Saint Cecilia Singers

The Saint Cecilia Singers

of

Gloucester

Welcome from the Conductor

'I write this introduction to our new season having recently returned with the choir from a highly successful tour to Sweden; an enjoyable and fitting end to the celebrations of our 60th anniversary season. Looking forward to the varied programme that 2009-2010 has to offer, I am delighted that the choir's work continues to centre on its strong local roots, it having played a key part in the musical life of Gloucester for the past sixty years. In October we help to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CRUSE, which works tirelessly to help those suffering bereavement. On that occasion, the Saint Cecilia Singers show off their lighter side, with a fun evening of music for choir, jazz piano and double bass.

After a sell-out concert in the Cathedral last season, we hope you can join us once again for our Christmas concerts with their traditional mix of carols for choir and audience, some well-known and others, new and exciting additions to the Christmas repertoire. In February we give a concert for Gloucester Music Society, which has had close links to the Saint Cecilia Singers over many years, principally through Dr John Sanders, some of whose music the choir will be singing, alongside works by Parry, Britten and Finzi.

Enjoying strong and valued links with Gloucester Cathedral, the choir will be singing Evensong on Saturday 27th March. This will be followed by two performances in London, where the choir will sing Evensong at Westminster Abbey and a concert at Southwark Cathedral.

The highlight of Gloucester's musical life comes once every three years in the form of the Three Choirs Festival and it will be a particular privilege for the Saint Cecilia Singers to perform again in the 2010 Festival. Joined by the renowned Parry scholar, Anthony Boden, the choir will sing Parry's great Songs of Farewell at Highnam where the composer himself grew up.

We look forward to welcoming you to concerts this year.'

Ashley Grote