Writing in the Sunderland Echo (December 8th 2009) Roy Horabin had the following to say about the recent, and rare full, performance by Bishopwearmouth Choral Society of Handel’s Messiah :-

“Apparently it is the 20th time this society has sung Messiah and the first time they have sung all of it. Conductor David Murray caught the spirit from the onset, the large choir responding well to contrasting moods…. James Geer (tenor) excelled in the opening recitative Comfort Ye My people and the aria Every Valley Shall Be Exalted. Wyn Pencarry (bass – and a last minute substitute) made deep impact with For He Is Like A Refiner’s Fire, while Katherine Moore’s (Sunderland born soprano) articulation of the florid Rejoice greatly was superb. By contrast Sara Parry (mezzo-soprano) sang He Was Despised And Rejected with intense feeling. Trumpets enhanced the jubilant Hallelujah Chorus …. and the finale culminated in a vast fugal Amen Chorus which Handel designed to be the crowning glory of the oratorio. This thrilling climax was evocative of an uplifting and spiritual experience.”

CHANGE OF DATE : now to be transmitted on BBC1 on Sunday 26th July.

If you can catch an edition of Songs of Praise to be broadcast on BBC 2 on Sunday 19th July at around 5.00 p.m. you will be see (and hear) a chamber choir from the Society contribute to ‘Songs of Praise from Sunderland and the North East’. Their recordings of ‘Awake, Awake to Love and Work’ and ‘Lord of All Hopefulness’ will start and end the programme.

Our recent concert on the 13th June 2009 was reviewed by Roy Horabin in The Sunderland Echo under the headline of “Rarely a blemish”. It was noted that the opening piece, Grainger’s ‘Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess’ was played “in spectacular style by David Murray and Eileen Bown”. Next was Lambert’s masterpiece ‘The Rio Grande’ descriptive of a carnival day in a South American sea port. “David Murray directed a most interesting rendition” and the “chorus work never failed to capture the spirit of this joyous music”. “The accompaniment by pianists Eileen Bown and Jonathan Story, plus an enlarged percussion section, brought to life the score’s infectious dance rhythms”.

After the interval came ‘Carmina Burana’ produced by Carl Orff sung in Latin. “From the opening bars there was no lack of exuberance, while lyrical passages were sung with obvious affection”. “A well rehearsed contribution from the Bishopwearmouth Young Singers was much appreciated”.

“The choir maintained the highest of standards, faithfully observing dynamics and maintaining a good vocal balance throughout” “There was rarely a blemish”.

The major social event of 60th Anniversary season was a successful formal dinner held at the Quayside Exchange in Sunderland on Friday 15th May 2009 in the presence of The Mayor of Sunderland, Co. Alan Richardson, and the Mayoress and Anne Marie Owens, the President of the Society.

Over 100 diners, including many Patrons and previous members of the Society, were able to examine a range of memorabilia including photographs and old programmes. After their meal they were entertained by a talk by Dr. Alan Speeding of Beverley Minster who is very well known in choral circles.

Christine Alder, Chairman of the Society, mentioned some landmarks in the history of the Society and noted the many thanks which are due to those who have enabled the Society to develop over its 60 years and to continue to provide local concerts of such a scale and high calibre.

Writing  a review in the Sunderland Echo, Roy Horabin concluded that Bishopwearmouth Choral Society had given a fabulous performance of Edward Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius at Sunderland MInster. Composed in 1900 its first rendering was a disaster and Elgar was devastated, but it is now considered one of his masterpieces. Musical Director David Murray ensured a convincing interpretation from the soloists, choir and orchestra. John Graham-Hall consistently expressed the innermost feelings of Gerontius and his refined tenor voice blended well with Anne-Marie Owens, who sensitively portrayed the Angel. Philip Smith’s baritone roles as priest and angel of the Agony were exemplary. In addition to the main chorus, a semi-chorus operated from the side gallery, which included the Bishopwearmouth Young SIngers. The orchestra lent colourful support and balanced admirably with singers so the combined ensemble work was notable for its cohesion and subtlety of detail. Serene closing passages made a lasting impression.

Extracted from a review by Roy Horobin in The Sunderland Echo – 2nd April 2009.

The review echoed comments from the audience that the concert had been ‘inspirational’.

Thanks to the kindness of a past member of the Society we now have an  original copy of the programme for the 12th concert given by the choir – Bach’s ‘Christmas Oratorio’ – held on Thursday 3rd December, 1953. For the price of three shillings it was preceeded by an organ recital at 6.45 p.m. before the main concert at 7.30 p.m.

The question is do you have anything similar from the earlier days of the Society – perhaps a notable programme or a critic’s review or even just a memory of a notable event which you took part in. If so, the Society would be very pleased to hear from you!

Dorothy Hardy, currently finishing her Glass and Ceramics BA Degree at Sunderland University, has taken inspiration from Bishopwearmouth Choral Society and created a stunning piece in glass, entitled ‘Interactive Choir’. Her approach is outlined below in her artist’s statement and it is hoped the members and friends of the Society will have the opportunity of viewing the piece itself at a performance.

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You may not have realised it but our next season, 2008/2009, with be the 60th Anniversary Season of the the formation of Bishopwearmouth Choral Society.

To mark this there are a variety of social occasions being planned, as well as the regular concerts which will feature works associated with our history. All patrons, past members and present friends of the Society would be most welcome to join in these special events – full details will be publicised here for you to add in to your diaries.