We performed the second of our two concerts in association with the MBF at the end of May. The first was in Norwich (which you can read about in a previous post), and this one was in Bristol at the beautiful Lord Mayor’s Chapel. We sang to a large and appreciative audience, and we received a good review from the Bristol ‘Evening Post’: -

…they presented a varied programme, starting with music from Latin America, in which they sang three contrasting numbers and the harmony was brilliantly controlled….Three arrangements of well-known songs really showed their versatility. The Billy Joel number was followed by an exquisite performance of Eric Clapton’s ‘Tears in Heaven’, in which all the pathos was cleverly presented. musical Director Kit Perona-Wright gave us several little-known facts about the music, and had complete control of the singers. 8 out of 10

Members of The Serlo Consort come to The Red House in Ashtead (Care Home) to perform to the residents. With music for voice and piano, the musicians interact with the residents, give some brief background information about about the music they are performing, and even sing some items for the audience to sing along to!

This is part of the important theraputic work undertaken by The Serlo Consort, alongside the concert work and educational work, and is an on-going relationship sustained between the choir and the Red House.

If other Care Homes or Hospices would be interested in members of our choir coming in to perform to their residents, please do not hesitate to get in touch…!

In the second of two concerts in association with the MBF, The Serlo Consort performs a beautiful programme of unaccompanied choral music in the wonderfully intimate venue that is The Lord Mayor’s Chapel, Bristol. We’d love to see you there..!

David McKee, alongside other members of The Serlo Consort, led an afternoon workshop for students working towards their music GCSE & A-levels. In addition to vocal technique, the students worked through a series of pieces in different styles related to their exams with some even on the listening papers.

They managed to sing in parts both accompanied and unaccompanied, and we finished off the session by performing in the Cathedral itself. It was a fun day for everyone involved - so look out for more workshops in the future!

Our concert, in association with the MBF, held in Norwich Cathedral last Saturday was extremely well received by the audience. The critic from the Eastern Daily Press wrote: -

Here was a mixed vocal group it is a pity to miss….it was an entertaining hour of high-class singing. Conducted by their founder, Kit Perona-Wright, who also accompanied many items, the programme - in neatly defined sections - moved from finely balanced sounds of Latin American Music and joyfully rhythmic pieces, to the master of polyphony, William Byrd.

A lighter section emphasised the group’s versatility, brilliantly showing that The Serlo Consort can relax into a song. I’m so glad I was aware of their visit!

We repeat the concert at the Lord Mayor’s Chapel (Park Street), Bristol, and hope to see many of you there. Tickets available on the door, or from us directly.

The Serlo Consort, in association with the MBF (Musicians Benevolent Fund), performs the first of two concerts with a varied programme of unaccompanied choral music to suit all tastes. Come and enjoy a first-class choral concert by a professional choir in a beautiful venue. We’d love to see you there!

Members of The Serlo Consort, led by the group’s Artistic Director’s - David McKee & Kit Perona-Wright, lead a workshop for GCSE and A-level students from schools in/around Norwich. This will cover vocal technique, styles/periods of music and some of the ’set-works’ from their exam syllabus. This will take place in Norwich Cathedral (TBC), and exact details (timings, etc) can be obtained by contacting David (davidpjmckee@ntlworld.com or 01603 441188).

Any children 15-18 years of age welcome (but it would help if you are studying music!). It will be a fun, challenging and informative workshop - please come along!

Many favourable comments have been received since our performance of the brilliant work, ‘The Passion according to St. John’ by J. S. Bach.

Our major sponsor, Elphick Estate Agents, wrote to say “Congratulations on the concert last Saturday, it was much appreciated and very well received on the evening, and I wish you all the best for the future.”

Other audience comments include: “Words cannot express how much we enjoyed the performance of ‘The Passion’ in Ashtead. You are all to be congratulated on a first-class concert!” Mr J. Dix

“Once again, my thanks to you for another wonderful concert. Yesterday was a great success: an excellent choir, excellently conducted with excellent accompaniment!” Mr P. Hudson

“The concert was absolutely fabulous! I don’t know what my husband and I were expecting, but we left feeling in awe.” Mrs S. Whitehead

” I felt the need to drop you a line to congratulate you and the choir for a finely tuned & evocative performance on Saturday. From the build-up of the opening chorus to the final chorale, the superb musicianship of all concerned shone through. Your inspired direction of the performers makes the group excel, and it has (and will continue to be) a privilege to listen to your performances.” Mr P. Abnett

The Serlo Consort, with its own instrumental ensemble, performed this seminal work to a very large, appreciative audience. Composed on a smaller scale than the St. Matthew Passion but no less powerful, it is a work full of beauty and emotion, with some of Bach’s best word painting. The soloists were: -

• Tenor soloist & Evangelist Tom Cockett
• Bass soloist/arias David McKee
• Bass soloist/Jesus Paul Martin
• Counter-tenor soloist Lloyd Griffith
• Soprano soloist Heather Wardle

This concert was kindly sponsored by ‘Elphick Estate Agents’.

We are pleased to announce that we have secured the use of Norwich Cathedral to use for our concert in April. This is a change from using the church of St. Peter Mancroft.

We are delighted to be able to use such a magnificent building for our concert, and hope to see many of you there on Saturday 26th April as possible!