Choral Society and Youth Choir bring Summer Songs to Henley

Henley Choral Society and Henley Youth Choir will perform an afternoon Summer concert of songs at 5.00pm on Saturday 18 June at St Mary’s Church.

It will be the first concert for the choral society with new Musical Director, Richard Harker. Choral Society Chair, Tim Wilson says: ‘Richard has chosen a warm and uplifting repertoire for this special summer afternoon concert including a couple of a cappella pieces we will sing by heart. We will be joined by our Youth Choir, performing a selection of contemporary songs exploring summer, hope and youthful exuberance under the baton of their Musical Director, Alex Haigh.’

The concert includes works by two acclaimed British composers, John Rutter, and Cecilia McDowall. Feel the Spirit is a cycle of seven spirituals, showcasing the rich heritage of this musical form through Rutter’s vivid and expressive arrangements and syncopated rhythms. A Fancy of Folksongs is a charming suite of English folksongs on the theme of love, given her trademark style and modern twist by McDowall.

The audience will also have the opportunity to hear the Choral Society and Youth Choir’s regular  accompanists, David Smith, and Anita D’Attellis, and the talents of mezzo-soprano Caroline Carragher.

Caroline Carragher studies with Dennis O’Neill and Nuccia Focile, having trained at Wales International Academy of Voice. She joined VOpera for their award-winning digital production of Ravel’s L’enfant et les Sortilèges and performed with Opera Rara on their recent recording of Leoncavallo’s Zingari, conducted by Carlo Rizzi. Caroline has premiered new roles with Fulham Opera and Ensemble OrQuesta and was one of four inaugural Young Artists for Opera In The City.

Tickets £18 (£5.00 18s) Family ticket (2 adults, 2 under 18s) £40.00 www.henleychoralsociety.org.uk  Note start time of 5.00pm