Classical Journey: The Serlo Consort Buckfast Abbey Sat 28 Sept 2013 Letter from Artistic Director Kit Perona-Wright

Monday, 9 September 2013

The Serlo Consort Buckfast Abbey Sat 28 Sept 2013 Letter from Artistic Director Kit Perona-Wright

The Serlo Consort

Kit Perona-Wright conducts The Serlo Consort

Honorary Patrons
Mr Andrew Nethsingha Director of Music, St John's College Chapel, Cambridge
Mr Andrew Millington Director of Muisc, Exeter Catehdral
Mr Stephen Farr Director of Music, St Paul's Knightsbridge

Artistic Director
Kit Perona-Wright MA (exon), BA (hons), FLCM, FRSM, FRSA, ARCO. dip CHD, QTS
kitperonawright@btinternet.com
30 Lichfield Drive, Cheltenham, Glos. GL51 3DH
01242 513581 | www.serloconsort.co.uk

Dear Counterpoint Supporter,

Kit Perona-Wright

Allow me to introduce myself! My name is Kit Perona-Wright, and I run a small professional vocal consort called 'The Serlo Consort'. I completed my undergraduate and postgraduate music studies at Exeter University between 1997-2001 (when it actually had a music department...) and was an organ & choral scholar in the Cathedral Choir during that time also.

Very early on during my time in Exeter, I was introduced to David Acres and was asked both to sing and to play the organ for Counterpoint. As is often the way for many of us 'past' Exeter University students and Cathedral Choir members - our involvement with Counterpoint does not stop simply because we move on from Devon! Many of us still sing/play for David for various events because of the life-long friendships that have been formed through our musical involvement. For me, it goes even further - he was the Best Man at my wedding when my wife and I married in Exeter Cathedral back in 2003!

David Acres

As part of that postgraduate MA course studying English Cathedral Music & Liturgy back in 2000-2001, I formed a choir (The Serlo Consort) made up of the best student singers, Cathedral Choir members , and singers from Counterpoint. 'Serlo' was the very first Dean (12th Century) of Exeter Cathedral.

I have developed the choir since leaving Exeter in 2001 and, in the intervening years, we have become well known for performing at Festivals and Concerts around the UK. We have performed on TV several times, were chosen to record a Christmas CD with the late Robin Gibb (Bee Bees), and last year recorded some of the music for the London 2012 Olympics. However, despite singing all over the UK as part of our usual programme of events, we have not actually been back to Devon since I left....until now!

Cipriano DeRore

I am delighted that we are now due to perform in Buckfast Abbey on Saturday 28^th September and may return next year for one or two concerts as well. David Acres will be singing with us as part of the group (and many of the other singers will be past members of Counterpoint/the Cathedral Choir too - like me!), and he kindly suggested writing to you as counterpoint supporters to let you know about the concert.

We will be performing some stunning unaccompanied choral music by composers such as Byrd (see video), Lobo, De Rore and Tallis. In addition to these items, we will also be performing with a saxophonist who will sensitively improvise over some of our items, creating a beautiful, haunting juxtaposition of old & new.

If you know of the work of Jan Garbarek and The Hilliard Ensemble, then you won't want to miss this!

The Serlo Consort

As you will already have heard from David, he is changing the nature of Counterpoint moving forward and he will be increasing the amount of singing that he does - for various groups like mine, for example. Nothing could ever 'replace' Counteproint; it is totally and utterly unique. However, because of the huge influence that David Acres has had over several generations of musicians passing through Exeter - such as me - if we do come come to perform at Buckfast in future, then I do hope that you might find something equally as appealing to enjoy and support (and you will probably notice some of David's fingerprints on the construction of the programmes!)

I look forward to seeing you in September. The concert starts at 7.30pm, and tickets are £12 (£10 if purchased in advance), available on the door or in advance from the details above.

Kit Perona-Wright

The Serlo Consort Limited (Registered Charity no. 1127442, Ltd Company no 05381341).

Cheques payable to 'The Serlo Consort'

Bank address: 234 Hight Street, Exeter, Devon EX4 3NL. Sort Code: 309314. Account number: 1184418