Throughout the periods of lockdown and restrictions in 2020 Henley Choral Society, and our Youth Choirs, continued to sing and rehearse online, and also record and perform.
Chairman of Henley Choral Society Tim Wilson explains: ‘Once coronavirus kicked in and the lockdown began in March 2020, Musical Director Peter Asprey provided a fantastic programme to keep us all singing and enjoying music together.’
As well as online rehearsals, we had interviews with professional musicians giving us an insight into their world, recitals from our wonderful regular accompanists for both HCS – David Smith, and the Henley Youth Choirs, Anita D’Attellis. We also made a summer audio recording and provided a wonderful free classical music concert on Mill Meadows with Orpheus Sinfonia.
As we could not give our usual Summer concert, Peter created a recording of ‘Pastime with good company’ from over 50 individual tracks sent in by HCS members – a real labour of love. Watch the video here
Listen to the complete recording here
Finally, Peter put together a special video Christmas card of carols to say ‘thank you’ to our very special town and community of Henley-on-Thames which can be seen here
Check out the gallery of an exceptional 2020
- HYC in Workshop Jan 2020
- Emily Dickens workshop for HCS Feb 2020
- HCS Members at Haydn Mass Workshop at St Martin in the Fields Feb 2020
- Poster for Nelson Mass Mar 2020 – the concert that never was!
- Henley Youth Choir in Zoom rehearsals
- HYC in Zoom rehearsals May 2020
- Warm ups on Zoom rehearsals May 2020
- Peter and Jeremy creating audio from our individual recordings
- MD Peter Asprey conducting simultaneous live and virtual rehearsals Jun 2020
- Thomas Carroll conducting glorious free Summer Concert at Mill Meadows Aug 2020
- Orpheus Sinfonia at our glorious free Summer Concert on Mill Meadows Aug 2020
- Keeping the crowd safe!
- Orpheus Sinfonia
- Accompanist Dave Smith delivers online concert for members Dec 2020
- Musical Director Peter Asprey conducts for special Christmas Carol video outside the Town Hall Dec 2020