tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87003841584168731592024-03-13T20:47:36.455-07:00Glastonbury CantilenaDo you love music? Love to sing? Then this blog is for you!
Glastonbury Cantilena is a community choir committed to providing a high standard of music to the people of Glastonbury and the surrounding area.
Follow this blog for information and articles about Cantilena events. Want to know more? Contact us on cantachoir1@gmail.com
Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-56685421741308879782019-06-16T03:53:00.000-07:002019-06-16T03:53:15.148-07:00Cake, Wine and Song!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are 40!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We humans have a way of marking the passing the passing years and paying special attention as each decade passes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This may seem arbitrary but it gives us all an opportunity to stop and review our achievements. It's also the opportunity for a party.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year Cantilena marks its fortieth birthday. We are a small community choir and that makes it doubly special. It's easy to see how a 200-strong choral society might mark off the centuries, but a small choir's existence is much more volatile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have decided to make a splash. We have commissioned a new work by <a href="http://davidbednall.com/">David Bednall</a>. This is a setting of "Nightingales" by Robert Bridges and we will be giving the world premiere at our Summer concert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We will team this with a range of English part-songs, including some other Robert Bridges settings. There will also be the now legendary Cantilena Buffet, bubbly and cake. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This one is a must!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See you all there!</span></div>
Cantilena choirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539983640916770472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-72800238483991950452019-03-28T07:55:00.000-07:002019-03-28T07:55:49.616-07:00Once More with Passion<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Bach St John Passion</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This term we have been working on what is arguably the finest work of its type, possibly even of the whole choral repertoire - The St John Passion by J S Bach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This Passion was written for St Thomas's church in Leipzig but its first performance was actually in St Nicholas' Church in Leipzig on Good Friday 1724. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bach took the strong view that this is a piece for the whole congregation, so he wrote it in the vernacular, using Luther's version of the bible, which the congregation would know, and included Hymns (Chorales) which they could all sing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although this work is usually performed as a concert piece these days. there is a strong argument for singing it in the native language of the audience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cantilena has chosen to perform a new translation which matches Bach's musical rhythms. In that way we lose neither the music or the passion.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lyhre8qqhic/XJzeBMYAYqI/AAAAAAAAA2s/BLL2JkQoTbMDOVoG3SNMyv4eVZ0sOO-lACLcBGAs/s1600/CANTILENA%2BBACH%2BCONCERT%2B12th%2BAPRIL%2B2019.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1133" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lyhre8qqhic/XJzeBMYAYqI/AAAAAAAAA2s/BLL2JkQoTbMDOVoG3SNMyv4eVZ0sOO-lACLcBGAs/s400/CANTILENA%2BBACH%2BCONCERT%2B12th%2BAPRIL%2B2019.jpeg" width="281" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And this work<i> is</i> full of passion, from the crazy rantings of the crowds of Jews, soldiers and priests to the personal reflections of the arias and the commentary of the chorales.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The setting is full of human drama: Peter's angry outbursts, Pilate's baffled attempt at justice, the soldiers' greed. The story is told by an evangelist, starting with the arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane and ending with Jesus' death.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From the opening bars we are aware that this story is about suffering and sorrow. The final chorus: </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"sleep well.... and I will lay aside my weeping..." leaves us with the sense of loss that follows Jesus' death. We will have to wait until Easter Day for this to be resolved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Come and immerse yourselves in this gripping and enduring tale of love, betrayal and grief.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here are the details:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7.30 PM Friday 12 April 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">St Mary's Church, Glastonbury</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tickets £12.00 (£1.00 children) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">from 01278 22870, from Dickett's stationers, Glastonbury, or on the door.</span>Cantilena choirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539983640916770472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-63284795883012953022018-10-09T04:56:00.001-07:002018-10-09T04:56:44.183-07:00Polish up your voice<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cantilena Vocal Techniques Day 2019</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We all love to sing. It brings us joy and communicates with others. We hear that singing helps people who can't otherwise speak, who are depressed or suffering from dementia. And singing together is one of the best things one can do for mind, body and spirit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes people say "Oh, I can't sing!" and then they tell a story of some fearful teacher who threw them out of the choir, rather than educating them how to find their voice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even those of us who sing regularly can do with a little bit of vocal polishing, so to speak, from time to time. Many people who sing in choirs have never had any vocal training.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For many years now, Cantilena has attempted to address this by holding occasional vocal and choral training days. These are not the same as "come and sing" days where people gather to sing specified works under a well-known conductor, though these are lovely, of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We ask someone who has expertise in vocal training and choral conducting to lead the day. We learn how to breathe, pitch our voices, listen to others, extend our vocal range. We do exercises to stretch the body and fill the lungs. We practise enunciation and often do a little bit of sight reading. People are often surprised to find that their range can go further that they are used to, suddenly finding that top G or bottom A. We discover how the way in which we pronounce a vowel sound or bring a word to a close can affect its pitch and tone, making notes dark or light. We experiment with dynamics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In 2019 we will be holding one of these events. These are the details:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday February 16 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">10.00 am - 14.00</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">St Mary's Church Hall, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Price £12.00</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our leader will be Ben Sawyer. Ben is a counter tenor, conductor of several choirs and styles himself as a vocal educator. Here is a link to his website:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.bensawyermusic.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">http://www.bensawyermusic.co.uk/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Put this date in your diary; we will be providing more information soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Keep in touch by going to our website:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://glastonburycantilena.org/"> Glastonburycantilena.org</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Or email us at <a href="mailto:cantachoir1@gmail.co.uk">cantachoir1@gmail.co.uk</a></span>Cantilena choirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539983640916770472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-40143494932104576792018-06-22T06:03:00.001-07:002018-06-22T06:03:38.727-07:00Coming Together<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Summer Idyll Concert Shaping Up</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As our Summer concert draws near we are busy attending to the final details. After a term of rehearsals we now feel that we are fully absorbed into the sound and emotional world of the madrigals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Readings have been carefully chosen to complement the music.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSu7zKZCAMM/Wyzu1SJm-VI/AAAAAAAAAGs/ZTBUHEAJNBAjthxdassainDUtSElPIuEwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Rosafresca%2Bpic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSu7zKZCAMM/Wyzu1SJm-VI/AAAAAAAAAGs/ZTBUHEAJNBAjthxdassainDUtSElPIuEwCEwYBhgL/s320/Rosafresca%2Bpic.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year we are being joined by Steve Walter (Lutenist) and Hayley Guest (soprano) who will perform some lute pieces and songs. Steve is the inspiration behind <a href="http://www.rosafresca.co.uk/">Rosafresca</a>, which seeks to inspire us with a passion for Elizabethan and Spanish Renaissance music. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Choir members are each contributing to the buffet supper which is included in the ticket price.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Posters have been put up, programmes printed, press releases issued.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have been fortunate enough to secure some sponsorship:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From Collier Reading, designers of the Pavilion, and from Tukosawa, local makers and restorers of bespoke garden furniture. Without their help, it would be much harder to be able to provide concerts of a high standard at a price audience members can afford.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The weather forecast is looking good, so we very much hope that audience members will feel free to stroll outside and socialise comfortably.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, really, there's nothing left to do except enjoy it. And that goes for performers and audience alike!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't miss it! All the details are below.</span><br />
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<br />Cantilena choirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539983640916770472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-18299207846361781202018-06-06T04:13:00.000-07:002018-06-06T04:13:52.618-07:00The Right Place<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>New Venue for Summer</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For Cantilena, the Summer concert has always been an opportunity to mix making music with socialising with our audience. Over the years we have performed in many places around the Glastonbury area.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Axco84akcE/Wxe-1_7LmSI/AAAAAAAAAFo/5HJSITAxJmYnmpgQcuqlQFItB50Tw9r1ACLcBGAs/s1600/Pavilion-with-rugby-goal_retouched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Axco84akcE/Wxe-1_7LmSI/AAAAAAAAAFo/5HJSITAxJmYnmpgQcuqlQFItB50Tw9r1ACLcBGAs/s200/Pavilion-with-rugby-goal_retouched.jpg" width="132" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes we have sung out of doors, which can be a mixed pleasure, as well as places such as the Rural Life Museum, the Abbot's Kitchen and Abbey House. We tend to avoid churches, if at all possible, to reflect the lighter nature of the concert. So the hunt is always on for new and interesting places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year our concert "A Summer Idyll" will be held at The Pavilion, Millfield Prep School, Edgarley. This beautiful building was opened in 2014 and boasts a range of excellent facilities, including the hall where we are to perform.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unlike our usual format, where the audience sits in rows facing us, we are having the concert "cabaret" style where the audience will sit at tables, maybe with a glass of wine, to watch the performance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Afterwards, there will a be a buffet (and more wine if you wish) and a chance to socialise with the performers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Below is all you need to know about the concert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We hope to see you there!</span><br />
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<br />Cantilena choirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539983640916770472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-67526464973976587792018-05-11T04:10:00.000-07:002018-05-15T15:40:23.058-07:00Simple Meanings<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Meaning of Madrigals</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few more thoughts on the subject of madrigals. They are very pretty to listen to and great fun to sing, but the words are an equally important element.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They covered the whole range of human life and emotions and often used "conceits" to give a twist to the meaning. One of my favourites, and the first proper madrigal I ever sang, is "April is in my Mistress' Face" by Thomas Morley.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here is the simple little poem:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">April is in my mistress' face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And July in her eyes hath place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Within her bosom is September</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But in her heart a cold December</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In four lines the mistress stands before us. She is young and fresh, but has a changeable nature - sunshine and showers. She's sultry with a full, ripe figure. But she's cold, in the dead, final way that December is, with no looking forward to Spring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The writer carefully avoids the generalisations of the seasons in order to give us this richness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Follow this link to hear the song:</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa6RcmdmV0g"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa6RcmdmV0g</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, our job is to convey all this detail of meaning to our audience with a madrigal that lasts barely a minute and a half.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here are the details:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Summer Idyll</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">30 June 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">7.PM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Millfield Prep School Sports Pavilion, Edgarley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tickets: £12.00</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The ticket prices include a buffet supper</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">More on this soon.</span><br />
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Cantilena choirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539983640916770472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-26996378506049626102018-04-30T03:21:00.001-07:002018-04-30T03:25:41.081-07:00Arcadia<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Midsummer Delight</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Cantilena Sings Songs to Invoke Summertime</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As usual, we go directly from our Spring Concert to our more lighthearted Summer supper concert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This year our concert is on 30th June, so close to Midsummer and certainly before the evenings start to darken. So, how better to celebrate than with Madrigals? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Madrigals were originally an import from Italy but English composers of the 16th and 17th centuries took the art form and made it their own.</span><br />
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<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1f/4d/ab/1f4dab514c8f737f492b19e4969cb20d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="See the source image" border="0" data-bm="9" data-reactid="22" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1f/4d/ab/1f4dab514c8f737f492b19e4969cb20d.jpg" style="height: 400px; width: 289px;" width="289" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of their favourite subjects was the joy of celebrating the coming of Summer, with madrigals such as "All Creatures Now" and "Now is the Month of Maying". These songs describe a peaceful bucolic world of well-fed shepherds and shepherdesses, frolicking and dancing innocently. The realities of rural life had no place here! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There were a couple of inspirations. Poems about Arcadia by Virgil and Thomas Watson gave names and characters to flesh out the scenes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The other was a compilation of madrigals by 23 different composers, put together by Thomas Morley. The collection was called "The Triumphs of Oriana" and every madrigal had to include the words : </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Thus sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana: long live fair Oriana” <br /><br />Oriana was said to have referred to Queen Elizabeth I, although she is also said to have hated being called Oriana.<br /><br /> The collection was published in 1601, two years before her death.<br /><br />Madrigals were intended for home entertainment; unlike church music, all members of the family and both sexes would participate, grouped around part books, and the use of instruments such as flute, viol or lute were permitted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />In the pieces we have chosen I hope that we will be able to express both the joy of Summer as well as their essential intimacy.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />More details about the concert will follow.</span><br /></div>
Cantilena choirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539983640916770472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-43976203834224891722018-02-05T02:57:00.001-08:002018-02-12T02:18:39.621-08:00The Cross and the Crown<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Is the Title of our Spring Concert</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In my last blog I talked about the journey taken by Haydn's "7 Last Words" from orchestral to choral.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is, of course, a very devotional work and, by its nature, rather sombre, dealing, as it does, with Our Lord's final moments suffering a gruesome death by crucifixion.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k4z3v5lQR7A/WndxxM9MhDI/AAAAAAAAAEk/nphRNsumF5c4t2m1rS6UWVngBoqzm0JEgCLcBGAs/s1600/cross%2Band%2Bcrown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="218" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k4z3v5lQR7A/WndxxM9MhDI/AAAAAAAAAEk/nphRNsumF5c4t2m1rS6UWVngBoqzm0JEgCLcBGAs/s1600/cross%2Band%2Bcrown.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We then had the task of deciding what would best complement this work. We chose to perform two of Handel's coronation anthems. In their own way, they also have a devotional quality as they exhort the king to be faithful, strong and devout.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Handel wrote four anthems, and they have a specific order in which they were played at the first coronation (that of George II) : "Let thy hand be strengthened" was played first, then "Zadok the Priest", then "The King shall Rejoice", and finally "My Heart is Inditing" at the coronation of the Queen. "Zadok" is usually played first these days (although, as we haven't had a coronation for sixty-five years, who knows what will happen?).<br /><br />Handel chose the words himself, extrapolating from anthems sung at James II's coronation.<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The best known is "Zadok" which we won't be singing. We will be singing "Let thy Hand be Strengthened" and "The King Shall Rejoice". These are wonderful pieces, full of joy and solemnity, fit for a monarch.<br /><br />And whether your crown is made of thorns or gold and jewels, being King is a serious and solemn matter.<br /><br />Join us for this musical journey on 21 April 7.30 at St Mary's Church, Glastonbury.<br /><br />Full details to follow</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cantilena is on Facebook and you can check out our website on: http://glastonburycantilena.org/</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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Cantilena choirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539983640916770472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-43700202365656174432018-01-10T04:05:00.001-08:002018-01-10T04:05:43.701-08:00The Last Words<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meditation on Christ's last words on the cross</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For their Spring concert, Cantilena will be performing Haydn's The Seven Last Words of our Saviour on the Cross. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Originally this work was commissioned as an orchestral work to be performed at the Santa Cueva Oratory in Cadiz for Good Friday in 1786. This what Haydn himself had to say about this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZNTnZvBGEk/WlX-7Nyz67I/AAAAAAAAAD0/g3WAGSCrHRI3sz7zlVGdBP4OfdToPthzQCLcBGAs/s1600/santa%2Bcueva%2Bcadiz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZNTnZvBGEk/WlX-7Nyz67I/AAAAAAAAAD0/g3WAGSCrHRI3sz7zlVGdBP4OfdToPthzQCLcBGAs/s200/santa%2Bcueva%2Bcadiz.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"The walls, windows, and pillars of the church were hung with black cloth, and only one large lamp hanging from the center of the roof broke the solemn darkness. At midday, the doors were closed and the ceremony began. After a short service the bishop ascended the pulpit, pronounced the first of the seven words (or sentences) and delivered a discourse thereon. This ended, he left the pulpit and fell to his knees before the altar. The interval was filled by music. The bishop then in like manner pronounced the second word, then the third, and so on, the orchestra following on the conclusion of each discourse."</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Subsequently Haydn adapted it for string quartet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It seems strange that a piece based on words should start out life without any voices, but it wasn't until 1794, when Haydn heard that someone else had added a chorus to his work, that he thought he could go one better and he wrote his own choral version in 1796.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The words themselves are not taken directly from the bible, but are derived from poetry by Joseph Friebert, adapted by Gottfried van Swieten.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So the work has had a long journey to arrive at the version for choir, solo and strings that we are privileged to hear today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Click on this link to hear some of it:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=haydn+7+last+words#id=7&vid=d69b382371a0da1f5d4c28db925ba510&action=view">https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=haydn+7+last+words#id=7&vid=d69b382371a0da1f5d4c28db925ba510&action=view</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The concert is on 21 April 2018. Full details to follow.</span>Cantilena choirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539983640916770472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-28559980835513286532017-12-07T04:13:00.000-08:002017-12-07T04:13:36.148-08:00Keep Singing<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Christmas Starts Here</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's nothing that gives you a high quite like singing to a full house, with an audience primed and ready to support you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Friday, 1 December, saw the choir deliver its Christmas concert. There's always some pre-show nerves - have we sold any tickets? has everyone remembered their music? the right clothing? (I heard tell of one choir who had a member turn up in jeans, clearly unaware of the dress code!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But a goodly audience braved the icy winds and filled up St Mary's nicely with no overcrowding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I think that we gave a good show, with an eclectic selection of Christmas music and readings. The audience helped with lusty renditions of carols, especially "O Little Town" and "Hark the Herald" with the choir giving the descants.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We delivered William Byrd's "Laudibus in Sanctus" with a great deal of verve and audience members clearly loved its joyous ending. And there were little sigh of delight as Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque" settled to its peaceful end. I'm sure that everyone had their favourites and found something to bring Christmas into their hearts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mince pies and mulled wine added their own flavour to the evening, and we are very grateful to all our sponsors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Victoria Poole from St Margaret's Hospice spoke to the audience and I hope succeeded in raising funds for this worthy cause.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So we took pleasure in giving pleasure and I hope the audience felt that Christmas was now good to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy Christmas, Everyone!</span><br />
<br />Cantilena choirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539983640916770472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-7653746493401108402017-11-10T09:08:00.002-08:002017-11-11T02:09:42.967-08:00A Time for Giving<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Giving and Singing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In Cantilena we all love to sing, of course. And it would be wonderful to be able to do it all for love. But what we do doesn't come free; there are venues, instrumentalists, soloists and publicity to pay for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So it's particularly good when we can combine what we do with benefitting others. There's no better time to do this than at Christmas, when people are more receptive to charitable giving.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpcWqcsxbOU/WgXFjoo3stI/AAAAAAAAAJg/z8H-nqna-dcdAanzNl_aDxRwlgRoyiQGQCLcBGAs/s1600/St-Margs-Logo-Colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="1597" height="48" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpcWqcsxbOU/WgXFjoo3stI/AAAAAAAAAJg/z8H-nqna-dcdAanzNl_aDxRwlgRoyiQGQCLcBGAs/s200/St-Margs-Logo-Colour.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For many years now we have showcased St Margaret's Hospice in conjunction with our Christmas concert. St Margaret's does fantastic work supporting the terminally ill and their families and nearly everyone has experience of loved ones dying. At our concert on 1 December, they will be invited to talk about their work and you will have the chance to talk to their representatives and to donate.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73ygm92lsN4/WgXHa1QkbZI/AAAAAAAAAJs/a59ftfO7mRIt18jMmqvMemyY05fpPKdMACLcBGAs/s1600/burnsthebread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="1009" height="35" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73ygm92lsN4/WgXHa1QkbZI/AAAAAAAAAJs/a59ftfO7mRIt18jMmqvMemyY05fpPKdMACLcBGAs/s320/burnsthebread.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There's more than one way to donate and we have been fortunate to attract sponsors. We have Burns the Bread to thank for the mince pies. Burns the Bread is not only an award-winning bakery, but is well known for supporting all kinds of projects throughout the county. The pies taste wonderful as well.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2ZBJdVzFYY/WgXH-quNHGI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/pvtdBeTIKAQTXnUXJb_rlFAc5i9BuWupACLcBGAs/s1600/grape%2Band%2Bgoos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2ZBJdVzFYY/WgXH-quNHGI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/pvtdBeTIKAQTXnUXJb_rlFAc5i9BuWupACLcBGAs/s200/grape%2Band%2Bgoos.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's been pleasing to note the return of independent off-licences in the area, especially Wells. The Grape and the Good has a wonderful range of spirits and beers as well as fine wines. Not the sort of thing you see in the supermarket. And they have generously agreed to sponsor the mulled wine to go with the mince pies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That makes it all perfect; beautiful music to kick-start Christmas, delicious Christmassy eats and giving help to those who need it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Don't miss it:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Date: Friday 1 December 2017, 7.30 pm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Location: St Mary's Church, Glastonbury</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tickets: £12.00 from Dicketts Stationers in Glastonbury, by calling 01278 7228760 or on the door</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Useful links:<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%C2%A0https://www.somerset-hospice.org.uk"> https://www.somerset-hospice.org.uk</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.burnsthebread.co.uk%20/">http://www.burnsthebread.co.uk </a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://thegrapeandthegood.com/">http://thegrapeandthegood.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cantilena is on Facebook or find us at: <a href="http://glastonburycantilena.org/">http://glastonburycantilena.org</a></span><br />
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Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-63962726560920968772017-10-31T10:22:00.000-07:002017-10-31T10:22:58.933-07:00Angelic<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Sound of Angels</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Somehow we all think we know what angels sound like, even though nearly all of us have never seen or heard any. Words like "pure" and "high" come to mind, although when you read about the angels who sang to the shepherds they seem to have been belting it out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This term's concert is entitled "A Sound of Angels" and includes some beautiful music.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One piece is "Lux Aurumque" by Eric Whitacre, a contemporary composer. The words are simple:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Light</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Warm and heavy as pure gold</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And the angels sing softly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To the new-born baby</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is truly angelic, using delicate clashing harmonies threading around each to the calm ending. Click on this link to hear it:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">.<a href="https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=lux+aurumque#id=2&vid=91446f0d2df9cbe7f621831f0a89d06e&action=view">https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=lux+aurumque#id=2&vid=91446f0d2df9cbe7f621831f0a89d06e&action=view</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the choir we are doing our mortal best to sound as angelic as possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The details of the concert are in the poster shown here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't miss it!</span><br />
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<br />Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-78779770275908951392017-09-20T02:34:00.000-07:002017-09-20T02:34:43.645-07:00Getting Organised<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">New Year, New Faces</span></div>
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Any club or group of people who meet regularly for a specified purpose has to have an organisation behind it. Commonly this will take the form of a committee whose job it is to make day-to-day decisions and run the group as the members would wish.</div>
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And Cantilena is no exception. With at least three concerts annually to arrange, soloists and orchestral players to engage and music to be sourced, it's not a simple task.</div>
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Cantilena is a registered charity and there are some rules to be followed if we are to maintain this status. One of these is the appointment of officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, to be exact. The size of the rest of the committee is up to us, but these four are the core.</div>
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When you think about it, it's really the minimum needed to make us functional. A spokesperson (and someone to step in if needed), someone to do all the communications and minutes and someone to handle the cash.</div>
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Many organisations find that, once a committee is appointed, there it stays, with the same people doing the same job for decades. There are two things wrong with this model.</div>
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The first most obvious one is that a few people do all the work, which hardly seems reasonable. Members don't always realise how much goes on behind the scenes, but there are times when it's a fair bit, believe me!</div>
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Secondly, when the same group has been operating for a long time, it's possible to get stale. It's harder to find new ideas and there can be a "well it's worked so far, why change?" attitude. Which is all very well, but the wealth of talent and ideas in the group as a whole remains untapped.</div>
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So, our constitution states that officers have a fixed maximum term of five years, after which new ones must be elected. Officers can step down with a relieved sense of a job well done and choir members can have a chance to participate more fully by taking their turn.</div>
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This is managed via the AGM, which takes place early in the new choir year in September, September 26th this year, to be exact.</div>
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We are hoping that new faces will give us new and exciting ideas for the next five years.</div>
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Find out more about Cantilena on Facebook and on our website</div>
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<a href="http://glastonburycantilena.org/">http://glastonburycantilena.org/</a></div>
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Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-3886077657683110502017-09-12T07:34:00.001-07:002017-09-20T02:38:22.300-07:00Changing Seasons<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">New Term, New Year</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Summer has gone and we start the new year at Cantilena today. There is always some anxiety: has my voice stood up to a Summer of family parties and very little singing? Will there be new members? It's true that it does take a week or two to settle back in. Some members are still on holiday, so we won't really have an idea of our full complement for a while.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The next concert will be our Christmas concert and it's a strange thing to get into festive mode when September is only half gone. Maybe it's a bit like models who do the photo-shoots for swimwear in January and for winter warmers in July.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The music itself will help in that transition. We will be presenting a selection of the best Christmas items for choirs and I, for one, am looking forward to getting stuck in!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The concert will be on 1st December, just before the first Sunday in Advent, so perfect to get you in the mood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Make a note in your diary: there'll be more information soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are on Facebook and you can find out more about us by reading our website: </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.glastonburycantilena.org/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">www.glastonburycantilena.org</span></a>Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-30391241179261648262017-07-10T03:05:00.000-07:002017-07-10T10:54:27.290-07:00What a bargain!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Choir’s got rhythm and at a bargain price</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cantilena’s Summer Concert last Saturday was an eagerly awaited
affair. I am more familiar with their bigger Spring concerts and found that the
relaxed atmosphere of this event was perfect for a hot Summer evening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The venue, St Michael’s Church, Shepton Mallet, was a most
suitable choice as it had all the amenities and a large hall and garden for the
after-show buffet.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0s6_do5fb9I/WWNQt1vngWI/AAAAAAAAAJA/a-_liuBxCeYgeoE1J9RKe4asl_k1f1iEwCLcBGAs/s1600/017_07_08_rhythm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="960" height="185" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0s6_do5fb9I/WWNQt1vngWI/AAAAAAAAAJA/a-_liuBxCeYgeoE1J9RKe4asl_k1f1iEwCLcBGAs/s320/017_07_08_rhythm.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The concert was American themed with plenty of traditional
spirituals and songs from the slave era. I recognised many – “Shenandoah”,
“Swing Low” and, my favourite, “Little David Play on yo’ Harp”. But the triumph
of the evening was surely “Steal Away”,
arranged by Michael Tippet for his oratorio “A Child of our Time”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another good choice was the spiritual “Were you There?” – a
sad song about the crucifixion, opened by two strong altos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cantilena was supported by Simply Uke, a local Ukulele band giving their first concert in front of a paying audience. They played well and the audience was
most appreciative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">I very much enjoyed the evening which, at £10, including
programme and delicious buffet prepared by choir members, was a bargain. I
would have expected to pay £15.00 for a concert of this calibre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Beatrice Dixon 9 July 2017</span></div>
Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-72181056053543473442017-06-22T00:16:00.000-07:002017-06-22T00:16:47.125-07:00With my Little Ukulele in my Hand<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Ukulele Band Joins Cantilena</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You learn something every day, they say, and I certainly did today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the Summer concert, Cantilena is being joined by<a href="http://simplyuke.co.uk/"> Simply Uke</a>, a local seven-piece ukulele band which will add to the American flavour of this concert. Click on the link to find out more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I decided to find out exactly what a ukulele was and discovered that it was invented in Hawaii, adapted from a Portuguese stringed instrument called a machete, introduced in the 19th century by immigrants from the Azores and Madeira. From there it spread into the rest of the United States, becoming an important part of country music and jazz.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Simply Uke plays a wide range of music, including Classical, swing jazz, pop and blues. They will bring variety to the concert and I'm looking forward to hearing them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPGbwzkhOIg/WUtq3ddquNI/AAAAAAAAAIw/rbjlFrnnMIUeupv8OeVg0SKkwuU5Scb4QCLcBGAs/s1600/Ukuele%2Bband2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1062" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPGbwzkhOIg/WUtq3ddquNI/AAAAAAAAAIw/rbjlFrnnMIUeupv8OeVg0SKkwuU5Scb4QCLcBGAs/s320/Ukuele%2Bband2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Hawaiian translation of ukulele is "jumping flea" - which I hope won't form a central part in the concert!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Details: Saturday 8 July at 7.30. St Michael's Church, Shepton Mallet BA4 5BP</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Tickets £10.00 (children under 15 £1.00) to include supper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Available from: 01278 722870, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Dicketts Stationers, High </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">St, Glastonbury, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">or on the door</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://glastonburycantilena.org/">http://glastonburycantilena.org/</a></span></div>
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Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-45309459788727829612017-06-14T03:47:00.000-07:002017-06-14T03:47:15.298-07:00We Got Rhythm<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Exploring the Beat of American Music</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One thing that often distinguishes American music from that of the Old World is its rhythmic freedom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With influences from Ireland, Eastern European Jews and Africa, this is hardly surprising. And there was no musical establishment to hold musicians back. Influences combined; the African American Spiritual uses traditional Christian harmonies, which the slaves were taught by missionaries, and added their own speech patterns to give a unique flavour to their songs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the northern states we see music that is much more based on old folk melodies. We are singing the charming Appalachian lullaby "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sOV70uDZr4">Black Sheep</a>". Listen to it by clicking on the link.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are also adding music from Hawaii to the mix which makes this a "must do" event. All the details are below. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGGjTq91x-U/WUEQcc6CDLI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/QFutqwYoEvc2hgQPc9MPw2_zu0sseqBiQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017_summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="567" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGGjTq91x-U/WUEQcc6CDLI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/QFutqwYoEvc2hgQPc9MPw2_zu0sseqBiQCLcBGAs/s400/2017_summer.jpg" width="286" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visit our website to learn more about the concert and the choir.....</span></div>
Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-17927296709751635142017-05-29T05:18:00.002-07:002017-05-29T05:18:59.758-07:00Sing for Joy<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Invite Cantilena to your Event</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Cantilena we love to bring enjoyment to people through our singing. And this doesn't just mean at our regular concerts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are many events which are enhanced by singing; what better way to express your feelings, entertain guests or raise money for your favourite charity?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And we are proud to say that we can provide this service, too. We have sung at weddings, musical societies, churches; once even at Taunton Museum for an exhibition connected with Henry Purcell. So no type of event is beyond us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We won't turn up mob-handed with all thirty of us. We offer smaller groups as befits the occasion. All the details are below.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_lSHA7WO38/WSwQYwu-mnI/AAAAAAAAAH8/bRAxi86ZkGIIJ6klUcBtE7E04jwwuvzMgCLcB/s1600/events%2Bad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_lSHA7WO38/WSwQYwu-mnI/AAAAAAAAAH8/bRAxi86ZkGIIJ6klUcBtE7E04jwwuvzMgCLcB/s400/events%2Bad.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spread the word!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">http://glastonburycantilena.org/index.html</span><br />
<br />Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-58227725914534701752017-05-22T09:20:00.001-07:002017-05-22T09:24:27.489-07:00TransatlanticLife in Cantilena is never dull. We had barely recovered from performing Bach's Magnificat last month, with its baroque trumpets, drums and taxing choruses, than we started rehearsing for our Summer concert.<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0lIN9ZeAgq4/WSMJ7N-J6II/AAAAAAAAAHo/saxTnrPKzZsNHHx371ERDPs2JH9d7UeUwCLcB/s1600/800px-LizaJane1916SheetMusicCover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0lIN9ZeAgq4/WSMJ7N-J6II/AAAAAAAAAHo/saxTnrPKzZsNHHx371ERDPs2JH9d7UeUwCLcB/s320/800px-LizaJane1916SheetMusicCover.jpeg" width="246" /></a><br />
This Summer we are off to America which encompasses a very wide range of sound worlds. Some the audience may be tempted to join in with: Li'l Liza Jane" or "I got Rhythm" as they have become familiar.<br />
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No concert of American choral music would be complete without African American Spirituals. Trapped in an alien place and away from their own culture, the slaves embraced Christianity which gave them some certainty of a life better than the one they were living.<br />
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Some of the most moving settings were incorporated by Michael Tippett into his work "A Child of our Time". I think that this is because he managed to tap into their intrinsic sadness as well as making them relevant for today. We will be singing "Steal Away" <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPBjUMKHr5c">Click on this link to hear it for yourself</a>.<br />
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Join us for this Transatlantic adventure on July 8 in Shepton Mallet. More details to follow.<br />
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Follow us on Facebook<br />
Or visit our website:<a href="http://glastonburycantilena.org/index.html"> http://glastonburycantilena.org/index.html</a><br />
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<br />Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-42482114218113516332015-03-03T06:46:00.002-08:002015-03-03T06:46:50.267-08:00Mozart Fest<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spring is usually when Cantilena "pushes the boat out", so to speak. It is the time when we are more likely to perform a major work and include an orchestra and professional soloists.</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_DYspxPnXIc/VPXHGhUun3I/AAAAAAAAAG0/2F8htm7Jp6A/s1600/posterspring15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_DYspxPnXIc/VPXHGhUun3I/AAAAAAAAAG0/2F8htm7Jp6A/s1600/posterspring15.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This spring is no exception. We will be performing Mozart's Requiem, together with his lilting Laudate Dominum from the Mass in C and his tender Ave Verum.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mozart wrote the Requiem at the end of his life; in fact he couldn't finish it and it was left to others, notably <span style="line-height: 1.3;">Süssmayr, to finish it from the various notes and hints that Mozart had left. There is a romantic story about a mysterious visitor, dressed in black who commissioned the work, leading Mozart to believe that this was Death himself. However, the person who commissioned it was actually </span> <span style="color: #252525;">Count<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Franz Von Walsegg</span>, <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">who was renowned for trying to pass off others' work as his own; hence the anonymity. Mozart's death made secrecy impossible, of course!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Find out more:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requiem_%28Mozart%29">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requiem_%28Mozart%29</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Despite the number of people that had a hand in its completion it's a very coherent work and touches us all with its passion and beauty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are fortunate to have some young and highly talented soloists join us this year and I will fill in more with my next blog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is a treat not to be missed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Join us at St Mary's Church, Glastonbury on Saturday 25 April at 7.30 pm for this feast! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Details on the poster.</span>Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-50002877597601899852014-11-25T03:27:00.000-08:002017-05-22T09:23:02.935-07:00Busy, busy<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">November has been a busy month for Cantilena.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7gLJyGdiEA/VHRmaQgj_4I/AAAAAAAAAGU/uNzjjuSWv20/s1600/014_carols%2Bat%2BClarks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7gLJyGdiEA/VHRmaQgj_4I/AAAAAAAAAGU/uNzjjuSWv20/s1600/014_carols%2Bat%2BClarks.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Thursday 20 November we sang in the switching on of the Christmas lights at Clark's Village. We were hosted by <a href="http://www.heart.co.uk/somerset/">Heart FM</a>. who had set up a bandstand in the centre. Their banter may have been a bit unexpected, but the crowd of shoppers seemed to like it. I would have liked to hear more singing from them, though!.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But we gave a good account of ourselves and later sang at various locations around the village, to the delight of several small children!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">It was more tiring than we expected but has hopefully increased our standing locally, as well as giving us an opportunity to sing carols, which should never be missed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We shall be doing this again on 11 December for their "Narnia Wonderland" late night shopping event. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you are planning some Christmas shopping at Clark's Village anyway, why not combine it with coming to hear us sing the old favourites! Even joining in if you fancy it!</span><br />
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Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-90257903305185900842014-11-12T01:58:00.000-08:002014-11-12T01:58:33.901-08:00Consecration<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The final pieces that make up our autumn concert are two motets by the Austrian composer Anton Bruckner. Bruckner is mostly renowned for his grand, expressive symphonies but he wrote a number of pieces for unaccompanied voices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In our concert on 22 November we are singing "Christus Factus Est" a passionate piece describing Christ's sacrifice for our sakes. The piece soars up and down and uses a wide dynamic range to express the words. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Click on this link for a taster:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6fAT3iGRWc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6fAT3iGRWc</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq9LzxVZ_w8/VGMso6fOwXI/AAAAAAAAAGE/fW3-5ocATeY/s1600/DSC01971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq9LzxVZ_w8/VGMso6fOwXI/AAAAAAAAAGE/fW3-5ocATeY/s200/DSC01971.JPG" width="180" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bruckner wrote the second motet, "Locus Iste" for the dedication of the new Linz Cathedral in 1869. The words mean "This place was created by God". The soaring lines reflect the neo-gothic arches and pillars of the cathedral, while the beginning and end convery reverence and awe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had the priviledge, a few years ago, of singing this work in Linz Cathedral which was rather special.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Come and hear us:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">November 22 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7.30 pm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">St Mary's Church, Glastonbury</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tickets £10.00 (children under 15 £1.00)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Julia Barrett</span></div>
<br />Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-12484778091456917212014-11-10T08:04:00.001-08:002014-11-10T08:04:39.516-08:00Home-Grown<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the special things about Cantilena is the wealth of local talent that's available for us to use as soloists and accompanists.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We often perform unusual works that give young performers opportunities to widen their repertoire. Standards are high and so we all benefit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This term is no exception; in fact we are benefitting from three home-grown soloists.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Accompanying us on the organ throughout the concert is Ashley Marshfield. Ashley is presently music director at St Thomas's Church in Wells. Find out more about him on his Twitter page:<a href="https://twitter.com/AMarshfield">https://twitter.com/AMarshfield</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The works we are performing require two soloists: Baritone and Soprano.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rob Clark, baritone, is no stranger to Cantilena, having sung with us in 2013. He told me that his early musical love was the trumpet but, after he successfully auditioned to play the lead role in a college production of "Grease", for which he felt he should have a few singing lessons, he turned his talents to singing! He hasn't developed a career in musical theatre, but has sung with Harry Christophers early music group The Sixteen.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EH7qIknFQD4/VGDcXSs6vAI/AAAAAAAAAF0/6YkE1mVJdZo/s1600/Helen%2BClassical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EH7qIknFQD4/VGDcXSs6vAI/AAAAAAAAAF0/6YkE1mVJdZo/s1600/Helen%2BClassical.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is a special pleasure to welcome Helen Ostafew, soprano. Her parents, Jan and Nick, used to be valuable members of Cantilena for many years before their removal to Dorset. Helen</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>studied
classical singing at The University of Leeds during which she spent a year at
Enschede. She is very active in many ways, singing solo in many concerts, directing two choirs, writing music for performance and also developing her jazz singing skills.</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Welcome to all these wonderful performers - come along and support them!</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Concert details: </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Date: 22 November 2014</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Time: 7.30 pm</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Location: St Mary's Church, Glastonbury</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tickets: £10.00 (£1 children under 15)</span></span><br />
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Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-19993896596036921502014-11-09T08:38:00.002-08:002014-11-09T08:38:59.362-08:00All the Way from AmericaWhich may seem a strange title when I am going to talk about a work by the great Bohemian composer Anton Dvorak.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ToA5aoJDQzM/VF-XTzQm_TI/AAAAAAAAAFk/1j2D8I9m-1k/s1600/PosterNov142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ToA5aoJDQzM/VF-XTzQm_TI/AAAAAAAAAFk/1j2D8I9m-1k/s1600/PosterNov142.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a>But it's true. Dvorak went to America in 1892. He was asked, in advance of his visit, to write a piece to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of America.<br />
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He was promised a suitably celebratory text. but none was forthcoming. In desperation he turned to the text of the Te Deum. He felt that it was joyous enough for the occasion and it also appealed to his own religious convictions. In the event it was not performed at the celebrations, but two weeks later with a choir of 250 singers.<br />
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Cantilena has 25 singers but feel sure that we can do this work justice. It is a happy work, full of complex rhythms and unusual harmonies.<br />
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This concert promises to be unusual.<br />
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Don't miss it!Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700384158416873159.post-44478169051280275982014-10-13T07:36:00.001-07:002014-10-13T14:49:31.363-07:00Music all over God's Green Earth<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's always good for a choir to take up a fresh challenge. This Autumn Cantilena is doing that in more than one way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have decided to have two concerts this autumn; one will be a carol concert entirely devoted to Christmas (more on this soon), but first we are performing music by renowned composers from Bohemia and Hungary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The main work will be Zoltan Kodaly's Missa Brevis. This is a mysterious setting of the standard mass text in Latin.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30u9IRjrDcM/VDvfhiPrVtI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/N2WT4_jIHC0/s1600/Kodaly%2BMissa%2BBrevis%2Bpicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30u9IRjrDcM/VDvfhiPrVtI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/N2WT4_jIHC0/s1600/Kodaly%2BMissa%2BBrevis%2Bpicture.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kodaly is remembered, among other things, for his love of Hungarian Folk Music, of which he was an avid collector and for bringing the joy of singing to children and young people with his joyful and entertaining folk-song settings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here is a quote from a recent review:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/classical-artist-search/Kod%E1ly%2C%20Zolt%E1n/$%7B0%7D">Zoltán
Kodály</a>'s Missa Brevis can be a bewildering experience. It's an expanse of music, ranging from deep-throated organ runs to angelic boys-choir
arrangements--all over, one might say, God's green earth." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It promises to be an unusual and uplifting experience, both for singers and audience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Come and hear us on:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday 22 November 2014 7.30 pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">St Mary's Church, Glastonbury</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Price £10.00 (children under 15 £1.00)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Email cantilena@hotmail.co.uk for more information.</span></div>
Glastonbury Cantilenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437121157656290720noreply@blogger.com0