Sunday March 24th: Please note that (due to the lack of availability of both our pianist and an increasing number of members who have been in touch since Sunday 17th), it will NOT be possible to have a further rehearsal on Thursday 21st.

On Sunday 24th March we will meet at 6 pm, in the Church Halls, before the concert. Dress code for ladies is black full length dress, skirt or trousers, with a black full length or 3/4 length sleeved top. For gentlemen, it is evening dress (dinner suit) and black bow tie.

The revised programme can be found here. Members can aid their rehearsal at home with examples of music for this and other concerts, which can be found here.

Other Rehearsals:As per previously intimated in the January Update, there will be NO rehearsals on the 31st March (Easter Sunday) or the 7th April.

Concerts: We are preparing for a spectacular ‘Evening of Sacred Music’ on 24th March and the next few rehearsals are critical.

We continue to work on material for the Concert for Christian Aid on 23rd April.

We are also looking forward to our Annual Spring Concert on Friday 31st May (note extra rehearsals on 28th and 30th May) and the programme can be found here.

Trip: Arrangements for the October 2013 Choir Trip to Malta are now fully underway, but if you have not managed to book already and wish to come, we can enquire if additional names can be added to the travel group. Please email Mark as soon as possible if you wish this.

Those conscious of the work required to prepare for the next couple of concerts or those who simply like to sing along at home ahead of rehearsals may find the following links of use (or click on the play button to run the videos from here).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuY0cCKL9sQ – The Holy City

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9h2texLN3U – The Gift of Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgN37bnGVyI&playnext=1&list=PLC979C33623498030&feature=results_main – Teddy Bear’s Picnic (sorry please use link as not able to add this one to the page)

Cantique de Jean Racine (Faure/Rutter)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLVtp_b_SIU – Lamb of God, Twila Paris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RSMcgQfM9E – Agnus Dei, Faure Requiem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQAfZaKqe-I  – Libera me Faure Requiem

The Heavens are telling (Haydn Creation)

The Marvellous Works (but note that this version misses the choral at the second solo entry though notes are present in the orchestra)

John Rutter -Look at the World

Those without the Mozart disc for their part may find the links to midi player files for their part about halfway down this web page from another choir useful, there is also a set for the Ave Verum corpus http://www.klfc.org.uk/Page%208d.html

In addition here are some videos of it all together

Introitus

Dies Irae

Lacrimosa

Sanctus

Ave Verum Corpus (perhaps a bit slower than us and without OO at start but notes can be heard)

Vivaldi Gloria

Wherever you are

Don’t miss out!: FINAL bookings and deposits MUST be received by Sunday 17^th Feb.

We are flying Air Malta from Manchester  (Coach to Manchester can be provided at £30 per head (approx.) travelling as a private hire group.)

We will be away from Monday 14^th October to Sat 19^th October and staying (B+B) in the 4 star Hotel Preluna. We have received further information from Chevron, the travel company, regarding choices in respect of the Monday to Saturday hotel accommodation.  Please review the choices below and write your selection on the piece of paper that was discussed previously (with your full name and passport number ) and attach your deposit of £200. Please, BRING THIS PAPER and DEPOSIT to Choir on Sunday 17th FEB.

Sunday 3^rd February:  It is really important that all members attend the rehearsal on the 3rd, as we need to have our new seating finalised. This will also be the last full choir rehearsal before the concert on the 21^st February. In addition, we hope to give some information regarding the Malta trip.

Music for your folder:  In addition to the items for the March concert, please bring to the rehearsal on the 3rd Feb-

• ‘Pacem’
• ‘Wherever You Are’
• ‘Look at the World’
• Mozart ‘Ave Verum’

Sunday 10^th February:  This rehearsal is a ‘note bashing session’ for any choir member who would like to have their part consolidated. Choir members who are secure musically and comfortable with the French and Latin are excused from this rehearsal, though most members attending on the 3rd have said they are coming!

Sunday 17^th February: Change of plan intimated after rehearsal on 3rd- in response to popular request it has been decided to hold a rehearsal on the 17th after all.

Thursday 21^st February Concert: Meet at Bellshill West Church at 6pm to have seating arranged. (Concert begins at 7pm. Tickets priced £5.00 available at the door.) Please click here for the Music List.

24th March Concert: The Music List for the 24th March is now also available.

Malta Trip: we discussed costs for this on the 3rd but these have now changed dramatically. New arrangements have now been confirmed. Please see our additional post on the Malta arrangements

Please also note that this update is additional to the information about plans for the year already given in the January update:

Welcome to the start of another wonderful year of music!

It was good to welcome some new potential members on  Sunday 13th January at 7pm. Additional members are welcome to join us throughout the session.

Music to bring:

All Choir members should now bring copies that they have of the following to rehearsals:

• Requiem – Mozart
• Requiem – Faure
• Cantique de Jean Racine – Faure
• The Heavens are Telling – The Creation, Haydn
• By Thee With Bliss – The Creation, Haydn

Rehearsals:

Due to the number of concerts for the remainder of the season, it is crucial that members attend rehearsals.  However, if you are unable to attend rehearsals for any reason you should speak to Mark informing him of the dates you are unable to attend. Members who are unable to attend rehearsals for a prolonged period may be asked to miss a performance.

There will be NO rehearsals on

• Sunday 17^th FebruarySince this post was first released, this has now been changed and by popular request we will now have a rehearsal on this date
• Sunday 31^st March
• Sunday 7^th April
• Sunday 26^th May

It is likely that there will be ADDITIONAL rehearsals on

• Tuesday 28^th May
• Thursday 30^th May

Concerts and other dates for your diary:

• Thursday 21^st February  – Bellshill West Church 7PM– Young Performers’ Platform. Entry £5.00 at the door
• Sunday 24^th March – Bothwell Parish Church 7PM – Evening of Scared Music . Tickets £7.00
• Tuesday 23^rd April – New Kilpatrick Church 7PM – Christian Aid Concert.
• Friday 31^st May – St Bride’s Church, Fallside Road, Bothwell – Spring Concert 7.30pm. Ticket price tbc
• Sunday 2nd June – AGM – Bothwell  Parish Church Centre 7pm
• Sunday August 25th – New season 2013-14 starts!
• Malta Trip will be during the week commencing Monday 14th October
• Christmas Concert 2013!!– Wednesday 18th December, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 7.30 pm

We are busy preparing for our forthcoming concerts. The following are some member notices for December:

We will be supporting the Rotary Club Carol Service on 9th December in Uddingston Old Parish Church at 2.30 pm.  The concert is expected to last 1 hour and 15 minutes. Members are asked to meet, dressed for performance at Uddingston Old Parish Church at 1.30 pm. Dress code for the 9th is lounge suit and tie for gentlemen and full concert dress for ladies.

Rehearsal will take place as usual in Bothwell Parish Church Centre, on 9th December, but we may finish a little early. There will be no rehearsal on Sunday 16th December. However, there will be an additional pre-concert rehearsal on Tuesday 18th December from 7-9 pm at Bothwell Parish Church (in the Church).

We also expect to rehearse ahead of the main Christmas Concert (20th December), in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Building (100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow G2 3DB), but for less time than previously, from 3.30 pm to 5 pm.  Subject to sufficient ladies’ gowns being available, dress code is standard full concert dress for ladies and gentlemen. Subject to sufficient bookings to cover the cost of buses, there will be a bus leaving at 2.00 leaving from St Brides Pastoral Centre, Fallside Road, Bothwell for members. Another bus will run later in the day for fans, from the Pastoral Centre St Bride’s Church in Bothwell at 6.30 pm. Please contact us to advise if you would like to be booked on these. Remember that tickets for audience for this concert will not be available on the door. Please help your fan club to purchase theirs ahead.

We have now agreed the seating plan for the Conservatoire Christmas Concert. This was done on Sunday 25th November. Can anyone expecting to attend that concert who was not at that rehearsal, please see Mark.

Some members may have at home music that should now be added to our weekly folders. This includes:

• Rejoice the Lord is King
• Put Peace Into Each Others’ Hands
• Pacem
• The Star Carol
• The Nativity Carol
• O Come All Ye Faithful
• O Holy Night
• Jingle Bells
• It’s the Most Wonderful Night of the Year
• Silent Night, Oh Holy Night
• On Christmas Day in Bethlehem
• Santissimo (the Lord is my Shepherd – hand written score)
• A Bit of Holiday Cheer
• We Need a Little Christmas

The 100 club would be pleased to welcome new members. Members who prefer a different way to support the choir might like to sponsor one of the Christmas programme items

Members who have not paid their membership fee- £30 is due now, the rest later in the session- should contact Isobel Convery.

Members are asked to note that there will be NO REHEARSAL on Sunday 14th October.

The rehearsal on Sunday 21st October will be split into sections for the first hour and then continue as a whole choir. Members are asked to bring the Carol book, Pacem, Look at the world, Put peace into each others’ hands, Wherever you are and (ladies only) Silent Night! O Holy Night! Work will also begin on two new pieces to be issued at the rehearsal.

Discs of Mozart Requiem parts are available at £1 each from Jessie McPherson.

Fees for this year’s session are due – £30 is due now to Isobel Convery, the rest later in the session.

All members are asked to complete updated forms containing their contact details (available from Jessie McPherson). Members without email contact are also asked to pair with a choir member who has email and who will agree to pass urgent communication to them by phone.

The 100 club would be pleased to welcome new members.

Please also advise Mark as soon as possible regarding your availabilty to attend the concerts on 1st and 15th November.

Members should note that this rehearsal will be as follows:

Ladies 7 – 8 pm

Gentlemen 8 – 9 pm