The Spirit of Christmas saves the day for Thame singers

IMAGINE;  it’s Saturday afternoon on December 13,  and members of Thame Choral Society and their Choral Director, Helen Swift, are about to arrive at St Mary’s Parish Church in Thame for the final rehearsal of their Christmas Concert later that evening. However, they are due for a surprise -of the worst kind and most unwelcome – there is no electrical power anywhere in the church!

Thame Choral Society’s Musical Director, Helen Swift

In other words, no lighting, no heating, no organ, no tea! A quick check reveals that the fault must be in the outside supply cable. The electricity company can provide a generator as a temporary measure but not before 8.30 pm at the earliest and it looks as though all the hard work of the last three months is for nothing.

But this is Christmas, the season of good will, the age of the mobile phone and an enterprising choir with a 55-year history to preserve. Several phone calls and visits later the concert is saved through the generosity of Rev Father Mark Lagorio, parish priest of nearby St Joseph’s Catholic Church, who offers his church as a venue for the concert. So, as daylight fades, the final practice continues at the Thame Barns Centre and then, after Mass has finished, everyone transfers to St Joseph’s and the concert, which includes Vivald’s Gloria, Christmas carols and songs old and new, seasonal readings and traditional refreshments of hot mulled wine and mince pies, goes ahead only 30 minutes late.

Two hours later brings a huge sense of relief from the organisers, the satisfaction of having been part of an enjoyable evening’s entertainment for the choir and smiles and congratulations from the audience.

As Society Chairman Judith Newenham later said:  “Considering the nightmare with which we were faced at 2 pm, to be so relieved and proud at 10 pm, is truly amazing and I want to thank Father Mark for allowing us to use the very lovely and comfortable St Joseph’s, and soprano member, Jeni Pilkington, for arranging it.”

She continued by thanking everyone for being so supportive and uncomplaining in the face of adversity, everyone who made visits and phone calls to clergy and churches, those who moved chairs, carried bags, hosted soloists and helped at the concert, and ‘all the boys who erected the staging and gave up their Sunday morning to take it down again’.
She particularly thanked Choral Director, Helen, for her patience and musical selection, Rowena Gibbons (piano and organ), Cindy Sluka (oboe) and Nick Epton (bassoon), and former Director, David Hayes, for engaging local sopranos Melissa Davies and Catherine Martin for the solos in the Gloria.

Thame Choral Society, founded in 1960, is an informal, friendly, non audition choir committed to the enjoyment of music, and has performed a wide range of choral works from the renaissance and baroque through the classical and romantic composers, to modern pieces by Britten, Poulenc and Rutter. Two major concerts are performed each year in Thame, and an informal concert of lighter items is arranged for the summer, often in a garden setting.

Much has been said recently about the benefits of singing, not the least it’s ability to promote good health, to relax, to build confidence, to develop a sense of community and to have fun! Thame Choral Society is always eager to introduce potential new members to the joys of singing together and in Helen Swift they are fortunate to have an inspirational coach. In spite of what you might think or have been told, there are very few who cannot learn how to sing successfully.

Next Spring TTS will be performing works by two giants of the classical era—Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore—so there isn’t a better time to discover what it’s like to sing great choral music with an orchestra, than by going along to one of their practice sessions. You’ll receive a warm welcome and be glad that you did.

Rehearsals are held at the Methodist Church in nearby Haddenham on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 to 9.30 pm, and begin on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 for the concert on May 3.

More information about the choir can be found on their website, www.thamechoralsociety.co.uk, and by sending an email to thamechoralsociety@hotmail.co.uk

SOURCE: Contributed by David Francis