Notices for January, 8th 2026
It was very encouraging to have such a high turnout at yesterday’s rehearsal despite the cold weather. I also appreciate that it was a bit cold and draughty for those sitting at the back of each section – perhaps a game of musical chairs each rehearsal break would allow those at the back to come in from the cold for the second half? I doubt there’s much else we can do about it but I’ll give it some thought.
Subs this term are now due at the amazing value of £52.50. Please pay, if you can, by bank transfer. The details are:
Brecon Singers. 86729861, 51-81-27 with the reference of Subs
If you can't use this method then please speak to Beatrice at your next opportunity.
Rob has kindly furnished us with a rehearsal schedule for the next few weeks.
Date Rep
14.1.26 Elgar hire copies available. Haydn Kyrie. Brahms No. 1.
21.1.26 Taken by Alan. Haydn St Nick Agnus Dei & Gloria
28.1.26 Haydn Credo (not bars 29 to 54). Sanctus.
4.2.26 7.30pm Tenors only Credo bars 29 to 37).
7.45pm Tutti Credo bars 29 to 54. Brahms No 7
11.2.26 7.30pm A, T, B only Brahms No 2 Fig A to C. Elgar Pages 163 + 164.
7.45pm Tutti Brahms number 2. Haydn Benedictus.
18.2.26 HALF TERM
Looking further ahead here are important dates for the rest of the year:
Summer Term
8th April = BS rehearsals resume.
12th April (Sunday) = Afternoon rehearsal with Gwent Chamber orchestra for concert on 26th April. Venue: St Mary’s.
26th April (Sunday) = Concert with Gwent Chamber Orchestra, St Mary’s, 15:00 start with prior rehearsal (13:00?).
27th May = No rehearsal (half term).
11th July (Saturday) = All day workshop for Brecon Choir Festival, Christ College theatre - organised by Festival. Brahms German Requiem.
16th July = Concert, Brecon Choir Festival. Brahms German Requiem and Bach Jesu Joy. Brecon cathedral with Brecknock Sinfonia.
22nd July = Last BS rehearsal of the term.
Autumn Term
9th September = BS rehearsals commence.
28th October = No rehearsal (half term).
5th December = 60th Anniversary concert, Elgar Dream of Gerontius, Brecon cathedral with Brecknock sinfonia.
16th December = Last rehearsal of the year + party.
Stay safe and warm!
Huw Marshall, Acting Chairman
Notices for January 6th 2026
A very happy new year, everyone. It has started with a cold and icy spell but our first rehearsal of the term will take place as scheduled in St. Mary’s commencing at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 7th January.
We have been assured that the heating will be on but I don’t suppose it will be very warm! So I’d strongly advise coming very warmly dressed. Please read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the
notices below. If you borrowed copies of last term’s music do, please, check that you haven’t still got it as some copies are still missing and need to be returned to Emma pronto!
The music we will be singing tomorrow will be Haydn St Nicholas mass and Brahm’s German requiem (in English).
I look forward to a warming sing with as many of you as can safely make it tomorrow.
Huw Marshall
Acting Chairman
Dates for your diaries:
7th Jan = Term starts.
21st Jan = RE away, rehearsal taken by Alan.
18th Feb = No rehearsal (half term).
18th March = last rehearsal of the term (Easter is 5 th April).
21st March (Saturday) = Joint workshop with The Beacons Orchestra. St Mary’s Brecon. 14:00 to 17:00,
A message from our librarian:
Last term’s music:
As I will be driving to Cardiff next Monday (Jan 12th) to collect the hire copies of Gerontius and return the Britten and Vaughan Williams hire copies from last term, I would really appreciate the
return of the remaining 2 copies of the VW and the 3 remaining Britten scores to me before then.
This term:
If you have ordered the Brahms Req and Haydn St Nicholas Mass via Brecon Singers and have not yet collected your copies from me, they’ll be available on Wednesday, but please make sure that you’ve paid (the vast majority of you have done, thank you).
Both the ordered hire and purchase copies of The Dream of Gerontius will be available at the rehearsal on Wed 14th Jan. If you’re buying one, the cost is £19 so please pay BRECON SINGERS (51-
81-27, 86729861) via BACs in advance (ref: Music) The cost to hire Gerontius for the year is likely to be £2 to £3, but I’ll confirm this asap.
Thank you, Emma
And finally,
Dear Brecon Singers,
Alan and I would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to you all for the kindness and support you have shown us regarding our grandson, Jesse. The GoFundMe campaign has now reached over £64k, and we are so grateful to everyone who has contributed. While we can thank some people personally, we are also so appreciative of the generosity shown by those who have chosen to remain anonymous.
Jesse has had the first round of treatment and will return to Düsseldorf next weekend for round two. Brecon Singers is such a lovely community, and we feel very fortunate to be part of it. Your
thoughtfulness and support have meant a great deal to us.
Thank you all once again.
With our thanks,
Alan and Kath