KEMS Choir KEMS Orchestra

Conductors:

Ian Chesworth &

Anthony Houghton

Saturday, 13th December 2014 at 7.30 pmSt Michael’s Church, Macclesfield

Audience Carol Hark the Herald Leontovych Carol of the Bells

Lauridsen O magnum mysteriumArr Chilcott Good King Wenceslas

Audience Carol Away in a Manger Prokofiev Peter & the Wolf, Op. 67

Narrator: Scott Thomson

Interval

Humperdinck Overture: Hänsel und GretelAudience Carol God rest you merry, Gentlemen

Arr Chilcott Sussex Carol Kerry Andrew Out of the orient crystal skies

Arr Chilcott O little town of Bethlehem Bizet Suite: Jeux D’Enfants, Op 22

Audience Carol O come, all ye faithful Mantyjarvi Old Christmas revivedArr Burton Mary had a babyArr Ayers Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer

Audience Carol We wish you a Merry Christmas

Saturday 13th December 2014 at 7.30 pmSt Michael and All Angels’ Church, Macclesfield

58th Season l 2014 - 2015Registered Charity No 517554

KEMS ChoirKEMS Orchestra

Leader: Jac McKeigue

3

Supported by

ConductorsIan Chesworth

Anthony Houghton

Audience Carol

Audience Carol

Audience Carol

Audience Carol

Audience Carol

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Programme Notes

OVERTURE: HÄNSEL UND GRETEL Engelbert Humperdinck (1854–1921)

BASED on the familiar Brothers Grimmfairytale, Engelbert Humperdinck’sdelightful children’s opera, first performed

in Weimar in 1893, has become a perennialfavourite and the composer’s one claim to fameand lasting recognition.

Humperdinck, a professed Wagner disciple,makes much use of thematic motives that areclosely associated with the characters, actionsand moods in the opera – the music truly tellsthe story. The opera’s beautiful and deliciously scored overture starts serenely andcalmly as Hänsel and Gretel slowly awake but the music soon begins to dart aboutexcitedly as in a child’s dream or play. We hear the music of the Dew Fairy, the

PETER AND THE WOLF Serge Prokofiev (1891-1953)A Musical Tale for Children Op 67

SERGE PROKOFIEv invented his story Peterand the Wolf, both music and words, in1936 for the Children’s Theatre in

Moscow and the work has delighted childrenand adults around the world ever since.

Each character in the story has its owndistinct theme played by different of theinstruments in the orchestra and our narratorScott Thomsonwill introducethem and thepersonalities theyrepresent: Peterby the strings, hisGrandfather bythe bassoon, thewolf by thehorns, the bird bythe flute, the

duck by the oboe, the cat by the clarinet in the lowregister playing staccato, and the shots of the hunters bythe timpani and bass drum.

From the orchestra

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JEUX D’ENFANTS Op 22 Georges Bizet (183– 1875)I. Marche (Trompette et Tambour) II. Berceuse (La Poupée) III. Impromptu (La Toupie) IV. Duo (Petit Mari, Petite Femme) V. Galop (Le Bal)

JEux D’ENFANTS, or Children’s Games, is a jubilant collection of musical minaturesthat bring us the joy and innocence ofuninhibited childhood play. Alternating fast and slow movements, first we

have the Trumpet and Drum March, then thegently rocking and melodious Doll’s Lullaby.

In the central piece, La Toupie, we hear thewhirling spinning-top along with excited chatterand laughter, and then the strings enchant uswith the beautifully tuneful Little Father, LittleMother duet. The first violins and cellos play thewife and the husband and the delicateaccompaniment that provides a lilting momentumis played by the second violins, violas and doublebasses.

The final Galop, seemingly a fast and furiousball game of throw and chase brings the suite to agiggling and breathless close. Tea’s ready,children…!

© Anthony Houghton 2014

From the choir

‘CAROL OF THE BELLS’ which opens the first choir set was written by MykolaLeontovych in 1904 and in the original language has nothing to do withChristmas! The now popular words were added some time later and the piece

has been featured in films (Home Alone) and also covered by a number of artists fromRichard Carpenter to Destiny’s Child. Lauridsen’s mystical setting of the ancient text‘O magnum mysterium’ (‘O Divine Mystery’) features long lyrical lines and alsoshowcases the lowest of our voice parts as the basses are required to sing a low ‘D’.

The remainder of our programme includes words that will be familiar set to newtunes such as the wonderful arrangement of ‘O little town of Bethlehem’ by BobChilcott and also familiar tunes with a twist such as the Sussex Carol.

We hope you enjoy all of the music and that you also won’t be able to resisttapping your feet for the final piece, ‘Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer’ arranged by PaulAyers.

© Ian Chesworth 2014

Wicked Witch – swooping around on her broomstick – and the “Hocus, Pocus,Elderbush” spell.

We can feel the wide-eyed wonder at the sight of the Gingerbread House, theinnocent gaiety and the fear and trembling in our prelude to a magical pantomime ofmake believe. All ends peacefully as it began as the children subside back into sleepand the “Happy Ever After”.

IAN CHESWORTH now has the pleasure of working regularly with sixchoirs in the north-west area. His work-based choirs sing a rangeof styles but mostly modern pop, and Ian loves encouraging

people who have never sung before to stand up and perform invenues such as the RNCM, Manchester and Cadogan Hall, London.His other choirs are musically diverse giving Ian opportunities toconduct big choral works with orchestra as well as a-cappellachamber choir music. Ian is also delighted to have been appointedMusical Director of the Cheshire Youth Choir and looks forwardto working with them from January 2015’

Having worked with Gareth Malone on both series of theBBC series Sing While you Work Ian still enjoys conductingthe Manchester Airport Choir (Sing While You Work Series 1),despite the absence of the television cameras. Gareth Malonerecently asked Ian and the Manchester Airport Choir to perform atthe Bridgewater Hall as part of his Voices tour; commenting on howimproved the choir is under Ian’s directorship.

Last November, Ian enjoyed the privilege of conducting thenorthern première of Jonathan Dove’s There was a Child with KEMSchoir and orchestra. This was the first amateur performance of this moving piece andeveryone involved was proud to perform it in the presence of the composer.

Ian Chesworth (conductor)

We are always glad to hear from potential singers and players who would like to joinKEMS. Membership is FREE for under 26’s. If you would like to know more about any

vacancies please contact our Chairman Scott Thomson on 01625 503921.(email scottqpq@hotmail.com)

Singing in KEMS Choir or playing in KEMS Orchestra

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ANTHONY HOuGHTON conducts KEMS Orchestraand is founder and conductor of KEMS ConcertBand. He was born in Warrington but brought up in

the Lincolnshire countryside near Grimsby, where heattended the Choir School and played Clarinet with theYouth Orchestra.

After study at the Royal Manchester College of Music(now the RNCM) he settled in Manchester working as afreelance Clarinet and Saxophone recitalist, orchestral andsession player. He was Principal Clarinet of the Northern Balletand Manchester Camerata Orchestras for many years andplayed regularly with the Hallé, BBC, Opera Northand other uK orchestras.

Anthony is Instrumental Tutor, ChamberMusic Organizer and Ensemble Director at theMusic Department of Sheffield university; Clarinetand Saxophone Teacher at Manchester GrammarSchool and acts as Adjudicator at music festivals and competitions.

He is on the executive of the national symphonic band organisation (BASBWE) and, inaddition to directing the KEMS Orchestra, is conductor of the Sheffield university WindOrchestra with which he has directed performances in the uK and Europe.

A lifetime enthusiasm for the intimacy of chamber music and a continuing professionalactivity in this field has fed Anthony’s long time passion for enabling chamber music andensemble participation in others at many levels.

Anthony Houghton (conductor)

Singers from all over Europe attend Ian’s intensive choral workshops in Dunster,Somerset which are now so popular that he has to run three each year. Each weekend has adifferent focus and style meaning many singers have become regular attenders; the mix ofcream teas and singing proves an unusual but popular combination!

Ian is resident MD and singing coach at the Capitol Theatre, working with students onthe nationally renowned acting course at Manchester Metropolitan university andperforming work such Amadeus and Sweeney Todd. He has been a judge of the AmateurChoral Competition since its inception; choirs travel the length and breadth of the countryto take part and Ian will act as a judge for further national competitions next month.

In demand as a teacher, lan has expanded his Cheshire private practice to Liverpoolwhere he works with advanced students on a range of repertoire. Always keen to be at thecutting edge, lan has completed the Advanced Singing and the Actor teaching course withthe internationally respected vocal coach Gillyanne Kayes.

Having trained as a singer to postgraduate level at the RNCM, Ian’s operatic roles haveincluded Edrisi and Chorus (King Roger), Spoletta (Tosca), Silvio (Pagliacci) and Monostatos(The Magic Flute). In concert, he has sung numerous roles, including Elijah as well as havinghad the honour of singing the tenor role of Howard Blake’s The Bear with the NorthernSinfonia in the composer’s presence.

Jac McKeigue (leader)

JAC McKEIGuE has recently completed a PhD inComposition with George Nicholson at theuniversity of Sheffield. In addition to commissions

from the university Symphony Orchestra and ElgarString Orchestra, her PhD portfolio also contains a violinconcerto and a string octet. She gave the firstperformances of these herself as soloist and leaderrespectively.

Soon after enrolling at the university of Sheffield Jacwas fortunate enough to be accepted as a pupil of thehighly-renowned and inspirational teacher, Nina Martin.She also had the great pleasure of having Nina’shusband Peter Cropper as a colleague and thoroughly enjoyed being coached anddirected by him in the Elgar String Orchestra.

In addition to performing professionally with a great variety of chamber groups, Jac isalso the leader of Sale Chamber Orchestra and has co-led Amaretti String Orchestra andAthenean Ensemble.

Alongside her performance activities, Jac has a private teaching practice at her homein Cheadle, Cheshire and also offers a range of workshops to schools.

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Play in KEMS Concert BandKEMS Concert Band welcomes enquiries from wind

players of Grade 5 standard or higher, particularly brassand lower winds

Membership is FREE for under 26’s. If you would like to know more about any vacancies please contact

Richard Moss by email at richard.moss@kems.org.uk or call 01477 533764

The Concert Band entertains shoppers at Handforth Dean

KEMS Orchestra

1st ViolinsJac McKeigue (Leader)Bill HancockWanda JohnsonBecky MillsSarah MilwardCharles RogersRobert ShawHelen SmithKay Thomas

2nd ViolinsJulia CazaletDavid BudgettRoger DowlingJean FullwoodMarion GrantHilary KershawCatherine Wells

ViolasRuth KendonRachael ChivertonMelanie FettAnna HazelJenny MorrissRon ThornJane Turner

CellosSylvia GoodbornKaty BradleyJohn ChapmanGerald CoopeRuth HughesSuzi Lewis*

Double BassPeter Struggles*

Flutes Tim WardAnn Newton

PiccoloKerry Murphy

OboesJacquie GrinhamMargaret Wilson

ClarinetsKatie LomasSue Hudson

BassoonsJo AllinsonSuzanne Blair

HornsBill RamageTim KendalPam WellingsBob Crawshaw

TrumpetsPaul DawesAndy Hope

TrombonesRodney OrmeJulie HomerRichard Moss

TimpaniWarren Temple*

PercussionPam CraigKatharine Brown*

*Guest players

KEMS Choir

SopranosFiona AblettCherry BradleySue BrownJudith BurrowsAnnette ButlerSarah ChesworthSue CoffeyAsiah CullenLesley HansonPam HargreavesKathleen InsleyChristine JohnstonJenny KendalNick KnightElisabeth LeechAnne MacdonaldKatherine MarlowRosalyn MccormickSue MorleyCatherine Morris

Shelagh ProctorCarol Riesenvictoria ScholesDi StephensonAnn TaylorSue WalkerCaroline WilsonCarol Whelan

AltosHeather ArmesKath BirtwistleSally-Ann BradleyRita DawsonMaggie Earlvivien GisbySue HoneywellMaria HydeSarah JacotLinda JohnstonJoan Latham

Louise LewisAnthea Lightowlerviolet OwenMarian Mackayvalerie MeadLiz MorrisJudith RitchieJane RouseLynne SpeddingSue TaylorSheila ThompsonAnne ThomsonJudy Weeks

TenorsKeith ArmesJohn DurnallTim GravettGeoffrey HoldenJim KendonDoug Macdonald

Sandra MossMichael Wootton

BassesWill AblettAlec AshcroftJohn Campbell-KellyRichard CochraneJohn FryerPeter HargreavesDerek KiteSteve KleiserPaul ReynoldsCrawford ScholesDavid SmithPaul SpeddingScott ThomsonBohdan Waszkowycz

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KING EDWARD MuSICAL SOCIETY(KEMS) of Macclesfield was founded inSeptember 1957. The aim of KEMS

throughout its life has been to encouragesingers and instrumentalists who want torehearse and take part in performances. Thisphilosophy has created a friendly society thatis open to all musicians (no auditions) whoenjoy making music within a large ensemble.

Prospective members are very welcome toattend rehearsals to see if the KEMS spirit isright for them. If you would like to knowmore about KEMS please visit our website atwww.kems.org.uk or talk to our ChairmanScott Thomson on 01625 503921.

We hope you enjoy this evening’sperformance.

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Saturday, 14th March 2015KEMS Orchestra

BRAHMS Academic Festival OvertureGRIEGHolberg Suite for stringsSCHUMANN Konzertstück for four hornsBRAHMS Symphony No 4

Saturday, 25th April 2015KEMS Choir and OrchestraBACHMass in B minorWidely hailed as one of the world’sgreatest-ever compositions

Saturday, 20th December 2014 at 7.30 pm

KEMS Concert BandCONCERT at United Reformed Church, Macclesfield

Sunday, 21st December 2014 from 3.00 pm

KEMS Concert BandCAROLS IN THE STABLEYARDat Tatton Park

Christmas continues with KEMS…

Unless otherwise stated, concerts are at St Michael’s Church, Macclesfield

All tickets may be purchased online. Full details: www.kems.org.uk

J S BACHOne of the main composers of

the Baroque period and oneof the greatest composers of

all time, whose music isrevered for its intellectual

depth, technical command,and artistic beauty.

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Concerts in 2015

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Music tuitiON

Julia harding ma, ba hons, atCl, alCm, PgCe

tel: 01625 617154jharding5@toucansurf.com

ClarinetsaxoPhonemusiC theory

Jac mcKeigue ba, ma, Phd, PgCe

tel: 07940 079566 jac.mckeigue@sky.com; web: www.jacmckeigue.com

Violin, Cello,Piano, musiC theory

Kathryn J lomas absm, arCm, ltCl, Cert ed

tel: 01625 573498cliffordlomas@hotmail.co.uk

Clarinet

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