Anthony feeling Rosy about choir

WITH more than 100 years of music making under its belt, it cannot be said the Uttoxeter Choral Society (UCS) do not know how to make music. Yet, over the last few years the confidence of its 70-plus choristers has slipped.

"The society seemed to be feeling a bit down when I applied for the position of musical director earlier this year," says Anthony Rose, the society's 26-year-old leader.

"They really looked like they needed a boost, so I try and make rehearsals as much fun as possible while making sure they sing to a very good standard."

Recognising the choir needed to get its name out there again, a fantastic concert of Mozart and Schubert has been arranged for tomorrow night, when the singers perform at St Mary's Church, Uttoxeter, alongside musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music and the Hallé, and soloists Charlotte Carter (soprano), Rachel Gilmore (mezzo-soprano), Peter Kelly (tenor) and John Evanson (baritone).

Anthony, pictured left, says: "For a non-audition choir, the standard of singing is extremely high, so I wasn't afraid to choose difficult pieces for them.

"Mozart's popular Exsultate Jubilate and his Mass in C Major are going to be crowd-pleasers and Schubert's sublime German Mass has provided them with a brilliant challenge as they have had to really get their head around the prose so they can portray the emotion. I rarely pick music that's going to be an easy job – you need to learn it, not just sing it."

Founded in 1881 the UCS is recognised as one of the oldest choral societies in the country.

As a graduate of Durham University – where he founded the Durham Baroque Ensemble and Players – and assistant conductor with the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony was chosen as the one to lead the choir towards a new era.

Tomorrow night's concerttherefore, is a chance for its members to regain confidence and show listeners their capabilities.

"No one had ever really heard of the society before and I think it's about time they did," says Anthony, who is also director of the Sandbach Voices and principal conductor of the Stafford Orchestra. "They are very good and over the last 12 months we've been working hard so they reach their potential.

"This concert has taken about eight weeks of rehearsing and I think we've done all we can possibly do.

"All that hard work and dedication should culminate in a wonderful and enjoyable experience. I think tomorrow will be great for them."

The Uttoxeter Choral Society can be seen at St Mary's Church, Uttoxeter, tomorrow at 7.30pm. For tickets, priced £8, or £6 concessions, call 01889 560130.