A lot has happened in the last three months since SEMusic started Chapter 3. Now, as we've had Christmas and we head towards New Year, is a good time to reflect on what has happened.
Back in September, we welcomed the choir back from an extended summer recess and saw our numbers swell. We were joined by ten new members, each one welcomed and presented with music and each one excited to come back in January. I had an ambitious programme of music planned for Christmas (almost all of which we learned!). The choir was excited and willing to run with the ambition, something I am very grateful for, but won't be letting up on.
I also approached Martin, SEMusic's founding director, to see if he would be willing to serve as our Patron. I'm very pleased to say that he agreed. Martin has been invaluable to me as a sounding board from outside of the choir, and I hope that, as we enter 2025, this relationship continues to grow for the betterment of the charity.
My deputy director, Sophie, and assistant director, Jenni, and I also agreed that we would start an award for the choir. We have called this our Honourary Patron. This award goes to a member of our choir who embodies and espouses our choirs motto of Free, Fun, For Everyone. Whilst this could be any member of the choir, all three of us agreed on our first Honourary Patron: our wonderful accompanist, Ann Dickenson MBE. Ann was surprised with the announcement of this award during our Christmas Concert, Holidays are coming, and needless to say, the choir was thrilled. Next year, it's over to the choir to nominate who should be the next Honourary Patron.
Our annual Christmas Concert took place on Sunday 15th December. What an experience that was. It was my first concert in charge of the choir, and it is so different to go through an entire concert with your back to the audience. The choir performed wonderfully with a few truly stand out pieces, including the opening of both halves The Wexford Carol and Bethlehem (videos of both can be found on our Facebook page).
Now it's time to sit back and relax, after one too many mince pies, and prepare for rehearsals to start again in January for our next concert Songs of the Sea.
Hopefully we'll see you all there!
Ben
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