Birthday celebrations for choir

Not only is the Society celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, but its summer concert will feature Birthday Madrigals by John Rutter, one of Britain’s foremost contemporary composers.

The choir is delighted that the composer himself is taking time out of his hectic overseas schedule to direct one of their rehearsals, a few weeks before the concert, which is due to be held at Smestow School, Windmill Lane, Wolverhampton, on Saturday July 11 at 7.30pm.

Chairman Katherine Dixson, a member of the Social Work administration team at the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences, said: ”John’s visit is sure to be inspirational, and will no doubt help lift our performance to a special level, spurred on by his personal insights on how best to interpret this lovely music.”

John wrote the five madrigals in honour of the 75th birthday of jazz legend, George Shearing. They are based on Elizabethan poetry, including Shakespeare, and the jazz and swing rhythms will be sure to set the audience’s toes tapping.

Also on the programme there’ll be a variety of other light-hearted numbers and a buffet supper. For further information, please visit the choir’s website at www.wombournechoralsociety.org.uk or contact katherine_dixson@hotmail.co.uk to reserve tickets for the show