Mass in Time of War - Paukenmesse Robin has done his homework, ticked the boxes and decided that our March 19 concert will be the fantastic Missa in tempore belli (Mass in Time of War), a setting of the mass by Joseph Haydn, also known also as the Paukenmesse due to the dramatic use of timpani. Haydn was a deeply religious man, who appended the words “Praise be to God” at the end of every completed score. Composed at Eisenstadt in Au- gust 1796, at the time of Austria’s general mobilisation into war. Four years into the European war that fol- lowed the French Revolution, Austrian troops were doing badly against the French in Italy and Germany, and Aus- tria feared invasion. Reflecting the troubled mood of his time, Haydn in- tegrated references to battle in the Benedictus and Agnus Dei move- ments. The Mass was first performed on 26 December 1796, in the Church of Maria Treu in Vienna and is one of the most popular of his fourteen mass settings. This is a rare opportunity for us to sing this vibrant piece of choral music and yet again, an opportunity to show our audience the depth of our musical skills. We need to enhance our numbers for this, so If you know interested, potential choir members, invite them to a rehearsal - you never know, we could tempt them to join us! Thanks to all our loyal supporters Our thanks to Austin’s who are sponsoring SCS for 2018. We would also like to thank Stevenage Arts Guild, Making Music and all the advertisers, friends and families that support us so that we can continue to make marvellous music. Future Events 2018/19 Wassail! - Christmas Concert Date 15 December 18 St. Martin’s Church, Knebworth Spring 2019 Haydn - Paukenmesse, St A & St G 30 March Summer 2019 Renaissance to Rock, venue to be confirmed 13 July Autumn 2019 repertoire TBC 16 Nov. St A and St G with Youth Orchestra Choir fund raising ideas... Inspired? Talk to Gill... Welcome to our Autumn newsletter. Well, here we are at the end of our 2017/18 concert season, and what a year it’s been for the Society. Our final offering was a late afternoon concert of music from George Shear- ing, to Bob Chilcott and John Rutter. And it was baking hot! Thanks to all choir members for braving the searing sunshine to put in such an amazing event and also to the audience for attending. This was the first time we offered Pimms and non alcoholic Pimms in the interval and it made what was a lovely event even more special. It was difficult to drag people away from the Pimms and buffet for the second half. It was lovely to welcome singers from Robins ‘other choir’, Alyth Choral Society, for this event and SCS were invited to take part in their concert the Sunday before ours. I’m sure those of you who took part would agree it was great fun. Onwards to our next concert. Unlike most years we’re not putting on an Autumn concert as we’ve decided to perform Wassail by local composer, Alexander L’Estrange. We will be sharing the stage with the Youth Choir based at Stevenage Music centre. Please note the date in your diaries as this is something not to be missed. I know it’s difficult to think about Christmas as we bask in this beautiful sunshine but I’m reliably informed that it’s only 20 weeks til the big day! We have an open invitation to past Society members to return and sing with us and we would love to see you again, or if you're tempted to join us, come along to a rehearsal at the Stevenage Music Centre, the Nobel School on Monday evenings at 19.45 You'll be very welcome! Chorus Lines... Welcome to Chorus Lines our Members Newsletter - Full of information about concerts, rehearsals, events and the choir... We’re making 2018 a year to remember “ “ www.stevenagechoral.org.uk www.facebook.com/StevenageChoral Chair’s Chat... Gill Brown Haydn Paukenmesse ...singing for the joy of it! Shall I Compare Thee... Despite wondering a week before the concert, if we were going to have an audience, the wall to wall sunshine and the lure of air conditioning (or could it have been the Pimms?) bought them to our door. Jazz, Pimms and a summer afternoon are a great combination and the feed- back was positive. They loved it. The nibbles table was a big success and judging by the volume of conversation in the interval - the audience loved the music and the style of the event. Our talented accompanists did us proud as did the members of Alyth Choral Society who came along to enjoy the opportunity of singing Rutter, Shearing and Chilcott for a second time! The hard work behind the scenes by Robin, Gill and the committee paid off yet again, so our thanks for a splendid concert are in order. Hot off the Press...