Patchy records
of
FRIENDS OF VIVACE
(from Michael Jeffery’s
records)
Marion Arbuckle;
Barbara Hilder;
Lesley Scordellis;
Brian Bailey;
Susan Hinton;
Maggie Smith;
Dr Roger Barrett;
Carol Hobbs;
Yvette Smith;
Alan Batterbury;
Jo Huddleston;
Rosemary Spalding;
Yvonne Hungerford;
Zowie Sweetland;
Joy Hunter;
Carolyn Terry;
Michael Jeffery;
John Thornely;
ric Kennedy;
Sally Varley;
John Bawden;
Deborah Bayliss;
AliceBiggham;
Mike Bishop;
Ewan Bramhall;
John Britten;
Jenny Cane;
Miranda Champion;
Stephen Chowns;
Kate Clarke;
Sheila Cooper;
Dave Cox;
Jane Crane;
Christine Curtis;
Barnie Darby;
Fiona Davis;
Margaret Dentskevich;
Jonathan Draper;
John Duke;
Anna Durning;
Claire Edwards;
Celia Embleton;
Corinne Eriksson;
Derek Fisher;
Sue Fletcher;
Gemma Gerikas;
Ingrid Hardiman;
Jane Hedgecock;
Jane Kenney;
Philippa Walker;
Pam Leggatt;
John Yeomans;
Judith Lewy;
Anna Jeffery;
Elizabeth Massey;
James Garrow;
Annika Mathews;
Brenda Moore;
(73 + 2)
Debbie Morton;
05/11/18
Nikki Nelson-Smith;
Max New;
Beryl Northam;
Emma Odell;
Mike Osborn;
Gillian Palmer;
Anne Patterson;
Nigel Pollock;
Karen Prodger;
Alison Rawlinson;
Kate Rayner;
Vivien Rieden;
Ann Sheppard;
Chris Short;
Ann Smith;
Judy Smith;
Foz Al9
Michael Jeffery
To:
Subject:
(ser LE lew
Murgoed Athnood Haqban? loupest wold
friends@vivacechorus.org
Vivace Friends’ 2018 Christmas
{Lo- ——~
(2.39.27
mene
750.
Christmas 2018
Dear Friend of Vivace
That Notice highlights other items in the coming year’s programme — familiar delights and challenges too. What’s
not mentioned is the Christmas Party the day after the Carol Concert, to which Friends are invited to meet old
friends. 7:15 to 9:30 at Guildford Baptist Church. OR the annual St Martin in the Fields event, as “Guest Choir’ with
the Brandenburg Sinphonia, our regular accompanists (repertoire to be confirmed), 7pm on Thursday 21* February
for anyone who can be in London that day. AND the end-of-season Summer Concert, “mixed repertoire” at 7:30 pm
on 6" July in Holy Trinity Church. Followed on Monday 8" by the AGM with reports on the year’s successes or
otherwise, hear proposals for the coming year celebrate it all at the Summer Party. At which Friends are welcome.
Please note one important change from those Coming Season notes. The March VW Sea Symphony concert will
NOT be in the Cathedral. It will be in Dorking, the Dorking Halls. And thereby hangs a tale. Here is a quote from
Jeremy’s AGM report, on the March programme of “Baroque Treasures”
:“Sadly though, this was really the first occasion when our music-making was seriously affected by the new acoustic
in the cathedral. For the Mahler/Bruckner concert, | think the size of the sound filled the cathedral completely and
we were less aware of the swirling acoustic. But here, with Baroque music, there was no escaping the fact that for
such small-scale music, the new cathedral acoustic proved disastrous. | will talk more about this later. But this
concert certainly gave the first warning signs that all was far from rosy, despite how wonderful the cathedral
looked!”
And the May concert, the Stravinski Symphony of Psalms with Beethoven’s 9":
“But again, we need to address the problem of the acoustic. There were real problems in rehearsal: the orchestra
simply couldn’t hear themselves, so any attempt at balancing, even ensemble, was futile ... let alone trying to
balance between choir and orchestra. The acoustic destroyed everything the orchestra and we tried to achieve. So
in the concert, despite our very best attempts, all the audience received was a wash of unbalanced sound. It seems
to me there is no solution to this. Bringing the staging down the nave made scant difference in my opinion and
clearly the audience is far from happy. | am told that people cannot or won't ask friends along to our concerts
anymore because of the problems. | hear of audience members saying they will not come back as concert-going in
the cathedral is now a waste of money. Why would people fork out a great deal of money to sit on hard chairs, a
poor view, with no proper toilet facilities, no interval drinks, inadequate parking and not be able to hear the concert
properly anyway. It’s a no-brainer and | believe that unless the cathedral does something dramatically to improve
1
things, we cannot afford to perform in the cathedral again. James and the committee are actively looking for
alternatives; I’m sure they would welcome suggestions. James will talk more about this in his report, I’m sure.”
James did
— though it’s not recorded. With other choirs and choral societies we are trying to find ways to rectify the
“disaster, which the Cathedral doesn’t recognise (perhaps church music doesn’t need clarity). Meanwhile he
chatlenged everyone to come back with suggestions for alternative venues. From many suggestions only one with
the capacity is likely to be almost within reach. So please, if you possibly can, make arrangements to come to
Dorking on 16TM March with as many friends and family members as you can rustle up. Parking is good. I'll try to
indicate refreshment potential in the next update. At this juncture, until something is resolved, “your choir needs
you!” - in the audience, as a Friend or a Patron (if you’re not already). | quote the Chairman’s report:
“It has been wonderful how many new patrons joined us this season after we re-structured the
scheme. Having benefitted to the tune of £1,865 last year I set a target of trying to double the income
hoping for something approaching £4,000; but you totally excelled yourselves easily beating our target
and boosting our funds to the tune of £6,300. Your generosity is so appreciated and your investment
goes towards the exciting concert we promote. Do consider joining this scheme; becoming a Life
Patron’s involves a gift of £1,500 while the standard Platinum rate is just £100 pa. These are of
enormous benefit to the choir. Mary Moon patrons@vivacechorus.org runs it and is happy to explain
more.”
Now, a big thank you to those of you who responded to my request for help in compiling the story of 70 years of the
Guildford Philharmonic Choir and Vivace Chorus. |’ll follow up on your offers. And if you thought you might but
haven’t yet — please let me know some of your recollections about/observations on your time with Vivace/Guildford
Phil — “anecdotal or factual, thoughts and memories about people, events, or experiences, pleasant and good things,
disappointments and delights, kind thoughts or pet hates — whatever. I'll sort them! Just let me know if you’re
prefer not to be mentioned, though unless your thoughts are really dreadful I’d like to be able to mention names
where possible — many of us knew you and enjoyed singing with you when you were with us!
With warm regards
Vivace
Chorus
Michael Jeffery
www.vivacechorus.org
friends @vivacechorus.org
Charity no. 1026337
4
Michael Jeffery
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Michael Jeffery [michael_jeffery@btinternet.com]
-—Surday,-October 11,2015.12:13 PM
Michael Jeffery
Autumn 2015 newsletter *
Friends of Vivace Newsletter - Autumn 2015
Dear Friends and Old — and not-so-old — Vivacians
| write this as the new kid on the block, having graduated from singing membership after last year’s
glorious Bach B-Minor Mass. I’ve been asked to see what we can do to make our involvement as
“Friends” more interesting, stimulating and worthwhile both for us and for Vivace Chorus itself. Some of
us remember that wonderful Guildford Philharmonic Society/Orchestra/ Choir link which benefited all
three.
Andrea Dombrowe has kept you in touch for the past year but asked to be relieved now, maybe daunted
by the thought of a more demanding role on top of her singing and other commitments. A big thankyou is
due to her, and to her IT specialist, Ginter, whose expertise is taking me an unconscionable time to
acquire!
The Membership Secretary Jane Brooks sent me names of everyone who has left the “active list” in the
past 10 years. So: Welcome to those of you who left before Andrea’s list was compiled. And also to
those who like myself have become “Old Vivacians” since last year.
Andrea mentioned that some of you have asked for your names to be struck off. | do apologise for any
unwanted intrusion, but then | also ask — if you are active and in any way concerned for the choir which
has given us all so much musical enrichment — would you maybe reconsider and stay with us? Can you
accept this as a welcome back?
There are so many ways to give our support to Vivace. The most obvious is to be there in the audience
(my recent “graduation” has brought home how much better that superb chorus sounds from the floor!
and what a spectacular experience it was to be part of a capacity audience in the Cathedral at the May
“Rainbow Concert”). And then, of course, bring or send your friends! You'll be aware that if, like myself,
you’ve enrolled as a Patron (or “super-Friend”) very useful discounts are given for all the tickets you
purchase (if you haven’t enrolled yet, do get in touch with Joan Thomas: patrons@vivacechorus.org).
Next, if the pressures or other factors which led you to leave the choir no longer apply then do give a
thought to re-joining — contact: membership @vivacechorus.org.
Now to the serious point: What can “Friends of Vivace” do for us, and we for Vivace (besides selling tickets
and being there)? A range of suggestions has been discussed but all will of course depend on what we,
you and I, want to make of it (see the 'return "slip"' below, and click "reply").
Things we might consider include: introducing
and recruiting Potential new singers, Friends and Patrons,
Promotion, Publicity, Poster distribution and display; Pick-up transport to/from concerts; Programme
selling and Concert stewarding; Concert ticket desk assistance. Do any of these suggest themselves as
ways you might like to give something back to Vivace?
1
And in response, what benefits would we appreciate through “Friends” membership? Would you like to
ask the Committee to include your name on the active Members’ fortnightly “Notice Board”? (The last
one covered Vivace’s fourth international concert tour next June, to the great musical centres of Austria —
if there’s room in the transport and accommodation I’m sure a support group of good Friends might be
welcome!). Notice Board reminds members of other activities where Friends and supporters may be
welcome —for the active there’s an energetic walking group, http://vivacewalkers.weebly.com/our-nextwalk.html led by Carol Sheppard, and a keen cycling group - VeloVivace - descendant of last year's ParisLondon run.
Would you like the Friends of Vivace to organise recitals and other events — as did the old Philharmonic
Society? Or to organise concert and other visits — for instance to Glyndebourne?
And
— last question! — would you like us to be able to embrace others — friends, relations and supporters of
the Vivace Chorus — in our membership?
So do click on the Vivace web address (under the logo below) and look at the exciting events this season —
’ll not bore you with repetition here but don't miss Carl Orff's rumbustious Carmina Burana and Vaugan
Williams spicy Tudor Portraits in November! — and | do hope to meet some and hear from all of you. And
once I've mastered the distribution procedure I'd hope to keep in touch a bit more consistently.
| throw these thoughts across to stimulate both your interest and support for Vivace, of course. Please
respond to: friends@vivacechorus.org .- perhaps by clicking “reply” and deleting “YES” or “NO” where
appropriate below.
Looking forwardto.a stimulating and.rewarding future - with warm regards to you all.
~~
Vivace
Chorus
Michael Jeffery
Co-ordinator, Friends of Vivace
Charity no. 1026337
RETURN “SLIP”
Ways to help:
- you might like to offer one or other of the following — please delete as appropriate
Display promotion posters/leaflets for performances?
YES
NO
Stewarding or programme selling at concerts?
YES
NO
Helping at the concert ticket desk?
YES
NO
YES
NO
Offering transport to and from concerts?
Enrolling as a Patron?
Things belonging to Friends of Vivace might do for us:
- which of the following might interest you? Complete or delete as appropriate:
Ask if Committee’s prepnared to include us for “Notice Board”
?
Recitals?
Other events?
YES
YES
(suggestions?
Concert, opera visits?
Any other suggestions?
)
NO
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
fo
7
Michael Jeffery
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Michael Jeffery [michael_jeffery@btinternet.com]
Wednesday, November 4, 2015 12:29 PM
James Garrow
FW: Viva Vivace Carmina1.jpg; Carmina2.jpg
Importance:
Low
Hello James - for your information I've just completed sending the herebelow to each of the 56 on my list in the
hope that a personal note might encourage wider interest and possibly response. As there's nothing new in it apart perhaps from the "personal" bits - | took the liberty of sending it without checking with the censor. I'll let you
know of any response (one only to date - and auto-response from a Friend on his way to New York). Looking
forward to Saturday week and, | hope, Identifying some of the recipients. - Michael
Autumn for Old Vivacians
Dear (Friend - by name)
(personal message where appropriate) Please forgive me if some of this letter seems quite irrelevant! While it's
addressed to you personally, the rest is written to all the Friends on our list.
Just a week-and-a-half now to the Vivace high spot of the pre-Christmas season! some of us will recall Neville
Creed's patient rehearsing for Sir David Willcock's conducting of the Carmina Burana 21 years ago - it was a hard
sing! But fewer | expect will recall those Tudor characters - Elinor Rumming and her tunning, John Jaybird of Diss
and his epitaph, John Rutterkin the rutter. Kenneth Lank took us through most of the hard work for Vernon Handley
in December 1981. And Jane Garret in the Surrey Advertiser remarked that we "made a splendid effort to overcome
(our) Surrey politesse”. Will Jeremy be happy with the effort made this time?
lf you're within reach and haven't yet booked a seat there are some left - at a good discount if you're a Patron
(contact Joan, <patrons@vivacechorus.org>, also if you'd like her to enrol you as a "superfriend") or, if not you're
not yet a Patron, through <www.glive.co.uk>. (By the way Anne Whitley
is taking over the ticket role from Michael
Taylor <tickets@vivacechorus.org>.) Tell everyone you think might enjoy it! I'll hope to meet several of us there -
drinks in the interval?
Other opportunities to catch up with old, not so old and present Vivacians will be the Mayor's annual Carol Concert
(13 December), the Choir's end-of-term party to which we are invited (14 December - please let me know if you're
able to accept), the annual St Martin-in-the-Fields visit in the Brandenburg Sinfonia's January season for Vivaldi's
"Gloria" (14 January), and a "Come and Sing" the Durufle Requiem provided we don't crowd out possible new
recruits - the main object of the exercise. But if we can send or bring possible recruits we'd be doubly welcome, I'm
sure! For details and for the rest go to <www.vivacechorus.org>.
So, lastly for now, have you had any thoughts about how we Friends might help, benefit from, use or enjoy that
"Friend"ship? I've left the 'return "slip"' below - it would be wonderful if you've any offer or suggestion - just note it
below and reply.
With musical memories and warm regards
Vivace
horus
Michael Jeffery
Co-ordinator, Friends of Vivace
Charity no. 1026337
RETURN “SLIP”
Ways to help:
- you might like to offer one or other of the following — please delete as appropriate
Display promotion posters/leaflets for nestornienrass ’
Stewarding or programme selling at concerts?
Ma ‘
Helping at the concert ticket desk?
4. Se _
Offering transport to and from concerts?
Enrolling as a Patron?
3
.
YES
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
Things belonging to Friends of Vivace might do for us:
- which of the following might interest you? Complete or delete as appropriate:
Ask Committee to include you on “Notice Board” list?
YES
Arrange recitals?
Other events?
YES
(suggestions?
Concert, opera visits?
)
NO
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
Any other suggestions?
From:
- and please click “reply”!
Michael Jeffery
From:
Sent:
To:
Ce:
Subject:
Attachments:
Michael Jeffery [michael_jeffery@btinternet.com]
Tuesday, December 8, 2015 11:14 AM
‘Michael Jeffery’
‘Michael Jeffery’
Vivace Friends
A5d-rotary-web.jpg; A5-rotary-web.pdf; Carmina1.jpg
Christmas letter - 2015
Dear Friends
First, a thank you to those of you who have responded to earlier letters - it is always good to hear from old Friends -
and new. If I've not replied to you individually, please accept this apology.
As an update on the high spot of the Vivace pre-Christmas season you might like to read (or re-read) the Surrey
Advertiser review. Those who were there in the well-filled G-Live will note the contributor's reference to the
"sometimes overwhelming orchestral input". On his mention of the "unfavourable acoustic", some of us remember
the excellent acoustic of the old Civic Hall designed and built as a concert hall for the Philharmonic Orchestra and
Choir, rather than as a multi-purpose entertainment stage. So we'll be at G-Live again as the Cathedral is out-ofbounds as a concert auditorium for a couple of years, for removal of its (asbestos-containing) acoustic ceiling lining.
The impact of this on its already challenging acoustics will be interesting.
"Will Jeremy be happy with the effort made this time?" | asked in the Autumn letter. Well, | slipped into the
rehearsal when he answered that question with of course his usual warm thanks for the hard work put in, but some
hard words for those who hadn't put in quite enough to give confidence to the singing. And for those who opted
out - numbers were significantly down ("Come back, old Friends"?). Mind, both the Orff and VW's Tudor Portraits
had a vast word-count - a very demanding double bill.
That rehearsal was for next Sunday's Mayor of Guildford's Christmas Concert (see attachments), always a delight
and even better-sounding in the congregation than the choir! It will be good to meet those of you who are able.
This year the Mayor of Guildford, Clir. Nikki Nelson-Smith, is of course an old Vivacian and a Friend, Nikki Vale,
whose civic duties (temporarily, Nikki?) don't leave quite enough time for singing.
And of course - it's Christmas! We are invited to - | quote from the fortnightly Notice Board - "Vivace's Party of the
Year... . Buffet supper, bar, entertainment, hamper raffle and Christmas cheer aplenty. . . . Talent shown by choir
members over the past three years has been nothing short of amazing! Will (they) rise to the occasion again?"
Note: next Monday, 14th from 7:15 at Millmead Baptist Church (Vivace's current rehearsal base). We are invited! If
you're able to accept, a contribution of a plate of sustenance will be much appreciated though for any of you
dropping in from Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Devon, Cornwall, New Zealand or beyond this could hardly be expected. The
Patrons among you have already received your invitations - and in your case the "contribution" certainly won't be
expected (yet another reason to enrol as a Patron, a "superfriend" - contact Joan, <patrons@vivacechorus.org>.
See you there? It would be could to know if you might be able to make it.
Then next year, the annual St Martin-in-the-Fields visit, an item in the Brandenburg Sinfonia's January season, for
Vivaldi's "Gloria" and Poulenc's Stabat Mater at 6:30, Friday 14th January (just turn up) for those in reach of
London. And then Come and Sing the Duruflé Requiem and Poulenc's Stabat Mater on 23 January - see the website
<www.vivacechorus.org> for details, and insist on the Members' rate of £16, as a Friend..
And so - A. very Happy Christmas - anda Joy- and music-filledNew Yearto every Friend of Vivace
Chorus >
Vivace
Chorus
www.vivacechorus.org
Charity no. 1026337
Michael Jeffery
Co-ordinator, Friends of Vivace
PS: If there are points you'd like to respond to below, please mark or delete as appropriate and "reply" RETURN “SLIP”
Ways to help:
- you might like to offer one or other of the following — please delete as appropriate
NO
YES
Display promotion posters/leaflets for performances?
NO
YES
Stewarding or programme selling at concerts?
NO
YES
desk?
ticket
concert
Helping at the
NO
YES
Offering transport to and from concerts?
see: patrons @vivacechorus.org
Enrolling as a Patron?
Things belonging to Friends of Vivace might do for us:
- which of the following might interest you? Complete or delete as appropriate:
Ask Committee to include you on “Notice Board” list?
Arrange recitals?
(suggestions?
Other events?
Concert, opera visits?
NO
YES
NO
NO
YES
)
NO
YES
YES
Any other suggestions?
From:
- and please click “reply
4]
Friends of Vivace — Newsletter - June 2015
Dear Friends and Old — and not-so-old — Vivacians
I write this as the new kid on the block, having graduated from singing membership
after last year’s glorious Bach B-Minor Mass. I’ve been asked to see what we can do
to make our involvement as “Friends” more interesting, stimulating and worthwhile
both for us and for Vivace Chorus itself. Some of us remember that wonderful
Guildford Philharmonic Society/Orchestra/Choir link which benefited all three.
Andrea Dombrowe has kept you in touch for the past year but asked to be relieved
now, maybe daunted by the thought of a more demanding role on top of her singing
and other commitments. A big thankyou is due, also to her in-house IT specialist,
Giinter whose expertise will take time to acquire!
The Membership Secretary Jane Brooks sent me names of everyone who has left the
“active list” in the past 10 years. So: Welcome to those ofyou who left before
Andrea’s list was compiled. And also to those who like myself have become “Old
Vivacians” since last year.
Andrea mentioned that some of you have asked for your names to be struck off. I do
apologise for any unwanted intrusion, but then I also ask — if you are active and in any
way concerned for the choir which has given us all so much musical enrichment —
would you maybe reconsider and stay with us? Can you accept this as a welcome
back?
There are so many ways to give our support to Vivace. Of course the most obvious is
to be there in the audience. My recent “graduation” has brought home how much
better that superb chorus sounds from the floor! And what a spectacular experience it
was to be part of a capacity audience in the Cathedral at the May “Rainbow Concert”.
You’ll be aware that if, like myself, you’ve enrolled as a Patron (or “super-Friend”)
very useful ticket discounts are offered (and if you haven’t enrolled yet, do get in
touch with Joan Thomas: patrons@vivacechorus.org).
Next, if the pressures or other factors which led you to leave the choir no longer apply
then do give a thought to re-joining — contact: membership@vivacechorus.org.
Now to the serious point — what can “Friends of Vivace” do for us and what can we
do for Vivace? A range of suggestions has been discussed, but all will of course
depend on what we want to make of it.
Things we might do could include: Promotion, publicity, poster distribution and
display; concert stewarding and programme selling; concert ticket desk; pick-up
transport to/from concerts; and introduction and recruitment of potential new singers,
Patrons and Friends. Do any of these suggest themselves as ways you might like to
give something back to Vivace?
And in response, what benefits would we appreciate through “Friends” membership?
Would you like to ask the Committee to include your name on the active Members’
fortnightly “Notice Board’? (The last one covered Vivace’s fourth international
concert tour next June, to the great musical centres of Austria — if there’s room on the
transport and in the accommodation I’m sure a supporting group of good Friends will
be very welcome!) And the Notice Board reminds members of other activities where
Friends and supporters may be welcome—for the active there’s an energetic walking
group, http://vivacewalkers.weebly.com/our-next-walk.html led by Carol Sheppard.
Would you like the Friends of Vivace to organise recitals and other events — as did the
old Philharmonic Society? Or to organise event and concert visits — for instance to
Glyndebourne?
And — last question! — would you like us to be able to embrace others — friends,
relations and supporters of the Vivace Chorus — in our membership?
So do click on the Vivace web address (under the logo below) and look at the exciting
events planned for the coming months — I’II not bore you with repetition here! — and I
do hope to meet some and hear from all of you.
I throw these thoughts across to stimulate both your interest and support for Vivace,
of course. Please respond to: friends@vivacechorus.org .- perhaps by clicking “reply”
and deleting “YES” or “NO” as appropriate below.
Looking forward to a stimulating and rewarding future - with warm regards to you all.
.
Vivace
Chorus
www.vivacechorus.org
Charity no. 1026337
Michael Jeffery
Co-ordinator, Friends of Vivace
RETURN “SLIP”
Ways to help:
- you might like to offer one or other of the following — please delete as appropriate
YES NO
Display promotion posters/leaflets for performances?
NO
YES
Stewarding or programme selling at concerts?
YES NO
Helping at the concert ticket desk?
YES NO
Offering transport to and from concerts?
cechorus.org
patrons@viva
see:
Enrolling as a Patron?
Things belonging to Friends of Vivace might do for us:
- which of the following might interest you? Complete or delete as appropriate:
YES NO
Ask if Committee’s prepared to include us for “Notice Board”?
Recitals?
(suggestions?
Other events?
Concert, opera visits?
)
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
Any other suggestions?
From:
- and please click “reply”!
Friends of Vivace — Newsletter - September 2015
Dear Friends and Old — and not-so-old — Vivacians
| write this as the new kid on the block, having graduated from singing membership after last
year’s glorious Bach B-Minor Mass. I’ve been asked to see what we can do to make our
involvement as “Friends” more interesting, stimulating and worthwhile both for us and for Vivace
Chorus itself. Some of us remember that wonderful Guildford Philharmonic Society/Orchestra/
Choir link which benefited all three.
Andrea Dombrowe has kept you in touch for the past year but asked to be relieved now, maybe
daunted by the thought of a more demanding role on top of her singing and other commitments.
A big thankyou is due, also to her IT specialist, Ginter, whose expertise is taking time to acquire!
The Membership Secretary Jane Brooks sent me names of everyone who has left the “active list”
in the past 10 years. So: Welcome to those of you who left before Andrea’s list was compiled.
And also to those who like myself have become “Old Vivacians” since last year.
Andrea mentioned that some of you have asked for your names to be struck off. | do apologise for
any unwanted intrusion, but then | also ask —if you are active and in any way concerned for the
choir which has given us all so much musical enrichment — would you maybe reconsider and stay
with us? Can you accept this as a welcome back?
There are so many ways to give our support to Vivace. The most obvious is to be there in the
audience. My recent “graduation” has brought home how much better that superb chorus sounds
from the floor! And what a spectacular experience it was to be part of a capacity audience in the
Cathedral at the May “Rainbow Concert”. - And then, of course, bring or send your friends!
You'll be aware that if, like myself, you’ve enrolled as a Patron (or “super-Friend”) very useful
ticket discounts are offered (and if you haven’t enrolled yet, do get in touch with Joan Thomas:
SeHlingtickers =.
+
Next, if the pressures or other factors which led you to leave the choir no longer apply therrdo~——
give a thought to re-joining — contact: membership @vivacechorus.org.
Now to the serious point: What can “Friends of Vivace” do for us, and we for Vivace (besides
selling tickets and being there)? A range of suggestions has been discussed but all will of course
depend on what we, you and I, want to make of it (see the 'return "slip" below, and click "reply").
Things we might consider include: Promotion, Publicity, Poster distribution and display; Pick-up
transport to/from concerts; Programme selling and Concert stewarding; Concert ticket desk; and
introduction and recruitment of Potential new singers, Friends and Patrons. Do any of these
suggest themselves as ways you might like to give something back to Vivace?
And in response, what benefits would we appreciate through “Friends” membership? Would you
like to ask the Committee to include your name on the active Members’ fortnightly “Notice
Board”? (The last one covered Vivace’s fourth international concert tour next June, to the great
musical centres of Austria — if there’s room in the transport and accommodation I’m sure a_
support group of good Friends might be welcome!). Notice Board reminds members of other
activities where Friends and supporters may be welcome —for the active there’s arf energetic
—
walking group, http://vivacewalkers.weebly.com/our-next-walk.html led by Carol Sheppard, and a
keen cycling group - VeloVivace - descendant of the Paris-London run last year.
Would you like the Friends of Vivace to organise recitals and other events — as did the old
Philharmonic Society? Or to organise event and concert visits — for instance to Glyndebourne?
And — last question! — would you like us to be able to embrace others —friends, relations and
supporters of the Vivace Chorus — in our membership?
So do click on the Vivace web address (under the logo below) and look at the exciting events this
new season now under way — I’Il not bore you with repetition here but don't miss Carl Orff's
rumbustious Carmina Burana and Vaugan Williams spicy Tudor Portraits in November! — and | do
hope to meet some and hear from all of you.
| throw these thoughts across to stimulate both your interest and support for Vivace, of course. —
Please respond to: friends@vivacechorus.org .- perhaps by clicking “reply” and deleting “YES” or
“NO” where appropriate below.
Looking forward to a stimulating and rewarding future - with warm regards to you all.
a
Vivace
Chorus
Michael Jeffery
Co-ordinator, Friends of Vivace
Charity no. 1026337
RETURN “SLIP”
Ways to help:
- you might like to offer one or other of the following — please delete as appropriate
Display promotion posters/leaflets for performances?
YES
NO
Stewarding or programme selling at concerts?
YES
NO
Helping at the concert ticket desk?
YES
NO
YES
NO
Offering transport to and from concerts?
Enrolling as a Patron?
Things belonging to Friends of Vivace might do for us:
- which of the following might interest you? Complete or delete as appropriate:
Ask if Committee’s prepared to include us for “Notice Board”?
YES
NO
Recitals?
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
Other events?
(suggestions?
Concert, opera visits?
)
Any other suggestions?
From:
- and please click “reply”!
Michael Jeffery
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
James Garrow [chairman@vivacechorus.org]
06 November 2015 12:02
‘Chris Short'
‘Michael Jeffery’
Friends
Chris, | am not sure why I’m bothering to respond to your wholly unnecessary and provocative email
to Michael
Jeffery when | have so much on my plate at the moment, but | was so incensed by your attitude, that
| feel | must
respond even if it will be water off a duck’s back.
Michael is 81 and left the choir a year ago. He is not a member of the choir, nor on the committee.
enjoyeda long career singing with the choir, he a) wanted to continue his association
in some
Having really
way, b) wanted to do
something positive to help the choir and c) wanted to give past members who perhaps enjoyed
being a member for
a long time, the chance to be involved in some way, however tenuous, through the ‘Friends’
organisation.
| presume your ‘inside’ information emanates from Paula and am sad that she —
and presumably you - have such a
negative attitude towards our concert programming. The next concert has two extraordina
ry and very similar types
of composition, the Orff and the Vaughan Williams, the former being extraordina
rily popular with audiences. | have
sung Carmina about 5 times with the London Philharmonic Choir and Brighton Festival
Hall, each time to a completely packed hall. Both the Royal Choral Society (Albert
Chorus in the Royal Albert
Hall) and the Bach Choir (Festival
Hall) are performing this piece this season. (Just ona point of interest, the suggestion
to perform Carmina came
from a soprano in the choir, not direct from the committee.)
Vivace is not, and never will be a pix ‘n mix choir, where members who lack
the necessary commitment, fail to turn
up to rehearsals and to perform simply because it’s Rutter or Jenkins or Carmina.
We are reliant upon members to
provide a good-sized choir to go with the large professional orchestras
we employ as well as to sell tickets.
Performing to the standard we do is an expensive business. | am proud of
sung and has plans for over the next two years.
As you are well aware, finding the right programmeto
the enormous repertoire that Vivace has
fill the GLive is a constant struggle. On the limited advertising
budget it is hard to get the word out to Guildfordites, hence we have to rely
upon the choir to drum up supporters —
as does every choir in the country. Why the criticism towards asking members
to push sales for all their might?
Some — not all — members support the choir to an extraordinary degree,
others not so much. Is there anything at all
wrong with exhorting members to go that extra mile? Why the
criticism?
| found the tone of your email — in spite of silly smiley faces — pompous, verbose,
It is obviously not worth having your name on our mailing list, and | have
opinionated and uncalled for.
asked Michael to delete yours. Please don’t
ask me for advice on charity concerts or anything else. We obviously don’t
see eye to eye on the difficulties in
running a successful choir.
James
James Garrow
Chairman
Vivace
Chorus
Vivace Chorus Singers
FIRST SOPRANO
Pam Alexander
Helen Beevers
Joanna Bolam
Mary Broughton
Elaine Chapman
Rebecca Kerby
Alex Nash
Emily Nash
Susan Norton
Robin Onslow
Margaret Parry
Sarah Smithies
Carol Terry
Hilary Vaill
SECOND
SOPRANO
Jacqueline Alderton
Anna Arthur
Ginny Heffernan
Marianne Illsley
Krystyna Marsden
Isabel Mealor
Alison Newbery
Kate Peters
Isobel Rooth
Rosemary Spalding
Valerie Thompson
Christine Wilks
Fiona Wimblett
Frances Worpe
FIRST ALTO
Barbara Barklem
Penny Baxter
Grace Beckett
Monika Boothby
Jane Brooks
Liz Durning
Kate Emerson
Valentina Faedi
Atalia Fuller
Sheila Hodson
Jean Leston
Judith Lewy
Lois McCabe
Kay McManus
Christine Medlow
Rosalind Milton
Mary Moon
Penny Muray .
Gill Perkins
Linda Ross
Lesley Scordellis
Catherine _.Shacklady
Carol Sheppard
Ann Smith
Marjory Stewart
Nicola Telcik
Hilary Trigg
Maggie Woolcock
SECOND ALTO
Geraldine Allen
Evelyn Beastall
Sylvia Chantler
Mary Clayton
Andrea Dombrowe
Celia Embleton
Elizabeth Evans
Sheena Ewen
Valerie Garrow
Margaret
Grisewood
Liz Hampshire
Pauline Higgins
Carol Hobbs
Beth Jones
Margaret Mann
Catherine
Middleton
Val Morcom
Pamela Murrell
Jacqueline
Norman
Prue Smith
Jo Stokes
Rosey Storey
Pamela Usher
Anne Whitley
June Windle
Elisabeth Yates
FIRST TENOR
Mike Bishop
Bob Bromham
Bob Cowell
Tim Hardyment
Nick Manning
Martin Price
Chris Robinson
John Trigg SECOND TENOR
Tony Chantler
Simon Dillon
Geoff Johns
Stephen Linton
Peter Norman
Jon Scott
John Thornely
The Vivace Chorus is extremely grateful to all patrons for their support.
Honorary Life Patrons:
Vivace Chorus
Dr John Trigg MBE
Mrs Joy Hunter MBE
Dr Michael Golden
Robin & Penny Privett
Dr Marianne Iilsley
Platinum Patrons:
Mr & Mrs Stephen Arthur
John McLean OBE & Janet McLean
Mr & Mrs Peter B P Bevan
Ron & Christine Medlow
Richard & Mary Broughton
Mr Lionel Moon
Mr & Mrs G Dombrowe
Dr Roger Muray
~Mr & Mrs Joseph Durning
Mr & Mrs John Parry
Susan & Cecil Hinton
Dr & Mrs MG M Smith
Mrs Carol Hobbs
Idris Thomas
Mrs Rita Horton
Mrs Pamela Usher
Mr Laurie James
Bill & June Windle
Mr Michael Jeffery
Gold Patrons:
Robin & Jill Broadley
Mr & Mrs Maxwell S New
Roger & Sharon Brockway
Brenda & Brian Reed
Jane Kenney
Sheila Rowell
Mr Geoffrey Johns
Prue & Derek Smith
Dr Stephen Linton
Silver Patrons:
a
Stainer & Bell Ltd Hire Library.
Mr John Britten
Mrs Doreen Bellerby MBE
Premier Patrons:
Neil Martin
Adrian Oxborrow
John Parry
Roger Penny
David Robson
Richard Wood
John Yeomans
Surrey County Council Performing Arts Library,
Boosey & Hawkes Music Hire Library and
Mr Bill Bellerby MBE
Life Patron:
SECOND BASS
Peter Andrews
Alan Batterbury
Norman Carpenter
Geoffrey Forster
James Garrow
Stuart Gooch
Nick Gough
Eric Kennedy
Some of the printed music for this evening's concert has been hired from
22
Vivace Chorus Patrons
FIRST BASS
John Bawden
Phil Beastall
Richard Broughton
Simon Browning
Michael Dudley
Michael Golden
Brian John
Jeremy Johnson
Jon Long
Malcolm Munt
Chris Newbery
Peter Pearce
Chris Peters
Robin Privett
David Ross
Philip Stanford
Kieron Walsh
Mrs Iris Bennett
Bob & Maryel Cowell
lf you have enjoyed this concert, why not become one of our patrons?
We have a loyal band of followers whose regular presence at our
concerts is greatly appreciated. With the valued help of our patrons, we
are able to perform a wide range of exciting music, with world-class,
professional musicians in venues such as Guildford Cathedral, G Live
and the Royal Albert Hall. Patrons enjoy discounts of between 10% and
30% off concert tickets, reserved seating and priority booking for the best
seats for as little as £50pa. If you are interested, please contact Joan
Thomas on 01483 893178 or email: patrons@vivacechorus.org.
Vivace Chorus
23
Dear Michael,
First and foremost, how nice to hear from you. I remember you well and with
considerable regard, and am greatly admiring of your having taken on the ‘post-VC’ role
that you have.
I hope you’re well and prospering in all respects...
Not least out of this regard, I have felt that, rather than simply note your email, regret
that, sadly, I am unable to be in Guildford to help out on this occasion, and simply ‘move
on’, I should try and respond rather more positively - and, hopefully, thoughtfully and
constructively — so I very much hope you will feel able to accept the below in the spirit in
which I write it. Failing which, please feel entirely free to disregard it completely! ©
It has long seemed to me that, if any choral society wants the public to pay to come to
its concerts, it is up to that choral society to programme content that will sufficiently
induce them to do so - and that will also sufficiently enthuse its own members to want
both to practice for and perform in them - and then, and only then, possibly to be
prepared to encourage others to attend them (though I am not entirely sure that Man A
is entitled to ask ManB to subsidise his particular hobby; I might wish to go fishing
rather than go singing; on what basis might I reasonable expect someone else to want
pay to come and watch me do it? ©)
When and if said choral society wishes to pursue more rarified than ‘assuredly
acceptable’ programming, it must therefore simply accept that, bold and progressive
though this may be in musical terms, it may inevitably result in smaller audiences. In
such an event, it should surely not expect simply to resort to dragooning its members
(whether active or retired) into promoting what they may have little inclination to attend
themselves (and even less responsibility for having programmed).
Thus, on occasions such as now, where ticket sales for the next upcoming concert
presumably flagging, then rather than seeking to rely on others to ameliorate
are
a situation
it has brought upon itself (or presuming to resort to doing so whensoever it might feel a
similar need in future), the committee might surely better consider reflecting
that to
choose a more assuredly acceptable programme in the first instance (or simply
a quiet
preparedness to accept the financial consequences of not having done so)
would be a
more appropriate stance either in preventing or accepting such situations
arising at all,
still less requiring of remedy by those in no way responsible for their having
first place....
With all good wishes to yourself and, of course, to VC,
As ever,
Chris Short
arisen in the
x
Page 1 of 2
Anna Jeffery
From:
Date:
To:
Ce:
"Michael Jeffery" <michael_jeffery@btinternet.com>
05 December 2015 21:43
"James Garrow" <chairman@vivacechorus.org>
"Anna Jeffery" <anna_jeffery@btinternet.com>
Attach:
Subject:
§A5-rotary-web.jpg; A5-rotary-web.pdf; Carminal .jpg
Vivace - Christmas 2015
Hello James
-
Please cast your eye over this and if you have any really vital
objections or reservations, please let me know before | sent it out to the Friends on
Monday (or preferably tomorrow, Sunday). Looking forward to seeing you (briefly)
before Monday's rehearsal - Michael
Christmas letter - 2015
Dear Friends
First, a thank you to those of you who have responded to earlier letters - it is always good to hear from old
Friends - and new. If I've not replied to you individually, please accept this apology.
As an update on the high spot of the Vivace pre-Christmas season you might like to read (or re-read) the
Surrey Advertiser review. Those who were there in the well-filled G-Live will note the contributor's
reference to the "sometimes overwhelming orchestral input". On his mention of the "unfavourable
acoustic", some of us remember the excellent acoustic of the old Civic Hall designed and built as a concert
hall for the Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, rather than as a multi-purpose entertainment stage. So we'll
be at G-Live again as the Cathedral is out-of-bounds as a concert auditorium for a couple of years, for
removal of its (asbestos-containing) acoustic ceiling lining. The impact of this on its already challenging
acoustics will be interesting.
"Will Jeremy be happy with the effort made this time?" | asked in the Autumn letter. Well, | slipped into the
rehearsal when he answered that question with of course his usual warm thanks for the hard work put in,
but some hard words for those who hadn't put in quite enough to give confidence to the singing. And for
those who opted out - numbers were significantly down ("Come back, old Friends"?). Mind, both the Orff
and VW's Tudor Portraits had a vast word-count - a very demanding double bill.
That rehearsal was for next Sunday's Mayor of Guildford's Christmas Concert (see attachments), always a
delight and even better-sounding in the congregation than the choir! It will be good to meet those of you
who are able. This year the Mayor of Guildford, Clir. Nikki Nelson-Smith, is of course an old Vivacian and a
Friend, Nikki Vale, whose civic duties (temporarily, Nikki?) don't leave quite enough time for singing.
And of course - it's Christmas! We are invited to - | quote from the fortnightly Notice Board - "Vivace's Party
of the Year... . Buffet supper, bar, entertainment, hamper raffle and Christmas cheer aplenty... . Talent
shown by choir members over the past three years has been nothing short of amazing! Will (they) rise to the
06/12/2015
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Tourist Information Centre, 155, High St
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at the door
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Michael Jeffery
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Michael Jeffery [michael_jeffery@btinternet.com]
03 November 2015 16:23
Michael Jeffery
FW: Viva Vivace Carmina‘ .jpg; Carmina2.jpg
Importance:
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Friends
:
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Autumn for Old Vivacians
Dear
Please forgive me if some of this letter seems quite irrelevan
t! While it's addressed to you personally, the rest is
written to all the Friends on our list.
Just a week-and-a-half now to the Vivace high spot of
the pre-Christmas season! some of us will recall Neville
Creed's patient rehearsing for Sir David Willcock's conduct
ing of the Carmina Burana 21 years ago - it was a hard
sing! But fewer | expect will recall those Tudor charact
ers - Elinor Rumming and her tunning, John Jaybird of
Diss
and his epitaph, John Rutterkin the rutter. Kenneth Lank
took us through most of the hard work for Vernon Handley
in December 1981. And Jane Garret in the Surrey Adverti
ser remarked that we "made a splendid effort to overco
me
(our) Surrey politesse". Will Jeremy be happy with the
effort made this time?
If you're within reach and haven't yet booked a seat
there are some left - at a good discount if you're a
Patron
(contact Joan, <patrons@vivacechorus.org>, also if you'd
like her to enrol you as a "superfriend") or, if not you're
not yet a Patron, through <www.glive.co.uk>. (By
the way Anne Whitley is taking over the ticket
role from Michael
Taylor <tickets@vivacechorus.org>.) Tell everyone
you think might enjoy it! I'll hope to meet several
of us there drinks in the interval?
Other opportunities to catch up with old, not so old
and present Vivacians will be the Mayor's annual Carol
Concert
(13 December), the Choir's end-of-term party to which
we are invited (14 December - please let me know if
you're
able to accept), the annual St Martin-in-the-Fields visit
in the Brandenburg Sinfonia's January season for Vivaldi'
s
"Gloria" (14 January), and a "Come and Sing" the Durufle
Requiem provided we don't crowd out possible new
recruits - the main object of the exercise. But if
we can send or bring possible recruits we'd
sure! For details and for the rest go to <www.vivacec
horus.
org>.
So, lastly for now, have you had any thoughts about
how we Friends might help, benefit from, use or enjoy
"Friend"ship? I've left the 'return "slip" below - it would
be wonderful
below and reply.
With musical memories and warm regards
be doubly welcome, I'm
that
if you've any offer or suggestion - just note it
Vivace
Chorus
Michael Jeffery
Co-ordinator, Friends of Vivace
Charity no. 1026337
RETURN “SLIP”
Ways to help:
- you might like to offer one or other
of the following — please delete as appro
priate
Display promotion posters/leaflets for
Stewarding or programme selling at
Helping at the concert ticket desk?
performances?
concerts?
Offering transport to and from conce
rts?
Enrolling as a Patron?
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
Things belonging to Friends of Viva
ce might do for us:
- which of the following might inter
est you? Complete or delete as appro
priate:
Ask Committee to include you on “Noti
ce Board” list?
Arrange recitals?
Other events?
Concert, opera visits?
(suggestions?
YES
YES
)
NO
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
Any other suggestions?
From:
- and please click “reply”!
Michael Jeffery
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Michael Jeffery [michael_jeffery@btinternet.com]
11 October 2015 14:59
Michael Jeffery (friends@vivacechorus.org)
FW: Autumn 2015 newsletter ****
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Friends of Vivace Newsletter - Autumn 2015
Dear Friends and Old — and not-so-old — Vivacians
| write this as the new kid on the block, having graduated from singing membership after last year’s
glorious Bach B-Minor Mass. I’ve been asked to see what we can do to make our involvement as
“Friends” more interesting, stimulating and worthwhile both for us and for Vivace Chorus itself. Some of
us remember that wonderful Guildford Philharmonic Society/Orchestra/ Choir link which benefited all
three.
Andrea Dombrowe has kept you in touch for the past year but asked to be relieved now, maybe daunted
by the thought of a more demanding role on top of her singing and other commitments. A big thankyou is
due to her, and to her IT specialist, Ginter, whose expertise is taking me an unconscionable time to
acquire!
The Membership Secretary Jane Brooks sent me names of everyone who has left the “active list” in the
past 10 years. So: Welcome to those of you who left before Andrea’s list was compiled. And also to
those who like myself have become “Old Vivacians” since last year.
Andrea mentioned that some of you have asked for your names to be struck off. | do apologise for any
unwanted intrusion, but then | also ask — if you are active and in any way concerned for the choir which
has given us all so much musical enrichment — would you maybe reconsider and stay with us? Can you
accept this as a welcome back?
There are so many ways to give our support to Vivace. The most obvious is to be there in the audience
(my recent “graduation” has brought home how much better that superb chorus sounds from the floor!
and what a spectacular experience it was to be part of a capacity audience in the Cathedral at the May
“Rainbow Concert”). And then, of course, bring or send your friends! You’ll be aware that if, like myself,
you’ve enrolled as a Patron (or “super-Friend”) very useful discounts are given for all the tickets you
purchase (if you haven’t enrolled yet, do get in touch with Joan Thomas: patrons@vivacechorus.org).
Next, if the pressures or other factors which led you to leave the choir no longer apply then do give a
thought to re-joining — contact: membership @vivacechorus.org.
Now to the serious point: What can “Friends of Vivace” do for us, and we for Vivace (besides selling tickets
and being there)? A range of suggestions has been discussed but all will of course depend on what we,
you and |, want to make of it (see the 'return "slip"' below, and click "reply").
Things we might consider include: introducing and recruiting Potential new singers, Friends and Patrons,
Promotion, Publicity, Poster distribution and display; Pick-up transport to/from concerts; Programme
selling and Concert stewarding; Concert ticket desk assistance. Do any of these suggest themselves as
ways you might like to give something back to Vivace?
And in response, what benefits would we appreciate through “Friends” membership? Would you like to
ask the Committee to include your name on the active Members’ fortnightly “Notice Board”? (The last
one covered Vivace’s fourth international concert tour next June, to the great musical centres of Austria —
if there’s room in the transport and accommodation I’m sure a support group of good Friends might be
welcome!). Notice Board reminds members of other activities where Friends and supporters may be
welcome —for the active there’s an energetic walking group, http://vivacewalkers.weebly.com/our-nextwalk.html led by Carol Sheppard, and a keen cycling group - VeloVivace - descendant of last year's Paris-
London run.
Would you like the Friends of Vivace to organise recitals and other events — as did the old Philharmonic
Society? Or to organise concert and other visits — for instance to Glyndebourne?
And — last question! — would you like us to be able to embrace others — friends, relations and supporters of
the Vivace Chorus — in our membership?
So do click on the Vivace web address (under the logo below) and look at the exciting events this season —
I'll not bore you with repetition here but don't miss Carl Orff's rumbustious Carmina Burana and Vaugan
Williams spicy Tudor Portraits in November! — and | do hope to meet some and hear from all of you. And
once I've mastered the distribution procedure I'd hope to keep in touch a bit more consistently.
| throw these thoughts across to stimulate both your interest and support for Vivace, of course. Please
respond to: friends@vivacechorus.org .- perhaps by clicking “reply” and deleting “YES” or “NO” where
appropriate below.
Looking forward to a stimulating and rewarding future - with warm regards to you all.
~~
Vivace
Chorus
Michael Jeffery
Co-ordinator, Friends of Vivace
Charity no. 1026337
RETURN “SLIP”
Ways to help:
- you might like to offer one or other of the following — please delete as appropriate
Display promotion posters/leaflets for performances?
YES
NO
Stewarding or programme selling at concerts?
YES
NO
Helping at the concert ticket desk?
YES
NO
YES
NO
Offering transport to and from concerts?
Enrolling as a Patron?
Things belonging to Friends of Vivace might do for us:
- which of the following might interest you? Complete or delete as appropriate:
Ask if Committee’s prepared to include us for “Notice Board”?
Recitals?
Other events?
YES
YES
(suggestions?
Concert, opera visits?
Any other suggestions?
)
NO
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
Michael Jeffery
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Michael Jeffery [michael_jeffery@btinternet.com]
24 February 2016 17:31
Michael Jeffery
FW: Friends’ not-so-new-year letter***
ANATO AS Flyer-web.jpg; Night at the Opera - flyer back.pdf
Friends of Vivace Newsletter - February 2016
Dear Friends
Thanks to one or two interruptions this belated New Year greeting leaves but a week to book those tickets for
Vivace's Night at the Opera - if you can make it and haven't yet got them! Look at those attachments - 'phone 01483
369650 for the tickets - and if you can, enjoy that programme from Mozart to Mascagni, Puccini to Poulenc, Verdi
and Wagner.
And again, thank you to those of you who have responded to earlier Newsletters where | asked if, how, and what
things about our (former) colleagues’ activities you'd like to hear about and/or participate in. I'll be coming back on
that point around Easter-time. And responding to you individually instead of "en masse"!
Since the Christmas letter Vivace (or those of their number who could be squeezed in) have enjoyed their annual
outing to sing with the Brandenburg Sinfonia - the Verdi "Gloria" at St Martin-in-the-Fields. The annual Come-and-
Sing attracted friends from other choirs and none - including drawing back some Old Friends -two of whom, Claire
Edwards and Fiona Davis, have joined our number as Friends of Vivace. Did you know them before they left to sing
nearer home with Godalming Choral?
At that event it was great to sing the Durufle "Requiem" again - last performed with Jeremy in 2007, the time before
that with Sir David Willcocks, our late President, in May 1987. It was great to see how Jeremy was able to mould
such a mixed gathering of would-be singers sufficiently to produce a recognisable and - for participants - enjoyable
performance! We didn't do quite so well with the Poulenc "Te Deum".
Another activity to share with current members which may interest some is the monthly walk - check
<www.vivacewalkers.weebly.com>.
If you're at a loose end on Saturday check now! Sunshine promised, a glorious
Surrey Hills route stopping at one of our delightful Surrey pubs for lunch.
And of course this note couldn't be sent off without the reminder to check the <www.vivacechorus.org> website for
their planned ventures and adventures. Hoping we may meet on one or two of these occasions!
With warm regards
~
Vivace
Chorus
Michael Jeffery
Co-ordinator, Friends of Vivace
Charity no. 1026337
Michael Jeffery
Subject:
Attachments:
Vivace Spring 2018 Update
Vivace Beethoven flier.jpg
A Personal May Missive — 02/05/18
Dear Michael
A couple of weeks to the Beethoven/Stravinsky double bill and our next opportunity to see if we’ve mastered the
Cathedral’s new acoustic. With its greater reverberation time, it made hard work for all voice parts in the March
Baroque concert. However both Barry Rose, the Cathedral’s first Organist and Choirmaster, and Andrew Millington
who held that post when | was “Warden of the Fabric” there in the ‘90s, had campaigned for removal of the acoustic
vault lining. And on his recent return for a celebratory recital for the rebuilding and restoration of the organ Barry
Rose expressed his delight.
Maybe the music of the Cathedral’s own repertoire doesn’t require such precision and clarity? And perhaps
Beethoven’s 9" — the Great Wail, as my mother used to call it with its pressure on all voices’ upper registers — will be
a resounding success. To try to ensure this, a decision has been taken to bring the choir staging forward into the
nave, clear of that great “echo chamber” under the crossing. Probably because of those difficulties with the last
Baroque concert, there are still quite a few unsold tickets.
So — if you haven’t booked already and if you can possibly make it on Saturday 19", then cancel whatever else you
may have and go to www.visitguildford.com or contact Anne Whitley at tickets@vivacechorus.com to book — with
whoever else you can bring! | hear that Jeremy is so confident of the his ever-improving singers’ readiness that the
usual eve-of-concert rehearsal has been cancelled. It will be great to see you again, if you can. For a pre-concert
meal there’s the excellent “Seasons Cafe and Kitchen”, 01483 444333, or seasonscathedral@thetipypig.co.uk to
book. I’m sure it will be a great evening!.
In my last note | asked for your help with a task I’ve been asked to take on — the Guildford Philharmonic Story. It’s
something | can’t possibly do by myself
— but with your help and memories it’s becoming feasible. A very big thank
you to those who have responded already. As mentioned in March,
So will you please write to me here, and let me know some of your recollections about/observations on your time
with Vivace/Guildford Phil? It can be anecdotal or factual, thoughts and memories about people, events, or
experiences, pleasant and good things, disappointments and delights, kind thoughts or pet hates — whatever. I'll
sort them! Just let me know if you’re prefer not to be mentioned, though unless your thoughts are really dreadful
I'd like to be able to mention names where possible. After all, so many of us knew you and enjoyed singing with you
when you were with us! So, ‘til next time —
With warm regards