Rector's Letter

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The BBC and English National Opera have launched 'Sing Hallelujah', a nationwide project encouraging people across the UK to find their voice and discover the joy of singing through Handel's famous 'Hallelujah Chorus'. Visit www.waldenhallelujah.org.uk to find out more.

Last Saturday, 31 October 2009, more than 250 singers of all ages and experience joined together in an exhilarating performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.  Saffron Walden Choral Society and St Mary’s Church arranged the “Come and Sing” to raise money for Children in Need as part of the BBC’s national  “Sing Hallelujah” project. 

Musical director Janet Wheeler conducted the massed choirs in the round, ably assisted by four deputy conductors and accompanied on both piano and organ by Richard Carr.  Many of the singers knew the work well so were able to encourage those who had never had the opportunity to sing it before. After 45 minutes of enthusiastic rehearsal the event culminated in a roof-raising finale as the chorus was sung right through twice.  Singers and audience gave very generously, raising an amazing £1,500 for Children in Need. 

The event was recorded for Radio Cambridgeshire and featured on the Sunday morning programme the following day. Click here to listen to a recording of this broadcast inccluding interviews. Matt Jamison's Easy Sunday on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, 1/11/09. Producer Sara Varey. Click here to listen to the final chorus as recorded by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Click here to find out more about the Saffron Walden Choral Society.

Many thanks to Steve Hasler for these photos of the event. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge. If you feel uncomfortable with any of the closeups then email me and I will remove them. Martin Hugall.

Many thanks to Gordon Ridgewell who took the photos shown below:

		More photos by Gordon Ridgewell can be seen on his website at www.ridgewell.net/Hallelujah/index.html