Dear Friends of Hastings Philharmonic Choir,
First, I want to thank you for your ongoing support of the Choir during these difficult times. It's not been an easy twelve months.
Now that the Government have announced some dates for the lifting of lockdown, we are finally able to make some (provisional) plans for the way forward, so the time is ripe for our first full newsletter of 2021.
Our first full choir rehearsal of the year is planned for Thursday 20 May. Despite lockdowns, our choir membership stands at a healthy 85 strong, and in addition we have five new members who we hope to welcome at this first rehearsal, with a further three who have expressed an interest in joining.
We are excited at the prospect of giving some performances in the summer – our first since December 2019. You’ll find further details of these, and other choir news, within this newsletter.
Thank you again for your ongoing support. Finally, I can safely say that I look forward to seeing you all again shortly. Continue to keep safe!
Best wishes,
John Rycroft
Chairman
Table of Contents - Likely concert dates
- New treasurer
- Website
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The April Creation concert has been cancelled, but we are planning a programme of events for the remainder of this season, and into the autumn of 2021. Many of the dates are yet to be finalised, but we will send out confirmation, and advertise dates on our website, as soon as we can. It need hardly be said that these are all dependent upon the current situation continuing to improve as the months unfold.
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
The Choir has been offered an opportunity to perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony on Tuesday 13 July in the De La Warr Pavilion. This event is dependent on Arts Council funding, which should be confirmed within the next few weeks.
Opera Gala
Over the weekend of 24/25 July, we plan to put on an Opera Gala in Battle. The final date and venue are yet to be confirmed.
Bloom Britannia
In late October (date to be confirmed soon), we will collaborate with Barefoot Opera in their production of Bloom Britannia. More information about this exciting project is available on Barefoot Opera’s website, here. HPC will be providing strength to two of the larger choruses. Performances will take place at Hastings College, Station Plaza.
Christmas Carols
The Christmas Carol concert is planned for Saturday 18 December (venue to be confirmed).
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After two years’ sterling work on the choir’s behalf, Maggi Hyde decided to hang up her abacus at the beginning of the year. I am delighted to tell you that Simon Scott has kindly agreed to take on the role of Treasurer. If you need to contact him, his email is treasurer@hastingsphilchoir.org.uk. Our sincere thanks to Maggi for all her hard work, and to Simon for taking on this crucial role.
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Thanks to an enormous amount of work over many months by David Holloway and Lucy Cradduck a new website (www.hastingsphilchoir.org.uk) has been constructed and is your “go-to” source for information about what is going on. Information about rehearsals and concerts are on the public-facing pages.
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