This is a jazzed-up version by David W Solomons (www.dwsolo.com) of the old 16th Century French tune which was used in G R Woodward's carol "Ding Dong Merrily on High"; it is great fun to sing. It is quite different from the more well-known arrangeme...  moreThis is a jazzed-up version by David W Solomons (www.dwsolo.com) of the old 16th Century French tune which was used in G R Woodward's carol "Ding Dong Merrily on High"; it is great fun to sing. It is quite different from the more well-known arrangement and would make a nice change in a carol concert. The vocal parts here are all performed by Matthew Curtis  

Gospel style setting for 2 or 4 voices, 2 flutes, double bass, guitar and tambourine of my evangelical poem about Christmas. This is not typical of my usual style, but it's an interesting excursion into the evangelical music of mid-70s Oxford, where I ...  moreGospel style setting for 2 or 4 voices, 2 flutes, double bass, guitar and tambourine of my evangelical poem about Christmas. This is not typical of my usual style, but it's an interesting excursion into the evangelical music of mid-70s Oxford, where I was studying.  

Our small but talented Choir consists mainly of young people. All Choir members receive a first-rate musical education. There has been a long tradition of musical excellence at St Laurence’s. The original church, built in the 1880s, had a strong Choir ...  moreOur small but talented Choir consists mainly of young people. All Choir members receive a first-rate musical education. There has been a long tradition of musical excellence at St Laurence’s. The original church, built in the 1880s, had a strong Choir of men and boys who took part in the Festival of Britain services in 1951. When the new church was opened in 1968, the musical tradition continued. A new Walker organ was installed in the church, using some pipework from the old organ and Directors of Music have included David Sanger, Professor Roger Wibberley, Paul Dewhurst, Tom Fowkes, Marcus Wibberley, Iain Simcock and Andrew Ibbotson. The current Director of Music is Huw Morgan. Girls were first admitted to the Choir some ten years ago, but the Choir remains unique in this part of south-east London in that it continues to use only trebles (girls and boys) on the top line. The lower parts are provided by volunteer adults from the local community. Young people receive an excellent musical education, and ...    less

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis set to music for six part men's voices Choir by David W Solomons www.dwsolo.com All parts performed by Matthew Curtis - www.choraltracks.com The title of this work (Canticula Ursae Minoris/Songs of the Little Bear) comes...  moreMagnificat and Nunc Dimittis set to music for six part men's voices Choir by David W Solomons www.dwsolo.com All parts performed by Matthew Curtis - www.choraltracks.com The title of this work (Canticula Ursae Minoris/Songs of the Little Bear) comes from the origin of the melodies: Many years ago I wrote an "Oratorio" based on Winnie the Pooh and gave each character little melodic leitmotifs, sung as "Sing ho for the life of a bear" and "What I say said Eeyore is that it's unsettling" and I have used them for various sections of these Canticles, with Eeyore's little song curiously dominating the Lesser Doxology - Glory be to the Father and to the Son... The work, called Poohratorio of course, is due to be published once AA Milne goes into public domain (2031).  less

Thomas Rossin conducts Händel's masterwork in concert. Andrew Barrett, Tenor, Robert Sunderin, Bass, Lea Kirdatt, Alto, Sarah Zimmerman, Soprano

Formed by four ladies from a Choir that was closed. We are meeting the challenges of starting afresh. We have a superb choral director who is getting the best out of us. The is no audition: just a love of singing. We are a mixture of very experienced to ...  moreFormed by four ladies from a Choir that was closed. We are meeting the challenges of starting afresh. We have a superb choral director who is getting the best out of us. The is no audition: just a love of singing. We are a mixture of very experienced to none. The Choir is bilingual English and Spanish with a truly international membership. Formado por cuatro mujeres de un coro que cerró. Estamos afrontando los retos de empezar de nuevo. Tenemos un director coral magnífico que está sacando lo mejor de nosotras. No hay audición: solo amor por cantar. Somos una mezcla de personas con mucha experiencia y otras sin experiencia. El coro es bilingüe inglés y español con una membresía verdaderamente internacional.  less

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Men and women’s voices are different.     Obvious really, but it’s something many singers find it difficult to come to terms wit...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I had a girlfriend who believed that we are all capable of anything if we just put enough effort in.   Photo by _foam   She believed that ...