morearts : more arts for Wokingham

Sing with the Wokingham Jubilee Chorus

Rehearsals in Reading, Twyford and Wokingham.

How to get there.

Concert at Elms Field, Wellington Road, Wokingham RG40 2LD

How to get there.

Are you a choral singer? We need you, for one night only!

Wokingham will be celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a large-scale, outdoor choral concert on Saturday 2nd June, 2012. It will take place on a large, specially-constructed stage in Elms field, which has the capacity for an audience of around 1500 people.

Singers from across Wokingham Borough are invited to join The Wokingham Jubilee Chorus.

The programme of pieces, all associated with previous coronations, will include Handel's Zadok the Priest and Hallelujah Chorus, Parry's I was Glad, Jerusalem and many other favourites.

Conductor and Chorus Master: Richard Smith (Liturgical Music Courses).

If you as an individual or your whole choir would like to join in, see www.wokinghamjubileechorus.co.uk for further details, a rehearsal schedule and an online sign-up form.

Cost: £10 (pay online when you sign up), including hire of music. Audience tickets for £7.50 available from www.wegottickets.com.

More information: www.wokinghamjubileechorus.co.uk.

Music @ Reading Lunchtime Concert

Palmer G10 Theatre, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading

How to get there.

Sian Griffiths,Verity Hill, Peter Toye, Soprano, Viola, Piano perform pieces by Britten, Granados.

All are welcome. Entrance is FREE. No ticket required.

For a complete list of the Music @ Reading Lunchtime Concerts visit the website (opens a new browser window).

Roy Orbison and Friends with Barry Steele

The Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2BP

How to get there.

The music of Roy Orbison remains as vital as ever and in this fantastic celebration, Barry Steele brings the music and character of the Big O back to life. Barry, who has performed to rave reviews across the world, not only sounds like the man, he looks like him too, as he puts the rock back into Roy Orbison with his trademark dark rimmed glasses and Orbison style.

Barry Steele's rollicking set includes 'Ooby Dooby', 'Mean Woman Blues' and 'Uptown', his effortlessly soaring vocals on such classics as 'Only the Lonely', 'Crying', and 'Blue Angel', Orbison's later hits such as 'California Blue', and 'You Got It' and, of course, the music of the Traveling Wilburys.

This show is the ultimate musical experience, including not only Roy Orbison's classic back catalogue, but also the sounds of the 60s with music from The Beatles, The Shadows and many more.

"True Identikit Brilliance" - The Stage.

Tickets: £20, Concession £18 available from the Kenton Theatre box office on 01491 575698 or online at Kenton Theatre box office.

More information: www.kentontheatre.co.uk.

Reading Bach Choir Concert: Rachmaninoff's Vespers

Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin, St Mary's Butts, Reading, Berkshire RG1 2HX

How to get there.

Often performed by candlelight, Sergei Rachmaninoff's Vespers is really a setting of the Eastern Orthodox all-night vigil but Vespers in our culture are the evening prayer service so this performance is at 6.30pm.

The work was written and premiered in 1915 and uses texts from the Russian Orthodox all-night vigil ceremony. It has been praised as Rachmaninoff's finest achievement and "the greatest musical achievement of the Russian Orthodox Church". It was one of Rachmaninoff's two favourite compositions and he requested that the fifth movement be sung at his funeral.

The text is not the Russian all night vigil service word for word and the music is more symphonic than usual in a church service. There are many passages in which you can hear the traditional melodies of the Russian Orthodox Church and the overall effect can be magical and mesmerising.

To maintain the atmosphere of the piece, the performance will be without a break and last about an hour.

Conductor: Matthew Hamilton.

Tickets: full price £10, concessions £8, NUS with card or 16-18 £6, under 16s £5 by email or call Cathy Carr on 0118 947 0104.

More information: www.readingbachchoir.org.uk.

Hear the same performance in Goring on February 4th.

Wooburn Singers: Come & Sing 'Finzi'

Dr. Challoner's Grammar School, Chesham Road, Amersham, Buckinghamshire HP6 5HA

How to get there.

The Wooburn Singers invites all choral singers to another of our Come & Sing days.

After the very successful sight-reading workshop we held in October, we're reverting to the usual format of working on a specific piece for the day, culminating in a 'performance' at the end of the afternoon.

The work this time is Gerald Finzi's Intimations of Immortality; it may be new to many of us, but if you've been to one of our Come & Sing days before you will know that Greg Beardsell, the Wooburn Singers' Music Director, can be relied on to make it enjoyable as well as rewarding. If you haven't been able to attend one of our workshop days before, this would be a good time to start!

Cost: £16, students £10 and discounts for group bookings.

For booking details and to reserve your place download the booking form, which is a PDF document.

More information: www.wooburnsingers.co.uk.

Yateley Choral Society: Singing Day Workshop with JOHN RUTTER

St Swithun's Catholic Church, Firgrove Road, Yateley, Hampshire GU46 6NH

How to get there.

At this Singing Day Workshop John Rutter will lead us through a variety of choral music, including his own Requiem, plus a few surprises.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Cost: £15 (pupils and students £6) which includes tea & coffee. There is an additional charge of £2 (plus £5 deposit) to hire a copy of the Requiem, or bring your own copy.

To book your place, download the booking form or call 01276 31850 or send your request by email.

More information: www.yateleychoral.org.uk.

Solo Piano Recital: Edward Reeve

Queen Anne's School, Henley Road, Caversham, Berkshire RG4 6DX

How to get there.

This recital by Edward Reeve is part of the 2012 Professional Concert Series.

The programme includes works by Bach/Busoni, Mendelssohn, Prokofieff, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Smetana, Addinsell and a solo piano improvisation.

Admission is FREE.

For more information please contact the school's Music Administrator, Mrs Claire Richards by email.

More information: www.qas.org.uk.

Cameo Singers Concert

Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS

How to get there.

This is the annual Spring Concert by Cameo Singers, under their Musical Director Ian May.

The programme will include madrigals, part-songs and other lighter items and will also feature the Cameo Consort with other instrumental music.

Tickets: £10 (concessions £8) at the door from 7pm. Refreshments included.

More information: www.cameosingers.co.uk or call Lorna White on 0118 978 3126.

Norden Farm Festival Chorus: 'Music for a Royal Occasion'

Courtyard Theatre, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF

How to get there.

Norden Farm Festival Chorus marks the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year with festive music.

The programme ranges from Purcell's 1685 anthem for James II's Coronation to part of Mathias's acclaimed tribute for the Silver Jubilee in 1977.

• Purcell: I was glad
• Purcell: Come ye sons of art away
• Handel: Zadok the Priest
• Dettingen: Te Deum
• Bach: Cantata 214 Tonet ihr Pauken!
• William Mathias: Invocation (A Royal Garland)

Soloists include Kirsty Stokes (soprano), John Lattimore (countertenor), Frederick Long (bass-baritone) with the Norden Farm Festival Orchestra conducted by John Cotterill.

Tickets: £15 (concessions £13, Associate Members £12, under 18s £5) from the box office at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts on 01628 788997 or online from Norden Farm Centre for the Arts.

More information: NordenFarm.org.

Baroque Music in Wokingham Town Hall: Andrea Pfenninger (soprano), Adrian Boorman (countertenor)

Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS

How to get there.

This concert is one of a series of eight Baroque Music Concerts in Wokingham Town Hall on the last Wednesday of each month.

Andrea Pfenninger (soprano) and Adrian Boorman (countertenor), together with an ensemble of recent graduates from Birmingham Conservatoire, perform Pergolesi's famous setting of the lenten text, Stabat Mater.

Tickets: £12.50

Buy tickets:

• online at www.wegottickets.com (search for 'Wokingham')
• or in person from the Wokingham Library
• or by post from Wokingham Concerts, 28 Tanhouse Lane, Wokingham RG41 2RL enclosing a cheque made payable to "Wokingham Concerts"
• or at the door on the night of the concert, subject to availability.

For full details on how to get tickets click here.

More information about the concert series: www.wokinghamconcerts.co.uk.

Lunchtime Recital: The Band of the Corps of Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers

Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS

How to get there.

Based at Arborfield Garrison near Reading, the Band of the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers performs at many prestigious military and civilian events all over the world and enjoys an outstanding reputation for musical excellence.

On this occasion the REME band's 10-Piece Brass Group will give a recital.

Tickets: £2 payable on the day which includes refreshments in the interval.

All proceeds to be donated to the Wokingham Town Mayor's Charity - Wokingham & District Citizens Advice Bureau. For more information about Wokingham CAB see www.wokingham-cab.org.uk.

Tamesis Chamber Choir: Concert for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Greyfriars Church, Friar Street, Reading RG1 1EH

How to get there.

This concert for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, is one of the three Historic Times Tamesis Chamber Choir is marking this season. As befits a right royal knees-up, we will be singing the most jubilant, regal, exciting and well-loved music by big ticket composers of their days.

Commissioned for Queen Elizabeth's 1953 Coronation, there's Walton's magnificent Te Deum and Vaughan Williams's lyrical O taste and see. The service also included Zadok the Priest, written by Handel for George II's coronation. If you weren't around to catch it then, you'll know it now either as a state occasion staple or as the Champions' League anthem or from the P&O and Subway adverts! Stanford's grandiose Gloria was first performed at George V's coronation.

William Mathias's splendid Let the people praise Thee O God dates from Charles and Diana's wedding in 1981. And bringing things bang up to date, we'll sing two pieces composed for Wills' and Kate's nuptials last year: Ubi Caritas by Paul Mealor (of Military Wives' fame!) and Rutter's This is the day.

Tickets: £12 / £8 from Sarah Finch on 0118 945 6545 or 0791 715 3113 or by email. Or visit www.tamesischamberchoir.co.uk to buy online.

We're also putting out a call for any choristers from the original 1953 Coronation choir: we'd love to roll out the red carpet and make them guest of honour at our concert, so please do ask around and put us in touch if you know anyone who was there on that great day.

More information: www.tamesischamberchoir.co.uk.

Parenthesis: 20th Anniversary Concert

Wesley Methodist Church, Queens Road, Reading RG1 4BW

How to get there.

Parenthesis Choir is celebrating its 20th anniversary by holding a special concert in March, 2012.

The programme will include Haydn's Missa in Angustiis (Mass for Troubled Times) usually known as the 'Nelson Mass' and twelve of their favourite songs performed over the years.

Tickets: £10 (children free) from the Parenthesis Box Office on 0118 954 6833 or you can order tickets by email.

Parenthesis is a registered charity founded 20 years ago by parents of children attending Berkshire Young Musicians classes and members come from all over Berkshire.

More information: www.parenthesis.org.uk.

Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra Concert

The Anvil, Churchill Way, Basingstoke RG21 7QR

How to get there.

This concert by Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra has a Cornish theme. The full programme includes:

• Bax: Tintagel

• Scotchmer: St Michael's Mount (World Premiere)

• Arnold: Four Cornish Dances

• Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No 2 (Soloist: Yulia Chaplina)

With The Holt School Choir, Wokingham, Ranelagh School Choir, Bracknell.

Conductor: Stephen Scotchmer.

Pianist Yulia Chaplina was the winner of the 2004 Tchaikovsky International Competition.

Tickets: £18, £14 and £9 from the Anvil Box Office tel: 01256 844244, or online via the Anvil website: www.AnvilArts.org.uk.

More information about Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra: www.bso.org.uk.

Henley Choral Society Concert

Reading Concert Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH

How to get there.

Henley Choral Society brings together the leading chamber orchestra in the South of England and three outstanding soloists for this performance of

    Haydn's The Creation.

Soloists are:

• Sophie Bevan, recipient of the 2010 Critics Circle award for exceptional Young Talent is one of the most sought-after young sopranos in the UK.
• Tenor Ben Hulett has been hailed by the national press as one of the most promising tenors of today
• Bass Giles Underwood has earned first-rate reviews for his performances with major British orchestras and opera companies.

With such an assembly of talent performing Haydn's masterpiece this is an evening not to be missed.

Orchestra: Southern Sinfonia.

Conductor: Will Dawes

Tickets: £15 (Under 18s £12) by calling Henley Choral Society Ticket Secretary on 01491 572795 (no booking fee applies) or online from Reading Arts Box Office (subject to booking fee).

More information: www.henleychoralsociety.org.uk.

Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra: Spring Concert

The Old Gym, Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7PU

How to get there.

This year Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 20th birthday.

Our Spring Concert promises to be a good evening. The ever popular Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto with Julian Clef as soloist will be the highlight for many. Julian is a very exciting young musician who has already won several Piano Competitions as well as a Gold Medal from the Royal Northern College of Music, where he is studying. The other works in this concert will be Sibelius' 1st Symphony and Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture.

As usual our conductor will be Robert Roscoe.

Tickets in advance: £8 from Traveltime Travel Agents, Crowthorne High Street and Bookends in Peach Street, Wokingham.

Tickets on the door: £10.

Children 16 and under are free.

More information about CSO: www.crowthorneorchestra.com.

Bracknell Choral Society Concert

Reading Concert Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH

How to get there.

Bracknell Choral Sociey invites you to a performance of

    Brahms' Academic Festival Overture.

    Brahms' German Requiem.

With Claire Seaton (Soprano), Johnny Herford (Baritone) and the Senesino Players.

Conductor: Greg Hallam.

Tickets: £15 (concessions £13) by calling 01344 772962 or by email.

Tickets can also be purchased online from Reading Arts Box Office (booking fee applies).

More information: www.bracknellchoral.org.uk.

South Chiltern Choral Society Concert

Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Reading, Berkshire RG7 5TQ

How to get there.

In their 60th Anniversary Year, join the South Chiltern Choral Society for this concert of:

• Helen Winter, mezzo-soprano
• James Gilbert, baritone
• Robert Jones, organ
• Lynette Padfield, violin
• Lorna Taylor, 'cello
• Jenny Broome, harp

Conductor: Gwyn Arch.

Tickets: £14 (under 18s £7) from SCCS Box Office: Mary Esslemont 0118 987 4346 or Newbury Corn Exchange on 01635 522733.

More information: www.southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk.

Baroque Music in Wokingham Town Hall: Jennifer Janse (baroque cello)

Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS

How to get there.

This concert is one of a series of eight Baroque Music Concerts in Wokingham Town Hall on the last Wednesday of each month.

Jennifer Janse (baroque cello) performs music by Telemann, Vivaldi and Domenico Gabrielli. Jennifer was described by Yehudi Menuhin as "among this country's most outstanding musicians". She has given more than 100 solo performances in Russia, Germany and Norway and orchestral concerts with, among others, The King's Consort, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, English Concert, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia and the Philharmonia.

Tickets: £12.50

Buy tickets:

• online at www.wegottickets.com (search for 'Wokingham')
• or in person from the Wokingham Library
• or by post from Wokingham Concerts, 28 Tanhouse Lane, Wokingham RG41 2RL enclosing a cheque made payable to "Wokingham Concerts"
• or at the door on the night of the concert, subject to availability.

For full details on how to get tickets click here.

More information about the concert series: www.wokinghamconcerts.co.uk.

Merry Opera presents: 'La Traviata'

The Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2BP

How to get there.

In the cultural melting-pot of East London's galleries, clubs and cafés, burlesque artiste Violetta is the reigning queen, adored by everyone from barristers to baristas. But she's hiding a fearful secret. When she unexpectedly and unconditionally falls for young City trader Al, neither has any idea where it might lead. Especially since Al harbours a secret too...

Verdi's tragic story of joy, sorrow, passion, regret and undying loyalty is grippingly told in Kit Hesketh-Harvey's new adaptation.

Kit Hesketh-Harvey is widely known for his work in cabaret and his regular panel appearances on Radio 4's Just A Minute. His operatic translations have been performed by the Royal Opera House, ENO, Sydney Opera, Scottish Opera and Opera North. Last year he directed the Merry Opera Company's widely acclaimed production of Offenbach's La Belle Hélène ('Troy Boy').

Tickets: £14 (Seniors and Students £13, Friends and Keepers £12) available from the Kenton Theatre box office on 01491 575698 or online at Kenton Theatre box office.

More information: www.kentontheatre.co.uk.

The UK Pink Floyd Tribute Show

The Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2BP

How to get there.

The band was originally formed by seven like-minded musicians from Northamptonshire in 2010, taking pride in giving a true rendition of Pink Floyd's studio album back catalogue. We will take you on a journey from 'The Pipers' through to 'Division Bell', with our note-for-note performance of such classics as 'Astronomy Domine', 'Echoes', 'Great Gig', 'Comfortably Numb' and many others.

With the expert musicianship and spectacular lighting, this truly professional show gives you the chance to be part of one of the best tribute bands to the great Pink Floyd and will leave you astounded and shouting for more!

Tickets: £14.50 available from the Kenton Theatre box office on 01491 575698 or online at Kenton Theatre box office.

More information: www.kentontheatre.co.uk.

Wokingham Choral Society: 'Monteverdi: Vespers of 1610'

Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road Campus, Reading RG1 5AQ

How to get there.

The glory of 17th century Venice will be brought to our audience at our next concert, as we continue to celebrate our Diamond Jubilee season. WCS joins forces with an outstanding team of young soloists from the Royal Academy of Music, and period instrument ensemble Charivari Agréable Simfonie (described by The Observer as 'one of the classiest baroque bands') to present Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610.

    Monteverdi: Vespers of 1610 (Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610).

One of the most significant works in the entire history of music, the Vespers are comprised of virtuosic motets and fiery choruses; listening to them is not so much a performance, but more an experience of a sound-world as sumptuous and magical as the building where the Vespers were first heard - the Basilica of St Mark, Venice (pictured right).

• Alison Rose, soprano
• Jennifer Stratford, soprano
• Thomas Elwin, tenor
• Samuel Furness, tenor
• Gareth John, bass
• Alistair Ollerenshaw, bass

Wokingham Choral Society with Charivari Agréable Simfonie.

Conductor: Alexander Chaplin

Tickets: £16 (£10 for under 18s) available online at www.wegottickets.com (booking fee applies) or by email or from Bookends, Peach St., Wokingham, or from the Wokingham Information Centre, Market Square, Wokingham or from Newbury Building Society, Wokingham or from WCS choir members.

More information: www.wokingham-choral-society.org.uk.

Opera at Bearwood: Traviata from Scratch

Bearwood Theatre, Bearwood College, Winnersh, WOKINGHAM RG41 5BG

How to get there.

Ever wanted to sing in an opera? Now is your chance!

Under the baton of Elisabeth Toye, Soprano and Principal Conductor of Cantorum, you can enjoy learning the wonderful Verdi opera 'La Traviata'.

Bring a picnic lunch and hopefully the sun will shine. Tea and coffee will be provided for the break.

If you wish to attend, please contact Roberta by email or telephone Roberta on 077 6965 7272 or download and complete your copy of the booking form.

Cost: £12, to include hire of La Traviata score.

Elizabeth Toye is a graduate of Birmingham University and also of the Royal Academy of Music, where she won the 2004 Michael Head Prize for English Song and the 2005 Arthur Bliss Prize for twentieth Century music. In 2008, she won the A.E.S.S. Patricia Routledge National Prize for English Song and has subsequently built a busy and successful career as a professional soprano, vocal coach, and choral trainer. She has for some years been working with Berkshire Maestros (The Young Musicians' Trust) and is currently Director of the Royal Borough Children's Choir. In addition, Elisabeth has tutored for the National Youth Choir of Wales and, in 2008, worked alongside the Director of The National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.

More information: www.operaatbearwood.org.uk.

Baroque Music in Wokingham Town Hall: Jake White (tenor)

Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS

How to get there.

This concert is one of a series of eight Baroque Music Concerts in Wokingham Town Hall on the last Wednesday of each month.

Jake White (tenor) has worked with many of the UK's leading vocal groups, including the Holst Singers, the Elysian Singers, English Voices and the choir of St John's College, Cambridge. He has had a busy and varied career as a soloist and recording artist in the fields of opera and and oratorio, and is a founder member of the recital group The Albion Ensemble. He will be performing music by Monteverdi, Grandi and Purcell.

Tickets: £12.50

Buy tickets:

• online at www.wegottickets.com (search for 'Wokingham')
• or in person from the Wokingham Library
• or by post from Wokingham Concerts, 28 Tanhouse Lane, Wokingham RG41 2RL enclosing a cheque made payable to "Wokingham Concerts"
• or at the door on the night of the concert, subject to availability.

For full details on how to get tickets click here.

More information about the concert series: www.wokinghamconcerts.co.uk.

Baroque Music in Wokingham Town Hall: Maria Sanger & Peter Wells

Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS

How to get there.

This concert is one of a series of eight Baroque Music Concerts in Wokingham Town Hall on the last Wednesday of each month.

Maria Sanger and Peter Wells present a programme of virtuoso music for recorders. Peter was the recorder tutor at the University of Belfast for many years, and has an enviable reputation in the fields of early and contemporary music. Maria is the founder of the ensembles Punchinella and Pellegrino, and together they run the Cecilia Music series of concerts in Cambridge.

Tickets: £12.50

Buy tickets:

• online at www.wegottickets.com (search for 'Wokingham')
• or in person from the Wokingham Library
• or by post from Wokingham Concerts, 28 Tanhouse Lane, Wokingham RG41 2RL enclosing a cheque made payable to "Wokingham Concerts"
• or at the door on the night of the concert, subject to availability.

For full details on how to get tickets click here.

More information about the concert series: www.wokinghamconcerts.co.uk.

Baroque Music in Wokingham Town Hall: Richard Smith (clavichord)

Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS

How to get there.

This concert is one of a series of eight Baroque Music Concerts in Wokingham Town Hall on the last Wednesday of each month.

Richard Smith (clavichord), founder of the Wokingham Town Hall concert series and of the cathedral based choral education project The Liturgical Music Courses, presents a concert of North European keyboard music on J.S.Bach's favourite keyboard instrument. Winner of the M.J.West and John Brook Prizes, Richard took his postgraduate studies in Munich and Bremen, and has given many solo recitals across the UK.

Tickets: £12.50

Buy tickets:

• online at www.wegottickets.com (search for 'Wokingham')
• or in person from the Wokingham Library
• or by post from Wokingham Concerts, 28 Tanhouse Lane, Wokingham RG41 2RL enclosing a cheque made payable to "Wokingham Concerts"
• or at the door on the night of the concert, subject to availability.

For full details on how to get tickets click here.

More information about the concert series: www.wokinghamconcerts.co.uk.