Waverley Singers

Ahead of the concert, the following note appeared in the local press.

Church Music

The Waverley Singers will be giving a concert in Odiham Parish Church on Saturday evening, at 7:30 pm, singing Bach's Mass in B Minor.

The Singers, including Sandra Wilkes (soprano), Neil Jenkins (tenor), Margaret Cable (contralto), and Christopher Keyte (bass), will be conducted by John Cotterill. The Waverley Orchestra will be led by Kenneth Anderson.

Tickets cost from 50p and are available from S.R. Verstage, Odiham High Street. 

A second preview read as follows:

Singers mark centenary

The first complete performance in England of Bach's B Minor Mass was given in St James's Hall, Regent Street, in April 1876, by a specially constituted choir which soon after became permanently known as The Bach Choir.

The centenary of this first performance has been recognised locally by the Waverley Singers, who will sing the complete work at Odiham Parish Church on Saturday week, April the 10th, under their conductor John Cotterill (see advertisement on page 2).

Now acknowledged as one of the greatest choral works of all time, it is hard to imagine that a hundred years ago it had not yet been heard in its entirety in this country, especially as nowadays it guarantees capacity audiences. A performance of the Mass in B Minor is a landmark for any choral society, and it is anticipated that many people will wish to share with the Waverley Singers in this special occasion.

The Waverley Orchestra will be led by Kenneth Anderson, and the four well-known soloists will be Sandra Wilkes (soprano), Margaret Cable (contralto), Neil Jenkins (tenor), and Christopher Keyte (bass).