Music Notes - May 2025
New of the Choir
You will have noticed that, since February, we have had a succession of
different organists playing for our services. This is because Jo’s husband,
Bill, suffered a stroke and has been in hospital in Telford since then. Jo has
had the strain of travelling daily to Telford to care for Bill as well as
maintain all the other aspects of her life. She has, therefore, been granted
compassionate leave. The good news is that Bill is expected to return home
in the near future and, once Jo has settled into a routine she will return to
us.
I would like to acknowledge the generosity of those organists who have, so
willingly, given of their time to play for us and allow us to keep our choral
tradition going. They are:- Anthony Dowlen, Christopher Symons, Duncan
and Sarah Boutwood and Paul Bellingham.
Anthony and Chris will be well known to most of our congregation, having
played for us on many occasions in the past. Duncan and Sarah are a
husband and wife team; both organists, who teach at Packwood Haugh
School. Paul Bellingham actually learnt to play on the St. Oswald’s Organ.
He now teaches in Surrey but maintains a link with Shropshire.
The standard of playing from all these organists has been universally high
and I am most grateful for their contribution to our worship.
We expect that, all being well, Jo will return to us on 15 th June
Vacancies in the Choir
A new term brings the opportunity to consider joining the Choir.
At the end of this term, we will lose Eleri Roberts, our Assistant Choir
Trainer, who will be leaving to go to university. We have not, as yet,
replaced those who left for university last year so there are spaces in the
Treble / Soprano section. We are looking for girls and boys, ideally from
10 to 13 years of age but will take younger children if they are keen to
sing. We also have room for some adult sopranos who can blend with the
young voices on that line.
We can do with two tenors and, in September, Jools Brennan will leave us
to take up a place at Queen’s University, Belfast to study for a Masters
degree so another Bass would also be welcome.
If you are, or know of anyone who is interested in joining please contact
me. The details are given below in the Adopt a Chorister section.
Adopt a Chorister
Once again, a number of our choristers will be attending the Royal
School of Church Music Summer School in Bath during August. The
Summer School has now become a tradition with the choristers. More
importantly it is one of the ways in which we maintain the high standards
of singing that grace our services week by week.
The total cost per chorister this year is £625. It seems a lot but it includes
full board for a week together with all teaching including special voice
coaching sessions and music and transport from the school to Bath Abbey.
The ‘Adopt a Chorister’ scheme is now open for this year. More
information can be found on the church website music pages.
If you would like to sponsor a chorister, please send your donation to:-
Michael Donkin,
Director of Music, St. Oswald’s Church, Oswestry
Cae Bach,
Llanfechain
Powys SY22 6UT
Music Notes - April 2025
News of the Choir
One of the problems with an early publishing date is that some news
is quite old before you get it. Nonetheless I want to refer back to
February and the Oswestry Music Festival.
Two of our choristers had success in the festival. Demi Moreton
came first in the Under 11s solo singing and Head Chorister, Ella
Wilkinson came first with four other pupils from Oswestry School,
in the A Capella Ensemble (unaccompanied group) Class. Indeed,
Ella got a special mention for being the strongest voice in the group.
Here is a very excited and happy Ella holding the cup that the group won.
Well done to both these choristers; we are very proud of you.
A Passion for Music
A programme of music for Passiontide
Sunday 13 th April - 6.00pm.
Every year in the evening of Palm Sunday we try to do something a
little different. This year our Chamber Choir, The Scholars &
Gentlemen, will be giving a concert of music that reflects the season
of Passiontide.
Don’t be put off by the fact that Passiontide is about Christ’s
suffering. I often think that composers are at their best with
penitential subjects and this is certainly the case with the music that
the S&Gs will be singing. We have works by Tallis, Gibbons,
Purcell and will feature the famous ‘Miserere’ by Allegri, a stunning
piece noted for the fact that the 1 st soprano soloist has to sing to a
high C no less than 5 times. Do come along and join us.
Adopt a Chorister
Once again, a number of our choristers will be attending the Royal
School of Church Music Summer School in Bath during August. The
Summer School has now become a tradition with the choristers.
More importantly it is one of the ways in which we maintain the high
standards of singing that grace our services week by week.
The total cost per chorister this year is £625. It seems a lot but it
includes full board for a week together with all teaching including
special voice coaching sessions and music and transport from the
school to Bath Abbey.
The ‘Adopt a Chorister’ scheme is now open for this year. More
information can be found on the church website music pages.
If you would like to sponsor a chorister, please send your donation
to:-
Michael Donkin,
Director of Music, St. Oswald’s Church, Oswestry
Cae Bach,
Llanfechain
Powys SY22 6UT
or see me after any service in church
Any amount, however small, will be gratefully appreciated.
Mike Donkin:
Director of Music.