Music at Central
Events in 2009
2009 was a busy year in the music life of our church
On Palm Sunday, 5th April, an augmented choir gave a performance of J H Maunder's cantata 'Olivet to Calvary'. The tenor and baritone soloists were Colin Powell and David Hall, with Richard Morris at the organ.
The Music Group organised its own special service on the evening of Sunday 3rd May. This was a belated Easter celebration entitled 'Early in the Morning'. The service of special music, hymns, solos and readings was put together by Andrew and Judith Santry and was the first time the Group had led this kind of service.
On Saturday 9th May Brian Ellis organised and performed a one-man multi-instrument concert in aid of our Faith in our Future appeal. Brian demonstrated his versatility, entertaining the audience with items on flute, clarinet, saxaphone and keyboard using recorded backing tracks. He is available to give similar fund-raising concerts for other churches and organisations. For contact information, please get in touch with the webmaster, via the Contacts page of this site.
The choir were in action again for their Summer Concert on Saturday 27th June. They gave a varied programme of sacred and secular items ranging from Martin Shaw's anthem 'With a Voice of Singing' to a humorous arrangement of 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm'! Choir members contributed solo items, and instrumentalists combined to create 'Alexanders Ragtime Band'. The concert was held in the church, giving the opportunity to include solo items on the organ. Proceeds were for the Faith in Our Future appeal. A selection of items from the concert were presented at Kenmore Cheshire Home on the following Thursday evening.
Once the Summer Concert was over, preparations began for the main choral event of the year (or rather 2 years!), which was a performance of Haydn's Creation on Sunday 1st November. Following the success of Elijah in 2007 there was much enthusiasm for tackling another major work. A chorus of 56 voices gave an excellent performance, many of the singers not having sung Creation previously, others not for many years. Soloists were Anna Trent (Soprano), Colin Powell (Tenor) and David Hall (Bass). Philip Tordoff was the organist. As usual, the evening was rounded off with an excellent supper - a regular feature of our musical events!
Take a look at the Diary to see what's planned for 2010.
We thank God for the gift of music which enriches the life of our church and for the inspiration and joy it can bring to all who are involved.
Bluebird Singers Concert
The church was almost filled to capacity for a concert by the Bluebird Singers on Saturday 12th April 2008.
The Bluebird Singers are a mixed choir of just ten voices, formed by a group of young friends with a shared love of singing.
The performance included many different styles of music, ranging from traditional choral items to songs from the shows.
As well as singing together (often unaccompanied), many of the group performed solo items.
It was an excellent concert, rounded off with a wonderful supper.
The event was organised to raise money for Haiti.
Hallelujah! What A Saviour
As part of the Church Anniversary celebrations Central Choir, augmented by singers from around the Circuit presented this cantata on Sunday 2nd March 2008 at 6.00pm. Written by John Peterson (who wrote the Christmas cantata 'Night of Miracles' and many others), it tells the Easter story through narration and music. The narration is made up of passages of scripture and the music includes words and melodies from well loved hymns.
Cargo
Paul Field's 'Cargo' was presented on Saturday 26th January 2008.
‘Cargo’ uses contemporary music, words and images to tell the story of the Abolitionists campaign and how, together with the struggles of the African slaves themselves, they fought to end the slave trade 200 years ago. It uses that story as a platform to raise awareness of the many forms of slavery that still exist today and the inextricable links with poverty, prejudice, injustice and fairtrade. It aims to show how in the past and in the present ordinary people can make a difference.
This powerful presentation was organised by Churches Together in Cleckheaton and District. A small group of singers rehearsed the music beforehand and then on the afternoon of the performance singers from local churches came together to learn the chorus work.
Although poorly supported, a retiring collection raised over £170 for 'Stop the Traffik'
A repeat performance took place on Sunday 7th September 2008.
Elijah
Central Choir augmented by many other enthusiastic local singers presented Mendelssohn's oratorio 'Elijah' on Sunday 28th October 2007. This was by far the most ambitious project undertaken by the choir for many years. Amazingly, fifty five singers took part, giving an excellent performance, along with guest soloists and organist.
It was a great experience for everyone, both singers and audience, but especially for those who rarely get the opportunity to sing in a large choir.