ICS – still meeting and singing online

The choir have still not been able to meet up in person throughout the Autumn Term, however we have not been idle. We have continued to meet online for both rehearsals and social events. In the latest of these, our Christmas Social, a good time was had by all singing carols and taking part in a quiz.

Earlier in the term we took part in the IAA “Arts in Celebration” online event. For this we submitted three virtual choir performances, for which choir members had to record themselves singing to a backing track, which were then mixed together. A video of the singers was then recorded using Zoom to accompany the soundtrack. The results of all the hard work can be seen on the choir YouTube channel.

Back at the beginning of November, with lots of had work from the committee and some great cooperation from Northgate Arts Centre we very nearly were able to start rehearsing in person, just before the first rehearsal the last lockdown was announced, and we unfortunately had to put things on hold again. All is not lost though, much of the work that was done with all the paperwork and procedures that were created can be quickly updated and be ready to use as soon as we are able to meet safely together again.

It just remains to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the hope that in 2021 we will be able to sing together and perform again for our loyal audience.

Phil Powditch

Chair, Ipswich Choral Society

 

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ICS in lockdown – Autumn term 2020

Ipswich Choral Society rehearsals will continue via Zoom for the start of the new term until further notice. All current ICS members will have received a letter from Phil Powditch, Chair of ICS, regarding the arrangements for the new term and member subscriptions.

Despite the recent changes to COVID-19 guidance relating to non-professional musicians, choirs can only meet indoors in COVID-secure venues and when a risk assessment has been undertaken to ensure social distancing measures are in place. The ICS committee is working on the necessary paperwork and in contact with Northgate Arts Centre to help facilitate getting in-person rehearsals back up and running as soon as possible.

In the meantime, Tuesday nights will continue to be choir nights, and ICS will continue to embrace the technology so members are still able to make music together and help maintain the ICS tradition of good music and friendship.

 

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ICS in lockdown – message from our Chair

Like all choirs and many musicians in the country, we are eagerly awaiting guidance as to when we will be able to meet up and start singing again.

There has recently been some encouraging news with professional artists allowed to rehearse and perform again in certain controlled circumstances along with the commitment from government that much needed research into droplet and aerosol transmission from singers and wind instrument players is to be undertaken. Until the results of this work is known, singing and playing of wind and brass instruments are considered high risk activities when it comes to the potential transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Many of the committee and choir members have been active in writing to their MP’s highlighting the need for the research, so we will be able to implement the appropriate measures when we are able to start rehearsing again. The committee are meeting regularly via Zoom to ensure we are fully up to date with the current guidance and regulations and will be ready to go again when the time comes.

Meanwhile, we have not been idle, we have been dusting off out technical skills, holding meetings and social events online, along with Zoom rehearsals and learning how to put together a virtual choir performance. There are even plans to brush up on our music theory.

We will be well prepared, to keep both choir and audience members safe and well when we do start singing again.

Phil Powditch
Chair ICS

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ICS in lockdown – Zoom AGM!

An interesting first for Ipswich Choral Society, holding our Annual General Meeting via Zoom. The COVID-19 lockdown presented the committee with a real challenge on how to manage the 2020 AGM. Usually held before a rehearsal, the choir has not been able to meet up for rehearsal since 10 March, and the May deadline for the AGM was looming.

Sharing minutes, reports and details of committee post elections via email/post and the ICS website beforehand helped, and for those who would be unable to attend in person, the option to cast postal votes was given. With the Zoom session underway, we could use polling for the voting and the chat function to gather questions from those attending. The most popular comment from those attending was how great it was just to see other choir members again.

Chris Pearce stepped down as chair and received a big thank you from everyone for her hard work, endless cheerfulness and enthusiastic leadership for the past 7 years as ICS chair.

Ipswich Choral Society voted in and welcomed new chair, Phil Powditch, and this is what he had to say:

“We are incredibly lucky to have some exceptionally talented singers and receive outstanding tuition and direction from both Robin and Roy. I will ensure that the choir are always in a position to take advantage of those opportunities, so that our members and supporters in the audiences are able to maximise the enjoyment from their hobby by being able to sing and listen to a mixture of both new challenging and familiar music. I believe we need to continue our tradition of forging relationships with other artists, whether they be composers, musicians, soloists or other choirs. We should all feel immensely proud of our history. To exist for nearly two hundred years speaks volumes for those who have been involved in the society over the years, and I will put the choir in best possible position to celebrate and enjoy our two hundredth birthday in 2024. “

ICS wish Phil all the best in his new role, especially during these challenging times.

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COVID-19 announcement

Ipswich Choral Society rehearsals have been suspended until further notice in response to the Government announcements related to the COVID-19 outbreak. It is unclear at this stage when rehearsals will start back again, however the ICS Committee are monitoring the situation and will advise as soon as possible.

The Come and Sing Day on 4 April has been cancelled, and our Treasurer will contact anyone who has booked to refund payment.

Ipswich Choral Society’s AGM planned for May 19th has been postponed until September.

The Verdi Requiem concert at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook planned on 13 June has now been postponed until June 2021. Exact details will be provided once known.

 

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Supporting Suffolk Law Centre

Ipswich Choral Society is keen to support local charities, both financially with fund-raising events and by raising awareness amongst ICS members and concert audiences. Our chosen charity for 2019 is the Suffolk Law Centre and we will be helping raise awareness at concerts and community events this year.

Why does Suffolk need a Law Centre?

Suffolk is a legal advice desert. There are no legal aid providers in public law, housing and asylum law currently in the county. Even before the cuts to legal aid caused by Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO), there were few civil legal aid providers. This means even when people on low incomes are sufficiently aware of their rights to seek help, they have to travel out of the county to find that help.

The Suffolk Law Centre has been set up to empower the people of Suffolk to understand and assert their legal rights. Our new Law Centre will:

  • Improve the access to specialist casework and representation in social welfare law (notably in the areas of public, housing and asylum) in Suffolk.
  • Improve the level of knowledge about rights, and/or the confidence to enforce them, amongst Suffolk residents.
  • Work with local businesses and public bodies to improve the commitment in public institutions in Suffolk to recognise people’s rights and to be held to account.
  • We will be a champion for the people of Suffolk and their legal rights.

Get in touch with Suffolk Law Centre

 

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Remembrance Day 2018

Members of Ipswich Choral Society took part in the Remembrance Sunday service at the Ipswich Cenotaph, 11 November 2018. Despite rain earlier in the day, there was glorious sunshine for the service in Christchurch Park. Ipswich Choral Society were proud to be involved, providing the musical accompaniment for the laying of the wreaths.

For the centenary of the First World War, members and friends of Ipswich Choral Society are honouring and remembering those lost in their own families:

  • Private James Edward Catling, Middlesex Regiment – 1918, Pas de Calais
  • Private Guido Sigismund Cox, King’s Liverpool Regiment – 1916, Somme
  • Captain Rosslyn Curzon Evelegh, Oxfordshire & Bucks Light Infantry – 1914, Aisne
  • Captain Mervyn J Hamilton, Gordon Highlanders – 1914, Poperinge
  • Captain R Ernle Harvey, Black Watch – 1915, Pas de Calais
  • Captain Rollo D Harvey, R oyal Sussex Regiment – 1916, Somme
  • Private Ernest Hawes, Bedfordshire Regiment – 1917, Arras
  • Private George Spencer Mills, Worcestershire Reg iment – 1918, Le Cateau
  • Gunner Frederick W Snow, Royal Garrison Artillery – 1917, Ypres
  • Leading Stoker Frederick H Travers, HMS Bulwark – 1914, Sheerness
  • Rifleman Harry T Welch, Prince Co nsort’s Rifle Brigade – 1916, Vimy
  • Private Walter Witherick, Essex Regiment – 1916, Rouen

 

There are further details and stories of other Ipswich servicemen and women who lost their lives in the First World War and subsequent conflicts at the Ipswich War Memorial Website.

If you would like to commemorate or research a fallen serviceman or woman from
your family, you may be interested in visiting Every One Remembered Website, run by the Royal British Legion and Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

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Supporting Ipswich Diabetes UK

Ipswich Choral Society is keen to support local charities, both financially with fund-raising events and by raising awareness amongst ICS members and concert audiences. Our chosen charity for 2018 is the Ipswich and District Support Group, Diabetes UK and we will be helping raise awareness at our Bernstein Centenary concert on 20 October.

The Diabetes UK Ipswich and District Support Group is one of over 350 voluntary groups situated throughout the UK. The group was launched in March 2015. Their goal is to provide support and educate people living with diabetes as well as their family, friends and anyone else who are interested in knowing more about type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Regular open events are social gatherings for people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to have the opportunity to talk to those in a similar situation and receive support. Family and friends are most welcome to come along, with the added bonus of refreshments available free of charge with no admission charge or joining fee!

Support and companionship are some of the simplest yet most important aspects of living with diabetes – this is why the Ipswich and District Support group exists and want to help in any way that they can.

Would you consider to be a Group Support Helper? Ipswich and District Support Group are currently looking for volunteers as the group goes from strength to strength. Dealing with more requests for providing awareness events within the local area, help is required for these events.

For further information please email: dsgipswichduk@gmail.com
By phone: 07547 513730 (9 – 5pm, Mon – Fri)
www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org

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Calling all dance enthusiasts!

Ipswich Choral Society will mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, in collaboration with creative groups from Ipswich, combining music, dance, poetry and animation to create an immersive, thought-provoking and moving performance on Saturday 17 March 2018 in the iconic Ipswich Town Hall. We will learn about the personal stories of Ipswich people, both at home and on the front lines, leading up to and during wartime.

Independent Dance Artist and Choreographer Mary Davies has been commissioned by Ipswich Choral Society to direct the dance performance and is calling out for community dancers and enthusiasts of all ages and abilities to take part in this unique opportunity.

If you missed the Taster workshop on Sunday 12 November, don’t worry – you can still be a part of this exciting project! If you are free to attend the dates below, we invite you to join us at the first stage of our creation. Please note you will not be needed for the entirety of each weekend rehearsal.

  • Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December 2017
  • Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January 2018 (workshop dates)
  • Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 February 2018
  • Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 February 2018

Please email karenlouisedance@gmail.com to register your interest or to find out more details. Download the PDF flyer here.

“Ipswich Remembers” is supported by Arts Council England National Lottery funding.

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“Ipswich Remembers” Taster Dance Workshop

“Ipswich Remembers” is an exciting new collaborative project between Ipswich Choral Society and independent Dance Artist Mary Davies, supported by DanceEast. It will bring together a local cast of 200 dancers, singers, musicians and digital artists for two monumental performances within Ipswich’s iconic Town Hall to commemorate the First World War and celebrate Ipswich’s history; the local people and their stories.

Dance Artist and Choreographer, Mary Davies, will lead a taster workshop for dancers to find out more about this unique project. The workshop is open to anyone interested in dance and movement, and suitable for dancers of all ages and abilities. No need to book, just come along on the day!

 

Ipswich Remembers Taster Dance Workshop

Sunday 12 November 2017, 1pm – 3pm

DanceEast, Foundry Lane, Ipswich IP4 1DW

For more information, email Karen Pratt karenlouisedance@gmail.com or telephone 01473 625208.

 

“Ipswich Remembers” is supported by Arts Council England National Lottery funding.

 

Taster Dance Workshop flyer

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