Latest news
The Art Room’s “Come and Sing” concert
The Sheldonian Theatre, 7 February 2009
Undeterred by snow and ice, a wonderfully enthusiastic choir gathered on the morning of Saturday 7 February 2009 in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford to rehearse Handel’s Zadok the Priest, Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Mozart’s Requiem with Robert Dean, guest conductor for The Art Room’s “Come and Sing” concert. This was the fourth year that The Art Room has held these fundraising concerts and once again the event was a resounding success.
In the evening the choir was joined by four brilliant young soloists: Hye-Youn Lee, soprano (who nobly replaced Lianne-Marie Skriniar at short notice), Maria Jagusz, mezzo-soprano, Mark Chaundy, tenor and Paul Sheehan, bass. Together they gave an exhilarating performance which was warmly received by the audience, consisting of supporters, friends and members of the public, many of whom had heard Zadok the Priest soaring out into Broad Street during the morning. They were accompanied, as in previous concerts, by the Oxford Sinfonia Orchestra whose continued support for The Art Room is greatly appreciated.
Ultimately, though, the evening belonged to Robert Dean, whose unlimited energy and inspirational conducting brought together some two hundred individuals and turned them into such impressive choir in less than a day. Robert’s superb touch with singers means that they now flock back every year to participate in this great day of music-making.
The Art Room thanks all those who participated and the many people who worked so hard to make the concert such a success. In particular we thank the organiser of the concert, Leonora Pitt, our sponsors – Berman Guedes Stretton, Research Machines, Savills and Wiley-Blackwell – as well as many donors who so kindly supported this concert.
"My first TARCAS [The Art Room Come and Sing] and I LOVED the whole experience. Can't wait for next year!"
Stephanie Newsome
"What a fantastic evening! Well done again for all your hard work. I so enjoyed the whole day."
Felicity Feeny
"Robert Dean is an outstanding conductor! Thanks so much."
Dr. Avril Anson
Photographs by Chris Walker