past events

‘A Carolean Christmas’ at St Michael's Without Church, Bath, Wednesday 18th December 2024

A quintet of musicians from St Woolos Sinfonia joined Daniel Cushing’s Carolean Consort to accompany the Noctis Chamber Choir under the direction of Francis Faux. Programme: Monteverdi - Beatus Vir, Vivaldi - Magnificat and items for choir only, including Vaughan Williams - The Truth Sent From Above, Robert Pearsall - In Dulce Juibilo and other Christmas carols and songs. Soloists: Soprano - Maisie Lewis, Mezzo Soprano - Molly Soo, Tenor - Mark Burgess and Baritone - Matthew Clark

JS Bach’s Cantata Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland BWV 61, Sunday 8th December 2024

Following the success of last year’s cantata performance, the St Woolos Sinfonia and Chorale this year performed cantata no. 61, again as the musical centrepiece of an act of worship to mark the season of Advent. Also performed was a new composition, Fiat Lux, by contemporary composer, Ben Heneghan, written especially for this occasion. We are privileged to have planned this event in collaboration with the Cathedral.

Soloists: Soprano - Sarah Jane Griffiths, Tenor - Dominic Neville, Baritone - Leonardo Au-Yeung

Conductor: Huw Griffiths

Under the skillful guidance of Mr Tom Innes of Fingal Rock, Monmouth, guests were able to taste a selection of fine wines from South America while enjoying some equally fine South American music performed by musicians of the orchestra

Programme of choral music reflecting on loss and transcendence and celebrating the joy of new life and hope

The Adams Chorale and Newport Philharmonic Choir were accompanied by the Cathedral’s Orchestra in Residence, the St Woolos Sinfonia

Soloists: Emilie Parry-Williams (soprano), Ethan Hartley (baritone)

Conductor: Emma Gibbins

COME AND SING MATTHEW COLERIDGE'S REQUIEM. Saturday, May 11, 2024, Llandaf Cathedral

Led by composer/conductor Matthew Coleridge. Guest soloists: Jeremy Huw Williams (baritone) and Rhys Herbert (‘cello) with a string orchestra from the St Woolos Sinfonia

Feedback following our ‘Come and Sing’ day:

“Absolutely wonderful”, “Most enjoyable day”, “Excellent event”, “Very welcoming”, “Great having orchestra - what a treat”, “Thank you to the orchestra and their lovely sound”

Many thanks to Associate Conductor, Eugene Monteith, who led the day, to Emma Gibbins who accompanied the workshop and played the organ, and to the players who gave their time and talents.

Georgian Festival Chorale with St Woolos Sinfonia, CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL’S WITHOUT, BATH, Saturday, April 20, 2024

Handel ‘Water Music’, Suite No. 1 in F Major
Handel Organ Concerto - ‘The Cuckoo and the Nightingale’
Handel Oratorio - ‘The Choice of Hercules’

Angela Hicks soprano, Eleonore Sian Cockerham soprano, Neil Moore counter-tenor, Michael Burgess tenor

Daniel Robert Cushing conductor, Francis Faux chorus master

Joseph Haydn’s 'Seven Last Words of Christ on The Cross', performed by the Peregrine Quartet. Friday, March 29, 2024, St Edward’s Church, Knighton

Formed by cellist Sonia Hammond, the Peregrine String Quartet made their debut performance, to critical acclaim, in Hay-on-Wye. Past performances have included the music of Shostakovich, Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert, along with a number of world premieres from internationally renowned composers. They notably gave an astonishing performance of Steve Reich’s Different Trains in the Lion Ballroom, Leominster, in 2017. Sonia is joined by Paula Kempton, Christoph Mädler and James Drummond, who are also the Principal String Players in the St Woolos Sinfonia.

Players from the St Woolos Sinfonia: Christoph Mädler, Helen Rees, Rachel Stubley, Jane Leney, Alison Van Buren, Valerie May, James Leney and Karen Millar

J. S. Bach, Cantata 140, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme. Sunday, December 10, 2023, Newport Cathedral (Gwent), Stow Hill, Newport NP20 4ED

The St Woolos Sinfonia and Chorale performed J S Bach’s sublime cantata, Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleeper’s Wake) as the musical centrepiece of an act of worship to mark the season of Advent. We are privileged to have planned this event in collaboration with the Cathedral and its Director of Music, Dr Emma Gibbins.

Soloists: Soprano - Anna George, Baritone - Trystan Francis, Tenor - Jeff Davies, Violin - Christoph Mädler, Oboe - Llinos Jones, Organ continuo - Emma Gibbins, ‘Cello continuo - Antoinette Davies

Conductor: Huw Griffiths

The orchestra was joined by the St Woolos Sinfonia Chorale, a choir of invited, experienced singers from the the following choirs: BBC National Chorus of Wales, Cantorion Ardwyn, Cantemus Chamber Choir, Cardiff Bach Choir, Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society, Sine Nomine, Welsh Camerata

Some comments from the players and singers: “It was a pleasure to take part” “Delighted with the opportunity to make great music with talented musicians” “A lovely musical event” “So fitting to be part of a service with the music you chose” “It’s been a pleasure working with you all” “It was such a lovely start to the festive season - really special” “It was a true joy to take part and feel the spirit of the season”

The late Anthony Meredith was a valued friend and supporter of the orchestra

Members of St Woolos Sinfonia: Christoph Mädler (Vln), James Drummond (Vla), Sonia Hammond (Vcl) and Robert Codd (Bsn) performed programme to include, Francois Devienne’s Quartet for Bassoon and String Trio in C Major Opus 73 No. 1, Franz Danzi’s Quartet for Bassoon and String Trio in D Minor Op.40 No. 2 and Franz Schubert’s String Trio in Flat Major D471.

Four musicians from St Woolos Sinfonia: Huw Griffiths, Paula Kempton, James Drummond and Sonia Hammond, Programme of chamber music by Tintern-based composer, Fiona Frank, including works for string trio, oboe quartet, music for cello & oboe and solo cello.

The string players of the Sinfonia will be directed by the young, up and coming conductor, Emilie Godden, with soloists Gisele Boll (violin) and Bob Codd (bassoon)

A rare semi-staged performance of Handel’s great oratorio - thought to be its first professional performance in Bath since the eighteenth century. The Georgian Festival Chorale and St. Woolos Sinfonia present a spectacular performance of Handel’s Solomon directed by Daniel Robert Cushing and featuring countertenor Neil Moore as Solomon and soprano Emilie Parry-Williams as both Solomon's Queen and The Queen of Sheba.

Pedwardine Ensemble Recital at CGS Newchurch Sunday 2nd April 2023 at 3pm

After the wonderful reception our string quartet received from the folks at Knighton Music Society last weekend, it was a huge disappointment to hear of the cancellation of tonight’s repeat concert in Hay Castle, only two days ago. However, through the determination of cellist, Sonia Hammond and the wonderful support of Andrew Cresswell, we set up camp at CGS, Newchurch, this afternoon and performed our programme of Haydn, Moeran and Dvorak, again, to a very select, determined and appreciative audience! Many thanks to all who came along and supported us, both in Knighton and today, in Newchurch.

ST WOOLOS STRING QUARTET RECITAL FOR KNIGHTON AND DISTRICT CONCERT SOCIETY - SUNDAY 26TH MARCH 2023

Paula Kempton, Christoph Madler, James Drummond & Sonia Hammond will perform at St Edward’s Church Hall in Knighton, Powys on Sunday 26th March 2023 at 3pm. The programme will consist of Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet in D Major, Op 64 No. 5 (‘The Lark’), EJ Moeran’s String Quartet in A Minor and Antonin Dvorak’s String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96 (‘The American’)

The wind players of the St Woolos Sinfonia gave a delightful concert followed by afternoon tea where audience could meet the players. Glasses of Prosecco were available too, as soon as people arrived!

One of the highlights of our year was when the St Woolos Sinfonia was joined by three internationally renowned soloists. Gernot Süßmuth has appeared as a violin soloist, orchestral leader and chamber musician around the world, and has performed with us before on two memorable occasions. Gernot was this time joined by cellist and fellow member of the Thuringia Bach Collegium, Dagmar Spengler-Süßmuth, and pianist Frank Dupree, a recent winner of the prestigious International Classical Music Awards.

A string quintet of players from St Woolos Sinfonia, joined composer/conductor Matthew Coleridge to perform his Requiem. The soloists were cellist, Maxim Calver (BBC Young Musician Finalist 2018), and Soprano Emily Hicks

‘Gig in the Garden’ Party including a dainty ploughman’s, a glass of wine, some sultry music from ‘Something Sultry’ and a raffle, all to raise funds for St Woolos Sinfonia

The SWS is pleased to invite you to a concert free of charge in Newport town centre. Please come along to the next instalment of The Hope Project! It is happening on March 26th in an empty shop at Friars Walk Newport. It will be a bit different this time. Beautiful classical music by Bach, Mozart and other popular composers.

11am, 1pm and 3pm. Hope to see you there!

Arwel Hughes – Fantasia in A Minor
Harold Arlen – ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’. Arr. for soprano and strings by Ben Heneghan (special commission by the Sinfonia)
John Jeffreys – Bickleigh Idyll
Edward Elgar – Sospiri
Edward Elgar – Serenade for Strings
Mozart – Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Soprano soloist: Sarah Jane Griffiths
Conductor: Eugene Monteith

Singers from as far afield as North Wales, Nottingham and Weston-super-Mare, plus many from South East Wales, joined the St Woolos Sinfonia for the Welsh premiere of Matthew Coleridge’s Requiem. After so few opportunities for choral singing over the past 18 months, singing again in a large choir was an emotional and uplifting experience. The day was directed by the composer himself (right). Click HERE for a short video and see MEDIA for more photographs from the day. Working with Matthew was a great pleasure and the Sinfonia is delighted that his Requiem will receive its United States premiere in San Francisco on 2 November.

J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations BWV 988, arranged for string trio (selection)

J.C. Bach – Quartet for oboe and string trio

Fiona Frank – Quartet for oboe and string trio (selection)

Jean Françaix – Quartet for cor anglais and string trio (one movement)

Music by Phillip Glass, Max Richter, James MacMillan, Eric Whitacre, Michael Nyman, Arvo Part and Samuel Barber

This event is free of charge for anyone who happens to be at Friars Walk Shopping Centre, Newport at the time. Pop in and listen to some music at your leisure (whilst observing supervised social distancing!)

There will be some overhead costs to stage the event and St Woolos Sinfonia would be grateful to anyone, businesses or other organisations who are able to support the event. Please contact swsinfonianews@gmail.com or kindly support the HOPE project via this LINK

Thank you

From an original idea by Gisele Boll, violinist with the St Woolos Sinfonia, the orchestra wishes to give a positive message of hope to the people of the city of Newport who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A string quartet of players from the orchestra will play a selection of beautiful music in a disused shop which had to close because of the current economic downturn.

Music by Phillip Glass, Max Richter, James MacMillan, Eric Whitacre, Michael Nyman, Arvo Part and Samuel Barber

Special concert to celebrate the 800th foundation anniversary of Shirenewton, a village and community of Monmouthshire in south east Wales near Chepstow. Together with the acclaimed trumpeter Phillipe Schartz, one of the most exciting trumpeters of today and Principal Trumpet of the BBC National

Collaborative event by St Woolos Sinfonia and Come and Sing Cardiff a

We invite established choir members and aspiring singers to take part. This is a great opportunity to perform Haydn’s beautiful Nelson Mass with an orchestra, directed by the conductor Eugene Monteith.

The day will be informal, starting late morning with a workshop session. After lunch we will be joined by the orchestra and we will then give an early-evening concert performance. You are welcome to invite your family and friends to come and listen to the evening performance.

Further event details are summarized on the Information Leaflet.

For booking a choir place or audience tickets for the evening performance please use the Booking Form.

The School coffee shop will be open where you can purchase light refreshments – hot/cold sandwiches, paninis etc.

Many will remember the extraordinary performance in the 2018 Spring Concert featuring Brahms’ Double Concerto with the highly acclaimed soloists Gernot Süßmuth (Violin) and Arne Christian Pelz (Cello). We are pleased to say that Gernot Süßmuth will be returning to Newport again: as a soloist and to conduct the St Woolos Sinfonia in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” Overture, Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” and Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony No. 41 K551.