Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Affiliated to the National Operatic & Dramatic Association
HITCHIN THESPIANS is a Registered Charity, Number 1005332
The Choir
Soprano Mandy Atkin, Jane Baxter, Gwenda Beech, Gill Cheaney, Joanna Chugg, Margaret Coxall, Lesley Greasley, Wendy Hazelwood, Jane Homer, Michelle Marple, Susan Osbourn, Ann Peacock, Melanie Plowman-Cobb, Jackie Sayer, Julia Skinner, Sheila Soothill, Jane Tunesi, Mary Young
Alto Lucy Arnold, Gillian Clough, Brenda Cundell, Sarah Cunningham, Lilian Dixon, Viv Hamilton, Judith Harrison, Antonia Homer-Bennett, Sheila Mole, Jan Nash, Keryle Rutherford, Elizabeth Sturges, Andrea Thorpe
Tenor Alan Dickinson, Peter Goff, Andy Johnson, Howard Roberts, Iain Rutherford, David Young
Bass John Beal, Eddie Cullum, Jack Lardent, Nick Morgan, Keith Mortland, Mike Steele, Trevor Sturges, Andrew Wyllie
Soloists Jane Baxter, Joanna Chugg, Lilian Dixon, Jane Homer, Andy Johnson, Jack Lardent, Susan Osbourn, Ann Peacock, Melanie Plowman-Cobb, Sheila Soothill, Mike Steele, Mary Young
Readers Gill Cheaney, Joanna Chugg, Margaret Coxall, Eddie Cullum, Alan Dickinson, Lilian Dixon, Viv Hamilton, Wendy Hazelwood, Jane Homer, Andy Johnson
Part One
It is intended that Part One of tonight's concert should run continuously without comment or applause between items.
Choir: O Come, O Come Emmanuel 15th C French Melody
Reading: BC:AD U A Fanthorpe
Solo: Adam Lay Ybounden Peter Warlock
Reading: Advent 1955 (extract) Sir John Betjeman
Choir: Of the Father's Heart Begotten Arr: Sir David Willcocks
Reading: How the Light Comes Jan Richardson
Audience: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Sir Arthur Sullivan Arr: Sir David Willcocks
It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old. From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, From heav'n's all gracious King.” The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled; And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hov'ring wing; And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long; Beneath the angel strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong; And man, at war with man, hears not The love song which they bring: O hush the noise, ye men of strife, And hear the angels sing!
For lo the days are hastening on, By prophet-bards foretold, When, with the ever circling years Comes round the age of gold; When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendours fling, And the whole world give back the song Which now the angels sing.
Reading: In Memoriam (extract) Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Trio: Angelus ad Virginem Arr: Sir David Willcocks
Choir: Nativity Carol John Rutter
Reading: The Simplicity of Christmas (extract) Mary McDonnell
Choir: Still, Still, Still Arr: Philip Ledger
Reading: New Prince, New Pomp (extract A) Robert Southwell
Audience: Away in a Manger Arr: Sir David Willcocks
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, And stay be my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me for ever, and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.
Reading: New Prince, New Pomp (extract B) Robert Southwell
Choir: Jesus Child John Rutter
Reading: Angels' Song Charles Causley
Choir: Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow Arr: John Rutter
Reading: The Wise Men Ask the Children the Way Heinrich Heine
Choir: Birthday Carol Sir David Willcocks
Reading: Kings Came Riding Charles Williams
Audience: As With Gladness Men of Old Arr: Sir David Willcocks
As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold, As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright, So, most gracious God, may we Evermore be led to thee.
As with joyful steps they sped To that lowly manger bed, There to bend the knee before Him whom heaven and earth adore, So may we with willing feet
Ever seek thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare At that manger rude and bare, So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin's alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee our heavenly king.
In the heav'nly country bright Need they no created light; Thou its light, its joy, its crown, Thou its sun which goes not down. There for ever may we sing Alleluyas to our King.
Reading: Christmas Shauna Stoltz
Choir: A Maiden Most Gentle Arr: Andrew Carter
Reading: Carol Carla Lanyon Lanyon
Choir: Joy to the World Arr: John Rutter
INTERVAL
during which mulled wine and mince pies will be served
Part Two
Choir: Wassail! John Owen Edwards
Reading: Christmas Greetings Dorothy Brown Thompson
Choir: I Saw Three Ships Arr: John Rutter
Choir: Jingle Bells Arr: Sir David Willcocks
Reading: The Best Day of All the Year Alison Uttley
Audience: O Little Town of Bethlehem Arr: R. Vaughan Williams
O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth The ever lasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.
O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth; For Christ is born of Mary; And, gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wond'ring love.
How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is giv'n! So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav'n.
No ear may hear his coming; But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him, still The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell: O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.
Reading: Advent 1955 (extract) Sir John Betjeman
Choir: Midwinter Bob Chilcott
Duet: Angels' Carol John Rutter
Choir: Telling God's Story John H Edwards
Duet: Travellers' Tales Arr: John Barnard
Choir: Listen to the Sounds in Heaven Arr: John H Edwards
Readings: My Snowman Ian McMillan
Auntie's Present Paul Curtis
P. S. to Santa Ivor Davis
Choir: The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy Arr: Robert Winter
Go, Tell it on the Mountain Arr: John Rutter
Reading: Carol for the Last Christmas Eve Norman Nicholson
Audience: O Come, All Ye Faithful Arr: David Willcocks
O Come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him born the King of angels:
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear; We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps:
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Lo! Star-led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring, Offer him incense, gold and myrrh; We to the Christ Child bring our hearts' oblations:
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God in the highest:
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Choir: We Wish You a Merry Christmas Arr: W. L. Reed
Acknowledgements
Programme devised and directed by John H Edwards
Choral Manager: Susan Osbourn Concert Manager: Andy Johnson Box Office Managers: Nick & Nicky Morgan Front Of House Manager: Ann Crook Artwork & Publicity: Tracey Gwynne Programme Editor: Susan Osbourn Lighting: Luke Jones & Alan Bailes Raffle: Vivienne Tadman Librarian: Jan Nash Rehearsal Pianist: Nigel Gray
Mince pies supplied by The Hospitality & Catering Department of
North Hertfordshire College
If you have enjoyed this concert and are interested in joining the Society, as either a member or a patron, please contact:
Lynne Leggat, Secretary Hitchin Thespians Woodside Hall Walsworth Road Hitchin Herts SG4 9SP
or
Hitchin Thespians would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Sign up and WIN with Hitchin Thespians
Tickets for the 2013 100+ Club are on sale here
Anyone can enter!
You could win:
£50 (10 monthly draws)
£250* (June draw)
£750* (Christmas draw)
Please support Hitchin Thespians
Buy as many tickets as you like - the more you own, the more chances you have to win!
Why not buy a ticket (or two) for someone else as well - would someone you know like a Christmas gift with a chance to win a monthly cash prize? Or maybe ask your friends and relations to
buy their own – its all in a good cause.
If you’re not in, you can’t win!
Tickets cost £12
Forms are on your table, or next to the main entrance
This lottery is registered with North Hertfordshire District Council. Licence No LIC/66309/10 Organiser: John Keogh for Hitchin Thespians
26 Balmoral Road, Hitchin, Herts. SG5 1XG. Tel. 01462 620561
* Maximum prize when 200 or more tickets sold. Prizes are scaled accordingly if less than 200 tickets are sold
