February 2026 Playing Day

We got off to a slow start as everyone was catching up after our 2 month break, and welcoming 2 new players Judith and Rachel. Eventually Caroline called us to order and we started with Marg Hall's Caprice, which we'd tried at our last meeting in November. The descant part in particular proved tricky, with a lot of high notes. The piece is in 3 movements and great fun to play, though the jury (Caroline) is out about whether we can get it up to speed to play for an audience!
Those who wished took parts home to practice.
After a coffee break, Caroline continued with the Sinfonia 'La Bergamasca' by Ludovico Grossi da Viadana. This is a 2-choir dance piece, and we needed to keep the articulation light and bouncy ('chiffy'). After a bit of practice, the 2 choirs stood at opposite ends of the room with Caroline conducting from the middle - quite a challenge!
After a lunch break, Caroline continued with Palestrina's 'Tu es Petrus: Prima pars' which improved greatly when 2 players moved from higher to lower instruments and boosted the bass. I must admit, I really enjoyed being in the bass team.
We had a quick coffee and then Mirjam took over the conducting. She has been working on recorder arrangements of some of James MacMillan's pieces from The Strathclyde Motets (choral music from the 20th century), and wanted to try them out. We started with 'Benedicimus Deum Caeli' which sounded beautiful (nice work Mirjam). We then made a start on 'Lux Aeterna', but the more complicated rhythms (descants playing minim triplets in 4/4 time) proved a step too far for this time of day. It was suggested we start with this another time.
Anyway it was 4.25, so time to be packing up - and the next group to use the hall needed to set up for their Eisteddfod - so we said our goodbyes.
Thanks to Caroline and Mirjam for conducting the day - and welcome to our new players. we hope to see you again.