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John Rutter workshop, 30th September 2000

John Rutter is one very busy man. Our Secretary and Conductor have been corresponding with John for nearly 2 years to find a slot in his diary when he could come to Sittingbourne and lead a workshop for us. It is an engagement all of the choir members have been eagerly awaiting. Then . . . . during the Spring this year we heard that John was able to come to put us through our paces on the 30th September.

John Rutter's fame as a composer of our time is well known to all choral performers and musicians (and probably to most of the general public at large without them realising it!!). However, for those who would like to find out more about John's background, compositions and arrangements could do worse than look at the Oxford University Press web site page devoted to this talented man. John is a director of OUP. General web searches returm many links to sites throughout the world which give more information about his activities and his conducting activities with many of the leading orchestras around the globe.

John's international activities became clear on this sunny September Saturday. He recounted stories and anecdotes from Chicago to Japan and asked us to sing (and sight read!!) in German and Italian.

The attentive assembly (well over 200 from the Sittingbourne Orpheus and sister societies) were enthralled at the smooth and easy way in which John had us all working through pieces both known and unknown. We picked up many useful technical tips throughout the day. The range of material covered was from folk songs to Opera Classics, so there really was something for everybody.

Autograph hunters abounded and John did every one proud by signing their copies of some of his works and by ensuring that each person had the opportunity of a few words with him - so the breaks in the proceedings were also extremely busy.

Our grateful thanks go to John for giving up a day of his time to lead us - if any readers get the opportunity to spend a few hours in John Rutter's company we recommend it; it should not be missed.

Written Autumn 2000
Paul Warren