Tag Archives: Byrd

a work from the syllabus

Gloucester Choral Society presented a mixed programme rather than a single work for the Christmas concert this year. Introducing the four-part arrangement of Britten’s Ceremony of Carols our conductor said it should be compulsory on everyone’s syllabus in school. Well … Continue reading

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Abbey round-up

I’ve sung a few services with Bath Abbey Chamber Choir in the last few months though not all (missed the ordination, for example). For the Coronation weekend in May we had appropriately themed music: Purcell’s I was glad, and another … Continue reading

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Three Choirs 2023: the evensongs

I made it to two of the evensongs during the Festival. The first one was on the first Saturday: Jonathan Hope conducting the Saint Cecilia Singers, many of whom had sung in the opening service that morning and would sing … Continue reading

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the Great Round Byrd in Ross

I believe I visited Ross-on-Wye many years ago but since then it’s been just a placename on road signs in Gloucester. I seized an opportunity to commemorate William Byrd’s anniversary by performing the Mag and Nunc from the Great Service … Continue reading

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A busy morning at the Abbey

Although I have sung a number of morning services at Bath Abbey with its Chamber Choir, I don’t think I’ve sung two back to back. It makes for a long morning! We met at 8.30 to rehearse, and sang an … Continue reading

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a launch and an ordination

The last weekend of June began with the launch of Gloucester Choral Society’s 2022-23 season at a reception in the Chapter House. A chance to reminisce about the Veneto tour, enjoy the bring & share food and sing a few … Continue reading

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the patron saint of my choir tours (1)

On the previous foreign choir tour I went on, to Lisbon, we were proudly informed that St Antony of Padua had come from the city and shown a site associated with him. And the one I have just returned from … Continue reading

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The Evening Canticles and me

Taking part in the ‘World Cup of Evensong Canticles’ has made me think about my personal history of singing them.* I didn’t start to sing evensongs until I was about 16, and for a few years after that I only … Continue reading

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see you on the other side

Some kind of order is beginning to emerge out of the chaos. Bristol Choral Society has started having online rehearsals. Messages about ‘virtual choir pubs’ and ‘virtual pub choirs’ are dropping into my inbox, and social media is full of … Continue reading

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have I sung everything in the Oxford Book of Tudor Anthems?

I recently claimed that I had, but that claim isn’t quite true. There’s one anthem that I’ve never sung, and it’s probably the least performed in the book: Byrd’s This day Christ was born. The problem is that it really … Continue reading

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