Gjeilo / Coleridge / Carr - Wymondham Choral Society

19th July 2025

Life, Death & Crucifixion: Gjeilo, Coleridge & Carr - Review by Sue Moore

Ola Gjeilo - The Ground

Matthew Coleridge - Requiem

Paul Carr - Stabat Mater

Wymondham Choral Society

Saturday 19 July 2025, 7pm

Wymondham Abbey

Wymondham Abbey was established in 1107 firstly as a monastery and then, post the

abolition, a parish church, which it remains today. But what a parish church! While the

exterior boasts two towers which are visible for miles around, the interior is equally as

captivating with the vaulted wooden ceiling, bedecked with carved angels, to the two organs

by James Davis, and the gilded rude screen. A stunning and fitting venue for Wymondham

Choral Society’s summer concert. This evening the fifty plus strong choir were joined by

vocal and instrumental soloists, organist, and an orchestra of thirteen players, under the

baton of Musical Director, Justin Bindley.

Many choral societies rely on the classic cannon of Oratorios when programming. This is my

second Wymondham Choral Society performance and I was, once again, very pleased to see

music by living composers on the programme. The choir began with The Ground, a Mass by

Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo. This chorale is from the last movement of the Mass and

opened an evening of atmospheric and evocative music. The organ part, tonight played on a

keyboard by Rob Goodrich, accompanied well. The piece began with a short, pianissimo

introduction, and the choir, who have a lovely ensemble sound with a clean and bright

soprano section, performed musically and with a mellifluous vocal line.

The programme continued with Requiem by Matthew Coleridge where the choir were joined

by the orchestra. It opened with a haunting Introit and continued to surprise and delight as

we were taken on a journey by each movement. There were two vocal solos in this piece, the

first a ‘step out’ from choir member Kevin Ward, who sang with conviction and gravitas in the

Offertory. In the Pie Jesu the cello solo (John Mudd) and soprano (Laura Morgan) weaved

together, pleading, in a heartbreaking duet. Coleridge’s aim to depict the journey of the soul

as it leaves its earthly body through the solo cello line was extremely effective.

The concert concluded with Paul Carr’s Stabat Mater where the organ was replaced by Harp

(Lucinda Pennick) as we were transported to the holy lands where Mary walks alongside her

son carrying the cross to his place of execution. This was the pearl of the evening’s

programme where the choir were able to paint a musical picture building to the torments of

the fifth movement (Thy Grief Divine) and ultimate redemption in the final sixth (In Paradise

with Thee).

What an uplifting way to spend an evening in such a glorious setting listening to such diverse

and emotionally charged music. I heard numerous comments from other audience members

(the venue was almost at capacity) all stating how much they enjoyed experiencing a

programme of new music. I look forward to Wymondham Choral Society’s Christmas concert

(13th December 2025) at St. Mary’s Church, Attleborough for Britten’s St. Nicolas.

Carmina Burana - Harleston Choral Society June 28th, 2025

Carmina Burana…..Outstanding success last Saturday

What a great evening, thanks to all the audience who turned out on an extremely hot night, and for the standing ovation at the end.  Photos to follow but meantime here’s just one of the kind reviews of the performance…… we are glad it brought so much enjoyment

“I just wanted to congratulate you, and the choir, on a magnificent performance on Saturday night. Pulling all that together must have been an enormous task…so many words to learn, so many tricky rhythms to memorise, and finally putting it all together with such an excellent group of musicians

      From the opening instrumental smash – literally – of O Fortuna (the Old Spice advert) to the reprise at the end, this was a spine-tingling rendition of music that isn’t too well known, but if performances like this are anything to go by then every society should do it. What I particularly loved and appreciated was the togetherness of singers & musicians, no mean feat. This will be down to the hard work put in at every rehearsal and something for which the MD Justin Bindley should be highly praised for indeed. It takes a brave man to take this work on; so many difficult rhythms and awkward instrumental areas that were beautifully crafted and made to sound easy.

    I was really pleased to see how the group has developed and membership has grown since 2020. The choir’s diction, intonation (despite the extremely hot and somewhat airless hall), and commitment to bringing the music and drama off the page, was very impressive. The rapturous standing ovation by the enthusiastic audience at the end of the concert was very well deserved. Well done to Justin for bringing together a first class group of musicians and vocal soloists for the event, and congratulations to the ‘ragazzi’ from the school (more properly ragazze in this case) who surely had the amazing choral experience of their lives to date !

   I wanted to say what a phenomenal concert it was tonight.  I enjoyed every single moment, trying to pick a favourite part would be like trying to pick a favourite star.  It was a real credit to you for all your hard work in putting it together, what a privilege it was to be there tonight.

  Such a brilliant concert, we were [almost literally] blown away !”

Requiem - Cherubini Wymondham Choral Society April 5th, 2025

Raising the Rafters: Requiem to Rigoletto - Review by Sue Moore

Cherubini Requiem & Opera Choruses Wymondham Choral Society

Saturday 5th April 2025, 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Attleborough

The ancient frescoes of St. Mary’s church in Attleborough were a lovely backdrop for

the Wymondham Choral Society spring concert this evening. Wymondham Choral

Society is an amateur choir, established in 1980, and made up of approximately forty

to fifty singers who perform three concerts annually.

The programme began with Cherubini’s Requiem, a piece that was new to me, which

opened with an exquisite pianissimo from the choir, under the expert musical

direction of Justin Bindley and sensitive piano accompaniment of Rob Goodrich.

What a treat to hear such a wide range of dynamics and vocal colours which made

the opening movement very still and moving. An exquisite piece which showcased

the choir’s attractive and balanced ensemble sound, the dramatic Dies Irae was also

another highlight within this serene and contemplative first half. This Requiem is a

challenging piece in terms of stamina (it is a big sing for the choir with no soloists),

but it was thrilling as an audience member to see and hear a choir who were so

focused on the piece and its performance, always wanting to give their best. The

choir fortissimo never extended beyond their vocal capabilities, a Rover cruising at

sixty rather than a Daihatsu Hijet van flooring it to get to seventy - a quality that many

choral societies should be advised to emulate.

All good programmes should have something new, something surprising and some

tunes that everyone knows. For the second half two soloists, Soprano Laura Morgan

and Tenor David Menezes, were enlisted for a programme of opera favourites. Laura

joined the chorus for the Cavalleria Rusticana Easter Hymn, as well as performing

Carmen’s Habanera and Violetta’s Addio, del passato, spinning a beautiful solo line

across the ensemble singing. David Menezes sang well with solid technique and

musicality which was was especially showcased in the ‘Scottish Opera’ Macduff aria,

A, la paterna mano as well as the Duke’s toe tapping opening aria, Questa o quella

from Verdi’s Rigoletto.

A very enjoyable evening in a beautiful setting. The audience were enthusiastic in

their applause, a fitting ‘thank you’ for the skills and hard work involved in making an

event like this happen. Choral Societies only thrive when supported by the

community so don’t miss their summer concert at Wymondham Abbey, 19th July

2025 where they will be performing Paul Carr’s Stabat Mater, Matthew Coleridge’s

Requiem, and Ola Gjello’s The Ground.

Carolean Chorus , Music from the Stage, Minster, August 5th 2023

Just returned from your opening concert. What an awesome start! Fabulous music, amazing conductor, pianist, chorus and soloists. Excellent choice of music Justin. In such a short time you produced a wonderful afternoon. We forgot the miserable day outside and enjoyed the music. And the afternoon tea was delicious too. We never expected so much well produced and well presented food.

Harleston Choral Society - Diss Express, December 2022

Although it probably never happened, the Nativity story has inspired carols from Gregorian chant to the present day. Religious, classical and popular music come together in carols and provide chances both to shine and demolish barriers. At this concert we must have heard most of them, from the Medieval Adam Lay Ybounden to the 2007 work of Ronald Corp. His Christmas Mass incorporates some 70 carols in a glittering patchwork. The choir duly took their chances and, under Justin Bindley’s direction, created seasonal sparkle. The concert, in St. John’s Church, was a laden festive table of music, readings and audience participation in the singing. The choir gave a gentle power to O Magnum Mysterium, a setting of a Gregorian chant by American composer Morten Lauridsen. There was a sweetly charming rendition of Stille Nacht; and a memorable quartet version of In Dulce Jubilo. It was an emotive coup to end with the Ukrainian Carol of the Bells, dedicated to the people of that war-torn land.

This was a concert to lift the spirits, helping to forget for a while the freezing conditions outside and the troubles of the world.