Press Reviews

Recent press reviews of Hook Choral Society's concert performances

A Christmas Concert

On 19^th December, at St. John’s Church Hook, Hook Choral Society performed their Christmas Concert, directed by Nicholas Woods, organist Philip Aspden. A glass of mulled wine and a mince pie put us all in the Christmas mood, and as the choir opened with Once in Royal David City, we were set for a classic afternoon.

It is not easy to create a fresh feel to a carol concert but that is just what Nicholas Woods achieved. He had chosen a variety of music, from Jacobean to the 20th century, a range of readings some traditional, some very modern, from the immaculate conception to computers.

The quality of the choir was excellent, and, they encouraged audience participation at every age. An array of percussion was provided for the children to accompany the choir and we were treated to Away in a Manger, Little Donkey and the favourite, if volume and enthusiasm can be the guide, Jingle Bells.

For me, A Spotless Rose by Herbert Howells hung hauntingly in the air, while the time honoured finish of O Come All ye Faithful left the rafters ringing. It was a really joyful afternoon presented in a professional manner but relaxed atmosphere.

The choir will be singing evensong at Southwark Cathedral on the 23^rd January 2010 where they will perform Howard Goodall’s the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. If the rendering of these works at the concert is anything to go by a visit to Southwark is not to be missed.

Elizabeth Austin

Hook Choral Get Standing Ovation

Nicholas Woods, conducting Hook Choral Society received cheers and a standing ovation for their performance on Saturday 14^th at St Bede’s for their performance of Howard Goodall’s ‘Eternal Light Requiem’. The work received its debut with the composer in November 2008 and musical scores for amateur groups have only been available over the last few months. Chairman Colin Darby said ‘It is always risky performing a new piece but Nick’s conviction that it was right for us to pioneer this chart topper has proved absolutely correct.’ The choir understands that they are the first in Hampshire to stage the Requiem. The successful rendition of tricky rhythms in some movements showed the commitment of the choir to execute them with confidence and perhaps the most well known movement, Lead, Kindly Light, was treated with joy and sensitivity. Professional soloists and musicians, including a harpist, produced a moving and magical meaning to the words used to honour the departed as well as giving comfort to those left behind to mourn and remember. The whole concert was given over to works by Howard, the 2009 Brit Awards Composer of the Year winner. David May-Miller from Cranbourne Business College sang treble in Psalm 23, more readily recognised as the theme from the Vicar of Dibley; In Memoriam Anne Frank involved a semi-chorus singing a haunting counter melody from behind the audience and well known versions of The Marlborough Canticles and Love Divine completed the choir’s performance.

The choir had been in touch with Howard throughout the planning of the concert and he happily supplied music for a tenor/harp duet of a rarely publicly performed piece, O Mistress Mine, specially written by him for Rowan Atkinson’s fiftieth birthday. Only a bout of flu prevented the composer from attending the evening.

From the audience response it is clear that Hook have pulled off a major coup for a piece that will no doubt be on every choir’s repertoire in the next few years.

Kate Batchelor

Karl Jenkins - Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary & Requiem

“Jenkins was done justice:

The second half of the programme, Karl’s Requiem, brought the full choir into operation who gave of their all, especially in the Dies Irae, and the tenors, who gave an effective contribution in the Pie Jesu.

It was obvious the choir enjoyed singing these works and, under the enthusiastic direction of Nicholas woods, sang well, always giving 100 per cent.”

Frank Fowler, Basingstoke Gazette

Handel – Messiah

“Popular work given a refreshing revamp:

It was a great treat to hear a truly inspired and rousing performance of Handel’s Messiah, conducted with verve by the society’s regular director, Nicholas Woods, and supported by the Ella Chamber Orchestra, led by Nick Beach.

Success was demonstrated by the outstanding audience ovation and it was pleasing to hear a popular and often-performed work given a refreshingly original and energetic interpretation.”

Dr Jane van Tilborg, Basingstoke Gazette

Hook Choral ... going semi-professional now?

Being a member of Hook Choral Society has some unexpected perks.

Last weekend, Director of the British Choral Institute, Dr Roy Wales spent a whole day with the team in St. John's, Hook.

The value of the day's workshop, organised by musical director, Nicholas Woods, was exceptional. Speaking from personal experience, this quality of training would cost hundreds of pounds per person in the corporate world - but for Hook choral, we were very fortunate to have benefited from Dr Wales' expertise for less than the price of a meal.

During the day, we focussed on core singing skills that many of us (myself included) tend to ignore. Topics included:

Breathing
articulation of consonants (ppppp, cccccc, ttttt etc..!) and vowels, including the impact of mouth shape on the various sounds,
voice placement (placing the same tone at different areas of the head) and use of resonant chambers,
the importance of words and sentiment / interpretation (irrespective of personal religious beliefs),
dynamic levels (we discovered that there are at least 30!)
voice blending (in a round)
relative positioning of choir members

What was most rewarding was that we were able to experience immediately the improvement that each technique delviered in the sound that we each made as individuals and as a group.

We also did plenty of sight singing - performing extremely popular choral works from various genres.

It was a great day for the choir and I hope we will encourage some more members of the wider community along to the next one.

Alistair Mungall, The Big Fat Guide

Silver Song Club network for Hampshire

"The Silver Song Club network is expanding into Hampshire supported by a generous grant of £48,000 over two years by The Headley Trust with additional support from Making Music. The project will cover Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

Initially the project is supporting the Alzheimers music group in Basingstoke and the volunteers from Hook Choral Society."

Making Music Website

Whitewater Primary School head teacher, Matthew Irving (right) and HCS chairman, Colin Darby

New drum kits is a generous cymbal!

Banging a drum will be a much more rewarding experience for youngsters at Whitewater Primary School in Rotherwick.

Hook Choral Society has donated £250 to the school to replace and enlarge its existing drum kit.

Matthew Irving, head teacher at the school, said: "Whitewater is known for its music so we are very thankful.

"The society very generously wrote to me asking if there was something musical they could support and I explained that we have 10 children that have percussion lessons in school and they could make a donation towards a quality drum kit.

"It needed to be a good quality one so it could be safely moved around by primary school children."

The new kit cost £320, and the school's parent and teacher association supplied the remaining funds.

Mr Irving added: "I'm extraordinarily lucky with donations from charities and from the PTA, who are incredibly supportive."

The young drummers have also been invited to attend the choir's rehersal for a concert on Saturday - at which they will perform Jenkins' Armed Man: A Mass for Peace and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms - involving two professional persussionists.

The concert is being held at St. Bede's Church, in Popley Way, Basingstoke, and tickets can be purchased at Dawson's Music Store, in Festival Place, or by calling 01256 766522.

Basingstoke Gazette