Bath Bach Choir | |
---|---|
Choir | |
Origin | Bath, Somerset, England |
Founded | October 1946 |
Members | about 100 |
Music director | Benedict Collins Rice |
Website | www |
Bath Bach Choir, formerly The City of Bath Bach Choir (CBBC), is based in Bath, Somerset, England, and is a registered charity. [1] Founded in 1946 by Cuthbert Bates, who also became a founding father of the Bath Bach Festival [2] in 1950, the choir's original aim was to promote the music of Johann Sebastian Bach via periodic music festivals. Bates – an amateur musician with a great love and understanding of this composer's works – was also the CBBC's principal conductor and continued in this role until his sudden death, in April 1980. This untimely exit pre-empted his planned retirement concert performance of J. S. Bach's Mass in B minor, [3] [2] scheduled for July of the same year, and effectively ended the first period of the choir's history.
Distinguished Handel scholar [4] Denys Darlow succeeded Cuthbert Bates as musical director in 1980 and remained in the post until 1990. He was followed by Nigel Perrin, who remained Musical Director until December 2022. Perrin began his musical life as a chorister at Ely Cathedral, then won a choral scholarship to King's College, Cambridge, studying under Sir David Willcocks. In 1970 he also joined the newly formed King's Singers, having sung with them on an occasional basis after graduation in the summer of 1969, and thereafter entertaining the world throughout the 1970s as the highest voice (counter-tenor) of the irrepressible and ground-breaking vocal group.
In 2023, Benedict Collins Rice was appointed music director, only the fourth in 75 years. Originally from Oxfordshire, Collins Rice held two conducting scholarships at the University of Cambridge before continuing his studies with the Heads of Conducting at the Royal College of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and the University of Birmingham where he studied under Simon Halsey. Performing throughout Europe and the US, he has recorded for several labels, [5] broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and founded a chamber group, The Facade Ensemble. [6]
The first president of the CBBC was Dr Ralph Vaughan Williams until 1958. Sir Arthur Bliss, then Master of the Queen's Music (Musik), took over as president in 1959, followed in 1975 by Sir David Willcocks, until 2015. In 2016 David Hill, musical director of The Bach Choir, was elected president of Bath Bach Choir, and Jonathan Willcocks a vice president.
The Bath Bach Choir, a member of the Cultural Forum for the Bath area, [7] has an illustrious history and continues to perform demanding and diverse choral works in the UK and overseas. Membership is governed by audition. The choir is widely regarded as one of the leading musical forces in the west of England and continues to perform two major orchestral concerts annually with a lighter concert in the summer. Most take place at Bath Abbey but other venues include Exeter Cathedral, The Forum, Bath the Michael Tippett Centre, the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon and the Roper Theatre, Hayesfield Girls' School, Bath.
Recent performances have included Sergei Rachmaninov, All-Night Vigil (Rachmaninoff), J.S Bach's St Matthew Passion and Mass in B minor, Mass in Blue by Will Todd, accompanied by the composer, Elis Pehkonen's Russian Requiem, [8] also in the composer's presence, works by Sir Karl Jenkins and Sir James MacMillan's St John Passion who attend the concert performed in Wells Cathedral. The choir's 60th Anniversary Concert, in the Wiltshire Music Centre in 2007, comprised a newly commissioned work by Ed Hughes, [9] called Song for St Cecilia.
The choir regularly tours abroad: Karl Jenkins’ Requiem was performed at Carnegie Hall, New York, in 2008, [10] and concerts have taken place at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, Paris, and in Hungary, Belgium and Germany. In 2009 the choir was invited to perform in the famous Thomaskirche, where Johann Sebastian Bach was once choirmaster, Aix-en-Provence, [11] in 2013, and the Bath Bach Choir's most recent tour to Barcelona: Barcelona Cathedral, Sagrada Família, Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona in 2015.
Today, referred to as the Bath Bach Choir, the choir comprises about 100 committed singers from Bath and its environs, such as Frome, drawn from all walks of life, offering them the opportunity to sing challenging works at the very highest level with professional orchestras and soloists – the very proposition Cuthbert Bates made in 1946. The choir maintains an active list of patrons and friends who support its musical work in return for a range of related benefits.
The City of Bath Bach Choir gave its inaugural concert in June 1947 in Bath Abbey, [2] performing J. S. Bach's Mass in B minor. Cuthert Bates chose Alan Bennett, then head of music at City of Bath Boys' School (today Beechen Cliff School), to take on the roles of collaborator, assistant musical director and assistant director of the Bath Bach Festivals; the distinguished composer Dr. Ralph Vaughan Williams was appointed as president. In December 1947 the choir gave its first Carols by Candlelight concert in the historic Grand Pump Room, Bath, at which the choir displayed versatility and musicianship by introducing new carols and arrangements as well as old favourites for audience participation. These annual Christmas concerts continue to this day.
A year after his death, in August 1958, Vaughan Williams was succeeded as president by Sir Arthur Bliss, Master of the Queen's Music. Sir Arthur died on 27 March 1975 and was replaced in July 1975 by distinguished choral musician and current president Sir David Willcocks, then famous for his work as the director of music at King's College, Cambridge, who had recently been appointed director of the Royal College of Music.
The first Bath Bach Festival, in October 1950, commemorated the bicentenary of the eponymous composer's death and was a great success. A further seven festivals were held at approximately four-year intervals until 1982 but the eighth was a financial disaster and indicated the end of an era. However, in 1995 the Bath Bach Festival tradition was revived by Elizabeth Bates, Cuthbert Bates' daughter, and periodic Bach Festivals continued in Bath under her direction until October 2010. A new mini-Bath Bachfest was initiated in February 2012, sponsored by the Bath Mozartfest [12] Charitable Trust. [13]
In its first 35 years the City of Bath Bach Choir gave many performances of Bach's major choral works, including its signature work – the Mass in B minor – as well as the St Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, Christmas Oratorio and numerous cantatas and motets. Other European composers were also represented, since choir policy has always been to explore lesser-known masterpieces in addition to popular choral repertoire. The choir gave one of the first modern performances of the Claudio Monteverdi Vespers of 1610, and other concerts included works by Bononcini, Francesco Cavalli, Antonio Vivaldi, Heinrich Schütz, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Camille Saint-Saëns, Gustav Holst, Anton Bruckner and William Walton. In October 1966, they gave one of the first UK performances of the Duruflé Requiem in Bath. Michael Tippett's oratorio A Child of our Time was sung under the composer's baton as a part of the Bath Festival in June 1968. During this period the works of Ralph Vaughan Williams, the choir's first president, also featured strongly. From the beginning, the choir strove to obtain the highest quality professional support from professional orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Boyd Neel Orchestra, though during the 1970s rising costs necessitated a modification of this practice. Similar attention was also given to the selection and engagement of solo singers such as Kathleen Ferrier, Dame Janet Baker, Margaret Cable, Wendy Eathorne, Eric Greene and John Shirley-Quick. Meanwhile, notable conductors included Ralph Vaughan Williams, Josef Krips (who was so impressed by a performance of Haydn's The Creation with the London Symphony Orchestra that he repeated it at the Royal Festival Hall, London), Yehudi Menuhin, Basil Cameron, Reginald Jaques, Nadia Boulanger, Charles Groves, István Kertész and Sir David Willcocks.
Unaccompanied pieces were not neglected. There were frequent recitals and serenade concerts in which a wide field of music was explored from the sixteenth century school to the present day.
The City of Bath Bach Choir had planned to appoint Denys Darlow to replace Cuthbert Bates on his retirement. He had played the harpsichord continuo at a number of Bath Bach Festivals in the preceding years, was well known to the choir and sympathised with its aims. However, after the latter's unexpected death and in recognition of Bates's long and distinguished service, Sir David Willcocks conducted the July 1980 performance of Bach's Mass in B minor as a tribute and memorial. Darlow took over thereafter and at the time of his appointment was a senior professor at the Royal College of Music, Director of Music at St George's Church, Hanover Square, London, and had for many years been director of the Tilford Bach Festival [14] [15] and London Handel Festival. [16]
The choir spent the next ten years moving forward from the Bach Festival legacy and building on its reputation for exploring works in the choral canon. Stephen Dodgson's Te Deum was performed in October 1982 as a part of the last Bach Festival at which the choir sung. Beethoven's Missa Solemnis was performed in 1982, the last time this work was heard in Bath. The choir continued to perform two major orchestral concerts each year as well as a 'lighter' summer concert and three seasonal performances of Carols by Candlelight. In April 1986 the choir gave the first performance of Denys Darlow's own Requiem, dedicated to the City of Bath Bach Choir itself.
From 1988 onwards, summer concerts were moved from Bath Abbey to the Michael Tippett Centre at Bath Spa University. In 1988 and 1989 these were conducted by Marcus Sealy, who joined the choir in January 1982 as Accompanist and Deputy Musical Director and remains in that post today. From 1987 to 1989 the carols concerts were conducted by Cuthbert's daughter, Elizabeth and attracted steadily increasing audiences. Denys Darlow died on 24 February 2015 aged 94. [17]
On 8 January 1990 Nigel Perrin took on the role of Director of Music for the City of Bath Bach Choir. As one of The King's Singers, Perrin had sung all over the world with artists such as Kiri Te Kanawa and Sir Cliff Richard. Appointing a singer as musical director was a break from tradition but Perrin [18] brought insight into the mechanics and techniques of choral singing and a determination to lead the choir to even higher professional standards. His first concert was Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 in Bath Abbey in April 1990. In 2023, Benedict Collins Rice was appointed music director.
The choir continues to explore new and unusual works and notably gave a performance of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus and Diana Burrell's Benedicam Dominum, a work which enabled Marcus Sealy to demonstrate the magnificent new Klais organ in Bath Abbey. The choir performed Requiem Aeternam by Jonathan Lloyd in the presence of the composer, which necessitated synchronising with a pre-recorded backing track. More recently, performance of two 'cross-over' works by Karl Jenkins – The Armed Man and Requiem – stretched the boundaries of CBBC singers' experience.
Modernism does not mean that the choir has neglected its roots and it often returns to the music of J. S. Bach. In April 1997 the choir gave a performance of the Mass in B minor in Bath Abbey under the baton of its president, Sir David Willcocks, to mark its 50th anniversary celebrations and, more controversially, gave a semi-staged and critically acclaimed performance of the St John Passion in The Forum, Bath in April 2005, using lighting and moving images, and later as noted in the histogram of performances.
Over the years the choir has also travelled widely and developed relationships with singers in Bath's twin cities in Hungary, the Béla Viká Choir, and in Braunschweig [11] [19] (Brunswick), Germany with the Cathedral Dom Chor; and with Les Bengalis de Liège in Liège, Belgium. Braunschweig was heavily bombed by the allies on the nights of 14 and 15 October 1944, which inflicted substantial damage to the Dom (cathedral), and many people died. In October 2004 the CBBC was invited to join the Dom Chor in a performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem in the presence of HM Ambassador to Germany, HE Sir Peter Torry. This concert, at the Dom, was a centrepiece of the city's commemoration and an act of remembrance and reconciliation. In 2009 the choir travelled to perform in Bach's own church, the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, and in October 2011 they toured to Rome, performing in both La Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone, and The Venerable English College (colloquially referred to as English College, Rome), founded in 1579 by William Allen.
Carols by Candlelight concerts routinely occur in December each year, which from 2001 – 2012 included a performance by the choir's junior section, formed and led by Nigel Perrin and sponsored by the CBBC for more than a decade, 'to sow a seed for what may be to come in the future'. The City of Bath Bach Junior Choir enabled children from 8–15 years to sing together and learn basic musical techniques and at its height it had some 50 or more singers. In 2008 Simon Carr-Minns took the baton from Perrin, who handed it to Adrienne Hale in 2009, and two years later it passed Jamie Knights. The children, in distinctive purple T-shirts, gave regular charity performances. They helped to raise £4,200 for the Royal United Hospital in Bath and, in 2010, raised money for the 'Afghan Heroes Charity' through their vocals and accompanying video [20] for Forever Young – a Song For Wootton Bassett, written by Alan Pettifer and commissioned as a tribute to the people of Royal Wootton Bassett for their support of UK Armed Forces repatriation. With numbers dwindling as more and more opportunities for choral work were being offered to local children, the decision was taken to wind up the programme, and they gave their final performance in 2012. However, an opportunity for talented young musicians is still provided as an interlude during the Carol concerts, principally performed by exceptional music students from Wells Cathedral School.
The Bath Bach Choir's biggest recent challenge – supported by the combined forces of Exeter Festival Chorus [21] and The Wellensian Consort [22] – was arguably staging two performances of The Saint John Passion, an exceptionally demanding contemporary piece composed by Sir James MacMillan and sung in his presence. [23] Performances took place at Wells Cathedral and then Exeter Cathedral in March 2013, with soloist Mark Stone [24] as Christus, and Alexander Hohenthal leading the Southern Sinfonia. [25] The baroque performance of Handel' Messiah (Handel) , [26] accompanied by Music for Awhile, with leader Margaret Faultless, a musician within the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, went down especially well with the packed audience. [27] Consequent upon Coronavirus (COVID-19) in 2020, and UK Government restrictions on live concerts, the choir produced three 'virtual performances' of singular works. The choir returned to Bath Abbey for a live concert, socially distanced, presented to a restricted but, judging by the request for an encore, most appreciative audience of 150 people on 3 July 2021.
Date | Composer | Work | Venue |
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21/22 Dec 2023 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 76th Season | Pump Room, Bath, |
4 Nov 2023 | Parry, Ireland, Faure | Songs of Farewell, Greater Love, Requiem: Frederick Long bass, Harry Hampson-Gilbert treble, Sebastien H. McHugh treble, Marcus Sealy organ & piano, Benedict Collins Rice Musical Director. | Bath Abbey |
8 Jul 2023 | Mendelssohn | Elijah: Matthew Brook Elijah, Laura Lolita Perešivana soprano, Lotte Betts-Dean mezzo-soprano, James Way Tenor, Marcus Sealy organ continuo, Southern Sinfonia – Simon Chalk artistic director, Benedict Collins Rice Musical Director. | Bath Abbey |
01 Apr 2023 | Hildegard of Bingen, Maurice Duruflé, Frank Martin, Eric Whitacre | O viridissima virga, Quatre Motets, Mass for Double Choir, Sainte-Chapelle, Alleluia. | St Mary’s Church, Bathwick |
January 2023 | Benedict Collins Rice Appointed as Director of Music | ||
21/22/23 Dec 2022 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 75th Season: Jointly conducted by Nigel Perrin and Benedict Collins Rice on transfer of Musical Directorship. Accompanist Marcus Sealy. Guest Soloist Katie Bunney, Saxophone, a Headley Trust Scholar at the Royal College of Music. Programme included second performance of The Bach Choir annual Sir David Willcocks Carol Competition joint winner Matt Finch, With Wondering Awe, and Mykola Leontovych arr Benedict Collins Rice Carol of the Bells. | Pump Room, Bath |
75th Anniversary Concert – Nigel Perrin's last concert as Director of Music | |||
5 Nov 2022 | J.S. Bach | Mass in B minor. Baroque Performance with Music for Awhile – Leader Margaret Faultless; Mhairi Lawson soprano, David Allsopp counter-tenor, Hugo Hymas tenor, Frederick Long bass-baritone. Marcus Sealy organ continuo. Nigel Perrin conductor. | Bath Abbey |
2 Jul 2022 | Monteverdi | Vespers of 1610 I Fagiolini: Robert Hollingworth continuo, Zoe Brookshaw and Rebecca Lea soprano, Hugo Hymas and Christopher Fitzgerald Lombard tenor, Sam Gilliatt and Greg Skidmore baritone; English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble: Conor Hastings and Helen Roberts Cornetto, Emily White, Tom Lees, Adrian France Sackbut; Birmingham Musical and Amicable Society: Miki Takahashi, Christi Park, Wendi Kelly, Kate Fawcett, En-Ming Lin. Musical Director Nigel Perrin. | Bath Abbey |
26 Mar 2022 | Rossini | Petite messe solennelle. Soprano Johanna Harrison-Oram, Mezzo-soprano Cassandra Dalby, Tenor Chris Why, Baritone Samuel Harrison-Oram, Piano Marcus Sealy, Harmonium Mark Wood. | St Mary & St Nicholas, Wilton |
2022 | The choir's 75th anniversary year | ||
16/17 Dec 2021 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 74th Season | Pump Room, Bath, |
30 Oct 2021 | Brahms | A German Requiem (Brahms) Verity Wingate soprano. Paul Grant Baritone, Piano Marcus. | Bath Abbey |
3 Jul 2021 | Llibre Vermell de Montserrat, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Thomas Tallis, Cristóbal de Morales, Francisco Guerrero (composer), Dieterich Buxtehude, Gabriel Fauré, Ola Gjeilo, Gioachino Rossini | Mid Summer Vespers. O Virgo Splendens, Priidite, poklonimsia, Blagoslovi, dushe moya, Ghospoda, Bogoroditse Devo, O nata lux de lumine, If Ye Love Me, Parce mihi, Domine, Duo Seraphim, Magnificat, Cantique de Jean Racine, Evening Prayer, Agnus Dei. Encore: Vzbrannoy voyevode. Cassandra Dalby mezzo-soprano. Katie Bunney saxophone. Organ Huw Williams. | Bath Abbey |
30 Apr 2021 | John Rutter | The Lord bless you and keep you – Virtual Bath Bach Choir. Nigel Perrin director, Marcus Sealy piano. | Virtual Bath Bach Choir [28] |
16/18/19 Dec 2020 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 73rd Season | Bath Assembly Rooms, St Mary the Virgin's Church, Bathwick |
12 Aug 2020 | Marjorie Kennedy-Fraser Arrangement Simon Carrington | Eriskay Love Lilt – Virtual Bath Bach Choir featuring Chris Bruerton of The King's Singers. Christopher Bruerton baritone, Nigel Perrin counter-tenor, Marcus Sealy piano. | Virtual Bath Bach Choir [29] |
2 Jun 2020 | Gabriel Fauré | Cantique de Jean Racine;Bath Bach Choir Quarantine Lockdown Recording Project. Director Nigel Perrin, Piano Marcus Sealy. | Virtual Bath Bach Choir [30] |
18/19/20 Dec 2019 | David Clover, Bob Chilcott, Byrd, J.S.Bach, Robin Benton, James MacMillan, Bob Chilcott, Herbert Sumsion, Walford Davies, P.D.Q. Bach, William Llewellyn, Peter Phillips, Bob Chilcott, Roderick Williams, John Gardner, Ian Humphries, Bernard White, John Rutter, Tom Cunningham, James McKelvy (composer)|James McKelvy, Peter Gritton, Eric Whitacre, Paul Fincham | Carols by Candlelight – 73rd Season: Ukrainian Bell Carol, Hail, Star of the se most radiant, Lullaby, my sweet little baby, Ich steh an deiner Krippen heir, See the star, O Radiant Dawn, (audience) God rest you merry, gentleman, O little town of Bethlehem, O little town of Hackensack, Ding Dong! Merrily on high, o beatum et sacrosanctum diem, For him all stars have shone, Mary had a baby, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, Coventry Carol, The Bees, Mary's boy child, (audience) Child in a manger, Merry Christmas Jazz, Deck the Halls, Three-minute Messiah, Lux Aurumque, Ring the Bells. The Year 5 Choir of St Andrew's Church School, Bath, Maria Foster; Peasedown St John Primary School Choir, Myra Barretto; St Julian's and Shoscombe Church Schools, Kerin Adam; Eliza Haskins recorder, Katie Bunney saxophone, Piano Marcus Sealy. | St Michael's Church, Bath, Pump Room, Bath, |
26 Oct 2019 | Anon, Geoffrey Burgon, Rachmaninov, Cristóbal de Morales, John Sheppard, Rheinberger, Andrew Motion/James Whitbourn, Samuel Barber, J.S.Bach Orlando Gibbons, Arthur Sullivan, Robert Pearsall, Ola Gjeilo | Before the ending of the day. Nunc Dimittis, Nine otpushchayeshi, Partce mihi, Domine, In Manus Tuas, Cantus Missae – Mass for double choir in E Flat op 109, Living Voices, Abendlied, Sure On This Shining Light, Sonata in E flat, The Silver Swan, The Long Day Closes, Lay a Garland, Evening Prayer. Katie Bunney saxophone, Keyboard Marcus Sealy. | |
6 Jul 2019 | Haydn, Mozart | Nelson Mass; Kyrie and Benedictus. Exsultate Jubilate; Carolyn Sampson. Requiem; Carolyn Sampson soprano, Alison Kettlewell mezzo-soprano, Nathan Vale tenor, Stephen Connolly bass. Southern Sinfonia, Simon Chalk leader. Continuo Marcus Sealy. | Wells Cathedral |
30 Mar 2019 | J.S.Bach | Motetten and Organ. Komm, Jesu, komm (BWV 299), Toccata in the Dorian mode (BWV 538), Jesu, meine Freude (BWV 538), Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (BWV) 225, Sonatina from Cantata 106, Sinfonia from Cantata 29, Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (BWV 230. Organ Marcus Sealy. Cello Continuo Rhiannon Evans. | Bath Abbey |
19/20/21 Dec 2018 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 72nd Season | St Michael's Church, Bath, Pump Room, Bath, |
27 Oct 2018 | David Fanshawe | African Sanctus. Soprano Johanna Harrison, Keyboard Peter Adcock, BackBeat Percussion Quartet. | Kingswood School Theatre |
23 Jun 2018 | Vivaldi, Handel | Gloria, Suite from Water Music, Dixit Dominus. Soloists Kirsty Hopkins soprano, Sophie Gallagher soprano, David Hurley counter-tenor. Music for Awhile, Margaret Faultless leader. Marcus Sealy Organ Continuo. | Bath Abbey |
4 Jun 2018 | Rachmaninov, Vivaldi | Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, Gloria. Marcus Sealy Organ. As part of Devizes Arts Festival 2018. | St Mary's Church, Devizes |
24 Mar 2018 | Rachmaninov, Christopher Wood | Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, Requiem. | Bath Abbey |
13/14/15 Dec 2017 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 71st Season | Pump Room, Bath, St Michael's Church, Bath |
11 Nov 2017 | Paco Pena, Pärt, Pizzetti, Howard Goodall, John Tavener, Daley, Whitacre | Cordero de Dios, The Beatitudes, Messa di Requiem, Requiem: Kyrie: Close Now Thine Eyes, Song for Athene, In Remembrance, Cloudburst. Marcus Sealy Organ Continuo. | Malmesbury Abbey |
1 Jul 2017 | J.S.Bach, Mozart | 70th Anniversary Celebration Concert. Magnificat (Bach) in D, Great Mass in C minor, K. 427. Soloists Verity Wingate soprano, Anna Sideris soprano, Stephen Harvey counter-tenor, Kieran White tenor, Julien van Mellaerts bass. Southern Sinfonia, Richard Smith leader. Marcus Sealy Organ Continuo. | Bath Abbey |
25 Mar 2017 | Gregorio Allegri, Gabriel Fauré, James MacMillan, Dvořák | Miserere, Cantique de Jean Racine, Cantos Sagrados, Mass in D. | Bath Abbey |
2017 | Jonathan Willcocks, is appointed choir Vice President | ||
2017 | The choir's 70th anniversary year | ||
14/15/16 Dec 2016 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 70th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
29 Oct 2016 | Giovanni Antonio Rigatti, Rovetta, Monteverdi, Giovanni Legrenzi, Alessandro Grandi, | Venetian Vespers:Deus in Adjutorium; Dixit Dominus a8; Laudate pueri a4; Laetatus sum; Adoramus te, Christe; Nisi Dominus; Christe, adoramus te; Lauda Jerusalem; Ave maris stella; Magnificat a 6/7. Conductor Peter Leech. | The Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, Prior Park College, Bath, Somerset |
18 Jun 2016 | J.S. Bach | Mass in B minor. Baroque Performance with Music for Awhile – Leader Margaret Faultless; Mhairi Lawson soprano, Rupert Enticknap counter-tenor, Nathan Vale tenor, Matthew Brook bass. | Bath Abbey |
2016 | David Hill (choral director), is appointed choir President | ||
19 Mar 2016 | Rachmaninov | Vespers and Preludes in Harmony with Exeter Festival Chorus. All-Night Vigil (Rachmaninoff) Vespers 1919. Rachmaninov Preludes. As below with one changed soloist. Soloists Nina Alupii-Morton, Kieran White. Peter Donohoe (pianist). Conductors Nigel Perrin and Peter Adcock. | Bath Abbey |
5 Mar 2016 | Rachmaninov | Vespers and Preludes in Harmony with Exeter Festival Chorus. All-Night Vigil (Rachmaninoff) Vespers 1919. Rachmaninov Preludes opus 23: no 3 in D minor tempo di menuet, no 7 in C minor allege, no 10 in G flat major, no 8 in A flat major allegro vivace, no 13 in D flat major grave, no 4 in D major andante cantabile, no 10 in B minor lento, no 11 in B major allegretto, no 8 in A minor vive, no 6 in E flat major andante, no 1 in C major allegro. Soloists Nina Alupii-Morton, Peter Drury. Peter Donohoe (pianist). Conductors Nigel Perrin and Peter Adcock. | Exeter Cathedral |
16/17/18 Dec 2015 | Samuel Scheidt, David Willcocks, Hafliði Hallgrímsson, J S Bach, John Rutter, Reginald Jacques, Richard Rodney Bennett, Ian Pillow; Mary George, Bernard Wight, Jonathan Willcocks, John Kirkpatrick, Harker, Herbert Sumsion, James McKelvy, James Pierpont, Robin Benton, Irving Berlin, Peter Garland, Andy Razaf, Scott Walker | Carols by Candlelight – 69th Season. A child is born in Bethlehem, Samuel Scheidt arr Willcocks; Sussex carol, English trad arr Willcocks; Joseph and the Angel, Haflidi Hallgrimmson; O little one sweet, J S Bach; In dulci jubilo, Old German carol arr Rutter; Audience: O come, O come, Emanuel, arr Willcocks; Audience: Good King Wenceslas, Piae Cantiones arr Reginald Jaques; Out of your sleep, Richard Rodney Bennett; The Oxen,Thomas Hardy/Ian Pillow; This Glorious Day, Mary George/Bernard Wight; In excelsis, Jonathan Willcocks; Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, English trad arr Willcocks; Away in a manger, Kirkpatrick arr Harker; I wonder as I wander, Appalachian carol arr Rutter; Lord of the dance, Shaker song arr Willcocks; Audience: Joy to the World, arr Herbert Sumsion; Audience: Birthday Carol, words & music David Willcocks; Deck the halls, arr James McKelvy; Jingle bells!, J.Pierpont arr Robin Benton; I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, Irving Berlin arr JB; In the Christmas Mood, Garland & Razaf arr Walker/Wight; 12 days of Christmas, trad arr John Rutter. | Pump Room, Bath |
7 Nov 2015 | James MacMillan, John Rutter, Karl Jenkins, Eric Whitacre, Vaughan Williams | Lux Aeterna, Requiem, Motets, Cantate Domino, Agnus Dei, Ave verum corpus, God shall wipe away all ters, Exsultate Jubilate; When David heard that Absalom was slain; Valiant for Truth. Soprano Verity Wingate, New Bristol Sinfonia. | Bath Abbey |
16/17 Oct 2015 | Karl Jenkins, Kinley Lange, Paco Peña, Tchaikovsky, Nikolay Kedrov, Sr., Gabriel Fauré, Tomás Luis de Victoria, Vaughan Williams, John Rutter, D L Bevenot | Ave verum corpus Stabat Mater, Agnus Dei (Armed Man); Cordero de Dios (from Misa Flamenca), Esto les Digo; Blazhenni yazhe izbral, Izhe kherumvimy, Dostoyno est, Sviati Bozhe; Otche Nash; Requiem; O quam gloriosum; Valiant for Truth; Requiem; Mass in RE. | Barcelona: Barcelona Cathedral, Sagrada Família, Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona |
4 Jul 2015 | Tchaikovsky, Faure Nikolay Kedrov, Sr. | Music for Vespers, Requiem; Lucy Sealy soprano, Iain Duffin baritone. Otche Nash. | Malmesbury Abbey |
14 Mar 2015 | J.S. Bach | St Matthew Passion. Baroque Performance with Music for Awhile – Leader Margaret Faultless; Nathan Vale Evangelist, Adrian Powter Jesus, Mhairi Lawson soprano, Rupert Enticknap alto Alexander Robin Baker bass. | Bath Abbey |
17/18/19 Dec 2014 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 68th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
15 Nov 2014 | Marion Wood, Henry Purcell, Jonathan Willcocks, Eric Whitacre, Howard Goodall, Leonard Bernstein, Vaughan Williams | Futility, Funeral Sentences, From Darkness to Light, When David heard, Lacrymosa: Do not stand at my grave and weep, from Eternal Light : A Requiem, Chichester Psalms, O clap your hands (Vaughan Williams). Supported by Wells Cathedral School Brass Percussion Ensemble, Kate Pearson – Harp and Marcus Sealy Organ, Daniel Robson and Lydia Ward. | Bath Abbey |
5 Jul 2014 | A Night at The Opera – Verdi, Bizet, Puccini, Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Mozart, Weber, Strauss,[ clarification needed ] Andrew Lloyd Webber, Verdi | Anvil Chorus (Il Trovatore 1853); Gerusalem (I Lombardi 1843); Brindisi (La Traviata1853); Toreador (Carmen 1874); O mio babbino caro Gianni Schicchi 1918 – Verity Wingate; Au fond du temple saint, Les Pecheurs de Perles 1863 – Kieran White & Robert Clark; Chorus of peasant girls (Eugene Onegin 1878); Waltz scene (Eugene Onegin 1878); Villagers' Chorus (Guillaume Tell 1829); La ci darem la mano – (Don Giovanni 1787) (Verity Wingate & Robert Clark); Arie des Ferrando (Cosi fan tutte 1790) – Kieran White; Huntsman's chorus (Der Freischütz 1821); Victoria, Victoria! (Der Freischütz 1821); Lieben, Hassen, Hoffen, Zagen (Ariadne auf Naxos 1916) – Robert Clark; Medley from The Phantom of the Opera 1986; Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (Nabucco 1841). | Roper Theatre, Hayesfield Girls' School, Bath |
22 Mar 2014 | Handel | Messiah (Handel). Baroque Performance with Music for Awhile – Leader Margaret Faultless. Nathan Vale Evangelist. | Bath Abbey |
18/20 Dec 2013 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 67th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
16 Nov 2013 | J.S. Bach, Bruckner, Britten | Jesu, meine Freude; Mass in E minor; Messa Brevis. Southern Sinfonia Wind Ensemble. | Bath Abbey |
27 Oct 2013 | Bruckner, Knut Nystedt, Mozart, George Dyson | Mass. Entrée de l'Office – Locus iste. Offertoire – Laudate Dominum. Communion – Ave verum corpus. Sortie de la Messe Confortare. | Aix Cathedral Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Aix en Provence |
26 Oct 2013 | George Dyson, William H Harris, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, Healey Willan, J. S. Bach, Gabriel Faure, Wolfgang Mozart, J. S. Bach, Benjamin Britten, John Ireland, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Anton Bruckner | Four Anthems sung at the Coronation of Elizabeth II – 1953: Confortare – Be strong and of a good courage, Let my prayer come up into thy presence, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, O Lord, our Governour. Jesu, meine Freude: Jesu, meine Freude, Es ist nun nichts, Unter deinem Schirmen, Trotz dem alten Drachen, Ihr aber seid nicht fleischlich, Weicht, ihr trauergeister. Entente Cordiale – Sung with Aix Chorale Darius Milhaud Choir Conductor – Patrick Rinaldi: Cantique de Jean Racine, Ave verum corpus, Jesus bleibet meine Freude. Organ Interlude Marcus Sealy Cavatina Toccata in D minor. John Ireland, Gaston Bélier. Choral Dances from Gloriana (less nos 4 and 5). A Garland for the Queen: The Hills, Silence and Music. Mass in E minor: Gloria. | Aix Cathedral Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Aix en Provence |
22 Jun 2013 | A Garland for The Queen – Various | The Triumphs of Oriana 1601: John Bennett: All creatures now are merry-minded; Robert Jones: Fair Orianna seeking to wink at folly; Thomas Weelkes: As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending; Thomas Morley: Hard by a crystal fountain. Music from the Coronation of Elizabeth II, 2 June 1953: Herbert Howells: Behold O God Our Defender; William Harris: Let my prayer come up into Thy presence; SS Wesley: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace; George Dyson: Confortare: Be strong and of good courage; Healy Willan: O Lord Our Governor in Benjamin Britten's centenary year: Choral Dances from Gloriana Op 53; The Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard; Old Joe has gone fishing from Peter Grimes Op 33; Selections from Friday Afternoon Op 7 A Garland for the Queen 1953: Bliss: Aubade for a Coronation Morning; Bax: What is it like to be young and fair?; Vaughan Williams: Silence and Music; Ireland: The Hills; Tippett: Dance, Clarion Air. | Roper Theatre, Hayesfield Girls' School, Bath |
23 Mar 2013 | James MacMillan | St John Passion – Christus Mark Stone (baritone): City of Bath Bach Choir, Exeter Festival Chorus, Wellensian Consort, Southern Sinfonia, Leader Alexander Hohenthal. | Exeter Cathedral |
16 Mar 2013 | James MacMillan | St John Passion – Christus Mark Stone (baritone): City of Bath Bach Choir, Exeter Festival Chorus, Wellensian Consort, Southern Sinfonia, Leader Alexander Hohenthal. In the presence of the composer James MacMillan. | Wells Cathedral |
19/21 Dec 2012 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 66th Season. Soloists: Molly Sharples Harp; Joseph Pritchard Cello; Verity Wingate Soprano. | Pump Room, Bath |
3 Nov 2012 | J.S. Bach, Aaron Copland, Britten | Komm, Jesu, komm; In the Beginning; St Nicolas. | Bath Abbey |
23 Jul 2012 | Chilcott, Elgar, Eric Whitacre, Dove | Aesop's Fables; From the Bavarian Highlands, Three Flower Songs; The Passing of the Year. | Wiltshire Music Centre |
17 Mar 2012 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor. Baroque Performance with Music for Awhile – Leader Margaret Faultless. Soprano Lucy Hall, Alto William Purefoy, Tenor James Geer, Bass Stephen Varcoe. | Bath Abbey |
14/16 Dec 2011 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 65th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
5 Nov 2011 | Howard Goodall, Whitacre, Mikołaj Górecki, Part, John Tavener, Peters | Eternal Light: A Requiem; Lux Aurumque; Totus Tuus; Beatitudes; Svyati; Toccata, Fugue et Hymne sur 'Ave Maris Stella'. | Bath Abbey |
23 Oct 2011 | Knut Nystedt, Bruckner, Rossini | Laudate Domninum; Locus iste, Quando Corpus. | The Venerable English College, Rome |
22 Oct 2011 | Nystedt, Górecki, Ellington, Mozart, Bruckner, Rossini, Eric Whitacre, Monteverdi, Tippett, | Laudate Domninum; Totus Tuus Op 60; Come Sunday (arr John Høybye); Ave Verum Corpus; Locus iste; Quando Corpus, Lux Aurumque, Cantate Donini, Five Negro Spirituals (from Child of our Time). | La Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone, Rome |
16 Jul 2011 | Tippett, Dahl, Ellington | Five Negro Spirituals (from Child of our Time); Songs by Roald Dahl (performed by The CBBC Junior Choir with Jamie Knights, Piano, Adrienne Hale Conducting); Pacific Song (with Marcus Sealy, Piano); Sacred Concert (Andy Williamson – saxes, Pete Judge – trumpet, Robin Holloway – piano, Al Swainger – double bass, Andy Hague – drums). | Wiltshire Music Centre |
19 Mar 2011 | Mendelssohn | Elijah: Roderick Williams Elijah, Mary Plazas soprano, Wendy Dawn Thompson Mezzo-soprano, Justin Lavender Tenor, Sophie Edwards Youth, Marcus Sealy Organ, The Wessex Sinfonia – Leader Adrian Eales, Nigel Perrin Musical Director. | Bath Abbey |
15/17 Dec 2010 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 64th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
6 Nov 2010 | Monteverdi, Chilcott | Hymns and Psalms; Salisbury Vespers. Performed with Bath Camerata. | Bath Abbey |
3 Jul 2010 | Brahms, Horovitz | Ein deutsches Requiem Op. 45; Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo (performed by The CBBC Junior Choir with support from the Senior Choir). | Malmesbury Abbey |
19 Jun 2010 | Brahms, Horovitz | Ein deutsches Requiem Op. 45; Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo (performed by The CBBC Junior Choir with support from the Senior Choir). [31] | Wiltshire Music Centre |
27 Mar 2010 | Monteverdi; Rossini; J. S. Bach | Beatus Vir; Stabat Mater; Cantata BWV 182 Himmelskönig, sei willkommen. | Bath Abbey |
Nigel Perrin's 20th Anniversary Concert [32] | |||
16/18 Dec 2009 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 63rd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
7 Nov 2009 | J. S. Bach, Britten, Bruckner | Lobet den Herrn; Jesu meine Freude; Rejoice in the Lamb; Tota pulchra es; Ecce sacrados; Afferentur regi; Inveni David. | Bath Abbey |
24 Oct 2009 | J. S. Bach, Britten, Bruckner | Lobet den Herrn; Rejoice in the Lamb; Locus iste; Ave Maria; Tota Pulchra Est. | Thomaskirche, Leipzig |
4 Jul 2009 | Will Todd | Mass in Blue. | Wiltshire Music Centre |
28 Mar 2009 | Handel; Karl Jenkins | Messiah (Handel) Part II; Stabat Mater. | Bath Abbey |
17/19 Dec 2008 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 62nd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
1 Nov 2008 | Pehkonen, Hughes, Vivaldi | Russian Requiem. A Song for St. Cecilia. Gloria (RV589). | Bath Abbey |
12 July 2008 | Vaughan Williams | An Evening with Ralph Vaughan Williams and Friends. Works by Wood, Parry, Stanford, Holst, Bruch, Ravel, Finzi and Vaughan Williams to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Vaughan Williams's death. | Wiltshire Music Centre |
15 Mar 2008 | Duruflé | Requiem and works by Fauré, Messiaen, Poulenc Vierne and Hakim. | Bath Abbey |
21 Jan 2008 | Karl Jenkins | Requiem – New York City Premier. | Carnegie Hall, New York City United States |
19/20/21 Dec 2007 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 61st Season | Pump Room, Bath |
3 Nov 2007 | J. S. Bach, Rossini | As a part of Nigel Perrin's Gala Concert. Lobet den Herrn. Peiite Messe Solonelle. | The Forum, Bath |
14 Jul 2007 | Hughes, Rutter, Purcell | Song for St. Cecilia (Commission – First Performance). Birthday Madrigals. Birthday Ode for Queen Mary Come Ye Sons of Art. | Wiltshire Music Centre |
2007 | 60th Anniversary Concert | ||
31 Mar 2007 | Mozart, Beethoven | 'Great' Mass in C Minor K427. Christus am Ölberge Op 85. | The Forum, Bath |
13/14/15 Dec 2006 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 60th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
28 Oct 2006 | Karl Jenkins, Haydn | Requiem. Nelson Mass | Bath Abbey |
8 Jul 2006 | Vaughan Williams, George Shearing and others | Sonnets & Songs with a Shakespearean flavour. | Wiltshire Music Centre |
1 Apr 2006 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion (Neil Jenkins edition). | The Forum, Bath |
Dec 2005 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 59th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
Nov 2005 | Karl Jenkins, Rutter | An Armed Man – A Mass for Peace. Requiem. | The Forum, Bath |
Jul 2005 | Various | The Grand Tour a musical travelogue. | Wiltshire Music Centre |
19 Mar 2005 | J. S. Bach | Semi-staged St John Passion (Neil Jenkins Edition). | The Forum, Bath |
14/15/16/17 Dec 2004 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 58th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
14 & 30 Oct 2004 | Britten | A War Requiem (with Braunschweiger Domchor, Bath Choral Society and the boys of Bristol Cathedral choir). | Brunswick Cathedral & Colston Hall, Bristol |
3 Jul 2004 | Ramírez, Jean Berger, Chilcott | Songs from the Southern Hemisphere. Missa Criolla. Psalmo Brasileiro. The Making of the Drum. | Tippett Centre |
7 Mar 2004 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
16/17/18/19 Dec 2003 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 57th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
1 Nov 2003 | Handel, Handel, Vivaldi | Ode to St. Cecilia. Silente Venti. Gloria (RV 589) Casella ed. | The Forum, Bath |
12 Jul 2003 | Sullivan | West End! A programme including excerpts from Les Misérables and a performance of Trial by Jury. | Wiltshire Music Centre |
22 Mar 2003 | Lloyd, Rossini | Requiem Aeternam (second performance in the presence of the composer). Petite messe solennelle. | Bath Abbey |
Dec 2002 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 56th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
30 Nov 2002 | Haydn, Britten, John Tavener | Missa Sancti Nicolai, Saint Nicholas, God is with us. | Wells Cathedral |
6 Jul 2002 | Orff | Carmina Burana and other works. | Assembly Rooms |
6 Apr 2002 | Elgar | The Dream of Gerontius. Second performance on 10 Apr 02 in collaboration with the Exeter Festival Chorus. | Forum & Exeter Cathedral |
Dec 2001 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 55th Season Pump Room | Pump Room, Bath |
10 Nov 2001 | Haydn | Paukenmesse. | Bath Abbey |
7 Jul 2001 | Various | In the Mood – music on the lighter side. Including Stanford: Songs of the Fleet and Flanders and Horrowitz: Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo. | Michael Tippett Centre, Bath Spa University |
7 Apr 2001 | J.S.Bach | St. Matthew Passion (Neil Jenkins Edition). | Bath Abbey |
Dec 2000 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 54th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
11 Nov 2000 | Brahms | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Ein Deutsches Requiem Op. 45. | The Forum, Bath c. Martyn Brabbins |
26 Oct 2000 | Various, Brahms | Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen and other pieces. | St. Salvator's Cathedral, Bruges |
15 Jul 2000 | Various | A Night at the Opera (with the Béla Vikár Choir from Kaposvár, Hungary). | Assembly Rooms |
8 Apr 2000 | Walton, Puccini | Belshazzar's Feast. Messa di Gloria. (with Bath Choral Society). | The Forum, Bath |
15/16/17 Dec 1999 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 53rd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
6 Nov 1999 | Mozart | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Requiem (Duncan Druce Edition). | Bath Abbey |
07/09 Oct 1999 | Mozart, Handel | Mass in C K317. Coronation Anthems | Reformed Templom, Kaposvár, and Pasarét Templom, Budapest |
3 Jul 1999 | Rutter, Elgar, Kodály | Gloria. Give Unto the Lord. Missa Brevis. | Clifton Cathedral, Bristol |
27 Mar 1999 | Walton, Elgar, Poulenc | Crown Imperial. The Music Makers. Gloria. | The Forum, Bath |
16/17/18 Dec 1998 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 52nd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
15 Nov 1998 | Mozart | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Dominican Vespers Soprano Rosa Mannion, Mezzo-Soprano Louise Winter, Tenor Paul Agnew, Baritone Stephen Varcoe. | The Forum, Bath |
4 Jul 1998 | Burrell, Dvořák, Britten, Bernstein | Benedicam Dominum, Mass in D, Rejoice in the Lamb. Chichester Psalms. | Bath Abbey |
4 Apr 1998 | Verdi | Requiem Soprano Gail Pearson, Contralto Jame Irwin, Tenor Wynne Evans, Bass Brian Bannatyne-Scott. | The Forum, Bath |
Dec 1997 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 51st Season | Pump Room, Bath |
8 Nov 1997 | Mozart | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Misericordias Dominum. Solemn Vespers Soprano Susan Gritton, Alto Susan Bickley, Tenor Toby Spence, Baritone Roderick Williams. | The Forum, Bath |
26 Oct 1997 | Misc, Arvo Pärt | As a part of Paris/Chartres Choir Tour. Sienna. The celebration of Mass. Organ Peter King. | Notre Dame |
24 Oct 1997 | Mozart, Leoš Janáček | As a part of Paris/Chartres Choir Tour. Misericordias Dominum. Janacke's Mass. Accompanist Peter King. | Chartres Cathedral |
5 Jul 1997 | Handel, Hubert Parry | Acis and Galatea Songs of Farewell Soprano Leslie Jane Rogers, Tenor Alastair Thompson, Bass Quentin Hayes. | Bath Assembly Rooms |
26 Apr 1997 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey c. Sir David Willcocks |
24 Apr 1997 | Monteverdi | Vespers of 1610 | Bath Abbey |
1997 | The choir's 50th anniversary year | ||
18/19/20 Dec 1996 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 50th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
9 Nov 1996 | Mozart | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Coronation Mass Soprano Patricia Rozario, Mezzo-soprano Jean Rigby, Tenor Martin Hill, Bass Bryan Bannatyne-Scott. | The Forum, Bath |
6 Jul 1996 | Fanshawe | African Sanctus Soprano Luise Horrocks | The Forum, Bath |
30 Mar 1996 | Rossini, Mozart | Overture to "The Barber of Seville", Stabat Mater. Coronation Mass K 317. Soprano Lesley-Jane Rogers; Contralto Vanessa Williamson; Tenor Paul Badley; Bass Stephen Foulkes. Wessex Sinfonia Leader Adrian Eales. | The Forum, Bath |
Dec 1995 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 49th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
11 Nov 1995 | Mozart | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Requiem, Ave Verum Corpus Soprano Moira Harris, Baritone Charles Stewart. | The Forum, Bath |
Jul 1995 | Berlioz | Grande Messe des Morts (with other NFMS Societies) | Imperial College, London |
25 Mar 1995 | Mendelssohn | Elijah Elijah Stephen Varcoe Soprano Lesley-Jane Rogers, Contralto Andrew Murgatroyd, Treble Nathaniel Comer. | The Forum, Bath |
Dec 1994 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 48th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
12 Nov 1994 | Fauré, Pärt | Requiem. Stabat Mater (Collection of £750 taken for the Estonian Ferry Disaster). | Bath Abbey |
9 Jul 1994 | Various | A night at the Opera Mezzo-soprano Penelope Davies, Baritone Stephen Foulkes, Piano Marcus Sealy. | Bath Assembly Rooms |
26 Mar 1994 | J. S. Bach | St John Passion Evangelist Philip Salmon, Christus Charles Stewart, Soprano Helen Kucharek, Counter-tenor Slava Kagan-Paley, Bass/Pilate James Ottaway. | Bath Abbey |
15/16/17 Dec 1993 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 47th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
13 Nov 1993 | J. S. Bach, Britten | Wachet Auf. St. Nicholas Soprano Ishbel Warnock, Tenor Neil Jenkins, Bass Michael Leigh. | Bath Abbey |
3 Jul 1993 | Gershwin, Unknown, Tippett | Porgy and Bess. Missa Luba. Negro Spirituals Soprano Penelope Davies, Bass Stephen Foulkes. | Bath Assembly Rooms |
17 Apr 1993 | Haydn | Creation | Bath Abbey |
16/17/18 Dec 1992 | Various | Carols by Canbdlelight – 46th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
14 Nov 1992 | Rossini | Petite messe solennelle Soprano Elizabeth Lane, Alto Venessa Williamson, Tenor Hugh Hetherington, Bass Quentin Hayes. | Bath Abbey |
11 Jul 1992 | Carl Orff, Lambert | Carmina Burana, Rio Grande Soprano Penny Davis, Tenor Stuart Dunn, Bass Stephen Foulkes. | Bath Assembly Rooms |
11 Apr 1992 | J. S. Bach, Antonín Tučapský | Magnificat. Stabat Mater (in presence of composer) Soprano Julie Wood, Alto Catherine Denley, Tenor Richard Frewer, Bas Brain Rayner Cook. | Bath Abbey |
18/19.20 Dec 1991 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 45th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
9 Nov 1991 | Pergolesi, Vivaldi, Mozart | Magnificat. Gloria RV 589. Slemn Vespers Soprano Tracey Chadwell, Jennifer Perry, Counter tenor James Huw Jeffries, Tenor Stuart Dunn, Bass Stephen Foulkes. | Bath Abbey |
28 Aug 1991 | Schubert, Schumann, Hassler, Fauré, Purcell, Purcell | Der Tanz. Somerleid. Tanzen und Springen. Cantique de Jean Racine. Come Ye Sons of Art. Birthday Ode for Queen Mary 1694. | Braunschweiger Dom with the Apollo Ensemble |
27 Aug 1991 | Handel, Handel, Ireland, Handel | The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. Zadok the Priest. Concerto Pastorale for Strings. The King Shall rejoice. | Braunschweiger Dom with the Apollo Ensemble |
6 Jul 1991 | Vaughan Williams, Purcell | Oxford Elegy. Come Ye Sons of Art. | Bath Assembly Rooms |
13 Apr 1991 | J. S. Bach, Mendelssohn | Komm Jesus, Komm. Hymn of Praise. | Bath Abbey |
19/20/21 Dec 1990 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 44th Season | Pump Room c Nigel Perrin and Elizabeth Bates |
10 Nov 1990 | Handel | Coronation Anthems. Organ Concertos. | Bath Abbey |
7 Jul 1990 | Vaughan Williams, Fauré, Horovitz | Shakespeare Songs. Cantique de Jean Racine. Captain Noah. | Michael Tippett Centre |
21 Apr 1990 | Monteverdi | Vespers of 1610 Sopranos Gillian Fisher, Elizabeth Lane, Tenors Andrew King, John Potter, Stuart Dunn, Bass Martin Elliot, Stephen Foulkes. | Bath Abbey |
March 1990 | Nigel Perrin Appointed as Director of Music | ||
20/21/22 Dec 1989 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 43rd Season | Pump Room c. Elizabeth Bates |
4 Nov 1989 | Haydn | Mass in D minor, Hob.XXII:11 (Nelsonmesse) and Te Deum in C major, Hob.XXIIIc:1 The Philharmonia Orchestra of Bristol, Leader Anthony Pooley. | Bath Abbey |
8 Jul 1989 | Stanford | Songs of the Fleet, The Revenge. Baritone Jeremy Watkins, Tenor Jeremy Key-Pugh. Accompanist Michelle Spencer. | Michael Tippett Centrec. c. Marcus Sealy |
29 Apr 1989 | Handel | Israel in Egypt. Sopranos Lorraine Rogers, Mona Julsrud, Counter-tenor Andrew Watts, Tenor Paul Agnew, Bass Ashley Thorburn, Edward Caswell. Tilford Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens. | Bath Abbey |
14/15/16 Dec 1988 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 42nd Season | Pump Room, Bath c. Elizabeth Bates |
12 Nov 1988 | Vaughan Williams, Herbert Howells | Sea Symphony, Piano Concerto. Soprano Gillian Fisher, Bass Brian Rayner Cook. Tilford Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens. | Bath Abbey |
9 Jul 1988 | Elgar, Coleridge-Taylor | Bavarian Highlands. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast. Victorian Songs. | Michael Tippett Centre, Bath Spa University c. Marcus Sealy. |
23 Apr 1988 | Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Hubert Parry | Introduction and Allegro. Donna nobis pacem. Invocation to Music. Soprano Lorna Anderson, Tenor Charles Daniels, Bass Brian Rayner Cook. Tilford Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens. | Bath Abbey |
Dec 1987 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 41st Season | Pump Room, Bath c. Elizabeth Bates |
14 Nov 1987 | J. S. Bach | Christmas Oratorio. Soprano Elizabeth Lane, Contralto Cherith Milburn-Fryer, Tenor Rogers Covey-Crump, Bass Martin Johnson. Tilford Festival Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
27 Jun 1987 | Duruflé, Poulenc | Requiem. Litanies a la Vierge Noire. Soprano Andrea Gray, Baritone Howard Croft. Organ Marcus Sealy. | Bath Abbey (Organ only) |
28 Mar 1987 | J. S. Bach | Mass in A Major. Mass in G Minor. Double Violin Concerto. Soprano Caroline Ashton, Contralto Cherith Milburn-Fryer, Tenor Paul Sutton, Bass Martin Johnson. Tilford Festival Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
17/18/20 Dec 1986 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 40th Season | Pump Room, Bath c. Joyce Honor |
15 Nov 1986 | Beethoven, Herbert Howells | Symphony No 3 in E Flat Op 55 (Eroica). Stabat Mater. Tenor Adrian Thompson. Tilford Festival Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
28 Jun 1986 | J. S. Bach, Kodály, Mozart | Prelude & Fugue in C BWV547. Missa Brevis. Solemn Vespers. Soprano Elizabeth Chard, Alto Angus Davidson, Tenor Paul Sutton, Bass Martin Johnson. Organ Marcus Sealy. | Bath Abbey |
19 Apr 1986 | Mozart, Darlow | Missa Brevis in C (K258), Requiem (World Premier). Soprano Gillian Fisher, Helen Kucharek, Contralto Cherith Milburn-Fryer, Tenor Ian Partridge, Bass Noel Mann. Tilford Festival Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
18/19/20 Dec 1985 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 39th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
9 Nov 1985 | Handel | Alexander's Feast. Tenor Adrian Thompson Bass Noel Mann. Tilford Festival Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
27 Jul 1985 | Handel, Elgar | The Ways of Zion do Mourn, Coronation Ode. Soprano Susan Gorton, Alto Denis Lakey, Tenor John Cogram, Bass Martin Johnson. Organ Marcus Sealy. | Bath Abbey |
16 Mar 1985 | J. S. Bach | St. Matthew Passion. Evangelist Rogers Covey-Crump, Christus Simon Birchall, Soprano Gillian Fisher, Alto Katherine Denley, Tenor Andrew King, Bass Stephen Varcoe. Tilford Festival Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
19/20/21 Dec 1984 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 38th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
10 Nov 1984 | Elgar | The Dream of Gerontius. Mezzo-Soprano Margaret Cable, Tenor Adrian Thompson, Bass Noel Mann. Tilford Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens. | Bath Abbey |
31 Jul 1984 | Fauré, Honegger | Requiem. King David (Narrator: Richard Stilgoe). Soprano Elizabeth Chard, Contralto Annabel Hunt, Tenor Charles Daniels, Baritone Martin Johnson. Tilford Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens. | Bath Abbey |
31 Mar 1984 | Brahms, Mozart | A German Requiem. Symphony No 34 in C Minor. Soprano Helen Kucharek, Bass Brian Kay. Tilford Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens. | Bath Abbey |
21/22/23 Dec 1983 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 37th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
12 Nov 1983 | J. S. Bach | Christmas Oratorio. Evangelist William Kendall, Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Catherine Denley, Tenor Andrew King, Bass Brian Kay. Tilford Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens. | Bath Abbey |
23 Jul 1983 | Elgar, Britten, Schubert, Kelly | Psalm 48 Great is the Lord, Psalm 29 Give unto the Lord, Missa Brevis. Salve Regina. Exultate. Surrexit Hodie. Baritone Martin Johnson. Organ Marcus Sealy. | Bath Abbey(Organ Only) |
30 Apr 1983 | Mozart, Haydn, S. S. Wesley, Bairstow, Dupré, Britten | Te Deum KV 141. Motet: In Sanae et Vanae Curiae. Psalm 96:115 Ascribe unto the Lord. Blessed City, Heavenly Salem. Cortège et Litanie. Hymn to St. Cecilia. | St. Mary's Bathwick c. Marcus Sealy |
12 Mar 1983 | Mozart, Schubert | Requiem KV 626, Mass in E Flat Minor D950. Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Cherith Milburn-Fryer, Tenors Adrian Thompson, John Kinglsey-Smith, Bass Simon Birchall. Tilford Bach Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens. | Bath Abbey |
21/22/23 Dec 1982 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 36th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
23 Oct 1982 | J. S. Bach, Stephen Dodgson | Magnificat. Suite No 4 in D. Te Deum (World Premier). Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Simon Gay, Tenor Ian Partridge, Baritone Stephen Varcoe.Tilford Bach Festival Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
19 Oct 1982 | J. S. Bach | Cantata No 215 Preise dein Glucke. Suite No 3 in D. Cantata No 206 Schleicht, spielende Wellen. Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Doreen Walker, Tenor Ian Partridge, Bass Bryan Rayner-Cook.Tilford Bach Festival Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
16 Oct 1982 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion. Evangelist Rogers Covey-Crump, Christus Stephen Varcoe, Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Elizabeth Stokes, Tenor Adrian Thompson, Bass Stephen Roberts. Tilford Bach Festival Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
16–23 October 1982 | As a part of the 8th Bath Bach Festival (Stephen Dodgson was composer in residence) | ||
20 Mar 1982 | Beethoven | Missa Solemnis in D. Soprano Susan Bingemann, Contralto Elizabeth Stokes, Tenor Rogers Covey-Crump, Bass David Thomas. Bristol Sinfonia Orchestra, Leader Colin Sauer. | Bath Abbey |
January 1982 | Marcus Sealy joins the choir in succession to Richard Bates as accompanist, deputy director and continuo player | ||
15/16/17 Dec 1981 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 35th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
24 Oct 1981 | Berlioz, Saint-Saëns | Music for Praise and Reflection, Te Deum, Requiem. Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Cherith Milburn-Fryer, Tenor Adrian Thompson, Bass Simon Birchall. Bristol Sinfonia, Leader Colin Sauer. | Bath Abbey |
28 Mar 1981 | Elgar | The Dream of Gerontius. Mezzo-Soprano Jean Temperley, Tenor Adrian Thompson, Bass Stephen Roberts. Bristol Sinfonia, Leader Colin Sauer. | Bath Abbey |
31 Jan 1981 | Bruckner, Mozart | Mass in E Minor, 2 Orchestral Pieces. Bristol Sinfonia. | Bath Abbey |
15/16/17 Dec 1980 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 34th Season | Banqueting Room, Guildhall, Bath |
12 Jul 1980 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Under Denys Darlow as the choir's director of music. Soprano Wendy Eathorne, Contralto Elizabeth Stokes, Tenor Rogers Covey-Crump, Bass Michael Rippon. Oxford Pro Musical Orchestra. Harpsichord Gerald Gifford. Organ Richard Coulson. | Bath Abbey c. Sir David Willcocks |
18 Jun 1980 | Tallis, William Byrd, Brahms, Sir William Henry Harris | Lamentations. Laudibus in Sanctis. Thy servant is downcast. Bring us, O Lord God. | Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, Prior Park College c. R Bates and E Bates |
17 May 1980 | Fauré, Mozart, Haydn | Requiem, Symphony no 32 in G Major K 318, Harmonie-Messe. Soprano Fiona Dobie, Contralto Margaret Cable, Tenor Richard Jackson, Bass Michael Goldthorpe. c Denys Darlow. | Bath Abbey |
19 Apr 1980 | The choir's founder, Cuthbert Bates, died unexpectedly. His son and daughter, Richard and Elizabeth Bates, organised a memorial concert for him on 18 June, and the choir dedicated the concert on 12 July 1980 (which was to have been Cuthbert's last concert as conductor) to his memory. The conductor was the choir's president, Sir David Willcocks. Denys Darlow succeeded as musical director. | ||
20 Mar 1980 | Beethoven | Missa Solemnis Mass in D | Bath Abbey c Denys Darlow |
18/19/20 Dec 1979 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 33rd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
20 Oct 1979 | Bononcini, Handel, Handel, Vivaldi | Stabat Mater. Let God Arise! Dixit Dominus. Gloria RV 589. Soprano Fiona Dobie, Contralto Cherith Millburn-Fryer, Tenor Adrian Thompson, Bass Anthony Smith. | Bath Abbey |
30 Jun 1979 | Verdi. | Requiem. Soprano Wendy Eathorne, Contralto Anne Collins, Tenor Kenneth Bowen, Bass Michael Rippon. | Bath Abbey |
29 Apr 1979 | Palestrina, Byrd, Bousignac, Duruflé, Vaughan Williams | Assumpta est Maria. Christe quit Lux es et Dies. Jubilate Deo. Ubi Caritas. Mass in G minor.Soprano Janice Baldwin, Contralto Barbara Wright, Tenor Stephen Richards, Baritone Roy Cook. | Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, Prior Park College. |
19/20/21 Dec 1978 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 32nd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
14 Oct 1978 | Haydn, Brahms | Paukenmesse. A German Requiem. Soprano Margaret Field, Contralto Patricia Price, Tenor Richard Morton, Bass Ian Caddy. Organ Dudley Holroyd. | Bath Abbey |
24 Jun 1978 | J. S. Bach, W. F. Bach, J. S. Bach, J. C. Bach, C. P. E. Bach | Bach Family Concert. Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild, BWV 79. Overture in D Minor. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80. Symphony in G Minor. Magnificat. Soprano Kathleen Livingstone, Contralto Cherish Millburn-Fryer, Tenor Neil Mackie, Bass Graham Titus. | Bath Abbey |
17 Jun 1978 | J. S. Bach, W. F. Bach, J. S. Bach, J. C. Bach, C. P. E. Bach | Bach Family Concert. Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild, BWV 79. Overture in D Minor. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80. Symphony in G Minor. Magnificat. | Dorchester Abbey |
20/21/22 Dec 1977 | Various | Carols by Candlelight 31st Season | Pump Room, Bath |
22 Oct 1977 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Soprano Angela Beale, Contralto Sybil Michelow, Tenor John Elwes, Bass Stephen Roberts. | Bath Abbey |
20 Oct 1977 | J. S. Bach | St. John Passion Evangelist Brian Burrows, Christus Nigel Wickens, Soprano Helen Greener, Contralto Shirley Minty, Tenor John Elwes, Bass Brian Rayner Cook. | Bath Abbey |
18 Oct 1977 | J. S. Bach | Jesu, nun sei gepreiset, BWV 41. Mass in F major. 'Dies sind die heiligen zehn Gebot' Soprano Linda Esther Gray, Contralto Margaret Cable, Tenor Ronald Murdock, Bass Malcolm Singer. | Bath Abbey |
15 Oct 1977 | J. S. Bach | St. Matthew Passion Evangelist Philip Langridge, Christus Bryan Rayner Cook, Soprano Felicity Lott, Contralto Barbara Robotham, Tenor Neil Jenkins, Bass Michael Rippon. | Bath Abbey |
15–22 October 1977 | As a part of the 7th Bath Bach Festival | ||
19 Mar 1977 | Vaughan Williams, Charpentier, Handel, Purcell | Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis. Mass for double choir. Organ concerto in F major Op 4 No 4. Coronation Anthem 'My heart is indicting'. | Bath Abbey |
The Queen's Silver Jubilee Concert | |||
30 January 1977 | Allan Bennett, honorary accompanist and deputy conductor of the choir died. He was succeeded in post by Richard Bates. | ||
21/22/23 Dec 1976 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 30th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
9 Oct 1976 | Mozart, Bruckner | Symphony No 40 in G minor K550. Mass in F Minor Sopran Sally le Sage, Contralto Oriel Sutherland, Tenor Peter Bamber, Bass Stephen Roberts. | Bath Abbey |
3 Jul 1976 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Sopran Hannah Francis, Contralto Cherish Millburn-Fryer, Tenor Neil Mackie, Bass Christopher Keyte. | Oxford Town Hall |
20 Mar 1976 | Schütz, Handel, Duruflé | Psalm 150 'Lobet den Herren'. Chandos Anthem No 6. Requiem Contralto Oriel Sutherland, Tenor Richard Frewer, Bass Antony Ransome. | Bath Abbey |
The choir gave 3 Concerts in 1976 to celebrate its 30th Anniversary | |||
17/18/19 Dec 1975 | Various | Carols by Candlelight −29th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
5 Nov 1975 | Handel | Messiah (Handel) | Bath Assembly Rooms c Allan Bennett |
19 Jul 1975 | R. Vaughan Williams | Benedicte. Serenade to Music. A Sea Symphony Soprano Wendy Eathorne, Bass Michael Rippon. | Bath Abbey |
27 Mar 1975 | Sir Arthur Bliss died and was superseded as choir president by Sir David Willcocks | ||
18/19/20 Dec 1974 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 28th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
26 Oct 1974 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Soprano Elizabeth Simon, Contralto Patricia Payne, Tenor Winford Evans, Bass Richard Angas. | Bath Abbey |
24 Oct 1974 | J. S. Bach | St. John Passion Evangelist Rogers Covey Crump, Christus Michael George, Soprano Susan Campbell, Contralto Doreen Walker, Tenor John Kingsley Smith, Bass Stephen Roberts. | Bath Abbey |
22 Oct 1974 | J. S. Bach | Cantata No 106. Brandenburg Concerto No 6. Cantata No 6. Magnificat in D Soprano Angela Beale, Susan Campbell, Contralto Doreen Walker, Tenor John Kingsley Smith, Bass Stephen Roberts. | Bath Abbey |
19 Oct 1974 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion Evangelist David Johnston, Christus Brian Ryner Cook, Soprano Angela Beale, Contralto Norma Proctor, Tenor Neil Jenkins, Bass Christopher Keyte. | Bath Abbey |
19–26 October 1974 | As a part of the 6th Bath Bach Festival | ||
18 May 1974 | W. A. Mozart | Symphony No 41 in C (KV551) Jupiter Symphony. Mass in C Minor (KV427) Soprano Sally Le Sage, Mezzo-soprano Caroline Friend, Tenor Winford Evans, Bass Glyn Davenport. | Bath Abbey |
19/20/21 Dec 1973 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 27th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
23 Jun 1973 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Soprano Felicity Palmer, Contralto Oriel Southerland, Tenor Philip Langridge, Bass Bryan Rayner Cook. | Bath Abbey |
13/14/15 Dec 1972 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 26th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
21 Oct 1972 | Schütz, Gabrielli, Buxtehude, Cavalli | Der 136 Psalm. Three instrumental canzonas: Sonata 13 (1615), Canzone for 2 choirs (1597), Canzone for 3 choirs (1615). Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn from Orgelbüchlein. Messa Concertata. | Bath Abbey |
25 Mar 1972 | J. S. Bach | St John Passion Evangelist Rogers Covey-Crump, Christus Michael George, Soprano Celia Jeffreys, Contralto Annabel Hunt, Tenor Neil Mackie, Bass Stephen Roberts. | Bath Abbey |
15/16/17 Dec 1971 | Various | Carols by Candlelight −25th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
16 Oct 1971 | Geminiani, J. S. Bach, Delalande, Handel | Concerto Grosso in E minor, Mass in F, De Profundis, Chandos Anthem No 11a 'Let God Arise' [Played and sung from manuscript copies by kind courtesy of David Willcocks Esq. First performance in Bath.] | Bath Abbey |
2 Jun 1971 | Berkeley, Stravinsky, Michael Rose, Herbert Howells, Monteverdi, A. Gabrieli, Byrd, J. S. Bach, Vaughan Williams, Michael Tippett | Missa Brevis. Ave Maria. Sing to the Lord a joyful song. Master Tallis' Testament. Ave Maris Stella from Vespers of 1610. Magnificat for 3 choirs. Vigilante. Contrapuncti 1. 12 & 18 from the Art of Fugue. O Vos Omnes. Festival Te Deum. Plebs Angelica. | Bath Abbey |
15/16/17 Dec 1970 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 24th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
11 Jun 1970 | William Byrd, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Claudio Monteverdi, Benjamin Britten | Music for voices and organ. Compline Hymn, Gloria in Excelsis (Mass Confitebor Tibi), Vespers 1610 Nisi Dominus. Lauda Jerusalem, Hymn to St. Cecilia. | St Stephen's Church |
16/17/18 Dec 1969 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 23rd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
25 Oct 1969 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Soprano Eileen Poulter, Contralto Margaret Cable, Tenor Ian Partridge, Bass Christopher Keyte. | Bath Abbey |
21 Oct 1969 | J. S. Bach | Der Himmel lacht! Die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31, Komm Jesu Komm, Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis, BWV 21 . | Pump Room, Bath c. Philip Ledger |
18 Oct 1969 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion Evangelist Ian Partridge, Christus Michael Rippon, Soprano Sheila Armstrong, Contralto Margaret Cable, Tenor Gerald English, Bass John Barlow. | Bath Abbey |
18 – 25 October 1969 | As a part of the 5th Bath Bach Festival | ||
17/18/19 Dec 1968 | Various | Carols by Candlelight- 22nd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
12 Oct 1968 | Haydn | The Creation Soprano Angela Beale, Tenor Winford Evans, Bass Richard Angas. | Bath Abbey |
5 Sep 1968 | J. Brahms, J. S. Bach | Ein Deutsches Requiem. Magnificat (Bach) in D Minor BWV 243 Soprano Sheila Armstrong (singer), Alto Barbara Robotham, Tenor Robert Tear, Bass John Shirley-Quirk. | Stadthalle Braunschweig |
3 Sep 1968 | Various | Selection of Unaccompanied Music, Past Concert. | Goslar |
21 July 1968 | Various | Recital of unaccompanied Music. | Prior Park Chapel |
26 Jun 1968 | Tippett | A Child of Our Time Soprano Anne Pashley, Contralto Pamela Bowden, Tenor Ronald Down, Bass Clifford Grant. | Wells Cathedral c. Sir Michael Tippett |
19/20/21 Dec 1967 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 21st Season | Pump Room, Bath |
9 Jul 1967 | William Byrd, William Mundy, E J Moeran, Orlande de Lassus, Antonio Lotti, Giovanni Gabrieli, Jean Berger | Serenade Concert, Exsurge Domine, O Lord the maker of all things, Songs of Springtime, Tui sunt coeli, Crucifixus, Jubelate deo, Brazilian Psalm, Four Folk Songs. | Prior Park Chapel |
1 Jul 1967 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Soprano Janet Price, Contralto Margaret Cable, Tenor David Johnstone, Bass John Noble. | Bath Abbey |
20/21/22 Dec 1966 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 20th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
22 Oct 1966 | Handel, Duruflé | Dixit Dominus. Requiem Soprano Patricia Clark, Contralto Margaret Cable, Baritone John Noble. Organ and Harpsichord Roy Jesson. | Bath Abbey |
3 Jul 1966 | William Byrd, William Henry Harris, Zoltán Kodály, Johannes Brahms, Thomas Tallis, Thomas Weelkes, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Ralph Vaughan Williams | Unaccompanied Serenade Concert. Turn our Captivity, Praise our Lord, all ye Gentiles, Jesus and the Traders, Thy Servant is downcast, In Jejunio et fletu, O Lord, arise into thy resting place, Super Flumina Babylonis, Mass in G minor. Sopran Ruth Vincent-Silk, Contralto Melani Moore, Tenor Antony Corfe, Bass William Coltart. | Pump Room, Bath |
21/22/23 Dec 1965 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 19th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
30 Oct 1965 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Soprano Ann Dowdall, Contralto Jean Allister, Tenor Richard Standen, Bass Robert Masters. | Bath Abbey |
28 Oct 1965 | J. S. Bach | St. John Passion Evangelist Wilfred Brown, Christus John Carol Case, Soprano Eileen Poulter, Contralto Maureen Lehane, Tenor Gerald English, Bass John Lawrenson. | Bath Abbey |
26 Oct 1965 | J. S. Bach | Cantata No 65. Brandenburg Concerto No 2. Motet for double choir "Sing Ye to the Lord". Cantata No 50. | Bath Abbey |
23 Oct 1965 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion Evangelist Wilfred Brown, Christus John Shirley-Quirk, Soprano April Cantelo, Contralto Janet Baker, Tenor Duncan Robertson, Bass Richard Standen. | Bath Abbey |
23–30 October 1965 | As a part of the 4th Bath Bach Festival | ||
19 Jun 1965 | Haydn | Nelson Mass (1965 Bath Festival). Soprano Anne Pashley, Contralto Yvonne Minton, Tenor William McAlpine, Bass-baritone Heinz Rehfuss. Festival Orchestra. Leader Yehudi Menuhin. | Bath Abbey c István Kertész |
15/16/17 Dec 1964 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 18th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
22 Oct 1964 | Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, William Byrd, Thomas Tomkins, Maurice Greene, J S Bach, Herbert Howells, William Walton | Excerpt from the Mass Confitebor Tibi Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Compline Hymn for 5 Voices Christe qui lux es et dies, O Praise the Lord, all ye heathen, Lord, let me know mine end, Jesu, Priceless Treasure, Nunc dimittis, Coronation Te Deum. | Bath Abbey |
13 Jun 1964 | Mozart | Requiem Soprano Elizabeth Robson Elizabeth Howlett (Robson), Helen Watts, Tenor Ronald Dowd, Bass Trevor Anthony. Festival Orchestra Leader Robert Masters. As part of The Bath Festival 1964. | Bath Abbey |
17/18/19 Dec 1963 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 17th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
19 Oct 1963 | J. S. Bach | St. John Passion Evangelist Wilfred Brown, Christus John Shirley-Quirk, Soprano Noelle Barker, Contralto Elizabeth Holden, Tenor David Price, Bass Graham Sorrel. | Bath Abbey |
15 Jun 1963 | Monteverdi, J. S. Bach | Vespers of 1610. Eileen Poulter, Anne Dowdall, sopranos; Jean Allister, contralto; Wilfred Brown, Duncan Robertson, tenors; Richard Standen, bass. Organ continuo Roy Jesson. Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, BWV 39 (d Yehudi Menuhin) Ann Dowdall, soprano; Jean Allister, contralto; Richard Standen, bass; Roy Jesson, Harpsichord continuo; Festival Orchestra, Leader Robert Masters. | Bath Abbey |
18/19/20 Dec 1962 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 16th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
3 Nov 1962 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Sopran Eileen Poulter, Contralto Jean Allister, Tenor David Galliver, Bass John Carol Case. | Bath Abbey |
26 May 1962 | J. S. Bach, Vaughan Williams | Sleepers Wake BWV 140. A Sea Symphony Soprano Elizabeth Harwood, Tenor Brian Newman, Baritone John Shirley-Quirk. Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Leader Felix Kok. | Bath Abbey |
19/20/21 Dec 1961 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 15th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
21 Oct 1961 | Holst, Brahms | Hymn of Jesus. A German Requiem Soprano Pauline Brockless, Baritone Donald Bell. Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Leader Felix Kok. | Bath Abbey |
9 Jun 1961 | Schutz, Fauré | Motet Ehre sei dir, Christa, Requiem Soprano Flore Wend, Contralto Marguerite Paquet, Tenor Jean-Jacques Lesueur, Bariton Jose-Luis Ochoa. | Bath Abbey c. Nadia Boulanger |
20/21/22 Dec 1960 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 14th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
29 Oct 1960 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Sopran Eileen Poulter, Contralto Helen Watts, Tenor William Herbert, Bass Hervey Alan, Harpsichord Continuo Thornton Lofthouse, Organ Ernst Maynard. | Bath Abbey |
27 Oct 1960 | J. S. Bach | Motet 'Be not afraid', Cantata No 4. Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049. Magnificat (Bach) in D major, BWV 243 Soprano Pauline Brockless, Eileen Poulter, Contralto Sylvia Rowlands, Tenor Gerald English, Bass Hervey Alan. | Bath Abbey |
25 Oct 1960 | J. S. Bach | St John Passion Evangelist William Herbert, Christus Richard Standen, Soprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Contralto Helen Watts, Tenor William Herbert, Bass John Carol Case. | Bath Abbey |
22 Oct 1960 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion Evangelist William Herbert, Christus John Carol Case, Soprano Elsie Morison, Contralto Janet Baker, Tenor Wilfred Brown, Bass Donald Bell. | Bath Abbey |
22 – 29 October 1960 | As a part of the 3rd Bath Bach Festival | ||
29 May 1960 | J. S. Bach and others | A programme of Anthems, Madrigals and Motets given as a part of the Bath Festival (d. Yehudi Menuhin). | The Roman Baths (Bath) |
15/16/17 Dec 1959 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 13th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
August 1959 | Sir Arthur Bliss CH, KVCO, Master of the Queen's Musick, is appointed choir president | ||
28 Feb 1959 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion William Herbert, Narrator; Richard Standen, Christus; Heather Harper, soprano; Helen McKinnon, contralto; Wilfred Brown, tenor; Gordon Clinton, bass. Dr Thornton Lofthouse, Harpsichord Continuo; Ernest Maynard, Organ. The Jacques Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
16/17/18 Dec 1958 | Various | Carols by Candlelight −12th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
26 August 1958 | Dr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, the choir's president dies | ||
7 Jun 1958 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor. The Bath Festival 1958. A section of The London Symphony Orchestra, Leader Hugh Maguire. Jennifer Vyvyan soprano, Pamela Bowden contralto, David Galliver [33] tenor, Richard Standen [34] bass. Continuo Dr Thornton Lofthouse, [35] Organist Ernst Maynard. | Bath Abbey |
18/19 Dec 1957 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 11th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
6 Dec 1957 | J. S. Bach | Christmas Oratorio Soprano Joan Fullerton, Contralto Jean Allister, Tenor David Price, Bass John Carol Case. Organ Ernst Maynard. The Paragon Orchestra Leader Frederick Lunnon. | Bath Abbey |
1 Jun 57 | Thomas Tallis, Vaughan Williams | Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis. The Hundredth Psalm (c. R. Vaughan Williams). The Voice out of the Whirlwind. Sancta Civitas. Benedict. Jennifer Vyvyan, soprano; David Price, tenor; John Cameron, bass. Ernest Maynard, organ. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Leader Steven Staryk. | Bath Abbey |
1 June 1957 | Ralph Vaughan Williams Festival Concert | ||
19/20 Dec 1956 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 10th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
Autumn 1956 | Tallis, Palestrina, Bousignac, Vaughan Williams | Motet in 40 parts Spem in alium. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Jubilate Deo. The Voice out of the Whirlwind. | Bath Abbey |
26 May 1956 | Beethoven | Mass in D Sopran Ena Mitchell, Contralto Janet Fraser, Tenor William Herbert, Bass Richard Standen. | Bath Abbey c. Allan Bennett |
19 Jan 1956 | Haydn | The Creation Soloists Suzanne Danco, Richard Lewis (tenor), Owen Brannigan. | Royal Festival Hall, London c. Josef Krips |
19/20 Dec 1955 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 9th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
7 Jul 1955 | Ralph Vaughan Williams | Mass in G Minor Soprano Pauline Brockless, Contralto Celia Moran, Tenor David Price, Bass Norman Tattersall. | Bath Abbey c. Allan Bennett |
14 May 1955 | J. Haydn | The Creation Soloists Suzanne Danco, Richard Lewis (tenor), Owen Brannigan. | Bath Abbey c. Josef Krips |
20/21 Dec 1954 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 8th Season | Pump Room, Bath c. Allan Bennett |
16 Oct 1954 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion Narrator Eric Greene, Christus Norman Walker, Soprano Elsie Suddaby, Contralto Kathleen Joyce, Tenor David Galliver, Bass Richard Standen. Assisted by a choir of 60 from The City of Bath Boys' and Girls' Schools. London Symphony Orchestra Leader Granville Jones. | Bath Abbey |
14 Oct 1954 | J. S. Bach | Cantata No 80 Ein' feste Burg. Motet Sing ye to the Lord. Magnificat. Sopranos Ena Mitchell, Rachel Judd, Contralto Nancy Evans (opera singer), Tenor Richard Lewis (tenor), Bass Hervey Alan. | Bath Abbey |
12 Oct 1954 | J. S. Bach | St. John Passion Narrator Eric Greene, Christus Norman Walker, Soprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Contralto Kathleen Joyce, Tenor David Galliver, Bass Richard Standen. London Symphony Orchestra Leader Granville Jones. | Bath Abbey |
9 Oct 1954 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Soprano Elsie Suddaby, Contralto Anne Wood, Tenor William Herbert, Bass Owen Brannigan. | Bath Abbey |
9–16 October 1954 | As a part of the 2nd Bath Bach Festival | ||
26 May 1954 | Mozart Beethoven | Requiem Symphony no 7 in A major. Soprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Contralto Gladys Ripley, Tenor William Herbert, Bass Gordon Clinton. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader Thomas Matthews. | The Forum, Bath |
21/22Dec 1953 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 7th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
23 May 1953 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor. Soprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Contralto Kathleen Joyce, Tenor Eric Green, Bass Trevor Anthony, Continuo Dr Thornton Lofthouse, Organ Ernst Maynard. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader Thomas Matthews. | Bath Abbey |
17/24 May 1953 | William Byrd, Guillaume Bouzignac, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Johann Hermann Schein, Jean Berger, Herbert Howells, J S Bach | Unaccompanied Serenade Concert. Motet in five parts Jubilate Dei, From the Mass Confitebor Tibi Gloria in excess Dei, Motet for double choir A Domino fact set stud, Brazilian Psalm for full chorus of mixed voices O praise ye the Lord, Canticle for 8 voices Nunc dimities, Sing ye to the Lord. | Pump Room, Bath |
17/18 Dec 1952 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 6th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
24 May 1952 | J. Brahms | A German Requiem. Soprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Baritone Bruce Boyce, Organ Ernest Maynard, Harpsichord continuo Michael Allard. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader George Stratton. | Bath Abbey |
18/19 Dec 1951 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 5th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
8 Dec 1951 | J. S. Bach | Christmas OratorioSoprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Contralto Anne Wood, Tenor Richard Lewis, Bass Richard Standen, Continuo John Churchill, Organ Ernst Maynard. | Bath Abbey |
2 Jun 1951 | Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, William Byrd, William Mundy (composer), Thomas Tompkins, J S Bach, Johannes Brahms, Ralph Vaughan Williams | Unaccompanied Serenade Concert. Missa Papae Marcelli, Christe qui lux es et dies, O Lord the maker of all thing. O Praise The Lord All Ye Heathen, Three chorales from the Motet, Jesu Priceless Treasure, Thy Servant is Downcast, Mass in G minor. Soprano Dorothy Langmain, Contralto Kathleen Whittome, Tenor Cecil Wigley, Bass George Blackford (of the Tudor Singers). | Roman Baths (Bath) |
26 May 1951 | G. F. Handel | Messiah. Soprano Ena Mitchell, Contralto Nacy Thomas, Tenor William Herbert, Bass Owen Brannigan. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader George Stratton. | Bath Abbey |
19/20 Dec 1950 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 4th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
21 Oct 1950 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Soprano Isobel Baillie, Contralto Astra Desmond, Tenor Eric Greene, Bass Norman Walker. Continuo Dr. Charles Thornton Lofthouse, Organist Ernest Maynard. The London Symphony Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
19 Oct 1950 | J. S. Bach | St John Passion Narrator Eric Greene tenor, Christus Henry Cummings bass, Soprano Elsie Suddaby, Contralto Kathleen Ferrier, Tenor Alfred Hepworth, Bass Wiliam Parsons. Continuo Dr. Charles Thornton Lofthouse, Organist Ernest Maynard. | Bath Abbey |
17 Oct 1950 | J. S. Bach | BWV 11 – Praise Our God; Jesu, Priceless Treasure; Magnificat. Soprano Isobel Baillie, Soprano Elsie Suddaby, Contralto Astra Desmond, Tenor David Lloyd, Bass Owen Brannigan. Continuo Dr. Charles Thornton Lofthouse, Organist Ernest Maynard. The London Symphony Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
14 Oct 1950 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion Narrator Eric Greene tenor, Christus Henry Cummings bass, Soprano Elsie Suddaby, Contralto Kathleen Ferrier, Tenor Alfred Hepworth, Bass Wiliam Parsons. Continuo Dr. Charles Thornton Lofthouse, Organist Ernest Maynard. Seats: Nave 11/6 pence. Others 6/-. | Bath Abbey |
14–21 Oct 1950 | As a part of the 1st Bath Bach Festival | ||
20/21 Dec 1949 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 3rd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
27 Jun 1949 | Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Jacobus de Kerle, Vaughan Williams J S Bach | Recital of Choral Music Kyrie and Sanctus from Missa Papa Macelli, Agnus Dei from Missa Regina Coeliacs, The Hundredth Psalm, Sing ye to the Lord. | Bath Abbey |
21 May 1949 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Sopranos Isobel Baillie Elsie Suddaby, Contralto Grace Bodey, Tenor David Lloyd, Bass Norman Walker. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader George Stratton. | Bath Abbey |
21 Dec 1948 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 2nd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
24 Apr 1948 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion. Narrator Eric Green, Christus William Parsons. Soprano Mary Linde, Contralto Grace Bodey, Tenor Rene Holmes, Bass Laurance Holmes. The Boyd Neel Orchestra. | Bath Abbey |
23 Dec 1947 | Vaughan Williams, Martin Shaw (composer), Edmund Rubbra, Robert Lucas de Pearsall, Palestrina, Peter Warlock, Frank Bridge, Dora Brown, Gustav Holst, Armstrong Gibbs | Carols by Candlelight 1st Season. On Christmas night all Christians sing, Sussex Carol arr Vaughan Williams; This is the truth sent from above, Herfordshire Carol arr Vaughan Williams; God rest you merry, Gentleman London Carol (Traditional); I saw three ships come sailing in, English Folk Carol (Traditional); Behoulde a sely tender babe, from Chappell's "Popular Music of the Olden Time". Words by Blessed Robert Southwell (1560–1593); Bethlehem Juda, "twas there on a Morn", Scottish Melody; Sweet was the song the Virgin sang, from William Ballet's Lute Book c1600; The holly and the ivy, Traditional; Coventry Carol, from the Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors 15th century; Good King Wenceslas, from Pia Cantiones; I sing of a maiden, Martin Shaw (composer); Patapan, Old Burgundian Carol; The Virgin's Cradle Hymn, Edmund Rubbra; King Herod and the cock, Worcestershire Carol, arr Cecil Sharp; In dulci jubilo, Robert Lucas de Pearsall German Melody; Hodie Christus natus est, Palestrina; Adam lay ybounden, Peter Warlock; Mantle of Blue, Frank Bridge; The Blue Cloak, Dora Brown; Lullay my liking, Gustav Holst; Bell Carol, Old French; Cradle Song, Armstrong Gibbs; The first Nowell, Traditional. | The Minstrels' Gallery, Pump Room, Bath. |
7 Jun 1947 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor. [3] Soprano Isobel Baillie, Contralto Eileen Pilcher, Tenor Eric Green Bass George Pizzey. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader Lionel Bentley. | Bath Abbey |
Sept 1946 | Choir Formed |
A choir, also known as a chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform or in other words is the music performed by the ensemble. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which spans from the medieval era to the present, or popular music repertoire. Most choirs are led by a conductor, who leads the performances with arm, hand, and facial gestures.
St Dunstan's, Mayfield in Mayfield, East Sussex, was founded in 960 CE by St Dunstan, who was then Archbishop of Canterbury. The church is a listed building. As of 2023, the vicar was Fr Michael Asquith.
Sir John Milford Rutter is an English composer, conductor, editor, arranger, and record producer, mainly of choral music.
Sir Stephen John Cleobury was an English organist and music director. He worked with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, where he served as music director from 1982 to 2019, and with the BBC Singers.
Sir David Valentine Willcocks, was a British choral conductor, organist, composer and music administrator. He was particularly well known for his association with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, which he directed from 1957 to 1974, making frequent broadcasts and recordings. Several of the descants and carol arrangements he wrote for the annual service of Nine Lessons and Carols were published in the series of books Carols for Choirs which he edited along with Reginald Jacques and John Rutter. He was also director of the Royal College of Music in London.
John Stanton Shirley-Quirk CBE was an English bass-baritone. A member of the English Opera Group from 1964 to 1976, he gave premiere performances of several operatic and vocal works by Benjamin Britten, recording these and other works under the composer's direction. He also sang and recorded a wide range of works by other composers, ranging from Handel through Tchaikovsky to Henze.
Somerset is a county in the south-west of England. It is home to many types of music.
Eugene Concert Choir is a choral masterworks organization in Eugene, Oregon, that consists of three performing ensembles: the 100-voice Eugene Concert Choir (ECC), the 36-voice chamber choir Eugene Vocal Arts (EVA), and the associated professional chamber orchestra Eugene Concert Orchestra.
Crouch End Festival Chorus (CEFC) is a symphonic choir based in north London which performs in a range of musical styles, including traditional choral repertoire, contemporary classical, rock, pop and film music.
Saint Peter's Singers (SPS) is a chamber choir associated with Leeds Minster, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England that celebrated during the Season 2017/2018 the fortieth anniversary of the choir's formation by Harry Fearnley in 1977. An anniversary concert took place at Leeds Minster on Sunday 25 June 2017 with the National Festival Orchestra and soloists Kristina James, Joanna Gamble, Paul Dutton and Quentin Brown. Further anniversary year events included Bach Cantatas and Music for Christmas at Fulneck Church in August and December respectively, Handel Coronation Anthems at Holy Trinity, Boar Lane as part of the Leeds Handel Festival in September and a tour of East Anglia in October. In November at Leeds Town Hall, the Singers participated in Herbert Howells's masterpiece Hymnus Paradisi with Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and Leeds College of Music Chorale under the direction of Dr David Hill with the Orchestra of Opera North. 2018 began with a concert of Sacred Choral Masterworks at Leeds Town Hall in February and Bach's Mass in B minor at Leeds Minster on Good Friday 2018 in memory of long-serving member Jan Holdstock. The final concert of the current season takes place at Leeds Minster on Sunday 24 June at Leeds Minster at 5.30. At this event will be presented the first performance of a new work from composer Philip Moore commissioned for the Singers' 40th anniversary – the motet Tu es Petrus – along with music by E W Naylor, Arvo Part, Sir Hubert Parry, Judith Bingham and Maurice Durufle.
The Philharmonia Chorus is an independent self-governing symphony chorus based in London, UK. Since its foundation in 1957 the Chorus has given over 900 concerts and made over 100 recordings. The Chorus Master is Gavin Carr.
The Bach Choir is a large independent musical organisation founded in London, England in 1876 to give the first performance of J. S. Bach's Mass in B minor in Britain.
Derby Choral Union is one of the UK’s longest standing choral societies having been formed in 1866. The choir was established to perform choral music of the highest quality, a tradition it strives to maintain to this day. The repertoire includes traditional choral works as well as music by 20th-century and more contemporary composers. Derby Choral Union is a registered charity and an independent choral society. It promotes concerts in Derby, England, and the surrounding district, and has over 100 active members.
Sheffield Bach Society was founded in 1950 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of J S Bach in Leipzig, and to bring the music of Bach to Sheffield audiences. Its current conductor is Philip Collin, who has been the conductor since September 2023.
The Cape Town Philharmonia Choir is a South African choir based in Cape Town, South Africa. The choir currently consists of 150 amateur singers, directed by Richard Haigh.
The English Chamber Choir is a choir based in England.
The Deutscher Chor London (DCL), also known as the German Choir of London, is a London-based amateur mixed-voice choir with a core repertoire of German classical choral pieces and a special interest in contemporary works. The choir was founded in 2009 by its current musical director Barbara Höfling.
The Choir of Somerville College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, is mixed voice and is led by a Director of Chapel Music, currently William Dawes, incumbent since 2017. In conjunction with the organ scholars, the choir is central to the musical life of the college and, in its present form, was founded by Francis Knights and Sam Bayliss in 2001. Previous Directors of Chapel Music include David Crown, who directed the choir between 2007 and 2015. The choir sings in Somerville College Chapel every Sunday during term and performs regularly in concerts organised by Somerville Music Society. The organ of the college chapel is a traditionally voiced instrument by Harrison & Harrison. Somerville offers up to five Choral Exhibitions each year to applicants reading any subject.
St Albans Bach Choir is an amateur choir based in the English cathedral city of St Albans. Since its founding in 1924 it has performed a wide range of choral music including but by no means limited to the great Bach masterpieces. It strives for the highest possible standards of music making, employing soloists of the highest calibre and professional orchestras. Performances are normally held in St Albans Cathedral. Currently, the Musical Director is William Fox, Director of Music at the Cathedral.
Worcester Festival Choral Society (WFCS) is an independent, SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) choir of around 150 amateur singers that presents classical choral concerts at Worcester Cathedral, Worcester. The conductor is Samuel Hudson (Worcester Cathedral’s Director of Music) and the accompanist is Nicholas Freestone (Worcester Cathedral’s Assistant Director of Music). The Chairman is Susan White. The President is The Lord Bishop of Worcester and Senior Vice President is The Dean of Worcester.