“Myths and Melodies: Music for a summer’s Evening” was Cantorum’s light and beautiful Summer Concert this June, given at Holy Trinity Church, Cookham.

Ian Taylor’s carefully crafted programme began with four amorous English madrigals (Sing we and Chant It, Adieu Sweet Amaryllis, Sweet Suffolk Owl and Hark, All ye Lovely Saints) and then moved on to two later English part-songs Stamford’s Diaphenia and The Hills by John Ireland.

Acclaimed local flautist, Julia Bentley, next played the virtuoso flute solo in Rutter’s Suite Antique, with Laurence Frankel (Harpsichord) and the Amabile String Quartet. (Incidentally, this piece was actually first performed at the Cookham Festival in 1979, and so it was particularly rewarding to hear it played again in its original home.) The first half concluded with George Shearing’s jazz settings: Songs and Sonnets from Shakespeare, in which the choir was stylishly accompanied by Gillian Salmon (Piano).

Part Two was pure musical fun with members of the choir given a chance to show off their skills as soloists in Rutter’s The Reluctant Dragon – briefly preceded by My Bonnie Lass She Smelleth, a spoof madrigal setting with plenty of knockabout Fa-la-las (by the fictitious P D Q Bach, actually the American musicologist Peter Schickele). The main item, The Reluctant Dragon, tells of an elderly dragon whose hope of seeing out his retirement pursuing his love of poetry is shattered when his cave is discovered by the local villagers, and St. George is called for. Fortunately, St. George, also now in his dotage, is as reluctant to engage in battle as the dragon. With reputations to uphold, they agree to a mock fight in which the dragon appears to be mortally wounded and after which a celebratory banquet is held. Confusion reigns temporarily as the dragon himself turns up to celebrate – and to read some of his own poetry – but St. George persuades the villagers that the dragon is harmless, and, as the old saying goes, they all live happily ever after. As in all three of Rutter’s Musical Fables, this piece displays a remarkable diversity of stylistic influences, from wistful swing, to fifties rock, to Broadway musical. Amy Dennison, David Hazeldine and Malcolm Stork shone respectively as The Girl, St George and the Dragon.

We in the choir were very proud of this concert. And so we were truly gratified to find our opinion borne out by a very enthusiastic audience response – on a perfect summer’s evening. Attendance was high and subsequent comments glowing!

The St John Passion, J S Bach’s monumental and moving Passiontide drama, was our March concert this year. The performance was given by invitation at All Saints’ Church, Maidenhead, in support of the church’s Spire Restoration Fund. Cantorum’s intimate chamber style suited admirably the building’s warm acoustic, and very positive audience comments confirmed the pure sound quality, musicality and dramatic tension on which Sally Stafford had been concentrating during the five week rehearsal period. A chamber performance fits well with the original conception of this work – composed at Leipzig for the Easter of 1724. The St John was the first of Bach’s three definitely known passions. The St Matthew is, of course, the most often performed; the St Mark is unfortunately lost. In the two extant pieces the composer reveals the astonishing grandeur of his powers, and it is such a privilege to sing in them. We were also particularly fortunate in our three soloists, with Ben Thapa (ex-‘G4’) as Evangelist, Andrew Stafford as Jesus and Leonie Cormack in the Soprano arias. Instrumental forces on this occasion were string quartet plus double bass and organ (played admirably by Richard Cox from Cambridge). Under these circumstances both the tragic energy and wonderful lyricism of the music stream through very directly. All in all, this was a concert of which we were rightly very proud.

Cantorum rounded off this 25th anniversary year on a very happy note. Two very well-attended performances of the Christmas Concert - afternoon and evening - were given as usual. With an injection of new young voices, the choir proved both confident and exciting. Guest conductor Dr Ian Taylor chose an exhilarating programme: carols from South America and Spain showed off both crispness and rhythmic force, while a very secure blend was highlighted by - for example - the sonorous and demanding Bethlehem Down. Well-loved choir soloists Val Snapes (soprano) and Malcolm Stork (tenor) shone in two first half items, Val with the lilting vocal line over the choir's strummed accompaniment in Falú's Villancico de la Falta de Fe, and Malcolm in the slowly-building and rather darkly magnificent Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams. An appropriately lighter second half featured syncopated favourites such as Mathias's A Babe is Born and Gardner's Tomorrow shall be my Dancing Day, with a sprinkling of John Rutter and some close harmony (White Christmas and Have yourself a Merry little Christmas). Another of David Hazeldine's very witty readings set up a thoroughly merry conclusion. Audience appreciation - and subsequent feedback - certainly suggested great enjoyment was had by all.

A successful concert! Read Marianne Stork's rave review:

"Under the exciting and confident leadership of Sally Stafford, Cantorum performed a brilliant 25th anniversary Autumn Concert. The programme? Well, what a joy: Finzi Bach and Mozart!

First was Finzi's Lo, the Full, Final Sacrifice which Sally conducted with great sensitivity, embracing Cantorum's natural ability for musicality and dynamic. To complete the first half we were treated to a very special performance of the D Minor Concerto for two violins by J.S. Bach. The soloists, Alexandra and Charlotte Reid are both from the Wycombe area and both are amazingly accomplished. I just smiled all the way through.

Cantorum Choir gave a joint concert with the Fonte choir from Japan.  In the first half, which was conducted by Fonte’s musical director, Masanobu Karasawa, the Fonte choir performed several gorgeous Japanese pieces including “The Soul of the Water” for choir and piano accompaniment. Both the choirs joined to sing English madrigals. The first half closed with the beautiful Japanese song “Akatombo” (Red Dragonfly) which was performed by both choirs in Japanese. 

Cantorum Choir’s evening of supper and songs was sold out months before the event. Everyone agreed that the evening was a great success. The meal was amazing and the singing was joyous! The choir sang a selection of George Shearing’s “Songs and Sonnets”, “Moon River” and Cole Porter’s “Every time we say Goodbye”. Many of the choir members are talented soloists.  The diners were entertained by several of them singing a wonderful selection of solos and duets from shows, Gilbert and Sullivan and around the world.

This year the choir celebrated 25 years of singing Carols at Cookham Dean Church by singing two carol concerts to a packed church in both the afternoon and the evening. The choir sang a mixture of new and old carols, and the congregation joined in with traditional carols as well as singing in 3 parts for “The Holly and Ivy” arranged by Gardner! David Hazeldine was the compère for the evening and delighted everyone with his amusing readings on festive themes. A collection was taken at the end, and the choir donated £550 to Thames Hospicecare (formerly Thames Valley Hospice) and to the Air Ambulance. 

Cantorum Choir, conducted by Sally Stafford, sang Górecki's “Totus Tuus” and Poulenc's “Gloria” at All Saints Church, Marlow, accompanied by the Cantorum Orchestra. The choir gave a moving performance of “Totus Tuus”, and their singing of Poulenc's “Gloria” was inspiring.

Cantorum sang a concert of English folk songs (arranged by Daryl Runswick) as a prelude to John Rutter’s delightful piece “The Wind in the Willows” - an entertainment for choir and orchestra based on the book by Kenneth Grahame. The concert took place in Holy Trinity Church, Cookham, and was broadcast later on Cookham Summer FM. Timmy Mallett, Cookham’s local superstar and one of the prime movers in the Cookham Summer FM project, played the part of the Narrator brilliantly. Solo parts by members of the choir were performed with wit and gusto, and the audience, which filled the church, thoroughly enjoyed the performance.

Before the interval Julia Bentley and Kate Kelly entranced everyone with a beautiful rendition of Cimarosa’s “Concerto in G” for Two Flutes and Orchestra.

This most memorable Cantorum Choir visit involved three concerts conducted by Sally Stafford.  The first was at the English Church in Venice on 8th April, where the choir sang three motets and the John Rutter “Requiem” to an appreciative audience of expats and tourists. An Italian organ tuner had engaged in a race against time to get the organ properly tuned before the concert.  Following the main concert, the choir immediately gave another one, impromptu, on the pavement outside.

On 9th April the choir sang in St. Mark’s itself for the evening mass. This was Palm Sunday, so there was a large congregation of locals as well as tourists. We sang four motets: Weelkes’s “Hosannah to the Son of David”, Victoria’s “Pueri Hebraeorum, Lotti’s “Crucifixus” and Bruckner’s “Christus Factus Est”.  It was a rare privilege to sing in this most sumptuous and beautiful of churches, and the choir rose to the occasion.  Indeed it stayed risen throughout the entire service as nobody had thought to provide us with any chairs!

Finally, on 10th April, we again sang the Rutter “Requiem” together with some motets in a morning concert at San Giorgio Maggiore.  It was bitterly cold, and the audience consisted of our loyal camp followers and a few itinerant tourists.  These enjoyed a real treat (for free).  The acoustic in San Giorgio is quite beautiful, and the feedback this provides coaxes the very best out of any choir.  After singing at the back of the church, we also tried singing under the dome in the middle.  The echo time in that position is such that we were almost singing there half an hour after we’d left! Following the concert, the entire choir took it in turns to travel up San Giorgio’s tower in a small and rather creaky lift.  Attempts to sing from the top were thwarted by the wintry conditions.

When not singing, the choir and supporters enjoyed all the usual delights of the city with enthusiasm. Finally, on the Tuesday, we Ryan-aired back to Stansted, tired but very happy after a visit that none will forget.

The choir, conducted by Sally Stafford, at St Luke 's Church, Norfolk Road, Maidenhead, sang music in preparation for their tour to Venice including Rutter's beautiful Requiem and various motets. The concert was very well attended and was enjoyed by everyone.

Cookham Dean Church was packed for both the afternoon and the evening performances of the Carol Concert. The audience was very appreciative and enjoyed listening to the wide variety of carols the choir performed and also joining in the communal pieces. "When Christ was born", a new carol by Ian Hillier received its first performance. Several members of the audience commented that their Christmas did not start until they’d heard the Carol Concert sung by Cantorum

Cantorum Choir had a great turnout for their concert at All Saints Church, Marlow. The two requiems were performed in front of an appreciative audience in a packed church. The reaction and feedback from members of the audience was excellent. Some of the choir's regular audience members considered that it was the 'best ever concert by Cantorum, and others considered it was "a most moving concert' and were "most impressed with the quality of the Choir and Orchestra". The retiring collection in aid of the Pakistan Earthquake came to £760

Cantorum Choir sang Haydn’s Creation at Holy Trinity Church, Cookham, for the Cookham Festival Gala Concert. The church was packed for this final event of the Festival and everybody enjoyed the concert very much.

Everyone who attended agreed they’d had an excellent evening of entertainment and good food at the Valentines Sumptuous Supper and Songs, held at Liston Hall, Marlow, on Sunday 13th February. Sally Stafford conducted Cantorum, and Gordon Collins accompanied on the piano.

The hall was decorated with hearts and balloons and the tables with candles and flowers.  Robert Howes, our Master of Ceremonies, introduced the choir, who started the evening with a number from Cabaret, “Come to the Cabaret”. The following solos, duets and trios demonstrated the range and capabilities of this talented choir. The first soloist was Genevieve Usher, who gave a very polished performance of “The Laughing Song” from Die Fledermaus. Also in the first half was “Stardust” sung by Richard Ratcliff, “The Clouds began to Scatter” sung in Russian by Tamara Migrina and an original and highly amusing version of “Three Little Maids from School” which included a part for a tenor!

In the interval the audience were treated to a sumptuous supper prepared by Catherine Arnold, who is also a choir member.

A raffle during the interval raised £500 for Reverend 'Lokki' Abhayaratne, the Anglican Archdeacon of Galle, and his Tsunami Sri Lanka Relief Fundfor Schools in Galle, Sri Lanka. This donation has already been put directly into the fund’s bank account in Galle. All projects and purchases are being dealt with directly by Lokki, and none of the money is used for administrative costs. If you would like to contribute to this excellent charity, contact Rick Terry, (whose daughter-in-law’s mother is Lokki’s cousin!) on 01628 521400.

After the meal, Malcolm and Marianne Stork opened the second half of the concert with an amusing rendition of Fascinating Aida’s “Jogging song”, which was followed by the choir singing the lively and rhythmical “in the Mood” by Joe Garland - the Glenn Miller favourite.  Seven beautifully sung items followed, including Gershwin’s “Can’t help lovin’ Dat man” sung by Val Snapes, “Come into the Garden Maud” sung by Derek Beaven and a selection of Barber Shop songs.

£500 was raised for the Tsunami Relief Fund for Schools in Galle Sri Lanka

St John the Baptist Church, Cookham Dean was packed for both the Cantorum Concerts of Christmas Music on Sunday 12th December at 3pm and 8pm.

Around £500 was raised from the collections at the end of the concerts. This has been shared between two charities, Thames Valley Adventure Playground www.tvap.net and Daisy’s Dream – a Twyford based charity supporting bereaved children www.daisysdream.org.uk 

In October 2003 The Ensemble Vocal de Neuilly, a French choir from the town of Neuilly near Paris, came over to Cookham to sing a joint concert with the Cantorum Choir at Norden Farm Arts Centre in Maidenhead.

Cantorum Choir made a return trip to France to sing a concert with the French choir on Saturday 12th November. The programme included a performance of Tippett's Negro Spirituals by the Cantorum Choir. 

The Cantorum Choir’s concert of music for a Summer Evening on Saturday 3rd July at Holy Trinity Church, Cookham was very well attended. In the first half the choir sang Leonard Bernstein's dramatic Chichester Psalms, in which Matthew Perry, a chorister from Cookham Dean Church, sang the treble solo. Then Hugh Miall, a very talented young singer, entranced the audience with three George Gershwin songs and ended by singing  “A Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square” which encapsulated the mood of the summer evening. During the interval many members of the audience enjoyed their glass of wine outside the church before returning to listen to the choir give a moving and heart-felt performance of Tippett's Negro Spirituals. The evening ended with a joyous performance of that rarely performed work, Constant Lambert's Rio Grande.

The choir performed Bach's Magnificat on Saturday 13th March at 8pm at All Saints Church, Marlow Buckinghamshire conducted by Sally Stafford, with orchestral accompaniment. (2 music clips available below)

The Cantorum Choir gave a special Christmas event on Sunday, December 14, 2003 at John the Baptist Church, Cookham Dean.

The choir sang a mixture of modern and traditional carols including ones for everybody. Britten's beautiful "Ceremony of Carols" for voices and harp.

The choir also sang an amusing version of "The Twelve days of Christmas", with a witty narration read by Marianne Stork.

Proceeds went to Helen House and the Day Centre in Cookham, Elizabeth House.