AS Monmouth Choral Society enters its tenth year since its revival in 1991, it seems appropriate that a landmark be placed in its history. The recent release of its first public recording provided such an occasion when the first two CDs were presented to Monmouth's Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Richard Bond and Cllr Susan White, both very keen supporters of amateur leisure groups.
In the aftermath of the millennium celebrations, members of MCS returned to a Christmas programme to produce Music for Christmas under the direction of their conductor, Mark Foster. They willingly gave up a Saturday afternoon and evening to be recorded by KBMF Audio who regularly record the choir's concert.
At the special recording session, which was held in St Mary's Priory Church, the choir welcomed Jonathan Holmes (a former Director of Music at Monmouth) who contributed two organ pieces and Tom Breeze who accompanied his own composition Unto us a boy is born, composed at the age of 16 and which became a great favourite in Monmouth.
Two choir members - Clare Cooper and Sonia Peters - also feature in Music for Christmas and the recording cover - designed by Alan Beattie - depicting a snow-covered Priory Street, with St Mary's Church spire in the background, has rendered the recording a specially Monmouth product which Monmouth Tourist Information Centre is delighted to put on sale as a souvenir of the town.
It is hoped that sales of Music for Christmas will not only cover the cost of the exercise but will also help raise funds for the choir to enable it to fulfil its needs and expectations. The rising costs of staging performances of major choral works with full orchestra present an ever increasing challenge. Thanks to the choir's fund-raising efforts and to generous sponsorship the Society has not only been able to cover its running costs to date but also to assist young soloists about to embark on their musical careers. More recently, the choir was able to introduce the Monmouth Choral Society Singing Prize to the Welsh College of Music and Drama and once again it hopes to welcome the recent winner as a soloist at its Christmas concert in December.
Apart from the need to review and upgrade its facilities for rehearsals when it moves with Bridges to Drybridge House, the choir has always been keen to help and encourage local young musical talent. These expectations, however, cannot become a reality without sufficient funds.
Music for Christmas, which is available in CD and cassette form, is now on sale in the local TIC in Agincourt Square, Music Box, the Cancer Research Shop and Posies as well as Abergavenny Music. It will also be on sale at Monmouth Library during November and at Monmouth Choral Society's Bazaar in the Old Library Community Room on December 2nd. Anyone who wishes to order directly should contact the choir's secretary on 01600 716402 or any choir member.