Our Very Special Concert on 29th June

(Richard Thomas at the pre-concert rehearsal in March)

 

This is a very special concert for us as it is our last with our Musical Director, Richard Thomas, after more than eight years. Richard has led us to perform many wonderful concerts lighting up the musical scene of Hillingdon. During the pandemic, we were so frustrated not to be able to sing together any more, but he was very quick to come up with a solution with us practising via Zoom. As soon as choirs were allowed to come back together, he encouraged us to do so. Many choirs sadly folded during the pandemic but Richard was a key part of enabling our choir to continue into what is now its 65^th year.

 

The concert is almost upon us and it’s one not to miss! We’ve been practising hard on an eclectic mix of music for a summer’s evening. A mixture of old favourites and new – from Henry Purcell and Johannes Brahms through to Will Todd. And, as per tradition, there will be a finger buffet including first drink afterwards with a chance to meet the choir.

 

Two of our members reflected on Richard’s tenure:

 

“My two years of singing in SNS with Richard in charge have been a great pleasure, which I’ve looked forward to every week. Richard is totally committed to quality music making, whilst being unfailingly calm, patient and kind. I don’t know how he does it! I wish him all the very best for the future.”

 

“Richard says that at the concert we always take it up a notch. That’s actually due to his ability to bring the best out of us.”

 

Richard is very quick-witted and always makes rehearsals fun. Just in the last couple of rehearsals, the following memorable quotes caused the choir to break down in laughter:

“I’d like it to be less black-dotty!”

“Do you know what it means to swing?”

 

At the forthcoming concert, we will be reflecting on a wonderful eight years of musical direction by Richard. We’ve also been planning for the future with our new Musical Director and a choir name change. But more of that in a future post.

 

Let’s close with one final quote from a choir member that really says it all:

 

“Richard is not just a lively and efficient Choir Director with a great sense of humour, though he is all of that; he has a special quality, which draws the choir together, and encourages them to respond with effort, enthusiasm and affection. We shall miss him greatly.”

 

To find out more about our concert click here.