St Mary's Church

Standing ovation for Carmina...

Standing ovation for Carmina...

After weeks of preparing for this concert under the enjoyable and wonderful guidance of our Musical Director, Jonathan Kingston, we finally got to perform this magnificent work to a full house in St Mary’s Church, Banbury on Saturday 13th April.

The collaboration between musicians and singers was seamless due to the watchful, caring and detailed attention from Jonathan in his conducting. The percussionists from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire brought a thrilling excitement and heartbeat to the piece and the pianists were the ‘Royal Icing’ on the cake - some extraordinary talent under one roof. Particular thanks to Jules for his excellent accompanying throughout rehearsals and in the performance.

The soloists were first class and gave us a theatrical performance that created music in pictures. The packed house gave us a standing ovation and everyone left with a bounce in their step and a smile on their face. What a way to spend a Saturday! It shows how hard work pays off. Thanks to everyone who contributed and also those who could not take part in the concert due to illness (we missed you) - particularly, Jill G. and our Chair, Lorraine who still managed to help in the background with support from Trevor, her husband - thank you. What a team and what a leader. Here is to the next one…!

A wonderful collaboration...

A wonderful collaboration...

Huge thanks go to The Carice Singers and George Parris, their Musical Director, for agreeing to perform with us on stage at St Mary’s Church, Banbury last Saturday 16th July 2022. It was a very special collaboration of exquisite music-making particularly on the part of The Carice singers who brought an ethereal quality to their singing. Banbury Choral singers were amazing too and delivered an excellent performance of their three pieces particularly raising the roof with Parry’s ‘I was Glad’. Well done sops!

Lastly, thank you to Julian and Jonathan for their patience in getting us rehearsed in time for the concert and for bringing it all together on the night. The organ at St Mary’s has never sounded so good - congratulations Jonathan! We are so privileged to have such talent in our midst.