Bach's great masterwork, the St John Passion, was sung in Christ Church and St James churches on the weekend of 15th/16th March by the Petts Wood Festival Chorus. This was the first performance of this new choir, and some 60 singers were joined by talented players from the local area, together with soloists, to give two very effective and moving presentations of the work. The baroque orchestra, composed of instrumentalists from the local community, was led by Bernard Brook, leader of the Bromley Symphony Orchestra. The Evangelist was sung by Ben Thapa (of G4 fame), together with Sarah-Louis Ince (Alto), Lesley Knight (Soprano) and Jonny Davies (Bass). First performed in 1723, the music tells the story of Christ's suffering and death, and the choir, orchestra and soloists brought out the spiritual depths of the work, vividly creating the drama of the narrative through Bach's sublime music. Many of the singers had never sung in a choir before. The Rev. Pauline Sparkes (Minister at Christ Church) praised the performers for a magnificent achievement in just ten weeks. Canon Tom McHugh (Dean of the Catholic Deanery of Bromley) congratulated conductor Bryan Wells for making 'wine out of water' and in bringing out the best in the choir. Fr Bryan thanked everyone who had made the project so enjoyable and worthwhile. Both churches were full, and the work proved a worthy 'opener' to Holy Week. A cheque for £2,000 has been sent to the Bromley Branch of the Alzheimer’s Society The choir will be assembling again in June to lead the Petts Wood Residents’ Association service at the Memorial Hall and a further concert is being planned for the autumn. Bryan Wells said that this had been a great way of bringing people, and different churches, together in serving the local community. All singers are welcome to join and enquiries can be emailed to the Festival Choir.
Letter of thanksMagnificent Achievement – Bach in Petts Wood St John Passion performed by Petts Wood Festival Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra Conductor Fr Bryan Wells See what the News Shopper said See images relating to the performance.
Email Father Bryan
Site last updated 6th March 2010
Father Bryan Wells | Tel: 01689 827100 | 283 Crescent Drive, Petts Wood, Orpington, BR5 1AY
Home Recent updates Mass times Spiritual resources Prayer intentions 2009 Stations of the Cross Pastoral Help at hand Evangelium Taizé news Homilies Journey in Faith What's on? March 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 January 2010 February 2010 2009 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 2008 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 2007 December 2007 November 2007 Weekly bulletins Help the parish Duty rotas Parish administration Pastoral & Advisory Mission & Planning Parish Office Property Committee Gift Aid Parish forums 2008 2009 March October Annual calendar Parish groups Group Contacts Catenians Catholic Women's League Children's Liturgy Guides Justice and Peace Knights of St Columba Parent and Toddler Scouts Youth Groups Social Centre Club/Bar Firm Believers fitness Sequence Dancing Development Development news Parish news & events Festival Chorus - see news News Messiah performance Archive Residents' Association Service St John Passion March 2008 St John Passion CD Education St James' Primary School General What's On at school St James' School PTA St James' Pre-School Child protection How to find us About Fr Bryan Wells History of the parish 1937 - 1946 1946 - today Southwark Archdiocese External links Contact webmaster