Ulster Society of Organists and Choirmasters

U.S.O.C. Newsletter - November 1999

LOCAL PRODUCE

One of the things which constantly surprises and delights me about our society is the wealth of creative talent which exists among its members. Several have had their work commercially published.

At our next meeting - 3 pm on SATURDAY 13TH NOVEMBER, in May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast - you will have the opportunity of listening to some of the choral and organ music composed recently by USOC members. The choral music will be sung by the Grosvenor Chorale directed by Edward Craig, and some of the organ music played by its composers.

This will, in fact, be the society's final meeting for the 20th century. Wouldn't it be just wonderful if on this rather special occasion every one of its 160 members were to be present! That, of course, include YOU!

FESTIVAL FARE

This year's Queen's Festival offers a dazzling array of enticing events, among them the first performance of Messiaen's monumental Turangalîla Symphony, the first visit to Northern Ireland of the Welsh National Opera (Don Giovannni and Rigoletto), and a concert by one of America's most distinguished jazz pianists, Chick Corea.

For USOC members two other concerts, both in the Ulster Hall, will be of particular interest. On Monday 8th November Peter Sweeney joins the Studio Symphony Orchestra in performances of the Poulenc Organ Concerto and Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony.

The Mulholland organ will also be featured in a concert on Friday 12th November given by three of the choirs of Methodist College, their programme including some of the music which earned their Senior Girls Choir the title 'Sainsbury's Choir of the Year', and organ music played by three of the school's organ scholars.

ORGANIST/CHOIRMASTER REQUIRED

At St Aidan's Church, Sandy Row, Belfast, where both organ (two-manual Davies) and choir are of modest proportions. The church intends to appoint a new rector in the near future; in the meantime replies and/or enquiries should be directed to Revd Canon Walter Lewis, 1A Eglantine Avenue, Belfast, BT9 6DW. (Tel: 808343.)

REMINDER TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Next meeting : 2:30 pm (note the time!) on Saturday 20th November at Joe's place - 76 Sandown Road, Belfast. Please bring 2000 good ideas for next year's programme. Better still, send them to me before then and they can be listed on the agenda.

Your Honorary Secretary
RODNEY BAMBRICK

RSB/IAFH
21/10/99

THE SECRET OF ETERNAL YOUTH?

"To keep young : every day read a poem, hear a choice piece of music, view a fine painting, and, if possible, do a good action. Man's highest merit is always as much as possible to rule external circumstances, and as little as possible to let himself be ruled by them." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

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