Bright future for the Training Choir

During the pandemic, our Year 3 and 4 children found it difficult to rehearse online. After a break, they are back again! With the opportunity to rebuild came an opportunity to recruit in a different way: conductor Claire Robins is taking FYC’s musical approach into the community with a programme of workshops for local schools. We couldn’t do any of this without the generous funding we’ve received from the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust. This support is helping us in so many ways, and will mean that we can make a proportion of Training Choir places available to children whose financial circumstances would make it difficult to pay a subscription.

Anyone who knows of a school which would welcome one of our workshops for this age group is warmly invited to contact Liz at info@fyc.org.uk.

The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2021

From 30th November, for seven days, FYC will be running a campaign to raise funds for a bursary scheme we’d like to develop, so that children who’d like to join/remain in FYC can do so even if their financial circumstances make it difficult.

FYC applied to take part in this year’s Christmas Challenge and not only were we accepted, but we’ve also received a pledge of £2500 from one key supporter, with which to kick-start our campaign and additional backing from the Lakehouse Charitable Foundation. This means that if we can raise £5000 for our bursary scheme ourselves, this will be matched by a further £5000 - so a £10,000 total.

Our campaign goes live on 30th November, so to receive a reminder (so you can donate!) follow this link.

REHEARSING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

We are proud to have been able to rehearse during the summer term even though Covid regulations meant that it was only safe to do this outdoors. The search was on for covered space, and Blacknest Golf and Country Club came to our rescue.

Hayley Bench, the Events Manager there, said, “It was a pleasure to host Farnham Youth Choir in our tipi for their rehearsals. Our members enjoyed being serenaded for their evening golf and our staff enjoyed getting to know all the children and their parents.”

Sakura, a member of our Junior Choir, told us how much she preferred singing in the tipi to rehearsing on Zoom: “Rehearsing in the tipi was so much fun because it felt like singing in nature - and I could go outside and play with my friends during the break.”

Farewell to Joanna Tomlinson, Artistic Director of FYC

In 2016 Jo Tomlinson became FYC’s Artistic Director when its founder, David Victor-Smith, stepped down after 32 years. From the very start of Jo’s time with us, it was evident that not only is she one of the UK’s foremost choral directors and music educators, but she’s also a role model and friend to the young singers she works with. From behind the scenes, I can also say that Jo worked tirelessly in many ways that don’t really show to the outside world. She never seemed to switch off her phone and has been ever-ready to steer things in the right direction not just musically but organisationally too.

Singers and their families, colleagues and volunteers have been strikingly generous in their gifts and their tributes to Jo as she leaves us, but nothing they have said has been hyperbole. We know just how lucky we have been.

Just as David was a very hard act to follow back in 2016, it’s equally daunting to be Jo’s successor in 2021. Of all the people we could have wished for to take FYC forward, Patrick Barrett would be firmly at the top of our list – so everyone here is really delighted to be moving forward under Patrick’s direction, with Margaret O’Shea at the helm of the Junior Choir. Patrick and Margaret will put their own stamp on the organisation and it will be different, but it’s going to be inspirational, ambitious and exciting! 

Thank you so much Jo, and a warm welcome to Patrick and Margaret.

Helen Cole
(Chair, FYC Trustees)

FYC Summer Concert at The Menuhin Hall

This was Farnham Youth Choir’s first concert at the Menuhin Hall, near Cobham. In gorgeous weather, concert-goers and singers enjoyed the venue’s tranquil landscaped gardens. It was a perfect space to relax during breaks in rehearsals, and an ideal setting for a photo shoot with Nick Rutter, a specialist in arts photography. 

The Youth Choir’s performance included repertoire for the European Choir Games in Gothenburg later in the summer, in the Youth Choir and Sacred Music categories. Switching easily from the tranquil beauty of Schubert’s Gott ist mein Hirt, for instance, to the defiant attitudes of Kirby Shaw’s arrangement of Joshua, FYC’s performance showcased how versatile the young singers are. Next the Training Choir took the stage by storm in every sense! A wonderful evocation of thundery rain (with audience participation), jazzy elephants and some precision moves (Roller Ghoster) almost brought the house down, the applause so loud that one overwhelmed young singer had to put his hands over his ears. The Trainers were joined by the Junior Choir for a bravura performance of Ben Parry’s Science Song, and then it was the turn of the Junior Choir to show a very appreciative audience the skills they have been honing. They moved nimbly between thieving rats (Five Eyes), eeriness (Shadow-maker) and the gentleness of a lullaby with a sweet solo (Sweet and Low) before returning to spikiness and showmanship for their final two songs, staying in focus even when pelting around the stage! 

The highlight of the concert brought the three choirs together to perform the world premiere of Owain Park’s The Tyger, commissioned by Graham and Alison Noakes. Graham was formerly FYC’s Chair and this incredibly generous gift comes after many years of unstinting support, for which everyone at FYC is extremely grateful. The Tyger was spellbinding and sung with relish by the young singers, for whom it’s going to be a firm favourite for years to come.

Review by Helen Cole 30.06.19

Spring Concert: An evening with Farnham Youth Choir, St Andrew’s Church, Farnham

Hard on the heels of the ‘Sounds of Spring’ concert at the Anvil the previous weekend, the senior choir returned to the more familiar surroundings of St Andrew’s Church to show off their sacred and secular repertoire in front of a large audience. This concert was generously supported by the Lions Club of Farnham whose President, Phil Alexander, was in the audience for the occasion. We were also delighted to welcome Councillor David Attfield, Mayor of Farnham, as a guest at this event.

A spring storm was rattling the windows but there was a striking stillness inside the church, the audience noticeably holding its collective breath at times. This was particularly the case during the account of Adoramus Te by Orlando Lassus which opened the concert. FYC rose to the challenge of singing this while positioned in small groups around the church, conjuring a beautiful sound that set the tone for the rest of the evening. The concert perfectly showcased the choir’s versatility across different languages and musical idioms. Added to this, there were opportunities to hear the solo voices of FYC ‘veterans’ Jess Miller and Izzy Cole, and a welcome chance for the first time to hear a solo piece beautifully sung by Bear Crawford. 

Review by Helen Cole