Wayns Weekly - 22nd June 2026
Summer Evening in Blue
What an amazing, happy and uplifting evening we had ending in a standing ovation. David Owen was at his very best, George played brilliantly as always in a way we haven’t seen him do before - although he said that Mozart was on his agenda next (quite the contrast). A wonderful jazz trio to accompany the Todd, the stirring voice of Hannah Williams and a moving performance of the Lauridsen, all brilliantly directed by Andy. What a night! Sorry for those of you who had to miss it.
Hear the choir in rehearsal by visiting your part’s WhatsApp page.
Music Order for September - Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
Online ordering is now available for music for the Christmas concert. Many choir members will already have copies of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (we are using the Barenreiter version) but those who would like to order copies to buy at £16.50 or to hire at £2 can do so using this link. Orders before 3rd July please.
A Notice from our Treasurer re Gift Aiding Subs
Kate Baker (Treasurer) is about to submit our annual Gift Aid claim. Choir members will need to let her know if they previously filled out Gift Aid forms but are no longer taxpayers.
She also needs to know of any address changes, as addresses are on the submission.
Responses to Kate Baker as a matter of urgency - kbaker2609@gmail.com
There may be very few, or even no Wayns Weeklies for a while. If anything crops up youll be notified through your WhatsApp groups.
Have a Great Summer
So, have a lovely summer (not too hot I hope) and remember we meet to sing again on September 16th. We wish Andy a good few months in Melbourne and will see him again in November - George and Andy Hayman will take the rehearsals.
Wayns Summer Social on 25th June Postponed
All,
We have taken the decision to postpone the party planned for this Thursday 25th at my house.
Two years ago, our summer party was held in the cold and the rain and we had to stay inside Oak House. This year, most unusually we will be under a red heat warning, which recommends taking action to avoid doing anything which exposes you to the heat. The forecast has the temperature well into the 30s even in the evening. At best the temperature will be very uncomfortable, and at worst dangerous.
Much as it disappoints me, I think therefore, the sensible thing to do is to postpone. I hope, by making the decision today, I can stop you all getting your food contributions ready and minimise wastage and inconvenience.
We will find a new date in the early autumn, when probably it will be snowing.
Meanwhile, I hope you all have splendid summers and thanks for a fun concert last Saturday.
Sorry
Daniel
Wayns Weekly - 14th June 2026
Concert Seating Plan for 20th June
Click here for the seating plan for Saturday’s concert.
Please also note:
Numbers might change slightly between now and next Saturday
Please can taller women sit in the second row
Please can taller men sit towards the edges where possible, leaving the risers for shorter men
We will not process on, but take our seats in a less formal way
2. Concert 20th June - Reminders
Blue tops for all.
Rehearsal 3pm -6pm (the latest)
You may eat food at the venue.
Free parking in the University car parks.
Running order:
Lauridsen 1 & 2 (Choir)
Field
Remainder of Lauridsen (Choir)
Chopin
Horovitz
INTERVAL
Todd (Choir)
3.Ticket Sales
We are selling more tickets but we need to sell them all. You can click here to see how many more we need to sell. So keep trying.
3. Choir Social at Daniel’s House - 25th June
There’s still time to sign up. Look at the WW of 31st May for further details.
Wayns Weekly - 6th June 2026
Thanksgiving Service for Felicity McElderry - Wednesday 10th June 1.30pm
Just a reminder that the Thanksgiving Service for Felicity is at 1.30pm on Wednesday 10th June at Christchurch, Winchester. There is no ‘dress code’ as such, no expectation of people to wear black as this is a celebration of Felicity’s life.
Subs for 2026/27
These are due in September 2026. There is a small increase, the first in 2 years, and also some concessionary rates:
The annual fees for 2026/27 are:
Full rate: £215
Under 35: £150
Concession: £60
Further details, including bank details can be found on the main members’ page.
Concert 20th June - Reminders
Blue tops for all.
Rehearsal 3pm -6pm (the latest)
You may eat food at the venue.
Free parking in the University car parks.
Running order:
Lauridsen 1 & 2 (Choir)
Field
Remainder of Lauridsen (Choir)
Chopin
Horovitz
INTERVAL
Todd (Choir)
4. Waynflete Obit 11th August 2026 - More Sopranos and Tenors Needed!
Thank you to those of you who have signed up. We do need a few more Sopranos and Tenors please in order to have a balanced choir.
Please email me pramjungle@hotmail.com if you can attend the practice on 6th August at St Cross well as on the 11th August
I will be distributing the music at the 18th June rehearsal.
John Pringle
5. End of Term Social at Daniel’s House - Thursday25th June
Don’t forget to sign up for food ( https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CTLP8sJGmtRx4g3rLnwfmP_woNJAJGPGicy01Hg9J7A/edit?usp=sharing ) and let Daniel know that you are coming so he can estimate the drinks!daniel.benton@btinternet.com
More details in WW of 31st May.
Wayns Summer Party - Part 2 -Logistics
All,
I’m looking forward to hosting you for our party on June 25th. It’s after our concert, so hopefully it will give us a change to socialise without the added pressure of memorizing Spanish. A few points on logistics….
WHERE
Many of you have been to Oak House before, but for those who haven’t, the address is Oak House, Park Lane, Ropley, SO24 0BE. What3Words for the gate is obstruct.serve.eyeful. For those coming by car (probably everyone), please do not park in the drive, but instead in our field. The field gate is about 20 yards from the house gate, will be signed “parking” (quite a giveaway) and is to be found at What3Words searches.glider.workbook. Directions below for those who prefer old tech. It takes 11 minutes from St Swithuns.
WHEN
Any time from 7pm – though Alison and I will probably have made a start before then
WHO
As in previous years, we think its probably best to stick largely to choir members, rather than other halves : it keeps the numbers manageable and saves us from the dynamic where many of the partners end up only knowing one or two people. But if you’re partner/driver has an overwhelmingly burning desire to come, then let me know. Indeed, it would be really helpful if you could all just drop me a on line email at daniel.benton@btinternet.com to say whether or not you are coming, so I have some idea of numbers.
WHAT
Drinks and nibbles – hopefully in the garden, but if not in the music room. Sophie House is kindly organising food contributions, and a request has gone out on Wayns Weekly. I will provide the drinks – please don’t bring any, or I end up with a house full of randomness.
WHY
Why not ? Should be a fun and sociable end to this term’s activities and a chance for the men to see the sopranos and altos from the front.
I look forward to it !
Daniel
Instructions for getting to Oak House from Winchester….
Satnav to SO24 0BE will get you pretty much to the front gate. But if you prefer written instructions, take the A31 out of Winchester towards Alton. At the first Alresford Roundabout, carry on on the A31, which becomes a single carriageway at that point. After about half a mile you go straight on a the rather irksomely designed new roundabout at Alresford Down and then carry on to the next roundabout in about a mile. Turn right at this roundabout (signposted to Bramdean and the Old Park Industrial Estate). If you get to the Shell petrol station you have gone too far along the A31. After turning right, after about 250 yards there’s a tiny turning to the left, opposite some big barns, with a post box on the corner. Be brave and take this left turn. You go up a little hill and can see Oak House over the fields in front of you. Follow the lane for a mile and a bit (it turns to the left at Jefford Cottage) and you will pass the imposing iron gates of Harcombe House on your right. 50 yards after that you get to the get to our field and then the rather more modest wooden gates of Oak House. Simples.
Wayns Summer Party 25th June 2026
Good afternoon all,
Daniel has very kindly offered to host our summer party on Thursday 25th June.
As per previous years, we will all contribute a dish to bring and share. To ensure we get a range of food, I have provided a link where you can add your name against your chosen contribution.
There are 4 columns (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) - I would be grateful if you could please add your name against your choice in your relevant part column. There are a couple of options for 'other' - please could you add your name and what you are planning to bring if your prefered item isn't listed. We don’t need to have 4 of everything, 2 of each item would be suffice.
Please could you also add your name to the RSVP column so we know how many people are attending.
Click here to access the form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CTLP8sJGmtRx4g3rLnwfmP_woNJAJGPGicy01Hg9J7A/edit?usp=sharing
Please could you complete the form before the rehearsal on Thursday 18th June.
Please drop me an email if you have any questions.
Further details re address and time will be sent out nearer the time.
Many thanks,
Sophie
Sophie House (Soprano 1)
07507 123140
Wayns Weekly 31st May 2026
Thursday Rehearsals
Rehearsals begin again this Thursday, 4th June and then just 2 more ( 11th and 18th June) before the concert so please make every effort to attend these last 3 rehearsals and do some much needed homework in the meantime, especially as our soprano soloist, Hannah Williams, is going to come to the Wayns rehearsal on 18th June – this will really bring the music to life! The addition of Hannah on the 18th will put a totally different perspective on the work and it is therefore really important that we all try to attend this rehearsal.
2. Rehearsal on the Afternoon of the Concert 20th June 2026
The rehearsal on 20th June is from 3pm to 6pm. We have permission to eat any food we’ve brought from home at the venue although if the weather is good people might want to sit outside. Please be in place and ready to rehearse by 2.55pm.
3. Concert Dress
Just a reminder that singers are asked to be wearing blue tops (with sleeves) and black ankle length trousers or skirts.
4. Concert Running Order
The running order for the concert is:
Lauridsen 1 & 2 (Choir)
Field
Remainder of Lauridsen (Choir)
Chopin
Horovitz
INTERVAL
Todd (Choir)
5. Tickets
Please keep selling and plugging this concert.
6. Waynflete Obit 11th August 2026 - Sign Up Please
I will be bringing sign-up sheets to the next two rehearsals on 4th and 11th June . We need 30 singers, with all parts well represented to make sure the Evensong is up to the Wayn’s high standards.
As we do not meet again after the June concert until the Obit rehearsal on 6th August please add your names now. If you are not singing at the concert or will not be at the next rehearsal, please email me – pramjungle@hotmail.com – so I can add you to the list.
John Pringle
Wayns Weekly - 19th May 2026
A short one this week:
Half Term Break Next Week
Just a reminder that there is no rehearsal next week, 28th May. Rehearsals resuming on Thursday 4th June, leaving only 3 rehearsals in June before the concert.
Edward Hepper
We learnt that Edward Hepper died on Monday 11th May. He was a long standing choir member (Bass) and was secretary to the choir.
Tickets
Keep publicising and selling tickets for June 20th.
Revised Members’ List on Members’ Page
As of May 2026. Please let me know of any errors/omissions…….
Spanish Pronunciation of Lauridsen’s Soneto de al Noche
Please click here to here the pronunciation audio.
Wayns Weekly 11th May 2026
Thanksgiving Service for Felicity McElderry
A thanksgiving service for Felicity McElderry (S1) will be held on 10th June at Christchurch, Winchester, at 1.30pm. There will be refreshments at the church after the service.
2. Welcome to Our New S2
Deborah Sunley successfully ‘passed’ her audition last week and has joined the second sopranos. Welcome!
3. Summer Evening in Blue
A reminder to please sell tickets for this concert. This is the link to the website and here is the link to to the online poster. Sarah will be bringing more poster and flyers to choir this week.
And don’t forget - blue tops.
4. Waynflete Obit Evensong - 11th August 2026
We sing the Waynflete Obit Evensong on 11th August this year with the one practice at St Cross on Thursday 6th August at 7.30pm.
As I will need to finish signing up singers before our 20th June concert, please can you look in your diaries now and let me know by email ( pramjungle@hotmail.com ) if you can sing this year. We need a minimum of 30 singers to make a joyful sound.
As usual we will have picnic suppers and sing madrigals in the Dean Garnier Garden after the service.
John Pringle
5. A Date for Your Diary -Summer Party
Our chairman, Daniel Benton has kindly offered to host a Wayns summer party for the choir on Thursday 25th June 2026. More details will follow.
6. A Date for Your Diary - AGM
Make a note now so you don’t miss it…….this year’s AGM will be on Thursday, 12th November 2026.
Wayns Weekly 4th May 2026
Tickets…please!
So the sale of tickets is moving……slowly. Please try and spread the word, we can’t depend on the usual Turner Sims’ supporters to buy our tickets. It’s going to be a very different (from our usual fare) and exciting concert. The links are here - Turner Sims Box Office and our poster/publicity.
Summer in Blue Needs Tops in Blue
Just a reminder that we will all be wearing blue tops (shirts, blouses etc) with black trousers/skirts so don’t forget to check if you have a blue top, if not, please find one by beg, stealing or borrowing; going to your nearest high fashion boutique or just popping into your local charity shop (the greenest and most ethical way to get a nice new blue top).
That way we will really be representing a Summer in Blue.
Wayns Weekly 27th April 2026
Open Rehearsal
Just a reminder that this Thursday is the second of the two open rehearsals this term, with auditions for prospective members the following Thursday, 7th May.
Individual Part Tracks for Mass in Blue
This is a really good site to get learning the difficult notes and rhythms for the Mass in Blue. It’s one thing being able to plonk out the notes on the piano (this is me speaking, I’m sure many of you will do better than ‘plonk’!), but it’s quite another thing to get the rhythms/timings right. We can’t all be a George or an Andy H, after all.
https://global.oup.com/booksites/content/9780193400504/audio/
3. Lauridsen Nocturnes - Practice Tracks
This is the best I can find, the usual electronic stuff but OK. If anyone can tell me a better site, then please do.
Wayns Weekly - 20th April 2026
Summer Concert - a few selling points!
We need to get out and sell tickets for our concert in June.
Here are a few selling points:
We are working again with David Owen Norris, who as many people know is the most extraordinary virtuosic pianist, and brings an incredible energy to any event. The line up also includes a jazz trio with none other than our very own George Castle.
The Mass in Blue will be a lot of fun and rather different from our usual offering , so the concert may well attract a wider audience. We are joined by a local jazz soprano soloist, Hannah Williams, who has a gorgeous strong smoky voice. You can listen to Hannah here: https://open.spotify.com/track/1wL95zlNus1YDeDc3UO7e0?si=VvQrsS1AT4qNvg44MFpSIw
And she’s on YouTube here:
3. The rest of the music will be a mix of atmospheric and jazzy - thematically linked to the nocturne and blues theme.
4. Whilst Turner Sims is a little further for people to travel, it is a superb intimate concert hall with excellent acoustics and sight lines. As a venue it regularly attracts top notch musicians such as Jess Gilliam, Allan Clayton, Courtney Pine, and Paul Lewis. It’s an easy drive from Winchester (20-25 mins) and there is free university parking at weekends.
The flyer is downloadable from the members area and there will be physical copies available from this week.Tickets available from Turner Sims :
Waynflete Singers | Summer Evening in Blue
Many thanks
Sarah
2.Open Rehearsals
Just a reminder that our ‘open rehearsals’ are this Thursday and next (23rd and 30th April) with auditions on Thursday 7th May.
Saturday 25th April 2026, two organ recitals to choose from!
Firstly , Andy Lumsden has a recital at St John the Evangelist Church, Northington, at 7 p.m. in aid of the Mayors Charities, (Home-Start Winchester & Districts, Trinity Winchester and Winchester Action on the Climate Crisis). Programme includes Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Tickets £15.00 via this link here:
Secondly, Thomas Trotter, at 7.30pm in Winchester Cathedral - please read this notice from Joshua Stephens:
Thomas Trotter, one of the world’s most distinguished concert organists, will be performing this Saturday 25th April at 7.30 pm at Winchester Cathedral, showcasing the immense power and tonal beauty of our historic ‘Father’ Willis Organ.
Programme
Gigout Grand Chœur Dialogué ; Ligeti Musica Ricercarta; Elgar Sonata in G major ; Friml Chanson
Tickets priced £18.00 are still available and can be secured through the following channels:
Online: click here to book; By Phone: 01962 857 275; In Person: Winchester Cathedral Box Office
We look forward to welcoming you to the Cathedral for this spectacular musical event.
Joshua Stephens, Sub-Organist
John Richens - a Founder Member of the Wayns
John Richens was a founder member of the Wayns and well established in the bass section when John Lunt joined ( a long time ago!). John has been informed that John Richens recently died after a long illness. John Lunt said “He taught physics at the John Hanson school in Andover, but after a while - before David Hill's arrival, I think - he moved to Norfolk and was teaching in Thetford. John was very musical - a pianist and organist as well as a very reliable singer”
He had moved into sheltered accommodation in Alton to be near his family.
Wayns Weekly - 13th April 2026
Return to Rehearsals
Just a reminder that we start rehearsals this Thursday, 16th April. Most of us have copies of the Lauridsen Nocturnes but many of us will need to pick up the copies of the Todd Mass in Blue so please come early so we can start the rehearsal on time.
Tickets for 20th June 2026
The tickets for this concert have been on sale on the Turner Sims’ website for some time. Click here.
Please encourage friends and family to buy tickets - this is slightly outside our usual ‘patch’ so getting our ‘followers’ to buy tickets will help us. It promises to be an entertaining evening with our friend David Owen Norris on the piano, along with George Castle and a Jazz Trio. The link to the poster can be found by clicking here
Happy News
What better news to have than an engagement…..Sophie House (S1) and Andy Hayman have just announced their engagement! Congratulations from us all!
Wayns Weekly - Moving Forward a Change of the Guard 2026/7
Dear all,
In 2002 Andy Lumsden took over from David Hill as Director of Music at the Cathedral. Part of his job description then was that he should be MD of the Wayns, which extended the tradition, since our foundation by Alwyn Surplice, of the Cathedral’s DoM being our MD. In 2002 people were worried about the change, but Andy has proved a brilliant leader for us over the years, not least in our recent wonderful Gerontius. But inevitably, we need to think about succession at some point.
When Andy left his role at the Cathedral in 2024, we agreed with Dean Catherine that we would like him to stay on as our MD “at least until a permanent new DoM was in place who was willing and able to lead the Wayns”, and Andy kindly agreed to stay on for what we all initially thought might be a year and has turned out to be much longer. From September, Katherine Dienes-Williams will be taking up her post and so now seems like the right time to think about transition. Andy believes that it is right that the Wayns role should be tied to the DoM role, as this is part of the tight link to the Cathedral that helps to make the Wayns distinctive. Andy also has a number of new projects in the pipeline, including working in Melbourne from July until October this year.
Our constitution says several things about our close links to the Cathedral, but doesn’t explicitly say anything about our MD, not least because it is based on the assumption that the DoM will be our MD. Having spoken with Katherine, she is very keen to take on the Wayns and has lots of energy and ideas. As those with long memories will know, she accompanied rehearsals under David Hill and conducted the Wayns for a term under him. So Katherine will be taking over from Andy as the MD of the Wayns in January 2027. As you know, we have a new Dean, The Very Reverend Chris Palmer, as our President, who is keen to be involved and interested in music. With a new President and a new MD there will be period of change for us, but we hope that this should provide some positive momentum and new ideas, and be exciting.
To manage the transition, and to ensure that Andy has a suitable final concert, we have agreed that Andy’s last concert as our leader will be at Christmas this year, when we will be performing Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in the Cathedral, which should be a fitting finale. Andy will be in Australia for the beginning of the term, so we will be in George’s capable hands, but Andy will be back after the half-term break to lead us in what we hope will be a triumphant final concert for him. And to reassure you, George will continue to support us and Katherine for as long as he wants to.
We have plenty of time now to plan a suitable farewell and find ways to thank Andy for his enormous contribution and consummate musicianship, and we ought to make sure after 25 years that we do this properly.
The Committee
Martin Neary’s Thanksgiving Service Tuesday May 5th 12pm to 1pm
Martin conducted the Waynflete Singers from 1972-1987.
Penny Neary would be delighted if any Waynflete friends were able to come to the Service. Please click to find the invitation and the link on Eventbrite for tickets.
Wayns Weekly - 29th March 2026
Concert Review by David Owen Norris
Wow, what an evening! I still have all those tunes running around in my head. David Owen Norris has written a review of it which mirrors that feeling. Click here to read Oh, and what a nice touch, refreshments in the interval, who knew?
Many thanks to Veronica for liaising with the cathedral and sorting out the seating, no mean task.
Also to Andy Lumsden, George and Andy Hayman for this term’s wonderful rehearsals.
A Message from Elgar’s Great Great Niece on Friday’s Concert
“That really was quite wonderful. Certainly one of the very best, if not the best, Dream of G's I’ve seen.” (As a child her father knew Elgar well; he was a noted prankster in the family apparently!)
The Summer
We will be singing our ‘Summer Evening in Blue’ at Turner Sims with David Owen Norris and a jazz trio including one George Castle. Tickets are already on sale.
Next Term
We Start on Thursday 16th April, other dates are on the front page of the members’ section. Please come early if you need to collect your music, the new system is far quicker but we still want to start rehearsing at 7.30. There’s a lot to learn and the music isn’t our usual ‘style’!
Have a lovely Easter.
Wayns Weekly 24th March 2026
No Rehearsal This Thursday 26th March
Details for Friday 27th March
The rehearsal on Friday 27th March is from 1pm to 4pm. Please don’t arrive before 12.30pm but be ready to start on time at 1pm. If you are unable to attend the Friday rehearsal, please ask someone to save you a seat.
If you can no longer sing in the concert, please inform your part rep; Veronica Shaw, veronica.kshaw@gmail.com or Kate Spencer, kate.spencer15@gmail.com
Concert dress is all black, with jackets. No ties. Women to wear trousers or full (ankle) length skirts.
Please do not wear perfume as there are some choir members with allergies.
We will use folders, which are available from Miranda Austin (S2) who will bring some to the next two rehearsals.
The seating plan can be found by clicking here.
Please arrive for the concert no later than 7.15pm and be ready to line up to go on stage at 7.20pm
3. Ticket Sales
We have sold 603 tickets and have just 146 left to sell. Nearly there! Here’s the link.
Wayns Weekly 17th March 2026
Reminder - Last Thursday Rehearsal this Week
Just a reminder that this Thursday is rehearsal as usual but there will no rehearsal next Thursday, 26th March.
There will be a rehearsal on Friday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm. Please don’t arrive before 12.30pm but be ready to start on time at 1pm. If you are unable to attend the Friday rehearsal, please ask someone to save you a seat.
The concert is that evening, starting at 7.30pm. Please be ready to come on stage by 7.20.
Tickets - A Final Push…….Please
We have pretty much sold out the front two thirds of the nave, which is great. There are still quite a few tickets left in the £25 and £20 price brackets, and the side aisles. The Cathedral video screens will be in use, so people will have a decent view of the action from wherever they are sitting. Link to ticket sales
* If everyone sells just one more ticket the centre nave will be more than full, please do share the flyer again wherever possible
*keep a look out for our social media posts on Instagram and Facebook, ‘like’ and share
* however if you have flyers that you’re not going to get round to circulating, please return these to our rehearsal on Thursday as we shall do a last-minute blitz of city centre hotels early next week.
Thank you!
Sarah Jones
Wayns Weekly - 9th March 2026
Rehearsals and Concert - A Message from Veronica
Next Thursday’s rehearsal on 19th March is the last Thursday rehearsal this term as there is no rehearsal on Thursday 26th March.
The rehearsal on Friday 27th March is from 1pm to 4pm. Please don’t arrive before 12.30pm but be ready to start on time at 1pm. If you are unable to attend the Friday rehearsal, please ask someone to save you a seat.
If you can no longer sing in the concert, please inform your part rep; Veronica Shaw, veronica.kshaw@gmail.com or Kate Spencer, kate.spencer15@gmail.com
Concert dress is all black, with jackets. No ties. Women to wear trousers or full (ankle) length skirts.
Please do not wear perfume as there are some choir members with allergies.
We will use folders, which are available from Miranda Austin (S2) who will bring some to the next two rehearsals.
We have the Chamber Choir joining us for the next two rehearsals. Their seats will be in a central block and will have labels on them. Please make them all feel welcome.
The seating plan has changed and can be found by clicking here.
2. Tickets
Keep selling! Those back seats are being very stubborn, although the banner is going up so that should help.
3. Programme Sellers
We now have 4 people who have offered to sell programmes but we could ideally do with 2 more. They would have to be at the cathedral by 6.30pm. We have card machines available (really easy to operate) but will also take cash.