tenor
Fran Ambrose, bass

with Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce and Richard Silk (organ and piano)

 

May 2009

The Seasons by Haydn

conductor David Hart

Soloists:
Elisabeth Wingfield, soprano
John Bowen, tenor
Stephen Garner, bass

with Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce and Richard Silk (piano)

 

December 2008 - Christmas Magnificat

conductor David Hart
Magnificat by John Rutter
Christmas carols and other seasonal music.

Soloist: Sarah Westwood, soprano
with Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce and Richard Silk (organ)

 

May 2008 - Classical Masterworks

conductor David Hart
Mass in C, Op. 86 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Requiem, KV626 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Soloists:
Catherine Benson, soprano
Karen Wise, mezzo soprano
John Bowen, tenor
Stephen Garner, bass

with Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce, and Richard Silk (organ)

 

December 2007 - Christmas in Vienna

conductor David Hart
Mass in B flat, D324 by Franz Schubert
Orchestral music by Schubert, plus Pizzicato Polka and Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss
Seasonal carols from Austria and England

Soloists:
Jennifer France, soprano
Cathia Lardeau, mezzo soprano
Matthew Moss, tenor
Michael Smythe, baritone

with Ensemble Musicale, leader David Joyce, and Richard Silk (organ)

 

May 2007 - Messiah in May

conductor David Hart
G F Handel: Messiah

Soloists:
Sarah Westwood (soprano)
Harriet Goodwin (mezzo-soprano)
John Bowen (tenor)
Paul Mocroft (bass)

with Ensemble Musicale (leader David Joyce) and David Goodall (organ)

 

December 2006

conductor David Hart
Mozart: Mass in C (KV66) - known as the "Dominicus Mass" plus other orchestral music of the period including extracts from Serenade No 4 (K203) and Three German dances (K605) (including Sleigh Ride).

A variety of Christmas Carols, both old and new, including some old favourites where the audience had the opportunity to join in.

Soloists:
Elizabeth Holland (soprano)
Bridget Kerrison (mezzo-soprano)
Stephen Davis (tenor)
Laurence Cole (bass)

with Ensemble Musicale (leader David Joyce) and David Goodall (organ)

 

May 2006

conductor David Hart
Felix Mendelssohn: Elijah
accompanied by Ensemble Musicale (leader David Joyce) and organist David Goodall

Soloists:
Elisabeth Wingfield (soprano)
Janet Lancaster (alto)
Robert Forbes (tenor)
Paul Mocroft (bass)

 

December 2005

conductor David Hart
Christmas Fantasia - including
J S Bach: Cantata for Advent Sunday (No. 61)
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Corelli: Concerto "per la notte di natale"
Pergolesi: Magnificat
plus a selection of traditional and modern Christmas Carols

accompanied by Ensemble Musicale (leader David Joyce)

Soloists:
Elizabeth Holland (soprano)
Hayley Grace Hunt (mezzo-soprano)
Stephen Davis (tenor)
Tristan Stocks (baritone)

 

May 2005

conductor David Hart
Haydn: Creation
accompanied by Ensemble Musicale (leader David Joyce)

Soloists:
Catherine Benson (soprano)
Michael Clee (tenor)
Tristan Stocks (bass)

 

December 2004

conductor David Hart
Christmas Glory - including:
Vivaldi: Gloria
Pergolesi, Torelli and Vivaldi: Italian Concerto Excerpta
plus a selection of traditional and modern Christmas Carols
accompanied by Ensemble Musicale (leader David Joyce)

Soloists:
Lorna Cross (soprano)
Joan Longmore (contralto)

 

May 2004

conductor David Hart
Mozart in May - including:
Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, Symphony No 30 in D, "Coronation" Mass in C and Regina Coeli

Soloists:
Catheron Mason (soprano)
Harriet Goodwin (mezzo soprano)
Stephen Cary (tenor)
Paul Mocroft (bass)

 

December 2003

conductor David Hart
JS Bach - selected movements from Christmas Oratorio
plus a programme of traditional and modern carols from the Novello Book of Carols

accompanied by Ensemble Musicale (leader David Joyce)

Soloists:
Cheryl Hockham (soprano)
Judith Carder (mezzo-soprano)
David Corden (tenor)
Laurence Cole (bass)

 

May 2003

conductor David Hart
Rutter: Magnificat
CPE Bach: Magnificat
accompanied by Ensemble Musicale (leader David Joyce)

Soloists:
Elizabeth Bruce (soprano)
Joan Longmore (contralto)
Michael Clee (tenor)
Paul Mocroft (bass)

 

December 2002

conductor David Hart
Handel: Messiah, Part 1
plus a programme of traditional and modern carols
accompanied by Ensemble Musicale

 

May 2002

conductor David Hart
"Harmonious Classics"
C Hubert H Parry: Blest Pair of Sirens (arranged for 4-part chorus and orchestra)
Edward Elgar: Salut d'Amour, for string orchestra
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Five Mystical Songs, for baritone solo, choir and orchestra
Josef Haydn: Mass in B flat ("Harmonie" or "Wind-Band" Mass)

Soloists:
Catherine Benson (soprano)
Barbara Hogg (mezzo-soprano)
Michael Clee (tenor)
David Usher (baritone)

 

December 2001

Christmas carol concert including
Britten: A Ceremony of Carols

Soloists:
Stephanie Roberts (harp)
Catherine Benson (soprano)

 

May 2001 - "A Classical Spring"

Haydn: Te Deum
Rossini: String Sonata No 1
Mozart: Regina Coeli (K 108)
Beethoven: Mass in C
accompanied by Ensemble Musicale (leader: Villia Harper)

Soloists:
Sarah Westwood (soprano)
Harriet Goodwin (mezzo-soprano)
Derek Lidington (tenor)
Paul Mocroft (bass)