Stratford-upon-Avon, Saturday 25th April, 2026
As the first event of the year, the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations in Stratford-upon-Avon are always a great to kick-off a new season. It was also a lovely way to introduce our new Musical Director, Gus, to the joys of dressing up and singing in the streets – an unusual mixture of posing for photos for foreign tourists whilst singing against a cacophony of background noise.
Our first performance of the day certainly gave us plenty to contend with. We had barely sung two songs outside the HSBC bank when a full military band marched by and set up to perform just 100 metres away from us. Even with the best effort and enthusiasm in the world, our a cappella singing can’t compete with brass instruments and a booming bass drum. However, we were determined to keep going. While the band were playing, we lined up our next number, so as soon as they finished, we were ready to go. And it worked. The people gathering on the streets had alternating brass band and a cappella madrigals to entertain them while they waited for the parade.
Our second performance was a return to the Escape Arts and Heritage Centre, a small but very friendly place tucked away in the service area between the shops of Bridge Street, High Street and Sheep Street. They were celebrating the day with a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, and they gave us a very warm welcome when we arrived to sing for them. Yes, I know the photos make it look like we’re singing in a carpark (which it is, really!), but it is a sweet venue and we enjoyed providing music for their party.
Our third and final performance was new to us, and we weren’t sure what to expect. Bell Court is small shopping centre which is now an entertainment and hospitality hub, with a cinema and lots of nice eating places. They too were getting into the spirit of the day; all morning, they had been offering fairy make-overs for children, and when we arrived, we discovered there was a fairy glen for us to sing in, complete with fanciful flora and fauna. Positioned under a brightly blossomed tree, with a deer at our side, we just had to start with “What Shall He Hath that Kill’d the Deer?” – though, thankfully, no actual hunting took place!
As you will see from the photos, the weather was glorious – maybe even a little too warm! But we had a lovely day and Gus thoroughly enjoyed his first experience of leading the choir out on the streets.
