Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a great piece of music by a local Staffordshire composer: Stuart Johnson.
Stuart Johnson is the Assistant Musical Director at Stone Choral Society; his daughter Harriet is our Musical Director. But Stuart’s long musical career has also involved lecturing in Northumberland, playing in the band of the King’s Dragoon Guards and finally becoming Head of the Staffordshire Music Service. Stuart has had extensive experience as adjudicator, examiner and conductor of choirs and bands. He has published over 80 pieces of music, mostly for wind orchestras and brass bands.
The Requiem for soprano, chorus & orchestra was first performed in Lichfield Cathedral in 1997, and then in St John’s Smith Square in 1998, so it will be good to have another Staffordshire performance. Some of the text for the Requiem is the traditional Latin text, but the soprano sings English words by Charles Wesley and others. The Requiem is dedicated to Stuart’s father Joseph, and since he was a Salvation Army bandmaster, it includes references to well known Salvation Army hymns. We shall also be singing Vivaldi’s Gloria.
In order to make this a really good performance we should like to welcome some extra singers to join us. We would like to invite you to a workshop on Sunday 14th September and for at least 75% of the following Thursday night practices ready for the performance on November 8th. The workshop runs from 10:00-16:00 and costs £5. Tea & coffee are provided, but you will need to bring your own lunch. To book a place phone 01785 812921
However, if you are unable to commit to this amount of time, we hope you can still join the audience at 7.30 pm on Saturday November 8th at the Blessed William Howard Catholic High School, Rowley Avenue, Stafford, ST17 9AB at 7.30 pm.
