Bingham and Southwell 18 – 21 December
“I feel as though I’m saying goodbye to one of my own family.……”, one of the many complimentary comments from host families in Bingham when we left on Sunday morning. Most of the hosting families on this the final stage were from the Bingham & District Choral Society, with support from the Cantamus Girls Choir.
Thursday 18 December, we arrived at around 6.30 p.m. on a cold and wet evening. Fortunately all the host families were waiting and students were whisked away to warm cosy homes, and home cooked hot meals!
Friday 19th was a very full performance day. Pamela Cook Conductor of the Cantamus Girls Choir had initiated that we rehearse and perform at the Samworth Academy in Mansfield. It was a richly rewarding time, and new friendships were quickly formed ” I’m going to keep in touch with Milly……” one year 7 girl proudly announced just before we left. I had to sign for 4 autographs……….
Pamela gave an inspirational workshop with the senior choir. As conductor of one of the world’s greatest choirs, and a leading authority on voice teaching, it was really helpful at this stage of the tour for Pam to further refine and polish our repertoire. Much food for thought for both conductor and singers as to how we keep moving forward with our choral programme at Barker.
We gave a short recital to Samworth year 7’s before lunch, and this was we suddenly realised the start of the last performances of some of our repertoire. Lunch was provided by Samworth (we sang “Oculi” to the noisy school canteen). Then a chance for a bit of a runaround and much needed let off steam outside ( it is so warm and stuffy indoors) as we got hold of a rugby ball with an impromptu game of touch rugby. An honourable 1-1 draw!
Back at Bingham by 2.30 p.m. we were straight into the dress rehearsal for their Christmas Concert. This was a real “Pommie Christmas” experience, with a packed village church for their annual Christmas concert. This was something I particularly wanted the students to experience, community carols with choirs, (loud!) brass, organ and congregation, warming the souls and spirits in (again) a very warm church!
The successful end of our tour was reliant on the Bingham DS CS and Cantamus hosting us, and I’m delighted to report that they just loved our performances, particularly the Australian repertoire. We even snuck in “Pemulwuy” into Bingham’s Christmas concert!!
Saturday morning was spent in Newark in the town square and surrounds doing last minute shopping. There really isn’t any excuse for folks back home not to get a pressie
Although we weren’t required to be at Southwell Minster until later on Saturday afternoon, I took the opportunity to let the tour party watch Cantamus Girls Choir rehearse. (This is the second time that Cantamus has included us in one of their concerts, the other time being July2004). One can learn so much in music by watching truly great artists rehearse and perform.
The evening was a fitting climax to the 2008 tour. All the Barker musicians, whilst inevitably daunted to be performing alongside such illustrious performers, “held their own” and received long sustained applause for their two short brackets in the programme.
The grand finale was “Christmas Night” and “Hark the Herald” with combined Cantamus/ Barker Choirs and Barker Chamber Orchestra. It was something of a coup to include the strings as Pamela Cook prefers to work with just piano/organ accompaniment. Jonathan Mui’s musical leadership of the chamber orchestra ensured that she had nothing to worry about!
So a suitable end to our performance programme. Thanks again to Bingham and District Choral Society and Cantamus for hosting and including us in one of their most important concerts of the year.
Two more “different ” concert experiences, and the right way to finish this music tour. We have much to be thankful for in this the last days as we reflect that due to the generosity displayed by our UK hosts in both Nottingham and Southend, the 2008 music tour actually became a reality.
Much love to all,
James A.