Welcome to the MKCS Website

Mount Kelly Choral Society's
 Mozart and Handel Performance

 Saturday night's concert by the Mount Kelly Choral Society was an evening of radiant music-making, showcasing the ensemble's skill and passion under the inspired direction of Dan Robson. With a program that featured Mozart’s Coronation Mass and excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, the audience was treated to a masterful blend of the sublime and the triumphant.

 The Coronation Mass began the evening, setting a tone of grandeur. The Divertimento Ensemble provided a polished orchestral foundation, with the continuo deftly played by Bernadette Bishop-Perrin, whose harpsichord work added depth and nuance to the piece. The choir’s delivery was both precise and heartfelt, handling Mozart’s intricate choral passages with clarity and balance.

 The soloists shone throughout the Coronation Mass. Bianca Phillips’s soprano brought a luminous quality to her lines, particularly in the Agnus Dei. India Lord’s alto added a rich, resonant warmth, while Harry Tabb’s tenor lent an expressive brightness to the ensemble. Marcus Coleridge’s bass anchored the quartet with gravitas and depth. Together, the four soloists blended beautifully, creating moments of exquisite harmony and balance that highlighted Mozart’s genius for vocal writing.

 The second half of the evening featured highlights from Handel’s Messiah, a repertoire staple that the Mount Kelly Choral Society performed with fresh energy. The choir excelled in the intricate contrapuntal sections, particularly in For Unto Us a Child is Born and Hallelujah, where their diction and dynamic control stood out. The soloists once again impressed, with Coleridge bringing gravitas to The Trumpet Shall Sound, whilst India Lord’s interpretation of O Thou That Tellest was a poignant highlight, full of emotional depth.

 Dan Robson’s direction was a unifying force throughout the evening. His clear gestures and insightful pacing brought out both the grandeur and intimacy of the works. The Divertimento Ensemble’s contribution was indispensable, with their crisp articulation and sensitive dynamics complementing the choir and soloists perfectly.

 The audience responded enthusiastically, with a heart-warming ovation that felt well-deserved. The Mount Kelly Choral Society’s performance was a triumph, showcasing their ability to handle both the technical demands and emotional resonance of such monumental works. This concert was not only a celebration of Mozart and Handel but also a testament to the vibrant choral tradition carried on by this dedicated ensemble.  

Looking ahead...

Mount Kelly Choral Society invite you to join them on Saturday 3rd May for a performance of Carl Orff's dramatic and powerful masterpiece, Carmina Burana. Composed in 1935, it is based on a collection of secular medieval poetry, and features Soprano, Tenor and Baritone soloists alongside the choir, two pianos and six percussionists! The concert will take place in St Eustachius' Parish Church, Tavistock.

It is sure to be a hugely enjoyable occasion for audience and choir alike. If you would like to join us to sing this exciting work, we rehearse weekly on a Thursday evening at 7.30, up at Mount Kelly School. For more information, please contact quel1@aol.com

If after watching us sing you would like to join us, we rehearse weekly on a Thursday evening at 7.30, at Mount Kelly School.
 For more information, please contact Chris Caple at quel1@aol.com

We are a mixed choir always welcoming new members.  We sing a wide variety of choral works and perform two or three concerts a year.   Although aspiring to high standards, anyone who wishes to develop their singing abilities is welcome. Auditions are usually only required if the section for the voice concerned is oversubscribed.   The choir is very friendly, reasonably serious but NOT SOLEMN!  
You can attend up to six rehearsals on a trial basis, without obligation.

Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings from 7.30 to 9.30 in the Big Hall at Mount Kelly College.

Annual subscriptions are £70 full subscription. Membership is free to under 18s.

For more information contact either Membership Secretary Chris Caple - quel1@aol.com or Chairman Robin Venables  – rjv@sigmanova.co.uk