Big Singing Success with John Rutter!
28 February 2016
Yesterday, nearly four hundred singers joined their voices to
take part in our third – and most successful – singing day with the
internationally-acclaimed composer and conductor John Rutter CBE.
Over 300 Sopranos and Altos!
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Just short of 400 in total crammed into
the Hall
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Wow! That really was an
amazing achievement
yesterday. Everything worked
perfectly, all participants
seemed very happy - well
done.
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Throughout this news item you will see one of the dozens of
quotes we have had back from participants, who were clearly thrilled
with the occasion.
I just wanted to tell
you and the rest of the
Northampton Bach Choir how
very much I enjoyed the John
Rutter day yesterday. I am a
new and novice singer but my
confidence levels soared
yesterday and I loved every
minute.
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From extracts from John Rutter’s new work The Gift of Life, to
his settings of A flower remembered and (in this Shakespeare
anniversary year) Blow, blow, thou winter wind, to the late George
Shearing’s setting of Who is Silvia?, and popular works including
Handel’s Hallelujah chorus and Vivaldi’s Gloria, the day was an
instant hit with those who came from near and far.
John Rutter introducing our MD Lee
Dunleavy
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Rehearsing with just short of 100 Tenors
and Basses
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I am hoping that all who
did so much to make today
such a success have had a
well-deserved break today
after such an incredible day
on Saturday with John Rutter!
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The highlight for many Northampton Bach Choir members who took
part was John’s arrangement of When the Saints go marching in, which
is not only our local Rugby club’s home song, but also evokes
thrilling memories of singing the arrangement with the Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra (who we on top form, and really let their
hair down) in a Last Night of the Proms concert three years ago.
Truly a magnificent day.
Rutter is amazing - as a
personality, teacher and
musician. I came away having
greatly enjoyed singing
lovely music with so many
like-minded folk and having
learned so much as well.
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What is special about days like these is that not only do we get
an insight into the mind and spirit a such gifted musical leaders,
but we also get a chance to improve our choral skills. Never again
will we think that Dentists are right when they say “Open Wide”! We
won’t forget to ensure our vowels are bright, especially when
singing in English, where the heavy dose of Northamptonshire burr
present clearly took some taming. How remarkable to learn that John
Rutter and the late Sir John Tavener were in the same class at
school!
Battle Royale - Those on the floor turn
to face those on the risers!
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John Rutter with one of our singers
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May I congratulate and
thank the Bach Choir for
their very hard work in
making such a day run
smoothly, with all the
organisation behind the
scenes providing
refreshments to the much
appreciated car parking
‘attendants’ directing
traffic at the beginning and
(especially) at the end of
the day. A very big thank
you!
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We also had a rare opportunity to hear our Musical Director, Lee
Dunleavy, in the rôle of accompanist. Of course we know of his organ
abilities from his provenance as a former Organ Scholar of both
Oxford University and York Minster, and from his series of recitals
at All Saints’ Church, but it is not often we hear him accompanying
on the piano. John was clearly impressed by his sensitive handling
of the piano, an especially difficult job given the large number of
singers, and distance between the piano and those sopranos who were
at the other end of the hall.
Just a quick note to
thank you for a great day’s
singing on Saturday – I
really enjoyed it. The
organisation was excellent
and helped everything to run
smoothly.
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Not only was the day a great musical success, but also a triumph
of organisation. Getting every possible singer accommodated (we were
oversubscribed, so had to maximise every seat to get as many in as
possible), all the information distributed in advance, over one
tonne of music sorted and placed on seats, twelve urns across six
tea making stations, ensuring over 250 cars and coaches were parked
safely, the list goes on and on and on. With many thanks indeed to
all the choir members and their friends and relatives who ensured
everything went like clockwork, and not least Jennie who
masterminded the event, and Ajit who took the stunning photos which
adorn this page.
Directing the singers in Amazing Grace
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John in Full Flight
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We had a fantastic day
and thoroughly enjoyed
having the opportunity to
sing with such a large body
of people under John
Rutter's guidance. The
refreshments were made all
the more welcome due to the
precision organisation and
complete lack of queues. As
my husband said when we
left, ‘If there doesn't seem
to be any organisation, it
is indeed a smooth-run
operation!
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On 3 June 2017 the local Royal School of Church Music committee
is hosting a large Come and Sing event with Dr David Hill, former
Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral, St John’s College,
Cambridge, and the BBC Singers, so we envisage our next large Come
and Sing will be in early 2018. Keep watching our website for
further details!
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