Farewell Joe Cooper

Work started on Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Requiem in preparation for our concert on the 2^nd November at The United Reform Church. A good spirited evening was brought to an end with a cheerful reminiscence of the last four years work. Joe Cooper reminded the choir of just what had been achieved since the start of his tenure as Music Director beginning with Mozart en Masse at St Bart’s. Joe has led the choir through some fantastic performances including Poulenc’s Gloria, Vaughan William’s Sea Symphony, Orff’s Carmina Burana and fantastic performances of Handel’s Messiah amongst many others. Joe completed his trip down memory lane by announcing that it was time to look forward to new challenges and an exciting future. Then to the surprise of many Joe announced that he felt that it was also time for someone new to take on that challenge and develop the choir in new directions. Joe had aimed to build the choir to a level the City could be proud of and demonstrate that a choir of enthusiasts could produce performances of the highest standard. Joe said that he believed he had undoubtedly achieved what he had set out to do. On that basis Joe said that he had come to the decision that it was the right time to relinquish his position as Music Director. In giving up his role Joe is creating time to focus on his demanding role at St Alphage in Solihull and on completing his education at the Birmingham Conservatoire. At the end of four years at the helm, and some fantastic performances, Joe can move on in the knowledge that the choir has developed in both standard and confidence. He also has a string of great performances to remember. We wish Joe every success in the future and don’t doubt that this will not be the last we hear of him.