Stainer’s Crucifixion by the Good Friday Choir
Friday the 15th April 2022, at 19.00

What a pleasure to see the Good Friday Choir come back after the “Covid break” to perform Stainer’s Crucifixion on Good Friday (and an extra pleasure to be a choir member this time). I think we were actually more numerous this time than in previous years. The Good Friday Choir comes from a range of backgrounds, church choirs, choral groups and some who just like the opportunity to sing in a larger group once a year (plus the 4 rehearsals).

Stephen Jones leads the choir, supported by Simon Worley on the organ. This year, our on the day soloists were the students Jonah Halton and Geoff Clapham – simply awesome!

Stephen writes,” Last night was really successful and such an appropriate piece:

1. a) to re-establish the Good Friday Choir after a lapse of two years,
   b) that most people were familiar with so making everything possible in the limited amount of rehearsal time available, and
   c) to perform on Good Friday telling the story so succinctly and movingly.

Stainer called it a “Meditation”, and in my mind it was just that for performers and audience alike: it was never intended to be a concert. Richard Osborn’s opening and closing prayers struck just the right note, the soloists were magnificent, the organist indefatigable, the malefactor and the High Priest suitably expressive, and the choir really stepped up and were responsive and accurate. Great performing all round.

Behind all this were the volunteers who contacted singers to form the choir, collecting hire copies of music, keeping a register, providing much needed catering, furniture shifting, publicity materials and distribution, videoing the event – the list of jobs seems endless – culminating in last night’s performance.

Well done all.

Stephen

Footnote. Some years ago former church member and bass in the URC choir John Potts gave me a Victorian baton and I thought it fitting to use this last night to conduct Stainer’s classic piece of Victoriana.”

We managed the usual ‘after final rehearsal’ refreshments and then after the performance choir and audience enjoyed tea, coffee and one or more hot cross buns. A most enjoyable evening!