29 September 2026
Dear Singers,
We had an excellent rehearsal this week - shortened due to the AGM. It was very intensive, and we broke the back of movement 1. I introduced Elke (alto) who is going to help us with our German. Congratulations to the Bass Section for a full turn out!
AGM - MD REPORT
In my report for the 25/26 I congratulated the choir for an amazing year of music-making. Both concerts (Navidad Nuestra & Verdi Requiem) were challenging and our growth in numbers and singing confidence produced excellent performances, with outstanding support from brilliant instrumentalists and soloists. We have an active and very efficient committee which looks after the pastoral and administrative responsibilities superbly, and we are financially solvent. ECS is a good place to be on a Tuesday night!
At part of my report I shared some personal news. In late August my wife and I moved to Oxford, returning to our shared roots and to be nearer family. After more than a year of trying to sell/buy it all happened rather quickly. I now commute to Exeter by train every week, staying over with friends and kind choir members, and will continue to do this for the whole 26/27 season. The committee kindly agreed to cover the travel expenses, for which I am very grateful. So far this has gone well, just one hitch so far due to a gas leak at Didcot, meaning a detour via Marylebone station!
I really enjoy conducting ECS so I am happy with this arrangement and prepared to make it work; you should not notice any changes in the quality of service. I like trains, I get my notes written up, and I have plenty to read. Matt Cann and Peter Adcock are primed to cover any emergencies or 'leaves on the line'...
This arrangement is not sustainable long term however, and I have discussed with the committee the need to appoint a new conductor for September '27. This gives us a year to advertise, hold thorough interviews/auditions and find the right person to continue the choir's development, building on the excellent progress of the last three years. I am committed to advising and assisting with this process, and will do all I can to help.
I am proud of what we have achieved together since 2023, and looking forward to this season, which has started well. I am confident that you all know what makes an effective conductor and choral director, and will be ruthless in your expectations of the candidates to find someone you deserve. Thank you.
WHAT WE DID ON 29.09.26
This was week 4 - one third (almost) of the way through our 13-week term! We had an intensive look at the first movement, with much repetition which proved useful.
Tuning was good - we discovered that falling/descending phrases can flatten as you go down. Avoid this -keep smiling!
The words were good - remember that 'Selig' should start with 'Z' with the vowel sounding more like'eeeee' than 'air' . I find it useful to sing the sound 'eee' but with a slightly open mouth rather than a broad grin. The word 'sind' ends with a soft 't' sound. The word 'Tränen' (bar 48) is pronounced 'Trairnern' , but'tragen' (bar 84) is pronounced 'trargern'. In bar 130/1 'getröstet' sounds as 'getrerstet' . For the O umlaut (Ö) say 'er' and push your lips forward as if to say 'oooh'.
When I started conducting ECS, it took us the best part of a year to get our English vowels matching correctly. We now have to do this rapidly for German.....!! Remember - sustained singing is carried on the vowels - it's crucial that they are right and consistent.
Really good work this week, well done. As the music becomes more confident, the tone quality improves considerably, sopranos in particular. Basses, please sort out your entry in bar 47, I can do no more to help you!
WHAT WE WILL DO ON 06.10.26
No. 6 bar 208 to the end (inc sectionals)
No. 1 - recap
No. 4 - sing through
WHAT WE WILL DO ON 13.10.26
No. 3 bar 173 to the end (sectionals)
No. 7 - recap
Keep listening to the movements we have rehearsed as much as possible so that the music sticks!
Peter