A fond farewell for Patrick

AFTER its Summer Concert on Saturday, June 23, Wokingham Choral Society (WCS) will be saying a fond farewell to its Musical Director, Patrick Allies, who will be moving to Washington DC, where his wife will be taking up a prestigious post.

WCS is, however, delighted to be welcoming James Morley Potter as its new musical director from September.

James enjoys a multifaceted musical portfolio encompassing conducting, singing, and writing. In London, he is Director of Music at St Mary's Church, Battersea, where he directs the choir and scholars in weekly choral services.

In Oxford, he is Director of Cathedral Singers at Christ Church Cathedral, directing its mixed-voice choir, one of the most active of its type in the country, in up to a hundred services a year. He is also in demand as a writer on music, contributing programme notes and essays for ensembles including The Tallis Scholars, The Cardinall's Musick, The Eric Whitacre Singers, and others.

Having received a formative musical education as a chorister at Bath Abbey, he went on to read Music at The Queen's College, University of Oxford. Following this, he began his career as a professional singer in the choirs of Magdalen College and Christ Church Cathedral, performing on critically acclaimed recordings and touring across the world. While in Oxford, he also held conducting positions including Pusey House, The Arcadian Singers, and others. He holds diplomas in choral direction and organ performance from the Royal College of Organists.

Patrick’s last concert with WCS will contain a perfect mix of pieces for a warm summer’s evening.

The choir say that audiences will go home humming choruses from Gilbert and Sullivan as well as Rutter’s Feel the Spirit.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and takes place at All Saints Church in Wokingham as part of its summer concerts season. Tickets are £12.50 (£5 students and Under 18s) and can be purchased online or through local outlets - please see www. wokingham-choral-society.org.uk for more details.

Before heading to the

USA Patrick will have one more engagement with the choir when he leads it on a tour to Normandy.