Neil Fortin 2011-2014
The Christmas Concert of 2011 was the first concert for the new MD Neil Fortin and for the new accompanist Sam Bayliss. The concert held in St Andrew's Church featured two pieces by JS Bach - Magnificat and Sleepers Wake! and in the second half, some carols for choir and for choir and audience. The soloists were - Tina Power; soprano, Victoria Fortin; soprano, Marie Randall ; alto, Charles Renshaw; tenor, Kenneth Roles; bass, and solos were also taken by Sam Bayliss on organ and piano. The concert was dedicated to the memory of David Pexton.
In March 2012,in commemoration of the Queen's Diamond Jubliee, the choir performed the Coronation Mass in C by Mozart with orchestra. Also included in the programme was the stirring Elgar,Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 and Handel's Water Music. Works by Bach, Parry and Stamford were also featured. Soloists, Kathryn Skipp,Karen Longmate,Ralph Barnes and Kenneth Roles.
Summer 2012 saw us all enjoying a night at the musicals. Shows performed included songs from West Side Story, Oliver, Phantom of the Opera and an enjoyable singalonga Sound of Music! Kate Bennett entertained us again, with solos from the King and I and Showboat amongst the songs in her repertoire. Soloist,Vicki Fortin performed two pieces from Kismet. James Quinn played piano for all. A very enjoyable evening followed by a delicious supper.
December 2012. Vivaldi's Gloria was performed at St Andrew's church. We were delighted to be joined by the children from Parton Manor Junior School who entertained us with four Christmas pieces. The audience joined in with several of the most well known carols, whilst the choir performed Shepherd's Pipe Carol and In the bleak mid winter and O holy night The Twelve days of Christmas was enjoyed by all, featuring plenty of actions! Soloists were Fiona Hunt,Lydia Lloyd and Vicki Fortin, with Darren Hogg , organist.
April 2013. The Easter Concert featured a performance of Mozart's Requiem with soloists Sue Black, Linda Parsons, Ian Yemm and David Parsons. The concert was held at Christ Church Cheltenham. The orchestra also performed Beethoven's Symphony No 7, conducted by Neil Fortin.
June 2013 Showtime! at the Community Centre. This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, with songs from the shows and our guest soloist Kate Bennett. The choir sang medleys from Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific and The Sound Of Music. A sing- a- long session with the audience featured songs from Oliver. Kate Bennett performed six songs including two pieces from the King and I. Greg Abrahams was our pianist this evening.
Dec 2013. Pergolesi's Magnificat and favourite carols. Once again we were delighted to be joined by the children from Parton Manor Junior School. The children treated us to four Christmas songs including the wonderful, A light has come and We have found him. Soloists were Vicki Fortin, Judith Ogden, Jack Parry and Kenneth Roles. Darren Hogg was our organist. The audience joined us in singing the well known carols. The choral society also performed Torches, Ding dong merrily,I saw Three ships, Sussex Carol and the French carol, Il est ne le devin enfant. Twelve days of Christmas, with frantic actions, was enjoyed by all!
April 2014 The Armed Man Karl Jenkins. Christ Church Cheltenham. This piece was chosen to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. It is a powerful and emotional piece and an account of the terrible consequences of war. Soloists were Vicki Fortin, Karen Longmate, Jack Parry and Ralph Barnes. The choirs of Elmbridge, Longlevens and Parton Manor Junior schools also joined us. In addition, Neil Fortin conducted the orchestra in a performance of Elgar's, Serenade for Strings. Turn Back O Man by Holst and Ireland's Greater Love Hath No Man was also performed by the choir. This was Neil's last concert with the choir.
In March 2012,in commemoration of the Queen's Diamond Jubliee, the choir performed the Coronation Mass in C by Mozart with orchestra. Also included in the programme was the stirring Elgar,Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 and Handel's Water Music. Works by Bach, Parry and Stamford were also featured. Soloists, Kathryn Skipp,Karen Longmate,Ralph Barnes and Kenneth Roles.
Summer 2012 saw us all enjoying a night at the musicals. Shows performed included songs from West Side Story, Oliver, Phantom of the Opera and an enjoyable singalonga Sound of Music! Kate Bennett entertained us again, with solos from the King and I and Showboat amongst the songs in her repertoire. Soloist,Vicki Fortin performed two pieces from Kismet. James Quinn played piano for all. A very enjoyable evening followed by a delicious supper.
December 2012. Vivaldi's Gloria was performed at St Andrew's church. We were delighted to be joined by the children from Parton Manor Junior School who entertained us with four Christmas pieces. The audience joined in with several of the most well known carols, whilst the choir performed Shepherd's Pipe Carol and In the bleak mid winter and O holy night The Twelve days of Christmas was enjoyed by all, featuring plenty of actions! Soloists were Fiona Hunt,Lydia Lloyd and Vicki Fortin, with Darren Hogg , organist.
April 2013. The Easter Concert featured a performance of Mozart's Requiem with soloists Sue Black, Linda Parsons, Ian Yemm and David Parsons. The concert was held at Christ Church Cheltenham. The orchestra also performed Beethoven's Symphony No 7, conducted by Neil Fortin.
June 2013 Showtime! at the Community Centre. This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, with songs from the shows and our guest soloist Kate Bennett. The choir sang medleys from Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific and The Sound Of Music. A sing- a- long session with the audience featured songs from Oliver. Kate Bennett performed six songs including two pieces from the King and I. Greg Abrahams was our pianist this evening.
Dec 2013. Pergolesi's Magnificat and favourite carols. Once again we were delighted to be joined by the children from Parton Manor Junior School. The children treated us to four Christmas songs including the wonderful, A light has come and We have found him. Soloists were Vicki Fortin, Judith Ogden, Jack Parry and Kenneth Roles. Darren Hogg was our organist. The audience joined us in singing the well known carols. The choral society also performed Torches, Ding dong merrily,I saw Three ships, Sussex Carol and the French carol, Il est ne le devin enfant. Twelve days of Christmas, with frantic actions, was enjoyed by all!
April 2014 The Armed Man Karl Jenkins. Christ Church Cheltenham. This piece was chosen to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. It is a powerful and emotional piece and an account of the terrible consequences of war. Soloists were Vicki Fortin, Karen Longmate, Jack Parry and Ralph Barnes. The choirs of Elmbridge, Longlevens and Parton Manor Junior schools also joined us. In addition, Neil Fortin conducted the orchestra in a performance of Elgar's, Serenade for Strings. Turn Back O Man by Holst and Ireland's Greater Love Hath No Man was also performed by the choir. This was Neil's last concert with the choir.