Warm words for Twyford Singers
ACONCERT conductor had warm words for the performances of her choir – and its audience. Twyford Singers conductor Helen Styles was speaking after the choir’s Christmas concert at St Mary’s Church, Twyford, last Saturday (December 9).
A popular feature of the concert is the audience joining in with some of the carols. “The audience members sang really well,” said Mrs Styles.
She had reminded them they were welcome to come along to the choir when it starts practices again on Tuesday, January 9, at 7.45pm at St Mary’s Church, Twyford.
“We welcome people ranging from those who have never sung before to highly experienced choral singers,” she said.
“There are no auditions and you don’t need to be able to read music. We have rehearsal tracks on the website to help members learn the music.”
She praised the choir’s singing at the concert which included their first performance of A Winter’s Night, written by Cecilia McDowall in 2014. It’s a contemporary arrangement of familiar carols, including English, German and French ones.
The singers marked the 400th anniversary of composer William Byrd’s death by singing his stately and moving Earl of Salisbury carol.
In contrast there were the jollity of Winter Wonderland, arranged by Mrs Styles, and also Jingle Bells. The singing was accompanied by a mini orchestra of its regular accompanist Judith Creighton, trumpet player Kevin Ransom and percussionist Beth Styles, aged 13.
The choir sings a wide variety of pieces throughout the year including songs from musicals and opera, settings of pop music, classic masterpieces like Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s Creation and also madrigals.
Mrs Styles and Mrs Creighton, both highly experienced musicians, have been praised for the support they give the choir to produce quality singing.