'Fascinating' children's choir plans (From Herald Series)

'Fascinating' children's choir plans

9:00am Thursday 21st August 2008

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WALLINGFORD Children's Choir has been delighting audiences for almost ten years - and no one is more surprised that its founder, Sue Ledger.

Now it is looking forward to major celebrations next year.

Dr Ledger said: "When it was formed in 1999 with 20 singers and a little trepidation, I don't think anyone, including myself, envisaged it still going strong ten years on.

"But we are now in the wonderful position of preparing for our tenth year of music-making, with 70 current members and a waiting list.

"We have a great programme planned. A major event will be Where Are They Now, 10 years On, which is a full week of concerts at the Corn Exchange in Market Place.

"For this event, we are keen to contact as many of the 250-plus children and young people as possible who have been with the choir over the years, to invite them to take part. It will be fascinating to see what form their music-making is taking now and we are delighted to be able to offer them the Corn Exchange stage to show off their talents, either alone or with friends.

"The concerts are on stage in the first week of March next year. People can contact me on 01491 835207 and Sarah Dow is on 01491 652150."

Firm favourites The Orchestra of St John's and OSJ Voices, under conductor John Lubbock, who lives at Shillingford, will be back in Dorchester for the 11th 'Music In The Abbey' festival between September 12 and 14.

Two highly different works for a string orchestra will feature in the opening concert - Vivaldi's Four Seasons, with the orchestra leader Jan Schmolk taking the solo part, followed by Richard Strauss's sombre and haunting Metamorphosen for 23 solo strings.

A late-night recital by the OSJ Ensemble will have Messaien's evocative and atmospheric Quartet for the End 0f Time.

The popular 'Come And Sing' session, in which amateur choral singers join Mr Lubbock for a three-hour workshop, is on the 13th, from 10am.

No one with any experience of amateur dramatics in south Oxfordshire can fail to have come across Shirley Gratwick, of Thame Players.

Now in her 90s and in frail health, she has been a mainstay of the group for more than 50 years, served on all the committees, acted, produced and directed, and helped the Players buy their theatre in Nelson Street.

She has been honoured by the Players with life membership.

Chairman Tony Long said: "There is no one more deserving than Shirley for this honour - voted by her friends and colleagues with the greatest respect and affection."

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