Jul 11, 2021 | News articles
It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of 1st Alto choir member, Elizabeth Peace.
Elizabeth was a member of the choir until September 2020, when, with sadness, she decided it was “time to hang up my red scarf” as unfortunately she was due to start treatment for a recent “health blip” but “looked forward to enjoying being a member of the audience” into the future.
Elizabeth recently reminisced that she had “sung in a variety of choirs since leaving school and joined Cantata when she came to live on the Isle of Wight in 1975, 45 years ago! She enjoyed the challenge of learning new music and the pleasure of singing well-loved works again”.
She remarked that she had “made many friends through the choir and particularly enjoyed singing with the choir from Reading at the Oratory School and in Portsmouth Guildhall”, in years gone by. Also, looking back on “the memorable celebrations of joining with so many others in the Royal Albert Hall as part of our 60th Anniversary”.
When Elizabeth joined Cantata “it was run as part of the Education Authority Evening Classes, later becoming independent”, and remembered that “many years ago I took on the roll of temporary treasurer while the post holder was on maternity leave, two children later & after eleven years I handed the job over”.
Elizabeth was a truly lovely lady, who will be missed by many members and the choir as a whole.
In earlier years Elizabeth was a history teacher at Upper Chine School for Girls.
Elizabeth was also the current PCC Hon. Secretary and a Lay Reader for St Olave’s Church, Gatcombe.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.
May 20, 2021 | News articles
We appreciate that the majority of our 100 members are very keen to re-start singing as soon as possible, even throughout our usual Summer break. However, on 18th May 2021, the DCMS issued updated guidance for non-professional singing groups, that limit gatherings indoors to only 1 group of 6 people.
A review and update of the Government Roadmap for lifting lockdown is due to be announced on the 12th July; with the expectation to move to Step 4 and the lifting of most Covid guidance and legal restrictions on 19th July.
Choir rehearsals will restart as soon as government guidance allows, and all necessary safety measures are able to be established.
There are numerous practical details that must be reviewed, assessed and adhered to, to enable our choir to safely return to our rehearsal venue, for some form of collective singing.
It is expected that (at least to begin with and for the first few months), our rehearsals will be carried out in a different format to how they were previously, or to how you may expect.
Thank you for your understanding, continued enthusiasm for choral singing and commitment to Isle of Wight Cantata Choir.
Apr 6, 2021 | News articles
It is with great sadness to announce that David Harris, a much respected choir member, passed away on 23rd March 2021.
David had been an enthusiastic and committed current member of Isle of Wight Cantata Choir for many years.
In addition to singing Tenor, he had been a reliable and valued member of the Committee; supporting the choir for a number of years as a Tenor Section Representative and providing his time and efforts as Rehearsal Venue Key Holder.
David was also a current member of the choir at St John’s Church, Newport and was previously a member of Ryde Chorus.
A quietly unassuming, friendly, kind, gentle man – who will be sadly and greatly missed.
Our thoughts and wishes are with his younger brother, and fellow Tenor member, Keith, and his family.
Mar 5, 2021 | News articles
The Choir Committee is fully committed to restarting choir activities as soon as we are able.
There are a few uncertainties at the current time, so it is not possible to set specific dates. But as soon as our rehearsal venue is available for use again by external organisations, we will look to restart our Monday evening rehearsals.
Social distancing will be an ongoing factor in the way we meet, so we will see nearer the time, what capacity, spacing and other aspects will be allowable.
Our rehearsals will recommence with Faure’s Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine.
We look forward to welcoming back existing and new members and singing together once again.
Sep 2, 2020 | News articles
Our Musical Director, Chairman and Committee have reviewed the recently published guidelines, which allow the potential for our choir to return to some form of collective singing.
We are now assessing the numerous practical details and progressing our efforts towards enabling a safe return to rehearsals.
We are in the early stages of the preparation process. Guidelines may change. The practicalities may not be feasible…
However, if all the necessary safety measures are able to be put in place, our hope is that rehearsals may restart c. end September/beginning October 2020.
Thank you for your continued enthusiasm for choral singing and commitment to Isle of Wight Cantata Choir.
Aug 25, 2020 | News articles
It is with great sadness that we report the recent death of Dennis Wickens, aged 94 years.
Although recently residing in Oxfordshire, he was previously the Isle of Wight’s County Music Adviser, and also Conductor of Isle of Wight Cantata Choir from 1967 to 1976.
Our thoughts are with his wife, family and friends.
