2025 Workshop Final Arrangements
| Type of post: | Choir news item |
| Sub-type: | No sub-type |
| Posted By: | Mike Elcock |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Tue, 1 Apr 2025 |
BERLIOZ TE DEUM, BRAHMS ALTO RHAPSODY AND FAURÉ/MESSAGER MESSE DES PÊCHEURS DE VILLERVILLE WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER
26th April 2025
26th April 2025
Reply to Jos Gregson,
18 Willoughby Close,
Alveston,
Bristol BS35 3RW
Tel: 01454-411652
email: josgregson@gmail.com
18 Willoughby Close,
Alveston,
Bristol BS35 3RW
Tel: 01454-411652
email: josgregson@gmail.com
Dear Singer
We are delighted that you have signed up to take part in the Workshop on the Berlioz Te Deum, the Brahms Alto Rhapsody and the Fauré/Messager Messe des pêcheurs de Villerville. This will take place on Saturday April 26th at The Crypt School, Podsmead Road, Gloucester GL2 5AE and will be conducted by Adrian Partington.
This Newsletter is to update you with information about the day and which Choir you will be singing with.
THE CRYPT SCHOOL
Coming from Junction 12 on the M5 follow signs to Gloucester city centre on the dual carriageway. Cross two roundabouts and at the major lights that are next turn right on the A38 to Gloucester City Centre. After around 800 yards Podsmead is on the left at lights. Turn left, go round a small roundabout and drive into the Crypt School driveway. Please enter through the main gates and follow the SCBSG car park signs. There will be a large car park on the left before you reach the school building and parking for around 75 cars in front of the building.. Check-in is at the main entrance on the other side of the building from the first car park.
TIMETABLE
9.30am – Arrival and registration
10am -11am – Rehearsal in the main auditorium for sopranos and altos, rehearsal in the Drama Studio for tenors and basses.
11am -11.30am Coffee break
11.30am -1.00pm Rehearsal continues. According to progress we will either continue with separate rehearsals for the Brahms and Fauré/Messager or combine to start rehearsing the Berlioz
1.00 - 2.00pm lunch break. PLEASE BRING A PACKED LUNCH
2.00pm - 4.00pm Rehearsal continues (No tea break)
WHICH CHOIR AM I IN?
The layout for this performance is completely different from the last few SCBSG events. The main auditorium seating will be set up in two blocks with a centre aisle.
When you come in (if you are a soprano or alto) you will be rehearsing in the main auditorium. Our Concert Manager Trevor Bartlett will be in the auditorium to assist with seating you all.
Facing the conductor Choir 1 will contain all sopranos with Soprano 1s at the right and Soprano 2s at the left. During the Fauré/Messager rehearsal please leave the front three rows empty as these will be filled later by tenors and basses when they join for the Berlioz. Choir 1 thus contains all S1s, all S2s, all T1s and all B1s. All sopranos will sing the Soprano 1 part.
Choir 2 will contain all altos with Alto 1s at the right and Alto 2s at the left. Again please leave the front three rows empty. All altos will sing the Soprano 2 part. There is no written alto part.
When the tenors and basses come in, Bass 1s will be at the right and Tenor 1s at the left of Choir 1. For Choir 2 this will be reversed (so that all the tenors are together in the centre) with Tenor 2s at the right and Bass 2s at the left. Choir 2 thus contains all A1s, all A2s, all T2s and all B2s.
This may sound confusing but the seats will be well labelled.
If you are a tenor or bass proceed to the Drama Studio and sit facing the conductor with T1s at the right, then T2s, B1s and B2s in that order. Our Deputy Concert Manager Andrew Woodhall will be on hand to assist you.
For the main Berlioz rehearsal the layout will be as follows:-
CHOIR1 CHOIR 2
SOPRANO 1 SOPRANO 2 ALTO 1 ALTO 2
BASS 1 TENOR 1 TENOR 2 BASS 2
CONDUCTOR
CATERING
There will be a coffee break at around 11am. To make sure we make minimum impact on the environment please bring your own mug and we will fill it for you. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available including gluten free biscuits. Recyclable cups will be available if you forget!
SCORES
These have now been distributed to all participants who have requested them. Jos will have with him spare copies of all scores, both those for sale and those for hire.
If you are only doing the Workshop and not intending to do the July performance please return your scores, a box will be available on the large table in the foyer.
SCORE AMENDMENTS
Adrian Partington has made a number of adjustments to the scores and a list of these has been sent out to all those signed up. Please make every effort to get these entered in your score.
BUS
The SCBSG is running a bus from outside Aldi in Thornbury to the Gloucester Workshop. The departure will be from outside Aldi in Thornbury at 08.45am on Saturday 26th April and the bus will leave from The Crypt School at 16.15pm for the return journey. The cost will be £15, this may be paid either by BACS to SCBSG sort code 55-61-38 Account 72408375 or by cheque made out to SCBSG sent to Jos Gregson, 18 Willoughby Close, Alveston, Bristol BS35 3RW.
There is a large car park opposite Aldi, make sure that you park in the long-stay section otherwise you may get a parking ticket. At around 08.30 there should be plenty of parking.
To get to Aldi and the car park – approach Thornbury on the A38 from Bristol. Turn left at the lights by Berkeley Vale Motors (Hyundai agents) and proceed down Thornbury Hill to go straight ahead at the first roundabout (the Tesco roundabout) and left at the second roundabout. The turn to the car park is then the third right turn, the long stay section is well marked down the far end of car park.
BOOKING TO TAKE PART IN THE JULY CONCERT
When you take your place at the Workshop you will find a booking form on your seat. Please fill this in, pay by BACS or cheque and return the form to Jos as soon as possible to ensure your place. From April 26th it will also be possible to sign up through the website www.bigsing.org.
All the best and I look forward to meeting up with you all.
Jos Gregson
Chairman
South Cotswold Big Sing Group
27th March 2025
