CONCERTS
We are pleased to announce our forthcoming programme of concerts and other events, with details of music, venues and ticket availability.
2024/2025 SEASON
"Field to Fjord"
Saturday 18th May 2024
Programme includes
Ola Gjeilo's
Sunrise Mass
7.30pm
St. Michael's Church
Highworth
Other dates for your diary.
Saturday 13th July 2024
evening performance.
Christmas Concert 2024
Sunday 8th December 2024
early evening performance.
Performed in St. Michael's Church, Highworth
BUY TICKETS
By Email
Please Contact: hcssecretary2019@gmail.com
AUDIENCE QUOTES
Whether member or audience contact us with your comment and see it here.
"I have never been inspired to add a review but last night’s HCS "A Musical Feast for Christmas" was positively the best of their concerts I have ever attended. The programme was as follows:
A Little Jazz Mass
A five-part piece of music. It started and part way through I thought I have heard these words before. Turns out that this 'Bob Chilcott' has taken the 'Mass' and put it to a mild 'Jazz' theme, HCS not only had "the effervescent" Chris on piano but a double bass that set the jazz pace perfectly combined with a drummer caressing cymbals and snare with brushes. The result an astounding sound with perfect harmonies both soft and in crescendo. A jaw dropper for me.
A Feast for Christmas
Before the interval we went on a tour of the Christmas scene mainly historical but some pertinent to today celebrations in eight different scenarios. Starting with a scene setting piece. Followed by the making of a Christmas Pudding. Christmas Eve was in the twentieth century. Next came 'food preparation' HCS actually pulled off singing a recipe. As a long time (now lapsed) chef this painted a particularly vivid picture in my mind’s eye of a 'multi bird roast and all the trimmings. all the following movements came along complete with party poppers and a Christmas Celebration. All this was done with (to my ears) perfect harmonies great story telling, a truly lovely rendition of again an unusual piece of music
"Everybody in Pontorson was amazed by the quality of the concert you gave last Sunday. For some people, this was their first experience of attending a concert, and they all believe that you are professional musicians!"
Francis Prod'Homme
"It was wonderful, we could have gone to London and not heard anything better"
Audience member
"Memories come flooding back...of cries of "we'll never be ready", but we always are! But most of all of singing some wonderful music and hopefully giving pleasure to many people."
Diana Merriman, Soprano
"Singing is friendship, harmony & fun"
Pat Williams, Soprano
"The 2003 concert of the Misa Cubana is possibly my most memorable concert experience so far. Also allowed me to wear the loudest shirt I've ever worn."
Chris Metcalfe, Tenor
Ola Gjeilo Sunrise Mass workshop March 2024
feedback
Effie Stewart
Next came 'a budding superstar' in the shape of ten-year old "Effie Stewart", who had the audience in the palm of her hand. She performed two pieces on piano, I couldn't believe one so small could achieve that level of performance. However, between the piano pieces Effie picked up her clarinet. I have only once before had the clarinet bring tears to my eyes and that was when I saw Acker Bilk perform "Stranger on the shore" live in the back room of a pub in Bath, well Effie you did it again last night with your rendition of "When the Saints". Amazing, just AMAZING.
The interval
Normally this is about a twenty-minute break from the hard pews on buttocks accompanied by a low murmur of gossiping audience. Not so tonight some of the choristers and a few local bell-ringers carried on the entertainment by playing us carols using hand bells. They had not done it before in public but an excellent interlude. The star of the show had to be the young lad aged probably about 12, the expression on his face and the diligence of the bell operation he had my greatest admiration.
The Second Half
This consisted of the traditional singing of Carols and the not so traditional Rudolpus Rubrinasus a well-known Christmas song in Latin would you believe, HCS accompanied by the audience for several of the carols with the glorious descants in the last verses, I promise I didn't join in, so the milk remained safe.
Thank You Highworth Choral Society for a well-planned, wonderfully performed by all, fully entertaining evening.
Simply the best I've ever been to in your company!"
Mark Jefferies (Audience member)
writing a review of the Christmas 2017 concert
"People here are still talking warmly about the concert and extremely high quality of the singing. The Mayor referred to it in a public meeting saying it was an excellent start to the concert season in Pontorson"
David Mills (Pontorson resident)
"Ten out of ten for music and singing"
Audience member
"I've been in Highworth a year now. I love to sing, having sung at school and I sing at my church. I thought going to the Choral Society would be a good way to meet people in a new town and to continue doing something I love."
Laura Fisher, Alto
"Congratulations on an outstanding evening at The Rec last night. Veronica's choice of Misa Cubana was truly inspired. It was great fun to listen to and you clearly all thoroughly enjoyed taking part."
Kathryn & Rob Taylour, audience members
"Thank you all for a fabulous day on Saturday, myself and Joan really enjoyed the day. Everyone was friendly, the cakes were yummy and Jen was brilliant and we both loved the music.
So thank you all. Geogie Paris
"I couldn't let another day go by without letting you knw how much I enjoyed the Come and Sing on Saturday. The "Sunrise Mass" by Ola Gjeilo is absolutely wonderful and I really enjoyed singing under the clear and encouraging direction of your leader, Jen Bamford.
The day itself was so well organised and your members were so welcoming...thank you all so very much." Joan Leyfield
"Just a quick note to say thanks for an excellent come and sing day.
What a wonderful venue, and a great chance to learn a lovely work. Jen led us with such enthusiasm! Oh and the cakes were exceptionally good!" Bobbie Koen
"I did so enjoy the Come and Sing Day. Thank you to everyone involved in the planning in any way, for your warm welcome and not forgetting the delicious cake.
It was great to see so many familiar faces and to sing such beautiful music....
I look forward to being in the audience for the concert in May." Anne Hinton
"It was a fab day and good to see everyone again.
Good luck for the concert"
Rebecca Mathis