De Fakto Singers
The Singers are De (from) Fyfield, Appleshaw, Kimpton, Thruxton and Others which has included Redenham and which may, we hope, include Clanville. The Singers’ first director was Patience Ritchie who retired to Devon in 2000 when she was succeeded by Edward Bailey from Little Shoddesden. Formed originally to sing at church services in the Benefice, the De Fakto Singers now sing as much secular as they do sacred music. The De Fakto have sung at Christenings, Confirmations, Weddings, and special church services, and at Concerts, Harvest Suppers, and Entertainments in a secular context. In 2002, the De Fakto wrote and performed a much acclaimed entertainment for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee covering the events of the past 50 years both national and local illustrated with contemporary music and poetry.
Other entertainments since then include a Victorian Evening and a tribute to St George, England and the English. The De Fakto have given concerts with the Wessex Brass Quintet and the Vallis Orchestra, performing works such as Vivaldi’s Gloria and the Pergolesi Stabat Mater. Anyone who enjoys singing is welcome to join. Please contact Jenny Hopkins (jenny.hopkins@arcadiavillages.co.uk ).
The Singers meet in the morning on the first Saturday of the month, and then for additional rehearsals when needed for a special service, concert or entertainment.
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
On two occasions over the past few years the Vallis Chamber Orchestra has come to Kimpton to play in concerts with the De Fakto Singers. On Saturday 13th November we returned the compliment and went to the recently renovated Rook Lane Chapel in Frome for a joint concert with an ambitious programme:
Come Ye Sons of Art - Henry Purcell with soloists Cecilia Bailey (soprano) Nicolas Vecchione and Meurig Bowen (counter-tenors) and Nicolas Dwyer (bass)
Meine Seele Hört im Sehen - Georg Frederic Handel with soprano soloist Cecilia Bailey and oboe obbligato Ros Pendry
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 - Johann Sebastian Bach
Hear my Prayer - Felix Mendelssohn with soprano soloist Helen Hollis
Folk Songs (Salisbury Plain, Linden Lea and Seiber’s 3 Hungarian Folk Songs)
Cavatina from the Marriage of Figaro – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with bass soloist Nicolas Dwyer
Symphony No. 73 (‘La Chasse’) - Franz Joseph Haydn
Insanae et Vanae Curae - Franz Joseph Haydn
The orchestra played extremely well and the Singers were in fine voice. We like to think that we are helping put Appleshaw and its surrounding villages on the map! The Rook Lane Chapel has been renovated to serve as a concert and social facility, and proved an excellent location for a concert where the combined forces of singers and instrumentalists exceeded 50 strong.
The De Fakto Singers will be singing at Christmas in both Kimpton and Thruxton.
Anyone who enjoys singing and is up for a bit of a challenge is welcome to join us. For more information please contact me (details in the centre pages). As a general rule we meet on the first Saturday of each month at Hammers, Appleshaw, with additional rehearsals as required for performances.
Edward Bailey
Back to Home page