Music News - May 2025 

The Spring term has been a busy one for the musicians of St Mary’s and also for the Musicians of Bremen: a wonderful performance given to us by Joyful Noise under the watchful eye of Kate Beare who gives tirelessly of her time to nurture the youngest voices in preparation for the rigours of Junior Choir. 

The Choral Scholars represented the church admirably in the wider community, performing in Jonathan Dove’s new opera ‘Uprising’, semi staged in the Saffron Hall with notable professional soloists and accompanied by the Scottish National Orchestra. It was an enormous honour to be involved in an opera written by one of the world’s leading composers. Eleanor, James, Harry and Stas sang beautifully and Hayden swapped his role as crucifer to don a helmet, wield his truncheon, and represent the long arm of the law. Oli King was a member of the elite music staff who helped to prepare the music and teach it to the students and adults.

Easter services were as busy as ever, the choir singing Stainer’s Crucifixion on Palm Sunday with two of the country’s finest up-and-coming soloists, Rob Folkes and Tom Butler, and on Easter Day both Eucharist and Evensong - the morning service with brass and sing-a-long Hallelujah Chorus. Harry also sang the first of Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The Spring coffee concerts have now finished – the programme of lunchtime recitals starting in June is on page 31. Many thanks to all who have contributed cakes and scones for refreshment, and it should be noted that the lunchtime concerts will also feature the finest (and cheapest) sandwiches made in Saffron Walden.

Looking ahead to May, Choral Evensong on the 11th will see the resumption of post-service prosecco. Listen to the world’s finest choral music within the splendour of St Mary’s and then feel free to wash it down with a glass of fizz – donations for fizz are welcome! On the 18th all are welcome to attend the event of the year, the SMMA AGM, held after the morning service, although fizz will not be served. On the 29th of May we 
have an Ascension Day Eucharist at 7.30pm.

Looking further ahead into the summer, on the 12th of July, international recitalist Wayne Marshall will be giving a recital at St Mary’s at 5pm. Wayne is one of the greatest organists of our time and you will be able to hear him COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE, so please jump at this astounding opportunity. Fizz will be served after the recital (I detect a common theme emerging here) and donations will be received gratefully.

Philip Sunderland