The 2025/6 season reviewed – Neil Marshall
How would you sum up the choir's year in up to 5 words?
An astonishing musical journey
What was your favourite piece and why?
Brahms ‘Ein deutsches Requiem’ was an enormous challenge because of its sheer scale – Brahms's longest and largest-ensemble work – and having to master a score written in ‘old’ German. But the end product was 70 minutes of stunning artistry and the joy of a requiem written, not for the dead, but for the living. And it went in a flash!
What was your favourite concert and why?
Without a doubt, the March 2026 concert [Brahms Requiem]. Such a wonderful programme for the audience to enjoy, with a formidable contribution by the East Herts Sinfonia - and probably the best ever performance by RCS. I’m sure most of us felt that it was an exhausting day, but the comments by members of the audience were so wonderfully uplifting - testament to Andrew’s ability to continuously ‘grow’ his choir. An unforgettable evening!
Suggestions how we could make the experience (for singers and/or audience) better?
None needed – we appear to have found a sweet spot, with the choir constantly challenged by Andrew and a consistently large and supportive audience. And we are blessed with such a wonderful home and performance space for the choir at St John the Baptist.
What are you looking forward in the year ahead?
The ‘Elijah’ oratorio has an exquisitely dramatic score, with the choir sometimes performing in eight parts, so that will be fun to learn. But I just love the sheer warmth and joy we see in the faces of our audience during our Christmas concerts. It feels like being part of a rather large and supportive family; and we all regress just a little bit back to being a child at Christmas again. Priceless!