Come and Sing/Play Workshop
Handel: Dixit Dominus
C P E Bach: Magnificat
with
Director: Richard Roddis
Répétiteur: Michael Overbury
Instrumental Specialist: Kelly McCusker
at
St. Michael and All Angels Parish Church,
Church St, Bramcote, Nottingham NG9 3HD
on
Saturday 24th January 2026
The Music
Our Come Sing & Play for 2026 is devoted to baroque music again with excerpts from two significant works from this period.
Handel’s fiery and dramatic Vesper Psalm setting is from his youthful outing to Italy 1706-10. It’s a hugely colourful work with driving rhythms and vivid word-painting, surely influenced by the ebullient characters and vibrant society he met there.
C P E was the foremost of J S’s sons to carry forward the Bach name and reputation during the latter 18th century. The Magnificat setting is his best-known choral work and owes a lot to his father’s influence. J S would have heard it new in 1749 but its more exciting version is from some decades later with added instrumental colour.
Sinfonia Chorale Director
Director Richard Roddis is well known throughout the East Midlands for his work with choirs. His conducting experience stretches back more than a quarter of a century and, as a professional singer and a member of several top choirs, he brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to choral conducting. He was appointed Director of the Sinfonia Chorale in June 1991.
Accompanist
Organist and harpsichordist Michael Overbury’s early musical influences centred on Farnham and London, where he was introduced to the glories of the English liturgical tradition, and it was here also that his organ teacher Stephen Thomson inspired in him a love of the harpsichord.
Horizons broadened with an Organ Scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. After graduating he held a number of posts including deputy organist and choir master at the Cathedral and Abbey Church at St Alban’s. After winning First Prize in the 1982 Manchester International Organ Competition, he appeared twice as soloist at the Royal Festival Hall and has continued to play with many choirs and orchestras.
He is currently accompanist to Ruddington and District Choral Society, as well as Sinfonia Chorale, and will be our répétiteur for the day.
Instrumental specialist
Kelly McCusker studied at the Purcell School and Kingston University before gaining a distinction in Music Performance for her Masters degree at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The Conservatoire made her an Honorary member in 2002. She enjoys a busy and varied freelance career on baroque and classical violin working with a variety of ensembles and teaching in the East Midlands.
Venue for the 2026 Come and Sing event :
St. Michael and All Angels Parish Church, Church Street, Bramcote, Nottingham, NG9 3HD.
The venue is conveniently situated between Nottingham and Derby close to the A52. There is a car park next to the Church and additional on-street parking nearby.
Programme for the day
- 9.30 Registration
- 10.00 - 13.00 Rehearsal with tea/coffee break
- 13.00 Lunch
- 14.00 - 16.30 Rehearsal with tea/coffee break and mini concert
Cost for the day
- £25 (without lunch)
- £30 (to include lunch)
Music may be borrowed in advance of the event – details will be in the confirmation letter/email which will be sent to you on receipt of your booking application.
Booking
- Either ONLINE
- Please complete the ONLINE BOOKING FORM and then submit it. (one application per person)
- You will receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 7 days which will contain BACS payment details for the event.
- The booking is provisional until payment is received.
- Bookings close on Saturday 17th January 2026
- To be eligible for a full refund, any cancellations must be received by Monday 19thJanuary 2026
- or By POST
- Please download the POSTAL BOOKING FORM, print and complete it. (one application per person)
- POST this completed form together with your cheque made payable to Sinfonia Chorale for £25 / (£30 to include lunch) to the name and address shown on the form
- You will receive an acknowledgement within 7 days which will either be sent to you by letter, or to your email address (if provided.)
- The booking is provisional until payment has been cleared.
- Bookings close on Saturday 10th January 2026
- To be eligible for a full refund, any cancellations must be received by Monday 19th January 2026
60th Anniversary Concert
The Sinfonia Chorale will be giving a special 60th Anniversary Concert at a later date in 2026 to be announced, including the works studied at this Workshop.
Comments from previous workshops:
“As usual it was a very enjoyable occasion, the more so as we managed some quite challenging music under Richard's usual masterly direction. I sing in three choirs in Norwich with pretty good conductors but I'd forgotten just how good Richard is at this job.
"Please will you pass on to your splendid team my thanks for a most enjoyable day yesterday. I always enjoy your "Come and Sing" days, so well organised and friendly. I guess the music had something to do with it too so praise to those who chose the programme ....well done
"Just a quick line to say how much I enjoyed the workshop yesterday, with the many variations of O Magnum Mysterium. As always, I was made to feel most welcome, the singing was spine-tingling and Richard’s brief introduction to each piece’s composer was illuminating and helpful. The behind-the-scenes work by your members meant the day ran smoothly so please pass on my appreciation to everyone involved."
"I just want to say a big thank you for a most enjoyable day. I always find the Sinfonia folk very friendly and welcoming as well as being well organised and good cooks ! A good choice of music too, some familiar, some new, all good for the brain !
Chris Saunders ( DBC)
"Great to sing with a different choral director. Richard is very precise and keeps things moving!"
Alison (alto) from Southwell Choral Society
"It’s been fun! Nice doing it with the organ!"
Tenor from Ruddington Choral Society
"Fabulous day!"
Anon
