This summer, Banbury Choral Society (BCS) is ‘all at sea’ with its performance of a favourite biblical story, Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo by Flanders and Horovitz. The evening concert, aimed at children and adults alike, will also recreate the music of bygone America when it performs Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs.
Taking place at St Mary’s Church in Banbury on Saturday 28th June at 7.30pm, the concert sees the return of celebrated baritone Jack Holton, who has this year performed with both Welsh National Opera and Opera North. Jack joins BCS’s 80-strong choir and its accompanist Julian Harris on the piano.
Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs is a collection of 10 pieces that feature traditional American tunes and lyrics arranged for voice and piano. The set includes songs such as The Boatmen’s Dance, At the River and the family favourite, I Bought Me a Cat.
The other half of the performance will feature Jack Holton performing the part of God in Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo. He will be accompanied by the choir who will be joined by more than a dozen pupils from the Warriner Secondary School. While the music of this much-loved children’s cantata was composed by Austrian-born Joseph Horovitz, the lively libretto is the work of Michael Flanders, who is perhaps better known for his work within the duo Flanders and Swann.
Jonathan Kingston, musical director of Banbury Choral Society, commented: “While these two pieces are quite a departure from our classical repertoire of Mozart, Fauré, Haydn and Britten, this more relaxed jazz-inspired music, demonstrates the sheer versatility of our singers.
I would encourage anyone with an interest in choral music to come along on 28th June to enjoy an evening of wonderful tunes and memorable singing from our guest baritone, Jack Holton and the young singers from Warriner choir performing alongside BCS.”
Tickets cost £15 for adults, £5 for the under 16s and £35 for a family (two adults & two children under 16), can be purchased from the choir’s website www.banburychoralsoc.co.uk or at the box office on the evening.
To hear the choir sing, visit www.youtube.com/@banburychoralsociety3357.
