Some of our recent concerts have included:

Summer Concert July 15th 2023 at 7pm – Songs of Life and Love – Maisemore Village Hall

This was a concert with a lighter mix of mainly recent music, although one of Henry VIII’s pieces crept in – but in a modern version! Featured were arrangements of songs from Simon and Garfunkel, the Beatles, a few pieces from ‘the musicals’ and Sibelius and Finzi made an appearance. It was definitely an enjoyable summer miscellany enhanced by the after concert refreshments which were copious and very tasty!

Christmas Concert 2022

On December 10^th we very much enjoyed singing Handel’s ‘Messiah’ – part 1 plus the Hallelujah Chorus – and there were many kind remarks about the choir’s efforts and enthusiasm. Soloists came from across the choir and gave of their best as did the audience in their carol singing.

The main downside of December 10^th was the winter weather and we were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who ventured out to come to the concert. It gave some meaning to the words of ‘Good King Wenceslas’ – the frost was indeed ‘cruel’ and the weather ‘bitter’!

Summer Concert 2022

Saturday, 23rd July 2022, 7pm at Maisemore Village Hall, GL2 8JE.

An enthusiastic audience was truly entertained.

The evening of ‘Songs for a Summer Evening’ on July 23rd had something for everyone including madrigals and songs by Stanford, Bernstein, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sondheim and others. The audience filled Maisemore Village Hall and a special welcome was given to some Ukrainian families who were being hosted by members of the choir community. As the evening’s programme drew to a close, the choir’s penultimate piece was a passionately sung ‘Prayer for Ukraine’ – sung in Ukrainian with our Ukrainian guests standing to join in.

The concert ended with a heartfelt rendering of ‘You’ll never walk alone’ – from the musical Carousel but with special resonance for singers and guests.

A retiring collection was taken for the support of people in Ukraine via the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Our Ukrainian guests

Spring Concert 2022

Saturday, 14th May 2022, 7pm at Holy Innocents’ Church, Highnam

Our spring concert featured Schubert’s ‘Mass in G’ and Morten Lauridsen’s ‘Lux Aeterna’ with the Central England Camerata String Quartet conducted by our Musical Director, Lee Wiltamuth.

These are two very contrasting pieces both in style and date. Schubert’s Mass in G was composed in less than a week in early March 1815.  Lux Aeterna was premiered in April 1997.

We were thrilled to be singing in our first public concert since the 2020 lockdown.

July 2017 ‘Feel the Spirit’

Our summer concert had an American theme, featuring John Rutter’s cycle of familiar spirituals, together with a selection of music by Bob Chilcott (from I Share Creation), Aaron Copland and Randall Thompson. The Spa Notes Jazz Combo added hugely to the spirit of the evening, as did our wonderful soloist mezzo soprano Victoria Kane.

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July 2016 ‘Sounds and Sweet Airs’

This year’s Shakespearean Anniversary provided the inspiration for our summer concert,where we joined forces with period instrumentalists The Waites of Gloucester for an afternoon of music inspired by the bard and his times. A programme of madrigals and modern settings of Shakespearean texts was followed by demonstrations of musical instruments, dancing and a hog roast supper.

April 2016    ‘Between Friends’ was the headline for The Tan House Singers  concert at St Peter’s, Minsterworth, referring to the mutual respect between the two featured composers, Mozart and Haydn. But the phrase could apply equally to the atmosphere in the church, where the appreciative audience was treated to a splendid performance by the choir under their conductor Janet Upton.

The first half featured Mozart’s Solemn Vespers, including the well known Laudate Dominum, a miniature Mozartian gem. After the interval Haydn’s Mass in Time of War was full of lyrically joyful music brought to life by exciting timpani accompaniment from Nigel Garbutt. Soloists Claire Porter (soprano), Jane Fitzgerald (alto), Jeremy Tyndall (tenor) and Iain Duffin (bass) and accompaniment from renowned organist Christopher Boodle completed the occasion.

Audience members were generous in their appreciation;

‘Choir, soloists, organist, timpanist absolutely together under their conductor’

‘Lovely balanced voices’

♦

The Tan House Singers perform a wide variety of choral music, including songs and sacred music by Elgar, Stanford, Vaughan Williams, Britten, Rutter and many others. Our repertoire includes choral arrangements of popular jazz classics, folk songs and carols. We have also given performances of major works including:

Handel Messiah, Coronation Anthems

Moeran Songs of Springtime
Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle
Carissimi Jephte
Schutz St Matthew Passion
Mozart Requiem
Faure Requiem
Bernstein Chichester Psalms
Haydn Nelson Mass
Purcell Dido and Aeneas
Gilbert and Sullivan Trial by Jury
Vivaldi Gloria
Stainer Crucifixion