As of February 2023 we have vacancies for 1st Sopranos, Tenor and Bass.
If you are an experienced singer with good sight-reading ability, interested to join a competent Chamber Choir with a varied repertoire, we welcome you to join in with us for a trial evening or two – Why not try us out?
We are delighted to announce that after a long period of absence due to the events of the last two years, Jubilate started back with two Christmas performances in the diary.
We celebrated our return to singing on Saturday 2nd December (7PM) at Saints Philip and James Church, Up Hatherley, Cheltenham with Comfort & Joy – an evening of festive music and readings. Reserve your tickets here.
On 13th December we turned to a regular feature of the Jubilate Christmas Calendar, delivering a private performance for the members of The New Club in Cheltenham. A small, intimate performance that is always a favourite of the choir and one that gets everyone in the Christmas mood.
Then, on the 20th December, we travelled to Westonbirt, The National Arboretum to perform Christmas classics in the Enchanted Christmas. You can buy tickets here.
We invited the audience “to set out on an adventure through the illuminated trees of the arboretum, to speak to the trees and tree elves, but watch out for the storm and don’t get lost! If you manage to locate all the Reindeer you may catch a glimpse of Jubilate or even Father Christmas himself!”
Following a long break, this is just the start and we look forward to publicising new concert dates for Christmas and beyond very soon. So stay tuned!
Our new rehearsal venue the large modern Saints Philip and James Parish Church, Up Hatherley in Cold Pool Lane, Cheltenham GL51 6HY (just off the Southern bypass, Up Hatherley Way).
Following extensive Risk Assessment carried out by Sharyn Wilson, Ian is able to announce the re-commencement of rehearsals from Monday 9th November. Full details will be sent to all members.
This follows a search for some months by Ian in order to find a new venue, away from areas of potentially higher infection.
The Cathedral Church of SS. Peter and Paul (Clifton Cathedral) is the Roman Catholic cathedral of Bristol. The grade II listed building was constructed in the early 1970s and is a breathtaking example of brutalist architecture, characterised by simple and exposed, raw concrete structures. The result is a wonderful acoustic that makes it the perfect home for choral music. Immersive to sing in as it is to listen.
This was our second visit to Clifton and once again it did not disappoint. Conducted by Ian Higginson and expertly accompanied by Neil Fortin, our recital opened with the lively Cantate Domino by Italian baroque composer, Pitoni. The energetic anthem is always a great concert opener that immediately captures audience attention.
From Italy to Austria with the Mozart Ave Verum and then on to France where we gave the choir’s first ever performance of Poulenc’s triumphant 1941 motet, Salve Regina (“Hail Holy Queen”).
Then home to 20th century England, with the Missa Brevis – a short mass written especially for Jubilate by our very own musical director and composer Ian Higginson. The audience was then catapulted back to the 16th century with the Thomas Tallis classic If Ye Love Me, most recently heard at the wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Another new addition to the Jubilate repertoire followed with the Ave Maria by French renaissance composer Josquin des Prez followed by a visit to Germany and Bach’s Jesu Lead Thy Footsteps Ever. We then settled in France with the Duruflé Ubi Caritas, Saint Saens Panis Angelicus and closed with an old Jubilate favourite, Cantique de Jean Racine by Gabriel Fauré.
It’s fair to say the whole choir enjoyed yet another successful lunchtime recital at this magnificent venue and we look forward to returning to Clifton Cathedral some time in the future.
The poster for last year’s Joy of Christmas:
The next Joy of Christmas will be on Saturday 5th December 2020, at St Matthews Church,
on the corner of Clarence St, and St George’s Place, Cheltenham GL50 3PL .
Hosted by Jubilate, with the English Concertante Orchestra and guest performances from other choirs. Festive refreshments will be offered.