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.
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)