Notes From a Big Country

This Wimbledon Choral Society concert has an American theme, comprising music by American composers or with American influences, and is timed to coincide with England's World Cup football match against the USA.

Wimbledon Choral Society has a special fondness for the Football World Cup, having sung and recorded the BBC's 1998 World Cup Theme.

Included in the concert are some of the Five Spirituals from Sir Michael Tippett's A Child Of Our Time, which was written at the beginning of World War II, and echoed British horror at the dreadful unfolding events, his own anger at the world's lack of urgency in dealing with the problem of Jewish refugees and aspects of man's inhumanity to man. Sung unaccompanied they contain lilting rhythms and soulful harmonies.

The selection of Songs and Sonnets by William Shakespeare are set to music by George Shearing in his inimitable jazzy style. Although born in Battersea, he moved to America when he was 38. But he has closer ties with Wimbledon as his only formal musical education consisted of four years of study at the Linden Lodge School for the Blind.

The other George in the programme needs no introduction... the excerpts from Porgy and Bess contain all the favourite songs and choruses.

The start time of 6pm and an anticipated finish time of 7.15pm will allow any football fans to see the kick off at 7.30 in one of the many nearby hostelries.