Summer Concert on Sunday 25th June 2023

On Sunday 25th June, the Witchert Chorale performed a concert at Exeter College Chapel in Oxford.

It was a baking hot summers day and the heat of the sun was driving pedestrians in the city centre to search for shade. Fortunately the chapel was much cooler inside for the choir rehearsal in the afternoon. The chapel itself is a jewel of gothic architecture with a stunning array of stained glass windows at the altar end.

Our concert was titled “Crossing Continents” which reflected the geographical diversity of composers involved including Igor Stravinksy from Russia; Ola Gjeilo, a Norweigan composer who lives in the US, Arvo Part from Estonia, and Saint Saens France. Pieces from English composers included Purcell, Willan and Parry.

After the rehearsal, there was time for the choir to refuel and relax at the nearby Pizza Express.

The time of the concert approached and the audience soon filled the available seating in the chapel. It was certainly very warm that evening. Although the chapel auditorium is quite small, it has a superb acoustic. This was especially effective when singing the highly moving ‘Deer’s Cry’ by Arvo Part. You could have heard a pin drop in the audience.

After the concert finished, the choir and appreciative audience spilled out into the lovely college courtyard, to chat and enjoy the surroundings.