Wayns Weekly - Summer Concert Music
Dear all,
As we all have many music books in play at the moment, there have been several questions about exactly what we will be singing at our concert on June 28th in Chandlers Ford (how many chandlers were crossing the river?).
The aim has always been to get some overlap with the Bayeux music, so we are singing the secular parts of the tour repertoire (out of the Oxford Madrigals and Partsongs green book), supplemented by other music to make it a full concert. So here is a full list of the pieces, by book. This may not be the final order for the concert, but at least is a full list. We will also have some piano interludes from George and Andy during the programme.
Daniel
Oxford book of Madrigals and PartSongs (big green book)
Pearsall : Lay a Garland
Campion : Never Weather Beaten Sail
Gibbons : The Silver Swan
Stanford : The Blue Bird
Vaughan Williams: The Cloud-capped Towers
Oxford Book of English Madrigals (little black book)
Morley :Sing We and Chant It
Bennet: Weep, O Mine Eyes
Morley: Fyer, Fyer
Chilcott : Little Jazz Madrigals
Sing We and Chant It
Weep, O Mine Eyes
Fire, Fire !
Medley from Les Miserables.
Wayns Weekly 29th April 2025
Rehearsal - 1st May
This is the second of two early rehearsals for the June 28th concert. After that the focus is on the Bayeux trip on 29th May to 1st June. Although all are still welcome to come along to those!
Bob Chilcott’s Little Jazz Madrigals
For those of you who, like me, struggled with the run through last week, the rhythms being difficult to grasp to say nothing of the notes….! This might help It’s conducted by the composer so I presume it’s pretty accurate. Enjoy and keep listening!
Choir Subs
Just a reminder that this term’s subs are now due from those members who pay the Concessionary Rate.
June 28th Non Singers
If you aren’t intending to sing on 28th June could you please let your PART REPS know so they can update the registers. Of course, you can do that yourself if you are coming to the rehearsals.
It’s important that we know the numbers and your intentions.
Many thanks.
Wayns Weekly 22nd April 2025
Rehearsals for Summer Term
Welcome back after that phenomenal Verdi Requiem.
Rehearsals start again this Thursday, 24th April and next, 1st May, for those going to Bayeux and also those of us singing at the Chandlers Ford Methodist Church on Saturday 28th June.
Rehearsals on 8th, 15th and 22nd May will be focusing on the music for the Bayeux trip.
June 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th are for the Chandlers Ford concert.
Notice of a Local Concert
Please look at this concert flyer
Wayns Weekly 5th April 2025
Verdi’s Requiem
What can I say? Surely one of the best concerts we have had the privilege of singing in all thanks to Andy’s superb direction but also thanks to George and Andy Hayman for their time during the term. I have only heard really positive comments, among which is Derek Beck’s review for the Hampshire Chronicle. Click her to read it.
Thanks to Veronica
Who put in so much work to ensure all ran smoothly on the day. Coordinating with the Cathedral, BSC and BSO (and others) is no mean feat and she did it with no apparent stress….!
Next Term
Begins on Thursday April 24th with the Bayeux trip from 29th May to 1st June and our summer concert in the Methodist Church, Chandlers Ford on Saturday 28th June. Andy has asked all those involved in the concert of 28th June to come to the first 2 rehearsals (April 24th and May 1st).
Wayns Weekly
I’m away for a few weeks so Sarah Jones will ensure that there is at least one of these before the start of the new term. Anything you wish to go here can you please contact Sarah at sj@luminaconsulting.com and then me after 29th April (not Sarah as she is then going away!).
Wayns Weekly 31st March 2025
Seating Plan for Verdi Concert
Veronica has completed the seating plan for Friday’s concert. It is a very full stage and Veronica would like people to tell her if they are NOT singing and have not already told her veronica.kshaw@gmail.com
Also if you cannot come to the Friday afternoon rehearsal please can you ask someone to save a seat for you - this is so Veronica knows how many seats are taken.
Friday Afternoon Rehearsal - 1pm to 4pm.
Veronica will be giving further details on Thursday evening. This will be a crowded rehearsal as all the BSC singers will be joining us.
Programmes
Programmes, for choir members, will be on sale on Thursday evening at the rehearsal. Payment by card/phone, BACS only. Please restrict yourselves to one copy per choir member as we have a very full house and need to sell as many programmes as possible at the full price of £4. Thank you and thankyou to Chris Town for once again producing an impressive programme.
Wayns Weekly 25th March 2025
Bayeux Calling
All those going to Bayeux should have received emails from Helen Longworth. She will be distributing invoices on Thursday that require a quick turn around in terms of paying - please help the team by paying a.s.ap.
Rehearsals
There are just 2 more Thursday rehearsals left - yes we are rehearsing the night before the concert (3rd April) - this is when all our extras from the BSC will be turning up.
Please get to the rehearsals ready to start at 7.30.
A reminder that there is a rehearsal with the BSO on Friday afternoon (4th April) from 1pm to 4pm). Veronica will be giving instructions soon.
Next Term
Begins on Thursday 24th April. There will be auditions on 15th May but no Open Rehearsals as we are rehearsing for Bayeux and then our summer concert. Successful candidates will start in September. There will be open rehearsals on 18th and 25th September and a further audition on 2nd October.
Summer Concert - 28th June 2025
As Daniel told us last week, we are having to move the concert away from the Guildhall. Veronica Shaw has put in a huge amount of work in securing an alternative venue. We will be singing in the Methodist church in Chandlers Ford. It’s easy to get to and there is plenty of parking. This is an opportunity to reach out to a new audience. More details will follow.
Many thanks to Veronica for getting a resolution so quickly
Wayns Weekly 19th March 2025
Rehearsals - Back to Verdi
Rehearsals from now on are back in double choir seating for Verdi’s Requiem.
20th, 27th March and 3rd April are all in the Reform Church as usual although our friends from the BSC will be joining us on 3rd April. This may mean that we will have to put out some extra chairs and, should that be the case, we would ask for two or three volunteers to help put them out and return them to the ‘store’ at the end of the rehearsal.
Two Top Price Tickets for Sale
Peter Mosse, T1, has 2 top price (£50) tickets for sale. He will be at tomorrow’s rehearsal but should you wish to contact him before then, his email address is pjmosse@aol.com .
Summer Concert - Change of Venue - Teaser….
If you were at last week’s rehearsal, you will be aware that our summer concert cannot be in Winchester Guildhall due to necessary ceiling repairs taking longer than expected. Veronica Shaw has been working extremely hard this week looking for an alternative and has been successful. All will be revealed tomorrow and then placed on this website.
Very many thanks to Veronica for all the time and effort she has put in to get such a speedy resolution.
Wayns Weekly 3rd March 2025
Remaining Rehearsals This Term
For clarification:
March 6th and 13th we are rehearsing the Music for Bayeux (part of which will be sung in our June concert). We are keen that as many people as possible some to these rehearsals. George will be in charge! The music is from English Church Music vol 1 and Madrigals and Partsongs.
March 20th, 27th and April 3rd we are back rehearsing the Verdi. April 3rd will have the addition of our friends from the BSC.
Friday April 4th - afternoon rehearsal with orchestra 1pm to 4pm in the Cathedral. The concert is at 7.30pm
Ticket Sales
These are selling well but we need to sell every single ticket - this is an expensive concert!
Registers - Please Sign In
Please make sure you tick the registers every week. Blanks are assumed to be absences - you may find you are asked not to sing in the concert if you have too many of these………Also if you are not intending to sing in the concert please tell your part rep and please indicate on the register with N/S.
We need to know numbers and names for 2 reasons; firstly so Veronica can sort out the stage seating and secondly so that your name can be in the programme.
Thank you
Wayns Weekly 24th February 2025
Rehearsals Over the Next Couple of Weeks and for the Summer Term
Dear All,
We are making good progress with the Verdi and so, as we discussed at our last rehearsal, we plan to spend 3 weeks getting a head start on next term's music. Next term we have two events, the tour and our summer concert, and we have arranged overlapping content between the two to maximise participation in rehearsals and to reduce the total amount of music we all need to learn. The idea therefore is that everyone is welcome, and indeed encouraged, to come to all rehearsals, whether or not you are coming on the tour.
You have already heard from Susan Rees about music for next term.
For France we are using:
English Church Music vol. 1: Anthems and Motets (OUP)
Madrigals and Part Songs (OUP)
For the summer concert we are using:
Madrigals and Part Songs (OUP) as above
Oxford Book of English Madrigals (OUP)
Little Jazz Madrigals – Bob Chilcott (OUP)
Medley from Les Miserables – Hal Leonard
This week we will be starting with the music for the tour, some of which is also for the summer concert, so will need the first two books. I have been asked exactly what we will be singing and the list is as follows:
From English Church Music:
Anon : Rejoice in the Lord Alway
Parsons: Ave Maria
Tallis: Loquebantur varlis linguis
Purcell: Hear my prayer
Purcell: I was glad
Howells : Like as the hart
Stanford: Beati Quorum Via, Justorum Anima, Coelos Ascendit Hodie
Lewis : The souls of the righteous
Stainer: God so loved the World
Wood: O though the central orb
From Madrigals and Part Songs:
Pearsall: Lay an garland
Campion: Never weather beaten sail
Gibbons: The silver swan
Sullivan: The long day closes
Stanford: The blue bird
Vaughan WIlliams: The cloud-capped towers
So that's some fantastic music, and even if you are not coming on the tour should be fun to sing at rehearsals.
For those picking up music, can you arrive early on Thursday, so we can start reasonably promptly ? We have a limited supply of English Church Music books, so if you have your own, could I ask you to bring it. But for the first week at least we will probably focus on Madrigals and Part songs, which are the ones which overlap with the Summer Concert.
Thanks
Daniel
2. Paying for Summer Music
Kate Baker and Kate Spencer will once again be operating the payment devices so please come prepared to pay with cards/phones. We are now cashless which makes it so much easier for Susan Rees and Kate B.
The costs are as follows:
New copies to buy are £18 each
Hired copies of English Church Music £2 and of the Madrigals £5
These copies are very heavy and, although Susan has been doing some strength training, she would be very grateful if as many people as possible could pick up their music this week.
3. Seating
Will be back as single choir .
Wayns Weekly 19th February 2025
No Rehearsal Tomorrow - 20th February 2025
Rehearsals After Half Term
These start on Thursday 27th February and for the first 3 rehearsals will cover music for both Bayeux and the Summer concert. Susan will be giving out the first 2 books - English Church Music Vol 1 and Madrigals and Partsongs (both OUP) - at this rehearsal, so please bring your cards/phones to pay for hire/buying. We are looking forward to all members joining us.
I’m attaching two lists. The first is a list of Music for the Bayeux Trip the second is for the Summer Concert on June 28th.
Daniel will be sending further details soon.
3. Concert Date for Summer 2026 Now Confirmed
Thanks to Veronica Shaw’s perseverance, we can now tell you that the concert for Summer
2026 will be at Turner Sims, Southampton on Saturday June 20th 2026. I have updated
the concert/rehearsal schedule for 2025/26 to be found here.
Wayns Weekly 11th February 2025
Half Term Next Week
A reminder that there is no rehearsal next week - Thursday 20th February. Back again on Thursday 27th February.
Bayeux Payments
A reminder that the first installment is due on 15th February.
Payments should be made using internet banking to Waynflete Singers: sort code 20-97-01 account 90926477.
Subject: ‘Bayeux’
Treasurer: Kate Baker (A1) kbaker2609@gmail.com
Mary Harris
Mary Harris died last week. She was a long standing member of the Wayns and secretary for many years back in the 1970s and 80s. There are very few current Wayns who will remember her but this is for those who did.
Wayns Weekly 3rd February 2025
Tickets for 4th April Concert
The tickets have been on general sale for a week now and are going well but it is vital that we sell every ticket available as this is not a cheap concert! Again this is the link to the flyer and to the concert information.
Rehearsal on the Afternoon of 4th April
The pre concert rehearsal is from 1pm to 4pm in the Cathedral.
Willie Kendall
With reference to the WW email I sent, click here to access the list of concerts he sung with the Wayns over the decades (there were almost certainly more than in this list), it’s impressive. A reminder as to how you can make a donation memory of Willie:
The St John’s charity has created a giving page. If you feel able to donate, your help would be hugely appreciated. You can make a gift online, with gift aid option at www.stjohnswinchester.co.uk/william
or by bank transfer:
St John’s Winchester
NatWest
Sort Code: 55-81-26
Account: 94378185
Mark gifts: William Kendall
Wayns Weekly 20th January 2025
Verdi choir priority tickets
A reminder that choir priority booking closes at the end of this week, and public booking will open from Saturday. A massive thank you to the many people who have prebooked tickets – we have had a fabulous response and at the time of writing (Monday 20th) there is only one top price ticket remaining. If you still wish to send in a priority order, please do so as soon as possible to Sarah Jones sj@luminaconsulting.com. The £40 price tickets too are selling fast and will disappear quickly.
For full information, including selling points for this concert , please see the Wayns weekly of 7th January.
Physical flyers will be available from next week, but in the meantime please don’t forget that you can download the flyer from the website to share with family and friends, via email , Whatsapp or social media.
2. Bayeux Tour - Details and Payments
As I mentioned at the last rehearsal, plans for the tour are coming together, thanks to lots of work done by the organizing committee. This will be the first of several updates from me as we get towards our departure on May 29th.
i. We now have a pretty firm agenda / itinerary, which in summary is as follows:
May 29th - travel to Bayeux and check into hotels.
May 30th - morning tour of the tapestry. Afternoon rehearsal. Evening concert in the Cathedral.
May 31st - concert at the American Cemetery. Group meal in the evening
June 1st - visit to Arromanches and Vers Sur Mer, before travelling on to Caen and home.
We will provide a more detailed itinerary in a little while, but we are trying to balance bring busy enough with being relaxed enough to ensure we all get to spend time with each other and have a bit of a holiday. Particularly on 29th, as those coming from Winchester by coach will have a very early start, we are not planning group activities, but are happy to do so if there is demand.
ii. Payments
But for now, we need to think about payment. We have already made commitments to hotels and travel is booked. You have all already paid a deposit, and we will split the remaining payments into two. The first of these will be due by February 15th and the balance by the end of March. We have made an allowance in our costings at this stage for the group meal, but final costs and possible exchange rate movements may mean that we have to make small adjustments later. Helen Longworth has done a wonderful job of working out exactly who owes what and will be handing out personal invoices at the next rehearsal, or by email for those of you who are not physically about. I know it's fairly short notice for payments, but the tour is fast approaching : please let me know directly if there are any concerns/cash flow issues and I'll see what we can do to help.
Thanks
Daniel
Wayns Weekly 14th January 2025
A Message from Heather Aspinall re the Rose Road Carols 2024
This event in 2024 was a great success.
Around 50 of the choir signed up this year, and it was a full chapel of supporters for Rose Road.
Many people have said how beautiful the music was, the choir sounded better than ever, and what a joyful positive programme it was.
Mark Williams made inspired choices of music which really worked. We'll not forget the contrasts in the hush of the angel Gabriel, the Rutter skipping to Bethlehem, and those Joy to the World modulations! Mark's tuition and conducting was inspiring and Andy Hayman's playing of the merry organ included a great voluntary at the end.
The dedication of choir members to this event is exceptional.
And this is from Rose Road:
"I am thrilled to say that this year has been a triumph! We have made £7,426.50… so far.
So many come to hear the Waynfletes sing. Please do pass the total and our thanks and very best wishes for Christmas to the choir and to Mark and Andrew. As always I thought you were all just wonderful".
This will really help Rose Road to provide much needed activities and support for the young people and families.
Voice Stock Take for Some S2s and S1s
A reminder that there is a voice stock take this Thursday for some Sopranos. Please bring last term’s Beethoven and arrive at least 5 minutes before your allotted time. You can access the lists here. Thanks
Open Rehearsals
These are taking place this Thursday and next, with auditions on 30th January. So far we have 5 sopranos, 1 alto and 1 bass coming. If you know of anyone who might be interested - particularly Tenors, please encourage them to come and visit us.
Tickets for Verdi - a Reminder
Choir members’ priority ticket booking will be available from 16th -24th January; please send your requests in from now onwards to Sarah Jones: sj@luminaconsulting.com . We expect this to be a very popular concert and that the best seats will sell out very quickly.
Public booking will open from January 25th through the Cathedral box office.
Ticket Prices:
D-O - £50
P-Z - £40
AA to HH - £30
JJ to PP - £25
QQ to back - £20
Side Aisles £15.00
Further details in the WW of 7th January
Wayns Weekly 7th January 2025 Ticket information
Choir Priority ticket booking for Verdi Requiem Friday 4th April 2025
Choir members’ priority ticket booking will be available from 16th -24th January; please send your requests in from now onwards to Sarah Jones: sj@luminaconsulting.com . We expect this to be a very popular concert and that the best seats will sell out very quickly.
Please get in touch with your friends and family and forward them the flyer to drum up support and get your orders in. Click here to find the flyer. You can download it to your own device for sharing via email or WhatsApp.
Public booking will open from January 25th through the Cathedral box office.
Ticket Prices:
D-O - £50
P-Z - £40
AA to HH - £30
JJ to PP - £25
QQ to back - £20
Side Aisles £15.00
Due to the augmented size of the orchestra and chorus, the usual front three rows (A-C) will not be available. There is a very slight possibility that they may be reinstated nearer the time.
A few selling points:
This is a rare opportunity to experience one of the greatest choral works ever composed, in one of the most awe-inspiring venues in the UK
We are joined by the BSO as well as members of the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, so this will be a fabulous performance
The Cathedral’s video screens will be in use , with camera work to ensure that wherever sitting, audience members will be able to have a good view of the unfolding drama.
We have a stellar line-up of soloists:
Soprano Elin Pritchard: has sung with ENO, Garsington Opera, mid Wales Opera, the Waynflete Singers(!) and at the Grange Festival amongst many other appearances. Her 2021 performance as Manon Lescaut at the Grange Festival was reviewed in Bachtrack : ‘Elin Pritchard …who is nothing less than sensational. Her performance alone warrants serious efforts to acquire a ticket….Pritchard’s voice was a delight; a warm, gleaming instrument that is supported at the top and is full of colour’
Alto Rebecca Affonwy-Jones, who has sung with WNO, Grange Park opera, West Green Opera , the Waynflete Singers (!) and made her BBC Proms debut singing Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Donald Runnicles
Uruguayan Tenor Andrés Presno: who has been a Jette Parker Young artist at the Royal Opera House and appeared last summer at Grange Festival Opera to great critical acclaim, reviewed in Opera Today ‘Presno is just as commanding as Cavarodossi with forceful tone and ringing high notes that are not at all forced or strained’. In 2024/25 he will return to Covent Garden, Opera North and Welsh National Opera… and make his debut with the Waynflete Singers!
Bass Ashley Riches, former BBC R3 young generation artist, whose performance appearances include the Royal Opera House, at the BBC Proms, and with the London Symphony Orchestra with Antonio Pappano. He last sung with us in the St John Passion in March 2022, and also in February 2017, with David Owen-Norris conducting.
We have Andy Lumsden conducting, in tiptop form !
This is going to be a memorable performance, please do all you can to ensure it is a sellout.
Many thanks
Sarah
Wayns Weekly 6th January
Happy New Year and a New Term
Welcome back! So on to Verdi’s Requiem on Friday 4th April. We start rehearsals this Thursday, 9th January. Most people already have their copies, but if you do have to collect some music, please come early so we can start the rehearsal on time.
Subs Payments
A reminder to those of you who pay your subs in 2 instalments, your balance is now due. Also those on the concessionary rate should also pay the fee for next term.
Do You have Access to Staging? A Request from Veronica
Last term we asked if anyone had access to staging we could borrow/use for the summer concert at The Guildhall and I got no responses. Now we are into a new year I would like to ask again.
Do you work in a school or college? Are you active in your local church? Do you have anything to do with a local parish council? Or do you have a stage lurking in your garage?
If the answer to any of the above is "yes" or you know anyone else for whom it is, please could you find out if there is a portable stage we could borrow or hire for use at our summer concert in The Guildhall.
We need something similar to what we used at New Hall last summer, so sufficient for a choir of about 80 people.
It will cost the choir around £1,000 to hire something suitable if no one comes forward, an expense we are keen to avoid.
Please contact Veronica at veronica.kshaw@gmail.com if you might be able to help. Thank you.
Veronica
Wayns Weekly 10th December 2024
A Classical Christmas Concert and Derek Beck’s Write up for the Chronicle
What a wonderful concert it was with a very appreciative audience. Thanks to both Andy and George for all their hard work this term. If you click here you will find the link to Derek Beck’s write up for the Chronicle.
2. The Christmas Market Sing
Many thanks for those who turned up to regale the visitors with carols and a special thanks to John Lunt who chose the programme and kept us in good order!
3. Dates for Next Term
The dates for next term when we shall be rehearsing the Verdi Requiem, can be found here.
Soprano 1s - please remember that you have your voice stocktake on January 16th.