An Advent Feast from Cantilena

Christmas comes to St Mary's

Saturday 11^th December 2010 sees Cantilena Choir returning to St Mary’s Church for a feast of advent music.

Also returning to the choir as its new Musical Director is Tony Bevan. Tony was Musical Director between 1988 and 2000. He’s put together an exciting programme of music for Advent, featuring Bach’s famous Cantata “Wachet Auf” - “Sleepers Awake”. The programme also includes a beautiful Magnificat by Pergolesi, recalling the Visitation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary. There will also be advent carols and readings to put everyone in the mood.

And to help the party go with a swing, there'll be mulled wine and mine pies during the interval.

We welcome the Cantilena Orchestra and soloists Soprano Rachel Bevan, Tenor Edward Ross and Bass Robert Clark.

We are supporting St Magaret's Hospice as part of this event.

For any other information please call 01749 841617 or email cantilena@hotmail.co.uk

New Look

New Year, New Style

Autumn 2010 sees Cantilena with an all new set up. We welcome our new Musical Director, Tony Bevan. Tony formerly led the choir from 1988 to 2000, grooming the choir into  locally recognised exponents of early music. He didn't neglect other works; the choir performed such great classics as Bach's St John and St Matthew Passions, the beautiful Faure Requiem and the stunning Stabat Mater by Poulenc.

After he left the choir to spend more time with his growing family, we were led by a series of talented musicians from Wells Cathedral. While they all brought much to us in terms of musical training and interesting works, they were none of them able to stay longer than two years. This made the development of a repertoire and a consistent approach to ensemble singing difficult. We hope that we can develop these areas with Tony as our leader.

We have also moved our regular rehearsal venue from St John's Glastonbury to St Mary's Glastonbury as we were outgrowing the available space at St John's. We are also using St Mary's for our autumn 2010 concert. The layout of this venue allows us more space for orchestral players.

This is an exciting time for the choir. Watch this blog and our facebook page for more news!