We sang a varied and interesting programme to a good-sized audience at St Andrews Church.  Our talented soloist was Jennifer Hawthorn and our accompanist was David Fisher. The choir felt we'd done Alex Woodrow proud for his final concert with us as musical director before moving on to pastures new; we wish him well and offer our grateful thanks for his hard work and patience with the Chorale.

After the concert the choir and audience enjoyed a splendid strawberry tea!

We held a very successful Bring and Sing Messiah at St Andrews Church with 'guest' singers in all parts. A good-sized appreciative audience enjoyed our performance of this well-known and popular work 

The church was almost full and, despite the 'good ventilation', audience and choir alike were plenty warm enough. Alex Woodrow entertained us with 2 Bach pieces beautifully played on the organ, and 2 readings were presented by members of the Chorale.  The choir was on fine form and the carols were sung with great spirit. Sadly, as per current advice, the requirement to wear masks reduced the swell of singing which we normally expect from the audience.  

The concert on 20th November 2021 was our first for nearly 2 years, and we were delighted to be able to perform again. With adequate social distancing and a blast of cold wintry air, we sang our hearts out, aided by a delightful and note-perfect soprano soloist, Katherine Rawlings Smith and our accompanist David Fisher. After a relaxed first half programme, Alex Woodrow nursed the choir through Rutter's Requiem and we felt we had done it justice. Bravo Shifnal Chorale, for making a good job of a difficult piece. 

The annual 'Come and Sing' on Feb 1st 2020 was a resounding success! The 100 singers, from all over Shropshire, worked hard all afternoon with musical director Alex Woodrow and produced an amazing performance of Vivaldi's 'Gloria'. The performance was enhanced by our two soloists - soprano Kimee Cleaton and contralto Marcia Hall. Our usual excellent afternoon tea hit the spot at the end of the workshop.

The annual carol concert with the RAF Cosford voluntary Band took place on Monday 16th December 2019. The audience filled every seat and sang with gusto. Patrick Ryan, the usual bandmaster for the RAF Cosford Voluntary Band, was unfortunately indisposed, but his place was taken at short notice by a very able conductor. We had carols, readings and music from the band, followed by delicious mince pies and drinks. A joyous festive evening was had by performers and audience alike.

Shifnal Chorale held a late autumn concert of festive English Music on 30th November 2019. The Vaughan Williams, with our excellent baritone soloists, was accompanied by some beautiful cello playing by Charlie Tucki, a young music scholar at Solihull School and David Fisher on the organ. Our conductor, Alex Woodrow, performed a well known organ piece by JS Bach which was well received, prior to a break for our delicious homemade cakes. The second half of the concert, Britten's Ceremony of Carols, consisted of a number of medieval carols in 'old English' and was enhanced by our tenor and soprano soloists. 

The spring concert took place on Saturday 20th July at St Andrew's Church Shifnal with an audience of over 90 people.

The programme of light music included songs from the musicals and traditional folk songs. Solos were performed by Marcia Hall (‘I could have Danced all Night’), Roy Grain on clarinet (Faure’s Pavane and Bechet’s Petit Fleur), Alex Woodrow and David Fisher (Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance Op 46 piano duet), Neil Robinson (solo from Ruddigore by G&S) and Masefield’s Sea Fever performed by Mike Street. We are blessed to have such a wealth of talent amongst our members!

The concert was followed by a delicious strawberry cream tea.

The Spring Concert 2019 was held on Saturday 6th April at Trinity Church, Shifnal under the direction of Alex Woodrow and beautifully accompanied by Michael Davey on organ, harpsichord and piano, in the absence of our regular accompanists.

The church was nearly full and the appreciative audience treated to a collection of British songs and music. The programme got under way with 'Summer is icumen in' sung as a round, which warmed up our voices for what was to follow - three madrigals set to music by Thomas Morley. 'It Was a lover and His Lass', 'April is in My Mistress' Face' and 'Now is the Month of Maying'.

Alex Woodrow then played the 'Miniature Suite for Organ' by John Ireland, followed by W Sanderson's 'The Laughing Cavalier'  sung by Marcia Hall. Te Deum Laudamus by HRH Prince Albert was then given a rare and stirring performance, in honour of the 200th anniversary of Prince Albert's birth. This has been videoed for posterity, and featured soloists Jane Preston, Marcia Hall, Kiaran Asthana and Mike Street.

Following refreshments (including a selection of delicious home-made cakes), Daina Gromadzki explained the more obscure meanings hidden in the folk songs which comprise 'Sprig of Thyme' and gave an insight into the stories behind the songs. The 11 folk songs from John Rutter's 'Sprig of Thyme' were then sung by the choir and another successful performance brought to an end.

For those who wish to listen again to Te Deum Laudamus, here is a link to the video on YouTube : https://youtu.be/rjDriInCcbY

Our annual 'Come and Sing' was held at 2pm on Saturday 2nd February 2019 at Trinity Methodist Church, Shifnal. We had a good turn out of 87 singers, although several more were unable to attend due to winter 'bugs'.

We worked through Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem in D minor, Op.48 with conductor Alex Woodrow, Music Director of Shifnal Chorale. A performance followed, attended by an audience of family and friends. The Requiem was a joy to sing, and beautifully accompanied by Chris Blake, with uplifting solos from Olivia (soprano) and Neil (bass).

Good comments were received afterwards about our excellent musical director and the quality of the afternoon tea. All in all, a treat for singers and listeners alike.