Pangbourne Choral Society returns to Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel with Coronation music

Pangbourne Choral Society is returning to the concert platform with a delightful programme under their new music director Chris McDade, who has prepared a programme to celebrate the choir’s return and to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with some famous Coronation music.

The programme, at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, Pangbourne College, on Saturday, June 18 (7pm), comprises Fauré’s two major choral works: the Requiem, and Cantique de Jean Racine, followed by Coronation anthem favourites, Parry (I was Glad) and Handel (Zadok the Priest).

Also included is Vaughan Williams’ O Taste and See, a short motet composed for the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. The programme is short because of the limited rehearsal time due to Covid restrictions, as PCS chairman Mick Lewers explains: ‘The past few years have been frustrating for us because of the Covid restrictions, especially since we’ve had a new music director and this will be his first performance with us. The shorter programme has a benefit in that we will perform without an interval and finish with drinks outside on the lawns for everyone."

As a choral conductor, Chris Dade has directed many services and recitals with school chamber choirs, as well as major choral works with adult choral societies and semi-professional orchestras in school chapels and major churches and cathedrals, including Canterbury, Chichester, Rochester, and St Albans Abbey in the UK and overseas in Barcelona and Cologne Cathedrals as well as St Mark’s, Venice.

Chris says: "Rehearsing with PCS has been a real joy after all the recent delays, and the occasion will also be special because we will be welcoming two new soloists. Phoebe Curcher, our soprano, is a final year student at Pangbourne College who is moving on to study voice at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Tom Asher (Baritone) is a rising star, performing regularly throughout the UK and internationally. It’s great to be welcoming young talent to our performances."

PCS chairman Mick Lewers adds: ‘The idea behind our Summer Concert is simple enough: enjoyment! We love singing and we hope that our audience will love this music in as informal a setting as it is possible to get. Hopefully we will have a relaxing and balmy summer evening. The Chapel exceeds all government guidelines in terms of ventilation and we have been rehearsing there for many weeks now, without any problems. We look forward to welcoming a good-sized audience to this celebration of some of the best choral works."

Tickets £10 including programme (£5 for age 18 and under) are available online (www.pangbournechoral.org.uk), from Choral Society members, also at Garlands Organic, 6 Reading Road, Pangbourne or on the door.

Early booking advised.