27 December
On
In Choir news

The Advent and Christmas season has once again been very observed in truly festive style at the Abbey. The extended festive period began with the Advent Procession during which hymns, carols and four of the Advent Antiphons were sung from the four corners of the Abbey, interspersed with readings prophesying the coming of Christ. Sunday services during Advent traditionally assume a penitential, preparatory character: the service on Advent Sunday began with the Litany sung in procession around the Abbey and the Kyrie Eleison was sung instead of the Gloria at the Sung Eucharist on those which followed. Choral Evensong sung by the Lay Clerks onMore »

21 November
On
In Choir news

Do you know your Canon Hardy (anagram of Chardonnay!) from your Grace Hen (Grenache)? What do Y-Fenni and Cantal cheeses have in common (both made with cows milk)? Where does Pisco originate? (Peruvian spirit). Well. FORAC members and friends found out the answers to these and many other questions at the Cheese and Wine Quiz on 18 November, organised by Ken and Margaret Stott. Once again Ken and Margaret organised a super evening which combined tasting some very fine wine and a range of cheeses (some not so fine depending on your taste!), with a challenging, but very informative quiz. The ‘wine buff’ turned outMore »

21 October
On
In Choir news

Jeffrey Williams reviews performance of Fauré Requiem Some 80 singers from all corners of the Winchester Diocese and beyond responded to a come and sing invitation from the Winchester branch of the Royal School of Church Music: perform Faure’s Requiem in the magnificent surroundings of Romsey’s Norman Abbey. It was particularly heartening to see a number of young singers attending the event. For two hours in the afternoon the singers, who came from many different choirs, both large and small, were rehearsed and coached by Jeffrey Williams, formerly Organist and Master of the Choristers at the abbey, in order to bring the piece together, readyMore »

10 October
On
In Choir news

On Sunday 9 October we once more enjoyed welcoming our colleagues from Sherborne Abbey Choir to sing Choral Evensong with us. We brought George Dyson’s Evening Service in D back into our repertoire in honour of the occasion and duly raised the roof in the final bars of the Magnificat, conducted con brio by the Organist and Master of the Choristers at Sherborne Abbey, Joseph Sentance. Robert Fielding, our own organist, brought out the more reflective character of the companion Nunc Dimittis, although he let too the combined forces – some fifty singers in total – have their heads in the more expansive passages ofMore »

07 October
On
In Choir news

On Saturday 15 October the Winchester branch of the Royal School of Church Music will be holding a Come and Sing day. All members of local choirs and choral societies are being offered the chance to perform one of the most endearing and popular works of the choral repertoire in the magnificent surroundings of Romsey Abbey. The performance is to be directed by Jeffrey Williams, former organist and master of the choristers at Romsey Abbey, with Timothy Rogerson, recently retired assistant organist, providing the organ accompaniment. Registration for the event is at 2.30 in the Abbey, with the rehearsal beginning at 3.00 to be followedMore »

09 September
On
In Choir news

Jean, Sam & Barnaby Martin recount a busy week After a relaxing family holiday in France and with one day to unpack, do laundry, and re-pack, we set off for our first Choir Holiday. We weren’t sure what to expect, but we needed have been concerned; we arrived ahead of schedule, and felt relaxed and at home from the start. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. The Cathedral Choir School was an ideal base, with cosy accommodation and extensive grounds for letting off steam, and replaying the Ashes. Each morning the bleary eyed boys were asked, ‘Have you showered? Gotten any Sleep? Had a midnight feast?More »