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The Royal School of Church Music - Choir Report
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| Membership |
| Boys 3/5 |
Girls 5 |
Women 11 |
Men 10 |
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| Choir |
St Mary's Rushden, Northants - Diocese Peterborough |
| Tone: |
(a) Boys and/or Girls |
Pleasing bright sound, slight tendency towards sharpness - a good fault. |
| (b) Women |
A little on the dull side. Top notes tended to be pinched, need opening out - relaxing. |
| (c) Men |
Good Generally, intonation good here. |
| Breathing and Phrasing |
Satisfactory, though consideration to breathing could usefully begiven at times. Phrasing sometimes seemed to lack a sense of aim and direction. |
| Blend and balance |
Generally good blend. Balance bottom-heavy if anything, but this is not the fault of the men, rather of a kind of timidity on the part of the ladies. |
| Intonation |
Satisfactory, youngsters good. Sometimes it was marred by sopranos who made a few bad shots at top notes. This is not inability, rather more fear or carelessness. |
| Attack, unanimity, release |
Not always good, need to watch the beat and give some bite to initial consonants. Release generally much tidier. |
| Treatment of words |
Not always as clear as they might be from down the church. We don't always realise how little gets across sometimes, and consequently how much effort is constantly needed to be made towards clarity. |
| Spoken parts of the service |
Needs some consideration. Never forget it is part of the choir's job to lead spoken parts of the service just as much as the sung. |
| Responses |
(setting~~~) and Chanting (Psalter - Parish) - Cathdl. and New Cath. Chant Bks. |
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Chanting was the weakest feature of the choir's work, singing lacked rhythm and drive and accentuation was very bumpy! The poetry did not get across. Concentrate on this rather more. |
| Hymn singing (Hymnal A..&...M..Revised) |
Generally good, though there were occasions when punctuation and sense needed closer attention. Sing through long notes, especially in middle of verses. |
| Other music |
A promising performance of some enrols being prepared, try not to make heavy weather of such music. |
| Deportment |
Needed attention, a little more dignity in procession, please |
| General Impressions |
A large and powerful choir with tremendous potential. Need to be a little more 'positive' in leading worship at times. They have a good leader in their choirmistress, she deserves every support - including regular full practices.
Attend to 'Amen' singing. A fine performance of a hymn can be ruined by a protracted and 'expiring' Amen. 'Amen' in fact should be an affirmation - not an apolgy!
The occasional unison verse in a hymn (or a psalm) would provide a valuable and refreshing change of vocal colour.
A little more recruitment of youngsters would, be valuable, their singing adds a brightness to the tone.
Congratulations on some very promising work! |
| Date 23rd November 1967 |
(Signed) J Malcolm Tyler
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