Spem in Alium 2009

This was our featured concert for 2009 because it involved several local choirs and a lot of rehearsal time to bring you a real treat.

SOLD OUT in advance

320 people in the audience, over £3,000.00 raised for the organ fund.

6th June 2009 (Saturday) - the first weekend of StonyLive

7.30 pm, St Mary & St Giles Church, Stony Stratford

Spem in Alium nunquam habui

I have hope in none other than you, O God of Israel

We welcomed an audience of 320 people to a concert of exceptionally beautiful and rarely performed music in which singers from St Mary & St Giles Church, Quorum, Milton Keynes Chorale, Andante, MK Youth Choir and other choirs in Milton Keynes sang Thomas Tallis’ 40 part motet "Spem in Alium".

The audience was surrounded by 8 choirs of 5 voices each in the Church balcony singing this 40 part heavenly music (composed for the birthday of Queen Elizabeth I).

The concert also included some solos on the organ played by James Wharton and Andrew Storer as well as individual and joint choir items, including 'I was Glad' by Parry, 'Zadok the Priest' by Handel and 'With a voice of Singing' by Martin Shaw. Director of Music was James Wharton.

Entrance by programme - prices:
Adults: £10 (£8 concessions)
Children under 16: £1

There were Refreshments at the concert.

Entrance was by programme. Wine and Fruit juice refreshments were available. We raised about £3,300.00 at this sellout, highly memorable concert. See http://smsgpipeorgan.wordpress.com/2009/06/07/spem-a-triumph/ for photos and an account of the event. The concert was recorded, and we hope to issue a CD in the future.

This event was also listed on StonyLive, www.organrecitals.com and Concert-Diary.com