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Come & Sing! Annual one-day choral workshop

COME & SING ROSSINI'S PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE
Saturday 13 April 2024
St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Pump Street, Worcester, WR1 2QT
 
CONDUCTOR: CHRISTOPHER ALLSOP - Eton College Organist & Music Teacher
ACCOMPANIST: NICHOLAS FREESTONE - Worcester Cathedral Assistant Director of Music
 
* March update: ESPECIALLY SEEKING TENORS & BASSES! (Alto places full; Soprano places almost full. To be added to our waiting list, email tickets@wfcs.online)
 
Love singing? Join hosts Worcester Festival Choral Society and friends for this exhilarating, annual choral workshop exploring a delightful musical gem of the Romantic era... under the expert direction of one of the UK’s leading choirmasters, Christopher Allsop (below, left), and with superb piano accompaniment from acclaimed organist and recitalist, Nicholas Freestone (below, right).
 
ABOUT THE MUSIC 
Combining drama, pathos and colour, Gioachino Rossini’s 1863 Petite Messe Solennelle was his last serious composition. Although a heartfelt religious work, it was written not for a church, but for a Paris salon – and is full of the delightful touches of an astonishing man of the theatre. 
 
SCORES / EXPERIENCE
Loan of a vocal score is included in the ticket price (Ricordi edition), but if you have your own score you are welcome to bring it (please let us know for numbers). 
Singers don't need choral experience to take part, but if the work is new to you, some ability to read music will be useful. If you’re already familiar with it, come and enjoy the sing! 
 
PROGRAMME
Arrive, register & receive music score - from 9.30am
1st singing workshop - 10.15am
Morning break - 11:30am
2nd singing workshop - 11:50am 
Lunch break - 1:15pm
3rd singing workshop - 2:00pm
Afternoon break - 3:20pm 
Informal performance with soloists - 3:45 – 4.45pm
 

REFRESHMENTS
Free tea, coffee and water will be available during breaks, plus there’ll be an array of home-baked cake to purchase. For lunch we invite you to pre-order from our delicious choice of soups, lasagnes, sandwiches, scones and more when booking your tickets (includes vegetarian; other dietary needs on request). Or you could bring your own packed lunch or eat nearby.
 
VENUE, ACCESS & TRAVEL 
Convivial, spacious St Andrew’s Methodist Church is in a pedestrianised area just off Worcester High Street, near the Guildhall and Cathedral. Full wheelchair access. Lift or stairs to all floors. Several public car parks within 5 mins’ walk (most card/app payment). Bus station and Foregate St train station 15-20 mins’ walk. See location map below, or download our map PDF HERE
 
HOW TO BOOK
Tickets £22 (adults) / £10 (students)* including score and teas/coffees.
Book by Wednesday 10 April 2024. * Admission by pre-booked ticket only, subject to availability. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 
 
Book now at our ONLINE BOX OFFICE
Download a PDF of our EVENT FLYER
ANY QUESTIONS?  Email us at tickets@wfcs.online or call 01905 354533
 
See you there!

 

COME & SING GALLERY

Fancy taking part? Take a look at some photos from our past Come & Sing workshops below.

Below: April 2023 Come & Sing worshop: Verdi's Requiem - with conductor Samuel Hudson:

            

Below: April 2022 Come & Sing workshop, Vivaldi's Gloria and Rutter's Gloria - with conductor Christopher Allsop:

    

Below: April 2019 Come and Sing workshop, Beethoven's Mass in C - with conductor Samuel Hudson:

    

Below: April 2018 Come and Sing workshop,Verdi's Requiem - with conductor Piers Maxim:

     ​

Below: April 2017 Come and Sing workshop, Elgar's Dream of Gerontius - with conductor Christopher Allsop:

    

Below: April 2016 Come and Sing workshop, Mendelssohn's Elijah - with conductor Peter Nardone:

    

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