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02 Sep 17 - 06:36 AM (#3874804) Subject: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: ConcertinaChap I'm writing this on behalf of my wife, Anne Gregson, about the new singing group she's setting up in Bradford on Avon to learn some of the unusual Christmas carols that we sing in the pubs in Bradford on Avon. The first session will be in the Saxon Church on Sunday afternoon on 24 September at 2pm, and depending on how many come we'll decide where best to have sessions in later weeks. Every year since 2010 we have had some wonderful sessions in what is becoming a continuing tradition of singing unusual carols in Bradford on Avon, including many local to the area, in glorious harmonies. We have three "Sings" on Sunday afternoons in December in a different pub each week. The harmonies have been taught to local choirs by their leaders and everyone sings their hearts out. The atmosphere is electric and a really uplifting experience. The carols are not from the standard repertoire of Christmas carols, but many of them originated in the 18th or early 19th century at a time when most churches had a wooden gallery at the back where choirs, accompanied by bands of mixed instruments, led the singing. We also have a band of mixed instruments that play along. We have no religious affiliation but sing the carols for the beauty and joy of them. The idea was inspired by the tradition of singing local carols in pubs around South Yorkshire. However we wanted our carols to be as local to Bradford on Avon as possible. Anne researched local carols from Wiltshire and Somerset and we made these the core of our repertoire. The closest carol we found was "Carlingcott", from the village of the same name which is only about eleven miles from Bradford on Avon. This year we have decided to form a separate singing group to learn the carols together with their harmonies so that people who are not members of the choirs can join in. People don't have to commit to attending every week and we won't be charging money. All parts will be taught 'by ear' so participants don't need to be able to read music. For further information go to our website Bradford on Avon Carols. |
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02 Sep 17 - 05:45 PM (#3874890) Subject: RE: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: GUEST,JeffB Besides the Carlingcott setting of "Hark, the Herald Angels", the Hotwells Howlers also sing two Cheddar carols, "Near Bethlehem" and "See the Angelic Host". I have Anne's address and can post you the scores if you are interested. |
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20 Sep 17 - 08:59 AM (#3877818) Subject: RE: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: ConcertinaChap Sorry, I've been away from here for a few days. Yes, she would like to see the two Cheddar carols if that's OK. Cheers, Chris |
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23 Sep 17 - 06:32 AM (#3878302) Subject: RE: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: GUEST I've just found both the Cheddar carols in Glyn Court's book, 'Carols of the Westcountry'. I've have another look at them before next year. Thanks for drawing my attention to them, Jeff. Anne |
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23 Sep 17 - 01:42 PM (#3878387) Subject: RE: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: JeffB After seeing Chris's last post I was a little embarrassed to find that I don't in fact have the dots for those two Cheddar carols: it had slipped my mind that I just sing them from memory. However, John Shaw does have them and he has promised to give them to me on Sunday evening. I gather he has a number of carols from Cheddar and if they are from a different source from Court's book I will forward them to you as soon as I can. I would also like to send you a carol from St Ives known as Hellesveor (or Lo, the Shepherds). The Hotwells Howlers have now been singing it for some years - we think it is exquisite and it deserves much wider currency. The Howlers will be singing 10 West Country carols and wassails, including the Cheddar carols I mentioned in my post of 2 September (as well as performing the West Harptree Mummers' Play) in our Christmas show at Chew Magna VH on Thursday 7 December. |
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23 Sep 17 - 05:46 PM (#3878404) Subject: RE: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: GUEST Thank you, Jeff. I look forward to seeing the carol from St Ives. I hope you'll be able to get to the Bradford on Avon carols this year. The learning sessions are at 2pm every Sunday, starting tomorrow at the Saxon church and moving to the Swan for later weeks. The pub sessions are: Sunday 3rd Dec, The Swan Sunday 10th Dec, The Dog & Fox Sunday 17th Dec, The Bear Anne |
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23 Sep 17 - 05:49 PM (#3878407) Subject: RE: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: Richard Mellish Might some of these be introduced to Traditional Carols in London? The present repertoire there draws largely from the Sheffield/Peak area but also includes Shepherds Arise from the Coppers and one or two of the more generally known carols. |
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24 Sep 17 - 04:22 AM (#3878454) Subject: RE: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: GUEST I hadn't heard of the ones in London. Glad to see the trend is spreading. I researched carols in Wiltshire and Somerset to find some local to us and I found a wonderful book called 'Carols of the Westcountry' by Glyn Court. Perhaps you could research carols from London and the home counties. I think I may have come across some from Kent. Anyway today's the day we start our new group to learn the harmonies of Bradford on Avon carols. |
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24 Sep 17 - 06:57 AM (#3878472) Subject: RE: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: FreddyHeadey for info on sings in Bradford on Avon Chorley Handforth London Newcastle upon Tyne Oxford Ryton (NE40) Stroud Wolverley, (DY11)Worcestershire see the link Local carol sings elsewhere by Pat Malham and Frazer Jarvis on this thread thread.cfm?threadid=134077#3817635 and see the Links on their pages. ~~~~~~~ ∆∆∆∆ and see related threads on the link above ∆∆∆∆ |
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24 Sep 17 - 10:27 AM (#3878495) Subject: RE: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: JeffB Richard, I would be delighted to let you have these carols. Please PC me with a postal address and I will get them to you soonest. |
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24 Sep 17 - 12:15 PM (#3878509) Subject: RE: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: GUEST Just come back from teaching carols. It went wonderfully. I feel really buzzed. |
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29 Sep 17 - 09:20 AM (#3879278) Subject: RE: Group to Learn Carols - Bradford on Avon From: GUEST This coming Sunday the Bradford on Avon carols group will meet in the cellar bar of the Swan Hotel at 2pm. Anyone can come and it's free. We teach different carols every week so you don't have to come every week. Anne |
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23 Dec 19 - 09:28 AM (#4024974) Subject: Carols - Bradford on Avon From: FreddyHeadey A programme about Bradford on Avon Carols done by Chris Timson for West Wilts Radio, 2019. https://www.dropbox.com/s/q9d4mzh6ntnsj13/BoA%20carols%20programme.wav?dl=0&fbclid=IwAR0-kQeC8Q7-RujDiR9UydDK_gV0ud3_0hfZ5T8u7n2 btw, if you're not used to Dropbox on my tablet I have to use the 'x' to close the first screen, then I get the 'play' screen. |