OUS GLOUCESTERSHIRE

The committee:

The most recent Annual General Meeting took place at Dr Jenner’s House in Berkeley on 4th September 2022. All existing committee members were re-elected for a period of two years, and two new committee members were welcomed in addition. Anyone else interested in helping the committee is encouraged to make contact at any time. Please use the address: gloucestershire@ousoc.oxon.org.

2023 - Future events of the Standish Consort include:

• Saturday April 1st – Easter concert including music by Allegri, Fauré, Byrd and others.
• Friday April 14th – Worcester Cathedral Evensong.
• Saturday July 1st – “Come & Sing” (general invitation) in St James the Great Church, Dursley (Bernstein, Chichester Psalms).
• Saturday December 2nd – concert in St James Church, Dursley (music by Zelenka and others).

2023 - Other currently planned events of the society:

• Thursday March 23rd – Severn Bore viewing and breakfast in Hempsted.
• Sunday March 26th – Boat Race viewing in Standish village hall.
• Friday May 5th – English Touring Opera at Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Lucrezia Borgia, book tickets individually, but OUS will organise a group dinner beforehand.
• Saturday May 20th – group visit to Hellens Manor (fully booked).
• Wednesday September 20th – Admissions Event for Gloucestershire Schools, more details will be announced soon.
• Monday September 25th – Philosophy lecture for Gloucestershire Schools and Alumni, more details will be announced soon.
• Saturday October 14th (date to be confirmed) – Majestic Wine Tasting (Stroud).

For all the forthcoming events, please book place(s) as explained in our email newsletters. If you are not receiving e-communications from the group, but would still like to attend an event, please email the secretary so that we can verify your correct contact details. We don't want you to miss out! A number of other events are being considered for further in the future, as discussed at the AGM.

For all other queries contact OUS Gloucestershire

17 December 2022  - Christmas Carol Service at St Nicholas' Church, Standish

The service included a number of pieces sung by the Standish Consort, including a Christmas composition by Thomas Chevis (Magdalen).

3 December 2022 – Monteverdi Vespers in Holy Trinity Church (Stroud)

The Standish Consort was established in 2022 and is a chamber choir of around 20 singers, drawn from Oxford and Cambridge alumni in Gloucestershire and their friends. The choir is directed by Mark Wilson who also directs music at Pembroke and is a Countertenor Stipendiary Clerk at Magdalen. He also leads Ensemble La Notte, who accompanied the consort in this performance. This work is not often performed, partly because of the large number of soloists needed (6 in our case), and yet the enthusiasm and energy that went into the project led to a very enjoyable performance to a sold-out church.

30 September 2022 - Theatre

This performance of "The Girl on the Train" was at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester. There was a group dinner beforehand. The evening was highly appreciated, and a few of the group suggested that we should return to this theatre at a later date for another play.

24 and 25 September 2022 - Vivaldi Gloria and Evensong in Oxford

The Standish Consort had a successful trip to Oxford and were supported by friends, family and alumni, we hope to repeat this in future years and are currently looking into a residency in Cambridge and a tour in Italy. The choir stayed at Christ Church, ran a Vivaldi Gloria workshop at St Hugh's and sang evensong at Merton and Pembroke. There was also a lot of fun and much eating and drinking. Let us know if it's something you might like to be part of in the future.

21 September 2022 - New Oxford Student Event

The committee invited all of Gloucestershire's 2022 Freshers 'New Oxford Students' to join us in September to welcome them to our group. They are very excited to be members and are keen to help with access and outreach in the future. Here's a photo of those who made it to the event.