Essex Branch
After the Covid period, we held our first face to face meeting at St George’s Church Hall in Brentwood on 4 September, when 15 Branch members turned up to enjoy the sound of real music. Our AGM took place on Monday 6 September, it was short and lively. The existing Branch committee existing of Madeline, Liz, Christine, Annelies and Janet has been reelected and we have one new member: Peter Walker.
On 5 February 2022 we much enjoyed a playing day with Ian Wilson as our guest conductor. We rehearsed a number of pieces, including Schein, Handel, Philips and the Pearls of Essex. We ended up with a mini-concert for ourselves.
On Sunday 7 August 12 members of the Essex Branch played in the courtyard of Ingatestone Hall, carrying on our tradition. We much enjoyed it as we did the cream tea afterwards.
On 1st October The Essex Branch received a pastoral visit from Michael Graham, which was much enjoyed.
On Saturday 4 March 2023 we enjoyed a well-attended playing day with Helen Hooker.
Unfortunately we had to cancel our playing day on Saturday 3 June 2023, with Andrew Challinger as our conductor for reasons of ill health. However, we are very pleased that Sue Handscombe replaced him as our guest conductor and gave us a wonderful day with many challenges and lots of laughter.
On 6 August 2023, 13 of our members played in Ingatestone Hall as has been the tradition for many years and afterwards we enjoyed a cream tea.
On 22 August we sadly said farewell at the funeral service of Derek Duck who passed away on 8 August 2023. He had been a member of the Branch and served on the Committee as treasurer for many years. He was much liked because of his kindness and helpfulness to all of us, and in particular to new members as well as for his astute observations about all things financial.
On 5 October 2024 a smaller than usual group of Essex SRP members joined a very worthwhile playing day with guest conductor Liz Alexander (local Suffolk musician, recorder player, singer, composer and music teacher). We especially enjoyed playing Liz’s own arrangements and compositions.
On Saturday 22 March 2025 Ian Wilson came for another visit as our guest conductor and gave us a brilliant day with many challenges, useful tips and enjoyable playing of pieces by James Lauder, J.S.Bach, Peter Racine Fricker, Purcell, Rosemary Robinson, Claudia Francesca, and two yet to be published arrangements by Ian.
Our next meeting date is Saturday, April 5 2025
We shall be playing the following music:
Tallis O Sacrum Convivium SATBB Alex Ayre AAMS 150
Redford Rejoice in the Lord Always SATB PDF (already circulated)
Torelli Concerto in D AATB ms
Staeps 7 Flute Dances SAAT Haslinger 5
Purcell & Arne Songs from The Tempest SATB/Gb ms
Further Meeting dates in 2025: May 3, June 7 and July 5; July 6 in Ingatestone Hall
The Essex Branch will organise a SRP workshop “Crossing the Boundaries” with Helen Hooker on 15 November 2025!
Details to follow.