New choir in West Sussex

LEWES, W SUSSEX, UK — A NEW choral experience is on offer
with the launch in Ripe Church, near Lewes, of the Ripe Chorus,
conducted by Ignacio Jarquin.

Jarquin comes from Mexico. He has conducted the Orchestra and
Choir of Radio Netherlands, Paris Symphonic Orchestra, Spanish
National Symphony Orchestra, Cairo Opera Orchestra and Choir and
the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.

Under his leadership, the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus reached the
final stages of the 2008 BBC choral competition Last Choir
Standing.

He is a member of Brighton’s Prodigal Theatre Company and is
currently touring through England and Ireland with Caruso And The
Quake, a one-man show based on Enrico Caruso and his escape from
the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

Spokeswoman Joan Hester said: “The rehearsals will include some
in-depth vocal work which will help you to find your voice and make
a better sound. No audition is necessary, just the ability to read
music and sing in tune.

“This is the start of a new venture. If the chorus gathers
momentum, it will lead onto other things.

“It will be friendly and fun, though it will involve some work
on the music at home to achieve a reasonable standard. We will
include some trips to the pub for lunch after rehearsals. The two
works we have chosen are of moderate difficulty and are in
contrasting styles.”

The first is Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramírez, a folk mass based on
the rhythms and traditions of Hispanic America, sung in Spanish,
with tenor soloist(s) and accompanied by percussion, piano and
guitar. The second is Magnificat by John Rutter, one of his
best-loved works, for chorus and soprano soloist, sung in
Latin.