Swindon Choral Society with their guests, The Cotswold Childrens' Choir, presented a splendid programme of music at St Joseph's Catholic College on Saturday evening. Performing to a full-house, the combined choirs sang the popular "Donna Nobis Pacem" from David Fanshaw's celebrated "African Sanctus", a work the Society plans to perform in its entirity next year.
While the first half of the concert proved exciting, it was Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" that stole the show. Under Robin Nelson's skilful direction, multiple choruses involving various combinations from the two choirs, three soloists, two grand pianos, a trumpet plus percussion, thrilled the audience. Baritone David Butt Philip, who recently gave a recital at London's Wigmore Hall, produced a rich velvet voice with apparent ease. The Cotswold Childrens' Choir sang enthusiatically with their trained voices well blended, and as usual the Choral Society showed an amazing versitality of singing skills.
Christ Church is the venue for Swindon Choral Society's Christmas concert on Saturday, 5th December when the music will include Benjamin Britten's "St Nicolas", and also family carols.
Mirian Sirelle
The following press release was published on 29.3.09.
"1685"
Swindon Choral Society produced a fantastic concert of Baroque Music on Saturday, 28th March, 2009, when they performed a selection of works all written by composers born in 1685. The programme opened with a rousing performance of Handel's Zadok the Priest, followed by Bach's Magnificat in D which was full of energy and included fine singing by the choir and soloists.
The professional Chameleon Arts Orchestra played sensitively throughout and gave a fine performance of Scarlatti's Sonata in C arranged for them by the Society's talented Musical Director Robin Nelson.
The climax of the evening was surely Handel's Dixit Dominus which captivated the huge audience in the beautiful Holyrood Church. Under Nelson's baton, the choir of over one hundred singers brought precision and musicianship to a fine work which included five excellent vocal soloists. Callum Thorp, with a rich velvet bass voice, is certainly someone to look out for in the future.
The Swindon Choral Society is a choir for Swindon to be proud of and their future concerts are surely a must for all music lovers !
Mirian Sirelle
The following Notice was submitted toThe Swindon Evening Advertiser on Monday, 18th December, 2006
Carol Concert in a Full Church
Children from Ruskin Junior School joined with the Swindon Choral Society to present a Christmas Concert which thrilled all present. The saying "Never perform with children" was again disproved by this delightful concert which included items by the children alone and also with the Choral Society.
Robin Nelson, formerly Director of Music at Marlborough College and now the Society's Director of Music, conducted and presented the music with just the right balance of information which added to the enjoyment for the audience - that packed every corner of the beautiful St Barnabas Church at Gorse Hill. Particularly moving was "This Endris Night" written by Robin, and also the vocal solo by young Darius of the Ruskin Choir.
Mark Kowalski, retiring Chairman, thanked the choirs and audience.
Once again The Swindon Choral Society showed why tickets for their concerts sell so fast ! Don't miss the chance to hear the Choral Society in their - Concert of French Choral Music - at Holy Rood Church, Groundwell Road on Saturday, 24 March, 2007 at 8pm.
The following Notice appeared in The Swindon Evening Advertiser on 29th March 2006
"A MASTER PEACE
Swindon Choral Society produced a stunning concert at Holy Rood Church last Saturday evening which thrilled the packed audience from start to finish.
Under the direction of Nicholas Riddle, the evening commenced with two unaccompanied Bruckner Motets involving carefully managed part singing ranging from forte to pianissimo.
John Rutter's Gloria followed, accompanied by a vibrant brass section from the West Forest Sinfonia. The choir matched the exciting opening fanfare with a triumphant "Gloria", and from which the work built until the dramatic "Qui Tollis" from the sopranos emerged from the cacophany of sound to herald the start of the slow section.
Indeed the ability of Nicholas Riddle to handle the dynamic range of the music so sensitively left the packed house impatient for the second half.
The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace, by Karl Jenkins more than met up to expectations. The choir, wearing white corsages as a sign of peace, responded to the percussionists colourful introduction with the well known chorus "L'Homme Arme". All emotions were tapped during this stunning performance which concluded with the uplifting chorus - "Better is Peace".
Despite repeated cries of "Encore", the audience had to leave wanting more. A very good way to leave such a superb concert by Swindon's Choral Society."
News Archive The choir's Autumn 2003 concert saw 80 singers raise the roof in Marlborough College Chapel under the baton of Robin Nelson, also directing the exceptional talent of the West Forest Sinfonia. Many of the choir were moved by the experience, and it is a shame that so few members of the public supported the event, just one of many simultaneous concerts going on around the country in aid of the Hospice movement. Members of the Society raised sponsorship money to sing in their 'Hospices in Harmony' concert - raising over 1400 for the Hospice!
Following successful CD sales (see below), the choir continued to pledge their support for the Prospect Hospice in 2002 by generously donating profits from ticket sales from their Summer concert to the charity.
The group's Chairman Mark Kowalski notes, "This concert exceeded all our expectations on several levels. The feedback we received from some of the 434 concert-goers was tremendous, and the Wyvern staff complimented us on our professionalism, which is great for all concerned. Thanks from Kathy and I to all who supported this event, and in particular to Eric Walker MBE and Gillian Richardson of the Prospect Hospice for their untiring support."
Swindon Choral Society hit the headlines in 2001 with a fantastic donation to the Prospect Hospice in Swindon of GBP 667 from sales of their Christmas CD. Kathy Danswan, Swindon Choral Society's Press Officer, said this was "a wonderful way to raise funds for the Society whilst supporting an excellent local charity".
Kathy (far left) is pictured with (l to r) former chairman Stuart Musgrove, former Musical Director David Truslove, and Community Fundraising Officer Gillian Richardson of the Prospect Hospice, who received the cheque at a recent choir rehearsal.
Many of us enjoyed another trip to Salzgitter in October/November 2002 where we joined our friends in St Michael's Church Choir, Salzgitter to sing Mendelssohn's Lobgesang and Vivaldi's uplifting Gloria in D (RV 589). The picture (right) is taken from our concert in 2000 when we sang Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem together.
Swindon Choral Society hit the headlines in 2001 with a fantastic donation to the Prospect Hospice in Swindon of GBP 667 from sales of their Christmas CD. Kathy Danswan, Swindon Choral Society's Press Officer, said this was "a wonderful way to raise funds for the Society whilst supporting an excellent local charity". 
Many of us enjoyed another trip to Salzgitter in October/November 2002 where we joined our friends in St Michael's Church Choir, Salzgitter to sing Mendelssohn's Lobgesang and Vivaldi's uplifting Gloria in D (RV 589). The picture (right) is taken from our concert in 2000 when we sang Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem together.