Summer Term 2019

Dear Parents and Members

Welcome to the Summer term!

With a busy term ahead for all of us I wanted to update you as much as possible about all the events we have going on for each choir. Rather than flooding your inboxes with different emails, that does mean there is quite a lot of information, so it would be appreciated if you could take the time to make sure that you have all the dates and details you need. Most of these dates have been published for over a year as well as being on the website, calendar and on Facebook so hopefully they won't come as too much of a shock to you.

ALL CHOIRS - Friday 10 May, 7.30pm - Alton Maltings, Alton, GU34 1DT

This will be the last "formal" concert we will do all together this year.

We will meet again for our summer farewell in July, but this will be in a different format to what we normally do. We are also using all of our opportunities this term to raise our profile in different areas of the county and drive recruitment, so we will be inviting schools and trying to get as many people along as possible. If you have any suggestions, we would love to hear them.

Rehearsal times for Friday 10 May

5.30pm - Training Choir

6pm - Show Choir

6.30pm - Junior Choir

6.45pm - Youth and Chamber

As always, we ask that you arrive in plenty of time, and on this occasion we would like everyone to be in concert dress on arrival. Rehearsals will be running right up until the concert starts and there will be limited space to get changed as choirs will be rehearsing concurrently.

If you need to purchase uniform, please get in touch with Katy Roberts as soon as possible: uniform.fhcyc@gmail.com

Tickets are on sale via the Hantsweb Shop: https://www.hants.gov.uk/shop/product.php?productid=52689&cat=310&page=1

Please buy your tickets in advance where possible. They can also be purchased on the door.

Refreshments will be provided by the Friends, and available for parents from 6pm and during the interval.

JUNIOR AND TRAINING - Mini Tour - Friday 21 June

Final details for this are yet to be confirmed. As this is a daytime event there are a number of issues that we need to resolve first, but we will let you know once we have the full information. This event is especially important for us as it focuses on recruitment for our younger choirs, and as always, your support is appreciated. One issue is that we have moved our open rehearsal day to the summer term to accommodate requests from members. With exams and other staff commitments, this is the only Friday that we could use.

ALL CHOIRS - Open rehearsals and trial evening - Friday 21 June

This will be a normal rehearsal week and it will take a different format from the last two years. Please be aware that the timings may change slightly, but we will make you aware closer to the time. All members are expected to attend as they would on a normal rehearsal week. This is a great opportunity for you to bring along friends who you think might be interested. Your support is appreciated, and it will help us with recruitment for next year.

YOUTH CHOIR - Bernstein Mass rehearsal with HCYO, Saturday 29 June, 10am-4pm

The venue for the rehearsal is Crestwood School, Cherbourg Campus, Cherbourg Rd, Eastleigh SO50 5EL. This is an additional date, consequently there will be no rehearsal for HCYC and HCYCC on Friday 28 June. All other rehearsals will run as usual.

YOUTH CHOIR - Bernstein Mass - Sunday 7 July, The Anvil, Basingstoke RG21 7QR

Arrival for the choir will be at 10am with a performance at 4pm. Tickets are available from The Anvil box office Tel: 01256 844244, or online: http://www.anvilarts.org.uk/whats-on/hampshire-county-youth-orchestra-1

Final details will be confirmed closer to the time.

SHOW CHOIR - Primary Prom - Tuesday 9 July, The Anvil, Basingstoke RG21 7QR

We are delighted that we have been asked to perform again this year at the Primary Prom. Primary school children from across the county have been invited to attend, and there will be a variety of music performed by members of Hampshire ensembles. The atmosphere is always very lively and includes some audience participation. There will be two performances. Once I have the full details I will forward them to you. This will be a daytime event and permissions for absence will be requested from schools in due course.

And finally...

ALL CHOIRS - End of term presentations and final rehearsal - Friday 12 July, 7pm

With such a busy term for us all, we have decided to end with an informal gathering at the United Church. There will be a brief rehearsal, and then each choir will perform one or two pieces they have been working on. This will be followed by a reception with cheese, wine and nibbles, and we will have a chance to say goodbye to our leavers. After this date, the choirs will be finished until September!

Thank you for taking the time to make a note of these arrangements, and should you have any queries or issues please feel free to get in touch. I'm hoping that by giving you as much notice as possible it will alleviate any problems.

Have a great term!

HCYC