PMF hosted another sold-out choral workshop on 28th September when over 100 singers of all ages and abilities came together to rehearse and perform Vaughan Williams’ moving plea for peace, Dona Nobis Pacem. Under the expert guidance of Paul Spicer, accompanied by Mark Dancer, the group of singers, drawn from Guildford and Chichester as well as Petersfield and the surrounding villages, got to grips with the work enthusiastically. The piece will be performed as part of the Festival on 22nd March, 2025.
Many singers – both experienced and newcomers – expressed their enjoyment at the end of the day. ‘It was invigorating’ said one. ‘I really enjoyed the day. I learnt a lot and it was nice to sit with so many good singers,’ said another. A different singer underlined how a day-long rehearsal can help give an overview and shape to a piece of music: ‘I now have an understanding of the whole piece and know that it’s manageable and will be exciting to sing at the Festival. As always, Paul’s all-round excellence shone through.’
PMF is delighted to have welcomed singers from Guildford and Chichester joining the regular members from Fernhurst, Petersfield and Rogate Choral Societies. Many of them, on the back of their experience of the workshop, have decided to sing in the Festival Chorus next March. One alto, who thoroughly enjoyed the workshop, had come from Godalming after her mother, who lives in Petersfield, spotted the event on the website. ‘I’m so pleased she did’, she said. Paul Spicer summed the day up by saying: ‘we had an excellent day. It was very productive and cheerful.’
The open workshop, held at the Methodist Church in Petersfield, explored, rehearsed and performed Dona Nobis Pacem by the great 20th century British composer Vaughan Williams. The beautiful and deeply moving work was written in 1936 and is a plea for peace, reflecting on previous wars and foreshadowing future conflict which was already looming on the horizon. The cantata is based on the Latin Mass, dramatic poetry by American poet Walt Whitman, and sections of the Bible.
Our grateful thanks go to Paul Spicer, Mark Dancer, and all the participants.
Pictured: Paul Spicer with Mark Dancer
Image below: Paul Spicer
