Some of the finest musicians in the Early Music scene come together for this performance of Monteverdi’s Vespers.  Among them are renowned players for this repertoire who appear on some of the most prestigious recordings of the piece.  There are members of the QuintEssential Sackbut and Cornett Ensemble, and the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble, and players from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Dunedin Consort, Gabrieli Consort and Players, and the English Baroque Soloists.  The ‘Monteverdi’ violins played tonight are George Stoppani copies of a Brothers Amati 1595 model especially commissioned for a recording of the Vespers and the only two of their kind in the country.

Theorbo, Sackbutt and Cornetto … Are you thinking ice creams? Or TV cartoon characters? The truth is actually far more interesting; these are fascinating period Baroque instruments that will be part of the Baroque Orchestra joining Dorking Choral Society, St Teresa’s Senior Chamber Choir, and seven young professional soloists for a performance of the renowned Monteverdi Vespers in Dorking.

Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) is one of the first great composers whose name and music are familiar to modern audiences. Written in 1610, the Vespers – perhaps more user friendly than the full title of ‘Mass to the Most Holy Virgin for six voices for church choirs, and Vespers for many voices, together with some sacred harmonies suitable for chapels or princely chambers’ – was rediscovered in the twentieth century and soon established as one of the earliest masterpieces of western music.

A warm welcome awaits you to see and hear these intriguing instruments – and of course Dorking Choral Society, together with the pure sound of voices from St Teresa’s Effingham – under the baton of Conductor Gregory Batsleer, for what promises to be an evocative evening in the acoustic setting of St Martin’s Church Dorking, 7:30pm on Saturday 10th November 2012.

For tickets (£15) please contact Nick Hudson at the Box Office: Tel: 01306 888014 email: njhuds@yahoo.co.uk or on the door.

Cornetto

Sackbutt

Theorbo

Would you like to sing Vivaldi ‘Gloria’ with a professional conductor and soloists?

Then, as part of the Mole Valley Arts Alive Festival, join Dorking Choral Society and conductor Gregory Batsleer for an open-to-all ‘Come & Sing’.

It’s on Saturday 20th October 2012 at Dorking United Reformed Church.

For more details, please use this application form: Vivaldi Gloria Come & Sing Flyer 20th Oct

Rehearsals start on Wednesday 5th September at Powell Corderoy School, Dorking: 7:45pm to 9:45pm.

The key dates for Autumn 2012 are:

Saturday 20th October – Come & Sing Vivaldi Gloria, Dorking United Reformed Church
Saturday 10th November – Monteverdi Vespers 1610, St Martin’s Church Dorking
Sunday 9th December – Christmas Concert, Dorking United Reformed Church

DCS are hosting a family evening of music, picnic and (optional!) fun games; all with a hint of sporting themes. It’s on Saturday 30th June at 6pm at the Friends Life Sports Club and tickets are £10 from DCS members or on the door. Please bring a picnic and the Sports Club bar will be available to all for drinks.

After the concert will be a series of light-hearted Olympic Challenges. Enter the competitions to win a gold, silver or bronze medal!!

For further information or offers of help call Barbara on 01306 884656.

DORKING CHORAL SOCIETY – LHMF 2012

In our next event, Dorking Choral Society will be competing in the Leith Hill Musical Festival 2012. DCS are in Division 3 of the Festival along with choral societies from Epsom, Horsley and Leatherhead.

This year’s event takes place on 12 April 2012 at the Dorking Halls, Reigate Road, Dorking and we will be performing:

Fauré – Requiem
Karl Jenkins – Gloria
Pilkington – Rest, sweet nymphs
Whitacre – The seal lullaby
Martin – Come to the fair
Vaughan Williams – Sound sleep
Moeran – Good wine

The soloists are Rachel Redmond (Soprano) and Jon Stainsby (Baritone) and the English Festival Orchestra conducted by Brian Kay. Special guest on the night will be Karl Jenkins, there to see and hear his Gloria performed.

The competition for the Societies starts at 9:00am and the evening concert begins at 7:30pm.

Tickets are available from DCS or call the Festival on 01403 240093 or via the LHMF website.

Dorking Choral Society invites you to A SUMMER EVENING of Vaughan Williams‘ Songs.

St Barnabas Church, Ranmore Saturday 25 June 2011 at  5.30 pm followed by a bring-your-own picnic.

Conductor Gregory Batsleer
Accompanist Gavin Roberts
Soloists from the Royal College of Music

Tickets £10 from 01737 843258 or on the door.

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