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Good Friday Concert 2014

Fabulous concert on Good Friday 18 April 2014 when The Octagon Singers, an Invited Orchestra and soloists Katharine Horton, Susannah Self and Anthony Joule performed ‘Panis Angelicus’ by Cesar Franck, the first performance of ‘Magdalene’ by Susie Self and Requiem By Gabriel Fauré.

Here are some comments:

From the Octagon Singers

It was a privilege and pleasure to sing last night, particularly the new work, which was a new experience for me also. The glowing praise afterwards must have been music to your ears! Look forward to hearing the CD.

The concert was an artistic and financial triumph. Congratulations, it was such fun and so moving to be a part of.

The concert on Friday was a wonderful occasion. There was a real buzz around in the Octagon, I feel privileged to have taken part.

I wanted to say how much I had enjoyed the concert. ‘Magdalene’ grew on me and I still find myself humming it. Is it too late to order a copy of the CD?

It was great to take part. It was very enjoyable to sing.

From the orchestra

A wonderful concert. It was a privilege to be involved. A marvellous programme in a beautiful setting, it was very moving.

I had several friends in the audience who enjoyed it also, and they were very impressed by the whole programme.

Such a fantastic programme. My family really enjoyed it all!

From the audience

It was a superb concert – well done everyone!

Very excellent concert. I shall be ordering a CD.

Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed it. What a wonderful place to hear live music!

It was a tremendous evening last night.

A very enjoyable concert!! – what a great sized Audience!

I also want to express my deep gratitude to Mary Rae for her conducting and great ability to bring the performance to fruition. – Susie Self

The concert was in aid of the The Octagon and Martineau Hall New Facilities Appeal and £1,500 was raised.

Photo taken after the performance of ‘Magdalene’

Concert Raises Money for Friends of John Grooms Court

The concert on Sunday 8 December 2013 at 3pm raised £910 for Livability Norfolk Friends of John Grooms Court (reg charity no 1116530).

Some residents of John Grooms Court were in the audience for the concert, for ‘Christmas with The Octagon Singers’ a celebration for Christmas with Choir and Audience Carols, Piano and Organ Solos and Seasonal Readings. It was given by the Octagon Singers, Judy Tovey – Piano, Tim Patient – Organ and conducted by Mary Rae.

Lady Walpole, Chairman of the Friends of John Grooms Court said It was a lovely concert so well put together and performed. As well as the £910 raised, which we assure you will be put to good use, it was splendid outing for the residents from John Grooms Court and we all enjoyed being in such beautiful surroundings.

Photograph was taken after the concert and shows Lady Walpole, the Octagon Singers and those residents of John Grooms Court who attended the concert.

Almary Green Awards 2013

Almary Green Independent Financial Advisers make annual financial charity awards. For the 2013 awards, a total of twenty local charities and charitable organisations were awarded donations and the Octagon Concert Series was one of them. The Octagon Concert Series is very grateful to Almary Green for this award.

Next year (2014) the Octagon Concert Series will celebrate its 30th Anniversary. Two new works are being composed for this. The first is by London-based Susie Self. She sang the contralto solos at the Good Friday concert in 2013 given by the Octagon Singers with an Invited Orchestra. So impressed was she by the Octagon Singers, she asked if she could write something for them. The first performance of her composition ‘Magdalene’ will be given by soloists, The Octagon Singers and an Invited Orchestra on Good Friday 18 April 2014. The second is by local composer Kenneth Ian Hÿtch, again will be for the choir and orchestra and will be performed at the Anniversary Concert in November 2014. The Almary Green Award will be used towards the cost of reproducing these two new works.

The Almary Green Awards Ceremony was held at The Hostry, Norwich Cathedral in October 2013. The photograph shows left to right: David Rae, Mary Rae (Octagon Concert Series Organiser), Carol Lamb (Managing Director Almary Green) and Sue Wright.

Good Friday Concert 2013

The proceeds from the Good Friday concert on 29 March 2013, raised an incredible £1,125 for the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) Department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Last year, Octagon Singer Claire Moore’s daughter Jenna-Anne was born seven weeks early and was cared for in the NICU at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. So grateful, Claire decided that she would like to raise some money for the unit, and it was agreed that the proceeds from the Good Friday concert should go to this good cause which is very dear to the hearts of several performers in the concert. Octagon Singer Lindsey Alcock’s son Sam 11, and composer Kenneth Ian Hÿtch’s 15 year old twin daughters were in the SCBU at the old Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, whilst others were grateful to similar facilities in other hospitals.

The concert on Good Friday 29 March 2013 was given by The Octagon Singers, and an Invited Orchestra. The music was ‘Now on Land and Sea Descending’ by Handel, ‘Rejoice in the Lamb’ by Benjamin Britten, Contemplations upon a Requiem for Piano and Orchestra by Kenneth Ian Hÿtch and Requiem Mass in D minor K626 by Mozart. (Mozart and the Octagon go so well together – the building dates from 1756, the same year as Mozart was born). It was conducted by Mary Rae and Kenneth Ian Hÿtch.

Octagon Concert Series Organiser and Conductor, Mary Rae said The Octagon Concert Series was delighted to help with the Good Friday concert, all the performers gave of their time for no fee or expenses so that all money raised could be given to this most worthy cause.

Photograph is of Claire Moore, her children Jacob, Isaac and Jenna-Anne and Mary Rae presenting the cheque to nurses Stacey Dixon and Jodie McPherson on NICU ward.