Classical Music - New Sussex Singers

The New Sussex Singers play on home territory again on Saturday when they sing to raise money for St Anne’s Church, fresh from the dizzy heights of the London Coliseum where they played, under the auspices of the ENO/Baylis, from their own repertoire in July. The first half of their programme will feature Mozart’s '“Solemn Vespers' which as one of the singers, Keith Savage, told Viva Lewes, “has a forbidding title, but is actually delightfully bright and lively”. Although it is quite complicated to perform, the New Sussex Singers make light work of it as their mixed choral styles - including opera and oratorio - complement it well. According to Keith, the second half of the programme will be “lighter” and will include “Birthday Madrigals by John Rutter, which was written to celebrate the 75th birthday of the blind jazz legend, George Shearing” and extracts from 'Ain’t Misbehavin'" by Fats Waller. Added to this will be four spirituals: two arrangements for the Kings Singers; one from ‘Child of Our Time’ by Michael Tippett and an American folk hymn.

As a group, the New Sussex Singers have been together for 20 years. Keith has been with them for 12 years and although he stresses that they are all amateur singers their professionalism and unique charm shines through. They now perform under the leadership of their musical director, John Baker, accompanied by organist David Ollosson. All proceeds from Saturday’s concert will go towards the Friends of St Anne’s Roof and Tower Appeal. KA