'Concert & Cakes'

Reflection: Choral musc to nurture the soul

Saturday 22nd March 2025 at 4.00pm
St Barnabas Church, Linsdale, Leighton Buzzard LU7 2NR

The Choir was in pensive mood for this concert with a mixture of thoughtful and uplifting unaccompanied choral music divided into three sections – ‘contemplation’, ‘renewal’ and ‘tranquility’.

The main item in the concert was the first performance of the Kinsgfold Mass composed by the Choir's musical director, Dennis Pim, between 2016 and 2020. This unaccompanied Latin mass in four voice parts is based on the well-known ‘Kingsfold’ folk tune – the tune usually associated with the hymn ‘I heard the voice of Jesus say’ written in 1845 by hymn-writer Horatius Bonar.

The Mass does include a ‘Gloria’ which was not included as it didn't fit in with the general theme of the concert. Each of the other three movements was used at the start of one of the concert sections preceded by a verse from the Kingsfold hymn. At the end of each section the Choir explored settings of the late 15th century hymn ‘God be in my head’ by three different composers. Within each section there was a variety of pieces both sacred and secular by composers from the Tudor period up to the present day loosely linked to the themes of the section.

To give the singers a rest, between each section there was a short interlude – two poems read by members of the Choir in the first and a short gentle organ piece played by the Organist of St Barnabas.

Click on the link below to see the full list of music performed.

Tea and cakes were available after the concert in aid of St Barnabas Church and kindly provided by church members.

Tickets were £10 (under 18s free) and were available at the door or in advance online.

Concert poster   •   List of music   •   Concert review   •   Church website