This year sees the 60th anniversary of the founding of Ryedale Choral Union as an evening institute choir. Under the baton of a new Director we are hoping to mark the occasion with a concert on 7th May featuring the ‘St Cecilia Mass’ by Gounod and ‘Blest pair of Sirens’ by Parry –  rehearsals for which are progressing well.  Plans for a celebration of the anniversary are still on the drawing board, but will probably take the form of a meal and  entertainment, at a date after the spring concert. Please watch the press for further details nearer the time.

          For the second year running our Christmas concert had to be cancelled due to terrible weather. It was a heart-breaking decision, but the safety of our supporters and members must come first. It was a disappointment, as acting director Betty Walker and the choir had put in so much effort. Take it from me, you missed a real treat! I for one enjoyed our rehearsals and even came to like the ‘Donkey Carol’ (or the Wonky Donkey as Betty quite rightly called it – syncopation being outside the comfort zone for many of us!) Thank you Betty for all your hard work, patience and sense of humour. Welcome back to the alto section.  

          Our new Director, David Shaw, is no stranger to the choir. An experienced  musician and singer, in the past he has accompanied us on piano and organ and also added his splendid voice to the ranks of the tenor section.  He knows us well and it is nice to welcome him back. His firm but kind approach is already producing dividends and I look forward to  working with him.

          Charles Gounod completed, his ‘Messe Solennelle’, or ‘Saint Cecilia Mass’ in 1854. It was first performed in the Church of Saint Eustache in Paris on 22 November, Saint Cecilia's Day, 1855, founding Gounod's fame as a composer. St Cecilia is the patron saint of music and is particularly associated with church music. This arose from her martyrdom at the hands of her fellow Romans, when she is said to have sung to God as her head was cut off. 

          Hubert Parry also established himself as a choral composer with his piece, ‘Blest Pair of Sirens’ in 1887. It is a setting of the words of John Milton and was commissioned by and also dedicated to the    composer, Charles Villiers Stanford.

          New and old members of the choir are always welcome.  We meet at the Methodist Church Rooms on Potter Hill, Pickering, on Friday evenings at 7.30pm.

 Mary Cowton.