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Hi to everyone who came along to our open practice on Tuesday 13th July,
(and to those who didn't come along - we missed you)
As usual with these evenings we sang some old favourites, and some new
songs as well. As always it was a great night of fellowship and
music, made all the better by being joined by our guests the following
Sunday to sing in our evening meeting.
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It's been a busy time for the brigade over the last few weeks! On
the 15th May we were made very welcome (as always) at St Mary's Church
Great Leighs (Photo left). This wonderful church building never
ceases to inspire us.
This was followed on the 22nd May when we joined the rest of the corps
in Chelmsford town centre (Backnang Square if you know it - photo right)
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On the 8th June, we followed up with our annual visit to The
Dunmow Flitch Friendship Club, where the listeners were as appreciative as
ever. Followed up with a wonderful weekend, visiting friends at
Bristol Easton on the 19th and 20th June (checkout their web site! - http://www.sabristoleaston.org.uk/meeting.shtml)
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And topped it all off by taking part in a park praise event
in Chelmsford Central Park as part of the Chelmsford Christian festival on
Sunday 27th June!
Busy! but we love it!
See our diary for more events.
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The songsters braved the Dartford crossing on Saturday the 24th April for
our visit to the Corps at Chatham in Kent. (It wasn't that brave
really!) As you'd expect we had a great welcome, and enjoyed our
evening immensely. We took the opportunity to update our songster
photo in their hall (right) or check out the front page. |
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The visit has been planned for a while, and had to be postponed a number
of times, but we made it at last. The programme included songs old
and new, and solo items including a cornet solo from our youngest member
(Chris Hull). The corps band also supported well. A great
evening! |
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Saturday 29th March 2010 was a busy day at Chelmsford. Our new
building has been open for a year, and so it was time for celebration!
The doors were open from 10:00 until 4:00, and around 700 people came
through them to hear music, (including the songsters of course) and to see
something of what happens in the corps. It was a great day!
One extra statistic for those interested in such
things - apparently 27L (almost 6 imperial gallons or over 7 US gallons)
of milk was used in the teas and coffees served. |
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On the weekend of the 20th and 21st March 2010, we had a great weekend
with Liverpool Walton Songster Brigade.
This was a return visit, following our journey to Liverpool last year,
so it was good to catch up with what we now think of as old friends |
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The singing throughout the weekend was balanced and tuneful, with a good
mix of styles, and quality performances by everyone. The joy that
the members get from their praise was obvious throughout, but I think the
best element of the weekend was the genuine warmth and friendliness that
members of the brigade exhibited. Thanks everyone! |
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On the right are two groups of the ISS in full voice. Our own
Songster Leader (Joanne McIntosh, on the left of the top picture) was asked
to rejoin for this weekend, and of course Chelmsford Songster Richard
McIntosh (top right) is still a member of the brigade.
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Following a typically busy Christmas period, including 4 concerts, visits
to sheltered accommodation, and caroling in the town centre, 2010 has
gotten off to a great start with the visit of the International Staff
Songsters to Chelmsford, on the weekend of the 16th and 17th January.
As well as the usual weekend of festivals and meetings, this weekend
was given an additional twist with a very early start on the Sunday,
because the BBC Radio 4 morning worship was broadcast live from our hall |
The entire weekend was inspiring. Of course the singing was of an
excellent quality, that's a given, with a group of this calibre, but what
also came across was the friendliness, and sense of family that the group
projects.
They clearly enjoy what they do, and that enjoyment comes over in
everything they do. |
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The Helen Rollason concert was very well supported, with virtually every
seat in the hall filled. For the first time this year our special
guests were Monkey
Magic a versatile, entertaining and above all talented
barbershop quartet (never mind X Factor, these guys have cornered the
alphabet!). The rest of the programme included Enfield Citadel Band,
which played to their usual excellent standard (and which certainly tested
the acoustic of the building, not to mention the ability of the walls to
maintain their integrity at high volume!), the Chelmsford Citadel
Songsters (of course), Hadleigh Temple Timbrel Brigade (slick, quick, and
pleasing to then eye) Songster John Hull (modesty forbids a comment) |
Monkey Magic
Enfield Band
 
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Hadleigh Timbrelists
And 3 Helen Rollason Charity staff
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December 2009 is already proving very busy! As well as a group of us
singing in the town centre on Saturday 5th, the brigade was very honoured
and pleased to host a charity concert on behalf of the Helen Rollason
Cancer Trust. (report above) |
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We had a guest photographer for the town centre caroling (right), who had
a real fascination for his nana (right). Other
photo's are available . The singing was very well received, with
many passers by stopping to listen, and even join in. (lower right) |
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We were pleased to host a visit of the Bristol Easton Songsters on the
weekend of the 21st and 22nd November.
The brigade was relaxed and friendly, and as well an excellent Saturday
evening programme, led us in worship on the Sunday morning and evening. |
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It's certainly been an eventful week for the brigade. Following our
successful open practice last Tuesday (see below) We were pleased to join
with the South London Fellowship Band under the leadership of Major George
Whittingham (right) in support of Cancer Research UK.
The band played many old favourites, with skill and enthusiasm. The
songsters offerings included a relatively recent addition to our repertoire
"Written in Red" and "Midnight Cry" (soloist Richard
McIntosh)
Sunday morning, and the songsters were joined by our friends from
Tuesday evening to sing "The Potter's Hand" and the ever popular
"You Lift Me Up". |
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Another really good evening of singing was had by the brigade and visitors
alike at our most recent open practice on Tuesday 14th July. The
practice was thrown open to friends who could listen or join in if they
wished. Visitors were invited to join us in worship next
Sunday to sing the pieces we had rehearsed together! Maurice Atkin a former leader of the brigade
then rehearsed the
enlarged group through a new piece of music.
Thumbnails left show Jo and Maurice in expressive mode, and a
devotional time led by Songster Sergeant Joan Simons
Thumbnails right show Jo with our youngest visitor (welcome to the
songsters Benjamin), Steve Watson operating the audio-visual control desk,
and some of the brigade and guests enjoying a welcome drink and biscuit
after a good sing!
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We were very sorry to say cheerio (but not goodbye) to one of our stalwart
altos, and songster librarian Pauline (Polly) Buckle on Sunday 5th
July. Pauline is transferring to Enfield corps, where she will
continue to worship with her husband David, and her son Tim.
Pauline's recitation "The Alto's Lament" has been a staple of
the songster's progammes for a long time (maybe we could get the brigade
to choric speak it) |
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Tuesday 7th July is the date of
our most recent Sing and Study evening. As with our most recent such
evening, we have invited anyone who would like to join us for a sing and
bible study. Another new venture for the brigade is the opportunity
on Tuesday 14th July, for anyone to come and join us for a practice, and
then sing with us the following Sunday (19th) All are welcome. |
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So much has happened in the last few weeks!
Following the evening at Great Leighs (below), the brigade was really
pleased to return to one of our perennial engagements - an evening with
the folk at the Dunmow Flitch friendship Club, where we received our usual
welcome
The following weekend, we were honoured to be able to support an
evening with Henry Alonga. Henry's story was truly inspiring. His
testimony, singing and biblical message were uplifting for everyone who
heard him.. |
One of our songsters meets Henry
The brigade enjoying a relaxing drink on arrival at Liverpool. |
Following that, we we had
a great weekend with folk at the Liverpool Walton Corps.
The corps folk were every bit as welcoming as we had heard they would
be, and we enjoyed a superb weekend of fellowship and music. |
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On Saturday 16th May, the brigade made its way to a relatively local venue
- the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Great Leighs. This wonderful
church is over 1000years old, and a sense of worship permeates the fabric
of the building. We were privileged to be able to worship the Lord
through song in such a wonderful place!
The photo's show the church from the outside, and a medieval chest
which is displayed in the church. The sign asks visitors not to
touch it, because it's quite fragile. I was more concerned that the
volume of singing may shake it to bits! |
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The programme was very well received
by an appreciative crowd. Soloists included Gemma Fincham, whose
clear diction reverberated beautifully around the church, and a cornet
solo, "Beyond the Blue Horizon", by the brigade's youngest member (Chris
Hull) who is only 15. The narrowness of the church meant that Both
soloists were within just 2 or 3 feet of listeners, and Chris in
particular had the unnerving sight of his mother being visible in his peripheral
vision. |
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We are also excited
about the opening of our new hall! It's been almost exactly a year
since we moved from our old building. We are very grateful to the
staff and governors of St Peters College for their support and generosity,
and we thank God for the work we have achieved in the area around the
school (and look forward to continuing), but "There's no place like
home", and at last we are moving into our new home on Saturday the
21st March. The new building is open to visitors in the afternoon,
and everyone is invited to come and see us and have a look around.
The official opening and flag raising will be conducted by the British
Commissioner. |
| Congratulations
to Joanne and Richard on the birth of their little boy
Benjamin George! We'll spare the world the picture of Jo in labour,
but right is our newest prospective songster. Welcome Benjamin. |
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On Tuesday the 13th January 2009, we enjoyed another of our "Sing and
Study" evenings. These popular events allow us to rehearse a song,
and then study the scriptural base behind it. The song chosen for
this evening was The Majesty and Glory of Your Name, based on Psalm 8.
As a new twist to these evenings, for the first time, we were happy to
invite friends from the corps to join with us. These evenings always
provide an insight into the music we perform, and a deeper understanding
of the Word of God that inspired it.
Photos right show the brigade and guests in rehearsal, 2 of the
discussion groups in action, Joanne McIntosh in conducting mode, and
another of our songster leadership team preparing much appreciated
refreshments! |
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| As usual, the Songsters had a
busy time over the Christmas period, including taking part in two
Citizens' Carol services, conducting two carol services in sheltered accommodation,
singing carols with Chelmsford Citadel Band in the town centre and taking
part in our own Corps Carol Service. Having a group join with the
band in the town centre was new venture for us, but I'm sure it will be
repeated. |
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Above and right are some photo's from the month. Above a small group
enjoying the caroling, and some of the ladies in fine voice. And
left the men aren't to be outdone! Someone enjoyed Away in a Manger! |
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