Despite the flutters of snow and a strenuous uphill trek, I decided that a bit of hill-top music on a bleak Saturday afternoon might be good for the legs, and surely good for the soul. Weeks of bitterly cold weather were beginning to wear me down a bit.
The doors of St Martha's Church, just outside Guildford, were closed but I could hear the buzz of voices from inside and the director of the concert was jumping from foot to foot at the entrance, beckoning people inside.
"A new singing group, a wonderful programme and it's all free. Dogs welcome!" exclaimed Peter White, wringing his hands to keep warm.
Inside a large crowd had gathered to listen to a performance by the newly formed choir Coromarta who were performing a concert as part of the Guildford International Music Festival.
Directed by Peter White, a Guildford musician, composer and Director of Music at the Royal Grammar School, the choir performed a range of works under the title of Music of the British Landscape.
They opened with John Ireland's relatively unfamiliar work The Hills, and it was immediately apparent that this was an extraordinarily accomplished choir with an excellent balance, just four to a part, but all the singers in their twenties with strong and pure voices. This beautiful song and the sound of their voices was indeed proving good for the soul.
The programme continued with works by Elgar, Holst, Grainger and Vaughan Williams. Holst's I Love My Love featured a lovely baritone solo from John Foakes whilst Cyrus Dromgoole Cavazzi's haunting tenor solo in Grainger's masterful arrangement of Brigg Fair was particularly memorable.
Then we heard Peter White's own folk song arrangements which, as he commented himself, somewhat optimistically heralded the coming of spring. His hypnotic version of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean was particularly effective, whilst the energetic and very fast arrangement of The Tailor and the Mouse, demonstrated the complete security of the choir.
The concert ended with The Five Flower Songs by Benjamin Britten whose centenary is celebrated this year. Complex harmonies and changes in tempo were confidently tackled by this excellent new group who plan more performances this year, both in Guildford and further afield.
It was well worth the walk, and although my dog whimpered a bit at the high notes, she loved it too.
For more information about Coromarta contact Peter White via the Royal Grammar School. 01483 880600 or email guildown@gmail.com
The doors of St Martha's Church, just outside Guildford, were closed but I could hear the buzz of voices from inside and the director of the concert was jumping from foot to foot at the entrance, beckoning people inside.
"A new singing group, a wonderful programme and it's all free. Dogs welcome!" exclaimed Peter White, wringing his hands to keep warm.
Directed by Peter White, a Guildford musician, composer and Director of Music at the Royal Grammar School, the choir performed a range of works under the title of Music of the British Landscape.
They opened with John Ireland's relatively unfamiliar work The Hills, and it was immediately apparent that this was an extraordinarily accomplished choir with an excellent balance, just four to a part, but all the singers in their twenties with strong and pure voices. This beautiful song and the sound of their voices was indeed proving good for the soul.
The programme continued with works by Elgar, Holst, Grainger and Vaughan Williams. Holst's I Love My Love featured a lovely baritone solo from John Foakes whilst Cyrus Dromgoole Cavazzi's haunting tenor solo in Grainger's masterful arrangement of Brigg Fair was particularly memorable.
Then we heard Peter White's own folk song arrangements which, as he commented himself, somewhat optimistically heralded the coming of spring. His hypnotic version of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean was particularly effective, whilst the energetic and very fast arrangement of The Tailor and the Mouse, demonstrated the complete security of the choir.
The concert ended with The Five Flower Songs by Benjamin Britten whose centenary is celebrated this year. Complex harmonies and changes in tempo were confidently tackled by this excellent new group who plan more performances this year, both in Guildford and further afield.
It was well worth the walk, and although my dog whimpered a bit at the high notes, she loved it too.
For more information about Coromarta contact Peter White via the Royal Grammar School. 01483 880600 or email guildown@gmail.com
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