Repertoire Favourites
We pride ourselves on performing a wide range of musical genres – we like to feel there’s something for everyone at one of our concerts! We regularly purchase new music, but there are some old favourites that also make an appearance. Here’s a taster of what you could expect:
- Musical and film numbers – medley classics including My Fair Lady, Les Misérables and West Side Story, to standout showstoppers including ‘Anthem’ from Chess (Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Tim Rice, arr. Martin Emslie), ‘Memory’ from Cats (Andrew Lloyd Webber, Trevor Nunn, arr. Martin Emslie), and ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’ from Toystory (Randy Newman).
- Popular songs – ‘Hallelujah’ (Leonard Cohen) is rapidly becoming a firm favorite with the choir and our audiences (wait for the key change!) along with ‘What Would I do Without My Music’ (Harvey Middlebrooks and Bruce Belland) and ‘Flying Free’ (Don Besig).
- Choral classics – no choir’s repertoire is complete without at least one piece by eminent British composer John Rutter. And we are no exception – we have a wide range of Rutter’s pieces that we draw on including All Things Bright and Beautiful, For the Beauty of the Earth, The Lord Bless You and Keep You, Shepherd’s Pipe Carol, Nativity Carol and more. And there’s sometimes a twist in the tale – the traditional sound of Sanctus and Benedictus (Martin Emslie) has an ending you may not expect!
- Comic relief – there’s always something to raise a smile, whether that’s us trying to put dips in the right places in ‘We’re the Choir’ (Kirby Shaw), or the sopranos’ sliding up to high A at the end of ‘A Song that Goes Like This’ (Spamalot, John Du Pres and Eric Idle)’. In June 2024 the choir ventured into new territory by performing a semi-staged production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘Trial by Jury‘.
- No Christmas concert would be complete without a selection of carols, accompanied by organ (and soprano descant line!) – in which we encourage audience participation.
‘Keynote’ Performances
Omega and Alpha Oratorio, composed by Martin Emslie and performed by esteemed soloists Jonathan Ansell (Tenor), Marta Fontaneles-Simmons (Mezzo Soprano), Gerard Delrez (Bass Baritone) and John Savournin (Bass Baritone), with Castle Cary Choir in the Omega and Alpha Chorus.
Castle Cary Choir has been honored to perform this piece alongside professional soloists on three occasions, including its world premier performance in Well’s Cathedral in 2013 where we were joined by other Somerset choirs, and the 10th anniversary extended performance in 2023 at Westland Arena, Yeovil.
Omega and Alpha is a powerful retelling of the easter passion story, a story of love, hope, friendship and grace, betrayal and injustice , a story told to generations over the course of history. Performed by just three soloists, a choir and orchestra, it’s a fusion of sacred music, story telling and musical theatre, offering a fresh, powerful and thought provoking rendition of the Passion of Christ.
In the summary of 2024 the choir went out of our comfort zone when we performed a semi-staged production of of ‘Trial by Jury’, the comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan.
The performance was complete with a cad of a defendant Edwin, the besmirched plaintiff Angelina, a cantankerous judge, petty court officials, amoral Jury members and twittering bridesmaids.
All of the solo parts were performed by members of the choir, and we all threw ourselves into the challenging but fun score.
The performance was enthusiastically received by a packed audience at Castle Cary Methodist Church.
Collaborations and Special Guests
Many musicians have supported us through our 60 years, giving their time, often free of charge, to support our fundraising. Special mention must be made of Ken Sherring, Adelaide Brown (flautist), John and Desney Candor, Mark Tromans and Tom Toomy (guitarist).
In October 1991 we sang with the Band of the Welsh Guards at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks and released the cassette tape “Kortall”, and in 1995 we performed a concert with visitors from Zambia.
In 1999 during a twinning visit from our friends in Remalard, Normandy, we performed in a concert at Stourhead and a supposedly casual concert in Sherborne Abbey, only to arrive to a full Abbey. A big surprise but the concert was a great success!
In 2015 it was our 50th Anniversary Celebration at Sherborne Abbey when we sang to a packed Abbey and were accompanied by fine musicians and our good friend Jonathan Ansell. It was a wonderful night enjoyed by all!
Recordings
We have had the pleasure of professionally recording over the years, including:
- Celebrations – recorded in 1985 (on tape!)
- Kortall – recorded in 1991 with the Band of the Welsh Guards at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks (on tape)
- Omega and Alpha – CD recorded at Wells Cathedral in 2013 and available at Preston Music.com
New Repertoire Coming Soon!
Sing with the Spirit, by Douglas Coombes. A choral cycle of 10 Afro-American Spirituals for SATB choir & keyboard accompaniment (published by Lindsay Music). We have been extremely fortunate to have had this arrangement commissioned for us by Allan Koop, who has dedicated it to Castle Cary Choir and our MD Martin Emslie. Allan is a long standing choir member and the commission is in gratitude to the years of pleasure he has had from being a member of the choir. We are honored and grateful to have such a special gift (and it’s fair to say a challenging but vibrant arrangement!), and you will be able to hear selected extracts at our upcoming concerts this year – see our Events page for more details.