Royal School of Church Music Thames and Chilterns Area: Oxfordshire District

* Please note that, because of major work taking place inside St. Mary's Church, *
* Henley, it has been necessary to change the venue of the pre-Festival rehearsal. *

THAMESSIDE DEANERIES CHOIRS' FESTIVAL

Saturday, 5th March, 2005 at 2 p.m.

St. Mary the Virgin, Hambleden, near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

Conductor:	Grayston Ives, Organist and Informator Choristarum, Magdalen College, Oxford
Organist:	Christine Wells, Organist and Director of Music, St. Mary the Virgin, Hambleden
Preacher:	The Revd. Malcolm Macnaughton, Rector of Hambleden

You are invited to take part in the Thamesside Deaneries Choirs' Festival, which takes place in Hambleden Parish Church, by kind permission of the Rector and Churchwardens. It is hoped that all local parish church choirs will wish to take part in the Festival, no matter how limited their vocal and financial resources. Churches which have no choir, but where some members of the congregation would like to participate as singers, are equally welcome. In churches where difficulty may be experienced in learning the music, rehearsals are available elsewhere and details may be found below.

An early acknowledgement of interest would be very welcome so as to judge support for the Festival.

To apply

You should already have received an application form. If not, please get in touch with:
Keith Atkinson, 22 Red House Drive, Sonning Common, Reading RG4 9NT (Tel: 0118 972 2844)

The Music

[1] No. 22 in Worship in Song (RSCM 1997) ; [2] Novello NOV290354 ; [3] RSCM RA533

We hope that some churches will wish to purchase the setting of the Canticles and the Anthem for themselves. However, loan copies of the Canticles and Anthem should be available. Copies of the Introit, Responses, Psalms and Hymn will be supplied on receipt of orders.

[2] has been recorded by the choir of Ripon Cathedral on Priory PRCD555.
[3] has been recorded by the RSCM Millennium Youth Choir on Lammas LAMM 140D.

Rehearsals

All Singers should attend the pre-Festival rehearsal on Tuesday, 1st March from 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in St. Mary the Virgin, Hambleden. Singers should be note-perfect before the pre-Festival rehearsal.

Parishes where rehearsal of the music presents problems may send their singers to rehearsals at Goring or Peppard as follows:

St. Thomas of Canterbury, Goring-on-Thames: Fridays, 11th, 18th and 25th February at 8.00 p.m.

All Saints', Rotherfield Peppard: Sundays, 13th, 20th and 27th February at 8.00 p.m.

Robed and unrobed choirs are equally welcome on 5th March. (Cassocks should be worn by the former for rehearsal on the day.) Singers should bring tea with them to the Festival. Drinks will be provided.

Timetable on 5th March