Lacey Green Singers
From Lacey Green History
Formed 1982
Lacey Green Singers ceased to function after the Covid lockdown. It was never formally closed and Billy Stott Is probably still its leader. Lacey Green Singers has a file archived in Lacey Green Village Hall.
In Hallmark May 1988. Lacey Green Singers Spring Concert. Audience comment by Jane Tyrer (see Chris & Jane Tyrer)
The Lacey Green Singers held their Spring Concert of choral and instrumental music in St. John's Church on the evening of 8 May to a large audience, in spite of the dreadful stormy weather,
A varied selection of works was presented by the orchestra (made up of local players) or choir unaccompanied or performing together, all ably conducted by Graham Green.
Two piano duets were delightfully presented by Sophie Phillips and Fiona Putnam (the latter spending the evening dashing between her varied posts at the piano, violin or in the choir!). click Fiona Putnam for more about Fiona.
Although the entire programme provided the audience with an attractive evening of musical entertainment, the highlight was undoubtedly in the last piece. This was the emotional and stirring setting by Vaughan Williams of Walt Whitman's poem “Toward the Unknown Region", inspired by Scott's voyage to the Antarctic. The performers adept execution of this work (which hitherto they would have considered beyond their horizons), received a deservedly enthusiastic response - no mean achievement for such a small amateur group of music makers!
Under Graham Green's leadership this local group are gaining in strength and confidence - long may they continue to give the village such attractive entertainment.
Footnote from Lacey Green Singers. As a result of the Spring Concert a donation to St. John's Organ Fund is being made. Thanks to Lillian Curnow and her helpers for providing the refreshments and, of course last but not least, the choir's gratitude to the Vicar for making the Church available for the Concert.
Hallmark November 1990. Report by Michael Putnam. click Michael Putnam for more about Michael
The Lacey Green Methodist Church was the venue for the concert given by the Singers on Saturday 13 October on the occasion of the Church's Anniversary. Included in, the programme were works by Anton Bruckner and Joseph Haydon, the latter being the Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis De Deo ("Little Organ Mass"). The Singers were joined by Ray Issacson (organ) and Margaret Probyn (soprano), both of whom performed as soloists, giving very polished performances to a most receptive audience. The evening was completed with the audience and Singers being offered a selection of light refreshments - a most enjoyable evening. It is always appreciated when the Singers are invited by local organisations to take part in their various functions.
Please make a note of the concert of Carols and Christmas Music on Sunday 16th December at 7 p.m. in the Village Hall. As in past years the Singers will be joined by St. John's School Choir with their leader Kathleen Stansfield. We are also privileged to have Margaret Probyn with us. Mulled wine and mince pies etc. will be available to enhance the festive atmosphere and loosen the vocal chords whilst singing your favourite carols. Do come and join us on this popular annual event.
If there are any possible singers who would like to join this small and enthusiastic group please contact Stuart King or myself, particularly there is a need for tenors. click Stuart & Kathleen Stansfield and Stuart & Laila King for more about Kathleen and Stuart.
Hallmark August 1992. Music for a Summer Evening. To celebrate their 10th birthday. Lacey Green Singers held in Lacey Green Church. Saturday 18th July 1992.
Hallmark September 1994. A Musical Evening with Lacey Green Singers
The concert in the Village Hall on 16th September was given by talented young musicians, prior to going to college, and the Lacey Green Singers, before a very appreciative audience, although some faces were missing that one would expect to see. All the music was easy to listen to and was from varying periods, hopefully pleasing all tastes.
LGS began with interesting arrangements of three Northumbrian folk songs including “Dance to thy Daddy” with quarter and full choir. In contrast "Lazy Summer" which surely marked the end of ours, by Paul Harrison, was syncopated and short, in blues style.
The instrumentalists: Katherine Smith, violin, Stephanie Hopkins, violin, Liz Walker, viola, Helen Lovell, ‘cello, Rachel Lumb, clarinet, formed a quintet for some items, notably the Mozart Minuet and Mozart Clarinet Trio No. 7 (the andante), the allegro from the Weber Clarinet Quintet in B flat maj. The strings formed a quartet for "Maple Leaf Rag" (Scott Joplin), the Boyce Trio Sonata No. 8 in E flat, largo, and the Haydn String Quartet Opus 3, No. 5 while the two violins were joined by keyboard in the largo ma non tanto of the J.S. Bach Double Violin Concerto. In the Fentimen “Lamentation for String Quintet" they were joined by bass player Alex Walker. The composer was in the audience and, at the request of the group, joined them acknowledging the applause. This was a surprisingly mature piece from rather a young composer and one I and others would like to hear again.
There was an interval between the two groups of music when wine was served and then LGS performed their main work of the evening, the J.S. Bach Cantata "Sleepers Wake or Wachet Auf" with Jane Bradshaw, mezzo soprano and Anthony Ford, baritons as soloists. Many know the hymn tune in Advent: Sleepers Wake or Wachet Auf which was heard first with sopranos singing the melody and the other voices weaving patterns under it and intervals of keyboard (harpsichord in this case) music between. We then heard the recitative "He comes, the Bridegroom comes" followed by the duet "seek Thee, my Life". The chorale for tenors "Zion Hears" followed and then the baritone recitative "Come enter with me" before the duet "My Friend is Mine" and the final chorale “Glory now to Thee", with full choir “pulling out all the stops" as they say. The soloists sang beautifully and we shall look forward to hearing them again but the choir, too, was in good voice. Fiona Putnam accompanied throughout with the solos between, a formidable undertaking, performed very well. Most people would know some of the music and would recognise the theme accompanying the tenor chorale, heard in the Lloyd's Bank advertisement, so could listen critically to the intricate phrases.
Roger Harrison directed this his third concert with the singers, choir and conductor working well together, judging by results. It was Roger's son, Paul, who wrote "Lazy Summer" for the choir. Michael Putnam organised the whole thing to raise money for the Village Hall Funds.
Hallmak May 1999. Lacey Green Singers. Report by Jane Brown
Lacey Green Singers continues to thrive under Musical Director Raymond Isaacson and members very much enjoyed rehearsing and performing the Easter concert.
Our next event will be “An Evening of Music-Making” on Saturday 26 June. The programme will cover a wide range of music, from Purcell to Lloyd-Webber, in a mood appropriate to (what we hope will be) a lovely summer evening.
The venue on this occasion will be the Singing Barn at Pigotts, North Dean, by kind permission of Nick and Rachel Wheeler-Robinson. Pigotts has, for many years, been a centre for musical activities for young and old. One of our number remembers seeing Neville Marriner conducting a local junior orchestras at the end of a music camp. Some readers will, no doubt, be devotees of the regular 7.48 concerts, which generally provide an opportunity to appreciate the talents of up-and-coming artistes. We therefore feel very privileged to be allowed to sing there.
This promises to be a very pleasant evening with something to suit all tastes and we very much hope that you will come along and support us, so why not make a note in your diary now and watch out for more details nearer the time? Further information and advance tickets available from Jane Brown (PR 346071) or Colin Hobdell (PR 343497) or through the Lacey Green Website.
In Hallmark 2009. Report of 'Below Stairs'.
Over the weekend of June 20 and 21, the Lacey Green Singers staged concert performances of a feel-good musical comedy "Below Stairs".
The concerts were staged at Piggotts Barn and then at Naphill Village Hal.
The musical was based on the book by Trevor Pilling with music by Alan Lewis, with Brian Panter narrating the story
Hallmark. ? Jane Brown leaves the Village. Report by Rosemary Mortham
Jane, her husband Andrew and her mother Doreen de Grey have been in Lacey Green for more than 30 years.
Jane first took part in village activities as a soprano in Lacey Green Singers. She was already a very experiences musian and singer, and quickly became one of the most valuable members. She moved from the soprano section to support the altos when Madeline Cleaver was no longer able to sing. From 2007 - 2008 Jane stood in as Conductor, when no one else could be found. Now that Jane has gone, Lacey Green Singers find themselves in the same situarion again, and would be happy to hear from anyone who might be able to help. Over the years Jane also acted as Treasurer, Librarian and Chairman
Hallmark 2019 Report by Billy Stott. Happy July everyone ! We have had a very busy term preparing for our summer concert: Zimbe! which was held on Sunday 30th June in St John's Lacey Green School hall.
We were joined by a choir of children from St John's School and 5 very talented musicians who formed our band. The sound produced by us, the children and the band was fantastic! I was in the back row of singers and it sounded great, so I can only imagine how it sounded to those in the audience. It was the sort of performance where I was beaming from ear to ear when we finished. All the hard work (and it was very hard work for many involved) paid off.
We included a donation to Florence Nightingale Hospice in our ticket price this time and I am very pleased to say that we will be donating £110 to the charity. Three dedicated hospice nurses were with us for the concert and the money donated is going into the collection pot as sponsorship for their forthcomng walk of the Great Wall of China; an amazing feat! They are an inspiration to us all and we wish them all the very best success with their adventure.
We are saying farewell to our Musical Director, Jack Insley, this term. Jack is off to study music at university in September and we wish him lots of luck and send our love with him. He is the fourth gneration of his family to be heavily involved with our choir and we have thoroughly enjoyed working with him over the past year.
This leaves us with a vacancy for a Musical Director when we start back in September. This is a paid position and we warmly welcome applications from anyone with a musical background. Please do share this vacancy far and wide. If you, or anyone you know, is interested, please contact us at laceygreensingers@hotmail.com for more information
