Sunday 6th July at 5pm
All Hallow’s, Gospel Oak
Finsbury Park Singers, Finsbury A Cappella and Victoria Park Singers
Conducted by Charles Béquignon-MacDougall
Simon Bland organ/piano
Please ensure your phone and any other electronic devices are switched to silent. Enjoy the concert!
Programme
Heart of Earth Shruthi Rajsekar
Perfect Time Angela Reith
April Is In My Mistress’ Face Thomas Morley arr. David Ogden
Grow Sarah Quartel
Keeping Time For Joy Marie-Claire Saindon
As You Sing Sarah Quartel
INTERVAL
A Season to Sing
Antonio Vivaldi and Joanna Forbes L’Estrange
Co-commissioned by Finsbury Park Singers and Victoria Park Singers
The sung texts can be found here.
Read Joanna Forbes L’Estrange’s programme notes here.
1. A Time to Dance
2. Welcome Spring
3. Music, Sweet Music
4. To the Bagpipe’s Sound
5. Sing Cuccu!
6. Trees Lending Shelter
7. Summer Storm
8. Song of Harvest
9. Falling Autumn Leaves
10. Make a Joyful Noise
11. Winter Freeze
12. Cosy Indoors (while outside it pours)
13. While Earth Remaineth
14. A Time of Peace
Finsbury Park Singers, Finsbury A Cappella and Victoria Park Singers are part of the Hannah Brine family of choirs, which includes groups in North and East London, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Derbyshire. hannahbrinechoirs.co.uk
Finsbury Park Singers
Finsbury Park Singers is a mixed-voice community choir based in North London, founded by Hannah Brine in September 2018. In 2019 the choir performed at the BBC Proms in a performance of In the Name of the Earth by John Luther Adams, and in 2020 it was performed Andre Thomas’ Symphonic Gospel Spirit with the London Symphony Orchestra as part of a massed choir. During the covid lockdown the singers created several virtual choir videos, and continuing their charity fundraising efforts. Find out more at www.finsburyparksingers.uk
Finsbury A Cappella
Finsbury A Cappella is an upper voices vocal ensemble, founded in January 2023. The ensemble welcomes new members by audition for the Autumn term which begins on Tuesday 23rd September – for more information, visit www.finsburyacappella.co.uk
Victoria Park Singers
Victoria Park Singers is a thriving community choir founded by Hannah Brine in 2013. Charles Béguignon-MacDougall was appointed conductor in 2023. The choir has performed across London, including at the Union Chapel, Southbank Centre, St John at Hackney, Rich Mix and the the Museum of Childhood and since forming it has raised over £20,000 for charity. Members of the choir performed as the opening act for the 2017 Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall with Gary Barlow & the cast of his musical The Girls, having performed the previous November at the Royal Variety Show. Choir members have also performed at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall and on BT Sport, being ‘conducted’ by football legend Gary Lineker. In 2020 they graced the Barbican stage, together with the LSO orchestra and a massed choir to perform Andre Thomas’ Symphonic Gospel Spirit. The choir’s Autumn term begins on Wednesday 24th September and new members are welcome – find out more and book a taster session at the website. www.victoriaparksingers.co.uk
Charles Béquignon-MacDougall
Charles Béquignon-MacDougall is known equally for his singing and his transformative work with choirs and singers, and is one the country’s most influential champions of music education. Having performed with some of the world’s finest vocal ensembles and artists, including VOCES8, Gabrieli Consort, London Voices, and Jacob Collier, he is also a highly accomplished choral director and vocal coach. He is Creative Director of Gabrieli Consort and Players, Choral Consultant for ABRSM Voices, Musical Director of Trinity Laban Chamber Choir, and an Ambassador for Britten-Pears Arts, and directs two community choirs and one upper voices group in London.
Simon Bland – piano/organ
Acknowledgements
A huge thanks to all the singers involved in tonight’s concert for their hard work. An especially big thank you goes to the team of volunteers from the choir who have helped make this event possible.
Thanks to Fr James and everyone at All Hallow’s Church, and to you, our lovely audience, for supporting us.