There’s something rather lovely about September.
After the long, light days of summer, the return to familiar routines can feel a little like coming home. And for those of us who sing in a choir, that return means something even more special: meeting up again with friends we haven’t seen for a while, catching up on all the news, and — perhaps most importantly — hearing all those voices come together again.
At Finchley Chamber Choir, we’re very much looking forward to welcoming our choir members back for the new term. We’ve missed the laughter, the conversations, the shared musical challenges and, of course, the wonderful sound of singing together.
But this September, we’re also looking forward to meeting some old friends. Our new season begins with an Open Rehearsal on Tuesday 22 September, and we’re delighted that some former FCC members and friends of the choir will be joining us for the evening. It’ll be a chance to revisit some favourite music, sing alongside familiar faces, and enjoy that particular pleasure of picking up a piece you haven’t sung for a while and discovering that, somehow, you still remember it!
And then there will be the new friends… Our Open Rehearsal is also an invitation to people who haven’t sung with FCC before to come along, give us a try and see what happens. We hope that some of those who walk through the door as complete strangers might leave having found a new musical home — and perhaps a few new friends too.
The music we’ll be singing is drawn from some of our favourite pieces in the FCC library, and may include:
- Casals – O vos omnes
- Chilcott – Jazz Folk Songs
- Duruflé – Four Motets
- Lauridsen – O nata lux
- Lotti – Crucifixus for 8 voices
It’s a wonderfully varied programme, and there’s something special about returning to music we have sung and loved before. A familiar melody can bring back memories of concerts, rehearsals, laughter and all the little moments that make up a choir’s life. And, of course, singing those pieces together again gives us the chance to make new memories too.
This particular September will also bring a poignant reminder that, although some things return, some things have changed.
We are beginning the new term without our dear friend and accompanist, John Winter, who sadly passed away over the summer. John was such an important part of our choir family, and his musicianship, kindness and friendship will be greatly missed. As we return to singing together, there will inevitably be moments when we feel his absence very keenly. But we will also remember the enormous contribution he made to our music and to the life of FCC, and we will carry those memories with us into the new season. We will be formally marking John’s legacy at the first concert of our season on Saturday 28 November.
Choirs are built not simply from voices, but from people — people who come together, year after year, to share music, friendship, laughter and the occasional challenge of finding the right page!
Some friends return after a summer away. Some return after a longer absence. Some are waiting to be discovered for the first time. And some, sadly, remain with us only in our memories. But when we stand together and start to sing, we are connected by something wonderfully simple: we are making music together.
So, whether you’re a long-standing FCC member, a former member coming back for a visit, a loyal supporter, or someone who has never sung with us before, we’d love you to join us.
Finchley Chamber Choir Open Rehearsal
Tuesday 22 September, 7:45–10pm
Trinity Church, Nether Street, N12 7NN
Registration: https://www.ticketsource.com/finchley-chamber-choir/t-aaznvyy
Come and meet some old friends. Come and make some new ones. And, most of all, come and sing.