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2010 “Come and Sing” concert raises £6,500 for The Art Room

The Art Room's annual fundraising concert in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford celebrated its fifth anniversary on 13th February 2010 with a stunning performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah. Once again a chorus of enthusiastic singers gathered for a day of rehearsals under the expert baton of their conductor Robert Dean before delivering in the evening a thrilling rendering of this magnificent choral work.

Orchestra and choir in full throat

Photograph from 2007 Come And Sing concert by Chris Walker

Joining the choir were five very talented soloists whose beautiful singing helped to make this a very special concert. Garry Magee, as bass, sang the demanding part of Elijah with superb skill and passion; Wilma MacDougall, soprano and Maria Jagusz, mezzo-soprano, were highly impressive with their exquisite, operatic voices, Nicky Spence, tenor, gripped the audience with his intense, melodramatic singing, whilst the voice of the young treble, Sebastian Cox, soared to the heights of the Sheldonian Theatre ceiling in breathtaking fashion.

We were fortunate to have the support of the Oxford Sinfonia Orchestra, so ably led by Oliver Bonnici, to accompany the singers. This is the fifth year that they have so kindly played for us.

Finally, the success of the evening was due, as ever, to the inspired conducting of Robert Dean who manages within the space of just a few hours to bring together choir, orchestra and soloists in a truly professional performance which was a privilege to hear. To all performers The Art Room gives its congratulations and heartfelt thanks.

The evening was also a great success in terms of fundraising for The Art Room. A profit of about £6,500 was made and we would like to express a huge thank you to our two sponsors for the evening, Bibby Financial Services and Savills Oxford. Their support is greatly appreciated.

Plans are already being made for the next "Come and Sing" concert which will be Rossini's Petite Messe Solonelle in the full orchestral version on Saturday, 12th February 2011, in the Sheldonian Theatre, with Robert Dean conducting. We look forward to yet another exciting day of music-making with Robert and the "Come and Sing" chorus.

 

Sponsors

Bibby Financial Services              Savills