Here is the third in a series of videos to lift our spirits in challenging times. Stithians Ladies are joined by their friends from Mabe Ladies Choir, soloist Simone Hellier, accompanist Rico Gerber, ‘cellist Becky McGlade and the Saxy Maids.
Let There Be Peace on Earth, written by S and J J Miller and arranged for SSA by Craig Courtney. Recorded on March 8th 2020 at our musical celebration for International Women’s Day.
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To help us all through these times when we are unable to sing together, here is another video demonstrating the beautiful sound of Stithians Ladies Choir. This song has been in their repertoire for a couple of years and, compared to other performances, I believe this is the best so far. Enjoy!
Be Thou My Vision – an Irish hymn arranged for SSA by Dan Forrest. Accompaniment by Rico Gerber, piano and Becky McGlade ‘cello. Recorded on March 8th 2020 at the celebration concert for International Women’s Day.
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Join us for a fabulous evening celebrating inspiring women who have founded charities.
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BECKY McGLADE
Becky joins us again at this year’s International Women’s Day and has agreed to repeat her performance of “Ladies In Lavender “ Not only is it a beautiful piece for ‘cello and piano but it has to be the most apt title imaginable!
COME AND JOIN US
and don’t forget to wear something purple!
SUNDAY MARCH 8th 7.30 FALMOUTH METHODIST CHURCH
SEE YOU THERE!
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💜 The lovely ladies from the Flicka Foundation 💜
Well, they won’t actually be at our International Women’s Day Celebration, but we will be learning about the founder of this wonderful charity, situated just up the road from us.
The theme of our celebration this year is “ Women who have founded charities” … and there have been many. So why not come along on SUNDAY MARCH 8th at 7.30 to Falmouth Methodist Church. Share some beautiful music with us and our guests Mabe Ladies Choir, Simone Hellier, Becky McGlade and the Saxy Maids.
Be like these three little ladies and wear something purple …. the colour of International Women’s Day
Pictured: the Ladies after their magical performance in Truro Cathedral.
It’s obvious that the lady in the front row had magical powers in that stick ( or is it perhaps a wand? )Stithians Ladies Choir was delighted to take part in the Truro Big Sing once again. Together with other choirs and a packed cathedral they helped to raise the roof with carols and raise money for Christian Aid’s Christmas appeal. They opened the evening with a truly magical performance of Benjamin Britten’s Hodie, Christus Natus Est.
Not only were the Cathedral lights extinguished but the ladies were standing in a place invisible to the congregation so their voices came, in glorious unison plainchant, apparently from nowhere! They also gave a beautiful rendering of Becky McGlade’s setting of In The Bleak Midwinter with the composer there to hear it – another magical first for us. Then the rafters rang with Deo Gracias, Britten’s joyful song of praise with our fabulous accompanist Rico Gerber giving his all on the grand piano.
Everyone’s verdict? MAGIC
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Our recent concert with Marazion Apollo Male Choir was a resounding success and took us to a lovely new venue. We had not performed in St Hilary church before and we were really impressed with the unusual interior and the famous acoustic.
The choirs join together to sing Morte Christe lead by MD Kate Wood-Cattran.
We were really pleased that we had set off early because the coach got stuck in the narrow lane approaching the church and we had to walk the last bit – thank goodness the rain, so overwhelmingly present during the week, had abated and it was not freezing cold!
The standard of singing in this concert was incredibly high with the sweet tones of the Ladies contrasting with the powerful delivery of the Gentlemen and yet blending beautifully for the finale. The Ladies were particularly pleased to be able to present a performance of the gorgeous carol that they recently commissioned from Cornish composer Becky McGlade. They are preparing this stunning piece for Truro Big Sing in the Cathedral on 12th December and, judging by the audience reaction, it is going to sound wonderful.
The evening was rounded off with refreshments prepared by the ladies of St Hilary Church and then we departed for home, but not without a few “big coach in a little lane” issues! All’s well that ends well!
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Composer Becky McGlade receives the thanks of Stithians Ladies
When the choir was invited to take part in this year’s Truro Big Sing in the cathedral we thought hard about what to sing for this very special occasion. We came up with the idea of a commission from our friend Becky McGlade who often takes part in our concerts as a ‘cellist. She is a skilled musician with an incredible talent as a composer, having written several works which reflect her love of choral singing. Her carol “In The Bleak Midwinter”, a setting of Christina Rossetti’s words, was originally composed for mixed voices but she kindly agreed to arrange it specially for our choir.
The result is a beautifully crafted piece for women’s voices which has required all the vocal skills the choir can muster. It has been a real challenge for the Ladies to learn but we are thrilled with the results.
Becky came to our regular practice last night to listen to our progress and she was really pleased at the sound. She is pictured above receiving our thanks for the wonderful gift she has given us.
Warm thanks to you Becky, Cornish Composer.
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FIFTY SHADES OF PURPLE – well, more like 100!
March 8th is International Women’s Day and this year, for the first time, the Ladies hosted a musical celebration to mark the event. They were joined by Mevagissey Ladies Choir who were invited following our visit to them last year in the beautiful St Goran church.
They were also joined by the wonderful ladies barbershop chorus Celtic Chords – their current MD, Isabel Austin, sings with our choir. The Kenwyn Quartet also came along to play in the finale. The soloists were soprano Simone Hellier and ‘cellist Becky McGlade, both talented and engaging musicians and all the performers received a warm response from the capacity audience.
The Ladies were joined by Sarah Newton MP
The purpose of the concert was to celebrate the lives of inspiring Cornish women and during the evening narrators Sue Whitmore and Oriel Bennett kept us enlightened and entertained with facts and stories about Mary Kelynak, Emily Hobhouse, Rowena Cade, Suzanna Hext, Esme Page and Anne Glanville. These are all remarkable women, setting us all an example through their achievements, determination and sheer ability to get things done.
Jeannette Preston spoke about the charity Pants Cancers and a very useful amount was raised in the collection.
The colour adopted by International Women’s Day, and worn throughout the world, is purple and Falmouth Methodist Church was beautifully decorated, awash with varying hues worn by performers and audience. This added to the lovely celebratory mood of the evening which was warm, relaxed and buzzing with bonhomie. Sharing a common purpose always brings a genuine feeling of togetherness and, following a grand finale where almost a hundred performers joined to sing “ Let There Be Peace On Earth,” we spilled out to partake of a huge feast and enjoy each other’s company.
This was a memorable event and the Ladies pulled out all the stops, enlisting their menfolk to help, cheerfully undertaking the host of jobs involved, looking resplendent in their purple, singing like angels and proving once again that Stithians Ladies Choir is a force to be reckoned with.
STITHIANS LADIES CHOIR 