Celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, Sidmouth Choral Society’s spring concert is supported by Churches Together in Sidmouth

TO celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, Sidmouth Choral Society’s spring concert is being supported by Churches Together in Sidmouth.

The Passiontide Concert will be performed in Sidmouth Methodist Church on Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. by a choir of more than 60, and some talented solo singers and musicians, under the baton of well-known musical director Dorothy Worthington

It will feature Rutter’s Requiem with soloist Daisy Walford (soprano) and Maunder’s Olivet to Calvary with soloists Joan Edgecumbe (soprano), Jason Bomford (tenor), John Brindley (bass) and Andrew Scott as the voice of Pilate.

Tickets are �9, available from Paragon Books, Sidmouth.

Musical director Dorothy Worthington was head of music at Cullompton School and St Margaret’s School, Exeter.

She is now a freelance accompanist and musical director, working with Sidmouth Arts Club Operatic Society, Sidmouth Choral Society, Centre Stage, Exmouth and Crediton Operatic Society.

Organist Robert Millington was a chorister at Truro Cathedral and studied organ with John Winter, then with Eric Chadwick at the Royal Manchester College of Music.

He was music director at Sidmouth College. A singer and composer too, his carol There is no Rose, written for Sidmouth Choral Society, has been recorded by Exeter Cathedral Choir.

For 30 years he has been organist and choirmaster of Sidmouth Parish Church. Soprano Daisy Walford was a cathedral chorister at Exeter Cathedral School for six years, then joined St Margaret’s School with a music scholarship, gaining an A grade in GCSE Music.

She is currently in her final year, studying A levels in music, drama and English and hopes to do a music performance degree, with voice as her principle study.

Daisy recently entered the Woodard Young Musician of the Year competition.

Mezzo-soprano Joan Edgecumbe has had a life-long love of singing and music for which she is well-known throughout East Devon.

Since marrying Michael in 1969 and settling in Sidmouth, she has sung in various local choirs, principally the Connaught Singers, Methodist Church Choir, Sidmouth Choral Society and the popular fund-raising Sidmouth Songsters.

She performs as a soloist throughout East Devon, often taking leading parts in charity fund-raising concerts produced by Michael.

Tenor Jason Bomford was born in New York and moved to England aged four.

His first solo engagement was in Hereford aged 11. As a chorister at St Alphege Church, Solihull, he developed his love for the choral repertoire.

He currently he sings in Exeter Cathedral, Buckfast Abbey and in concerts with Counterpoint

After a gap of nearly 20 years, bass baritone John Brindley began singing several years ago when he retired.

He now gives recitals, and performs in concerts at various venues in East Devon, is a soloist with Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir and also sings with Sidmouth Songsters.

Before retirement, John was an Under Secretary of State in the Lord Chancellor’s Department and was awarded a CBE in the 1996 Birthday Honours List.

Bass Andrew Scott, who is the voice of Pilate, joined Sidmouth Choral Society in 2003 and has been its secretary since 2004.

He has 30 years experience of singing in church choirs and choral societies, including the baritone solos in both Faur�’s and Brahms’ Requiems. He has also undertaken solo work for the Croydon Bach Choir.