A Welcome From The Chairman

Hello and welcome! You have just taken the first step in what I hope will be a long and happy association with Aylesbury Festival Choir. For some fifty years, AFC has a gained a well deserved reputation for the high quality of its music. Our aims are to cover a wide range of styles and periods, to give our members and our audience a chance to try both the standards and some less standard works, to perform always to the best of our ability, and to enjoy what we do. Many, if not most, of our members have been with us for many years, either continuously or joining in for a season or two when they can. When I ask why people stay with AFC, it’s a pretty consistent message –a sense of pride as we build on the standard of our performances year by year, combined with a genuinely friendly atmosphere. Yes, it can sometimes seem like hard work, especially in the early weeks when the music, the words, or sometimes both, seem like a complete mystery! Over the weeks, things start to fall into place, and it’s very satisfying as the musical phrases become more familiar and we all grow in confidence both individually and as a choir. Remember, if you want to go over something again, always feel free to ask Madeleine, our conductor. Lots of the choir members also find that rehearsal practice tapes can also be very useful, so do try them. In the end, it always seems worthwhile as we relax at the end of the concert with the sense of another job really well done. The rewards gained from belonging to this excellent choir soon become apparent. It is genuinely a privilege to perform with a professional conductor and such talented soloists and musicians. Sharing this experience with fellow singers who are also our friends ensures that loyalty and commitment to support each other and the choir soon develops. I am delighted that you have visited our website and hope that you will gain as much pleasure as I have from singing with AFC. Of course, if there is anything you’d like to know, please don’t hesitate to talk to me or any of the other committee members, or your Voice Rep.

Jim Collins, Chairman

First Experiences of Aylesbury Festival Choir

I’d been part of a lot of choirs at school and at university, and have been lucky enough to sing with many different groups in some wonderful venues all around the world. I had been meaning to look at choirs in Aylesbury since we moved here over five years ago, but had somehow never managed to get as far as a rehearsal, always finding excuses and letting my nerves get in the way.

A conversation with a friend of mine a couple of months ago made me realise that it was time I did something for myself, something away from the kids and the day-to-day routines. So I found the AFC website and emailed Jan for further details of rehearsal times etc. The email I received back was so friendly and welcoming, I felt I had to go to at least one rehearsal and see what I thought of the choir, and what they thought of me! (The lure of Mozart’s Requiem was fairly strong too as it’s a personal favourite of mine, though singing along to a CD at home is very different to being part of a choir, as I was to find out.)

My first rehearsal came around and I was nervous about walking in to a room full of strangers and airing my voice in public after such a long time. My two year old decided to throw a tantrum about me going out without her, but I was determined, and as I walked away from the house, listening to her crying and feeling horribly guilty, I almost turned back, but I’m so glad I didn’t. As soon as I arrived at the school I felt welcome. I was directed towards Jan who was as friendly in person as she had been in her emails, and was given the basics told where to sit for that night’s rehearsal.

When the music started I knew I had done the right thing. I loved every minute of the rehearsal, despite hardly knowing the Mozart and sight-reading the Handel. I felt a bit out of my depth but was encouraged by the members sitting next to me and knew that with a bit of practise at home and a few more rehearsals I’d be up to speed.

At “half time” in the rehearsal, I was introduced to the group and was met with a sea of smiling faces. Several people came up to me to welcome me in person which was so nice and did a lot to calm my nerves. When I got home I was buzzing with excitement about it all, and couldn’t get to sleep for bits of Mozart running through my head!

It was clear from the beginning that the music is what matters to the AFC, and it is wonderful to be part of a group who clearly all have the same goals - to put on a fantastic performance and to enjoy every bar of the music.

Lucy Eates, Alto
October 2007