It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Sally Vinson, on Monday 24th April, after a long period of illness, Alzheimers and Cancer.
Sally was an Alto member who left the choir many years ago, but her daughter Lucy Dawson has recounted how much her mother absolutely loved singing, being a Cantata member, and participating in our concerts…and also that Lucy herself has many fond memories of supporting her mum and the choir over the years from the audience.
Some of you may recall, back in 2006, supporting Sally and singing alongside her, Lucy, and her then 9 yr old son, Oscar, at the service for Sally’s late husband, John, at St Peter’s Church, Seaview.
There will be a Service for Sally, on Tuesday 9th May, at 2pm, in St Peter’s Church, Church Street, Seaview PO34 5EN.
Our thoughts and best wishes are with Sally’s daughter Lucy, and family and friends.
We are truly delighted and honoured by the steadfast commitment, effort and enthusiasm that our Musical Director Rachel Tweddle, and Accompanist Richard Wilkins have given, and continue to provide, to Cantata over the years.
Rachel started with us 25 years ago. And Richard has been with us for 27 years.
What a joy and benefit they have been, and are, to the heart of what Cantata Choir is, and what we are able to achieve, year in, year out.
The longevity of their unwavering commitment to Cantata Choir is such a privilege for all.
At the beginning of rehearsal on Monday 27th March, we celebrated and thanked Rachel and Richard’s years of dedication to Cantata, with an address from Chairman Geoff, and a presentation of a gift each, of a handmade glass bowl from Isle of Wight Studio Glass, of Arreton.
Thank you Richard & Rachel – We hope for, and look forward to, many more years enjoying, celebrating and making music together into the future.
Tickets: Adult: £15 Under 18: £5 plus venue booking fee
For our Spring 2023 Concert, we perform one of the best loved choral works of the 20th century, Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’.
This great classic, with its opening being among the grandest statements in all choral literature, is an exuberant celebration of the power of music at its simplest, yet most versatile: beautiful melody and raw rhythm.
The themes are varied and explore the vagaries of Fate; the joys and beauty of nature, the pleasures and perils of drinking, gluttony, gambling and lust – with triumph and disaster dealt at random, by the wheel of fortune.
In complete contrast, they also perform Eric Whitacre’s ‘The Seal Lullaby’ and ‘Lux Aurumque’ that exude harmonic richness together with elegant simplicity.
We are sad to announce that John Garrett, who was a bass choir member in previous years, died suddenly and unexpectedly, at home, aged 89, on 13th November.
John was kindly, friendly and generous, and is remembered fondly by many.
A service of remembrance and thanksgiving will be held at All Saints Church, Gurnard, this Wednesday 14th December, at 2.30pm.
Family have asked for no flowers, but for any donations to be made to Christian Aid.
Our thoughts and best wishes are with his family and friends.
We are sad to announce that John Honeychurch passed away on the evening of 1st December, at the age of 85, after a long illness.
Before he retired from the choir some years ago, John was a dedicated and long-serving tenor member.
John will also be remembered as a stalwart member of the West Wight and Totland Bay community:
He was a Parish Councillor, and also held various positions within local organisations; including the Memorial Hall, Village Trust and West Wight Sports and Community Centre.
Additionally, John was a West Wight Preacher, a long-standing Reader at Christ Church, and with his wife started the charity shop ‘Faith, Hope and Charity’; which raised a great deal of funds for church and many other causes.
