National Youth Choirs of Great Britain
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03-14 15:20
NYC 25th Anniversary - Ex Members.Over the weekend of the 12th and 13th April the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain will be celebrating 25 successful years. The gala choir of ex-members was a great success in the 21st annivesary concert, and we have heard from lots of people who missed the boat on that occasion. This time we are determined to achieve a choir of 300 ex-members from all of the 25 years past, and we would be delighted if you would join us and perform again with the current NYC and in combined items with all seven current choirs.
It promises to be a spectacular event with special guest conducting appearances by our very own President Sir David
Willcocks, John Rutter, Bob Chillcot and Eric Whitacre, as well as Mike conducting the massed choirs, NYC and Laudibus. Greg Beardsell, Susan Hollingworth, Gillian Dibden and Ann Irons will be conducting the Training and Childrens’ Choirs. The ex-members’ rehearsal weekend starts at 11:00am on Saturday the 12th April at the Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham and will be directed by Matthew Owens. Rehearsals will go on until 7pm.
At 8pm on the Saturday night there will be a grand dinner at the Copthorne Hotel where members of each generation can meet old friends and revive the great experiences of past courses and tours. The dinner will cost £25 per person and there is a maximum capacity of 150. To avoid dissapointment please reserve your seat asap. You will need to arrange your own accommodation for the weekend. If you miss out on the dinner or would prefer to make your own arrangements to reunite with old friends, that’s fine too.
On Sunday 13th April there will be a rehearsal at the Adrian Boult Hall at 11:00am before moving on to the Symphony Hall at 3:00pm to join with the other choirs for final rehearsals. If you are able to join us for this very special occasion, I would be grateful if you could e-mail office@nycgb.net or phone 0191 3348110. This will help us to keep track of numbers and also to keep you up to date with the weekend’s events.
Finally, to achieve the huge choir we are hoping for, we need to reach every member who has sung with NYC over the past 25 years and would appreciate your help by forwarding this invitation to every ex-member whose contact information you still have. Facebook has a long list already, and each generation will be getting together on the net with organisers from your era, so lets get the energy going and see how many we can get on stage in Britain’s finest
concert hall!
25 year galas don’t happen very often, probably only every quarter century, so don’t miss out on this one.
#03-14 14:19
NYC 25th Anniversry - Ex Members.Over the weekend of the 12th and 13th April the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain will be celebrating 25 successful years. The gala choir of ex-members was a great success in the 21st annivesary concert, and we have heard from lots of people who missed the boat on that occasion. This time we are determined to achieve a choir of 300 ex-members from all of the 25 years past, and we would be delighted if you would join us and perform again with the current NYC and in combined items with all seven current choirs.
It promises to be a spectacular event with special guest conducting appearances by our very own President Sir David
Willcocks, John Rutter, Bob Chillcot and Eric Whitacre, as well as Mike conducting the massed choirs, NYC and Laudibus. Greg Beardsell, Susan Hollingworth, Gillian Dibden and Ann Irons will be conducting the Training and Childrens’ Choirs. The ex-members’ rehearsal weekend starts at 11:00am on Saturday the 12th April at the Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham and will be directed by Matthew Owens. Rehearsals will go on until 7pm.
At 8pm on the Saturday night there will be a grand dinner at the Copthorne Hotel where members of each generation can meet old friends and revive the great experiences of past courses and tours. The dinner will cost £25 per person and there is a maximum capacity of 150. To avoid dissapointment please reserve your seat asap. You will need to arrange your own accommodation for the weekend. If you miss out on the dinner or would prefer to make your own arrangements to reunite with old friends, that’s fine too.
On Sunday 13th April there will be a rehearsal at the Adrian Boult Hall at 11:00am before moving on to the Symphony Hall at 3:00pm to join with the other choirs for final rehearsals. If you are able to join us for this very special occasion, I would be grateful if you could e-mail office@nycgb.net or phone 0191 3348110. This will help us to keep track of numbers and also to keep you up to date with the weekend’s events.
Finally, to achieve the huge choir we are hoping for, we need to reach every member who has sung with NYC over the past 25 years and would appreciate your help by forwarding this invitation to every ex-member whose contact information you still have. Facebook has a long list already, and each generation will be getting together on the net with organisers from your era, so lets get the energy going and see how many we can get on stage in Britain’s finest
concert hall!
25 year galas don’t happen very often, probably only every quarter century, so don’t miss out on this one.
#12-05 07:09
Resound! Autumn 2007.Download the newsletter to read articles by choir members and staff about all of the events that have taken place this year.
#09-14 17:10
National Youth Choir Composition Prize Winner Announced.GRAHAM ROSS emerged as winner of this prestigious new national competition and had his winning work, ‘Come to me in the silence of the night’, a setting of words by Christina Rossetti for 8 part choir, premiered by the National Youth choir under Mike Brewer OBE on Easter Saturday at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.
Over 40 entries from contestants aged 16-24 were sifted by a distinguished panel of judges which included Ralph Allwood, Mike Brewer, Richard Allain, Stephen Jackson and Susan Digby. The prize is performance by the National Youth Choir and publication by Novello and Co Ltd, a great asset for a young composer seeking recognition.
The competition was structured to give entrants workshop encounters with singers to try out and restructure their pieces in the light of performer feedback, under the direction of composer Richard Allain. It also gave NYC an invaluable opportunity to learn new scores with the composers present.
Graham Ross
Graham Ross is in his third year reading music at Clare College, Cambridge. He currently studies composition with Giles Swayne, and has had works performed at numerous concerts and festivals, including as far afield as Slovenia and Kuwait. Recent premières have included a work for double choir and organ commissioned by Westminster Choir College (Princeton, USA), and Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, a setting of Walt Whitman’s text for mezzo-soprano, harp and double string orchestra. As a treble he was a finalist in the BBC Choirboy of the Year, and now currently holds the position of Senior Choral Scholar as a bass in Clare College Choir. He is currently Assistant Conductor of both Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra and Cambridge University Musical Society, and is also founder/director of The Dmitri Ensemble, a 40-strong string orchestra he set up in his first year to explore in depth the diversity of the string orchestra repertoire. Next year he returns to the Royal College of Music to begin a postgraduate Masters programme in orchestral conducting.
David Lloyd-Mostyn’s piece’ Jargonvox’ and Matthew Oglesby’s ‘To one in paradise’ were runners up and also receive performances by NYC, this time at Leeds Town Hall.
The winning work is being put into print by the distinguished choral publishers, Novello.
This project is made possible through funding from Arts Council England.
For further information contact NYCGB Promotions and Projects Manager, Alison Giles on 01242 820132, alison@agiles.org.uk
#09-11 15:09
Photos-Summer 2007.To view photos from the NYC and NYTC concerts please follow the link photos - summer 2007 to see members in action
#08-13 13:09
Song of Songs.The newest CD release by Laudibus, entitled Song of Songs, was recently featured as the Classic FM CD of the Week on the Henry Kelly show. The CD features music by Joubert, Gabriel Jackson, and Victoria off settings of the Songs of Solomon. The CD is available to buy from the NYCGB office at £12.99.
Song of Songs
Laudibus
Conducted by Mike Brewer OBE
£12.99 (call 01748 825242 to order a copy)
For further information please go to the Laudibus website
#07-26 13:10
NYCGB Office Closed.The National Youth Choir of Great Briatin summer course is taking place at Tudor Hall School in Banbury from 28th July - 6th August. The office will be closed until Wednesday 8th August.
#07-26 13:10
Song of Songs.The newest CD release by Laudibus, entitled Song of Songs, was featured as the Classic FM CD of the Week on the Henry Kelly show this week. The CD features music by Joubert, Gabriel Jackson, and Victoria off settings of the Songs of Solomon. The CD is available to buy from the NYCGB office at £12.99.
Song of Songs
Laudibus
Conducted by Mike Brewer OBE
£12.99 (call 01748 825242 to order a copy)
For further information please go to the Laudibus website
#07-25 12:09
NYCGB 2008.We are delighted to be able to confirm the course and concert dates for all of the National Youth Choirs for 2008. Please go to our Diary of Events for further details.
#07-17 12:12
Laudibus on Classic FM.On Sunday 22nd July 2007, Henry Kelly will be presenting the newly released disc ‘Song of Songs’ as his CD of the Week on Classic FM. Recorded by Laudibus in 2006 and conducted by Mike Brewer OBE, the CD features music by Victoria, Frances Grier, Gabriel Jackson and Daniel-lesur, all of it centred around the erotic biblical stories set down in the Songs of Solomon. Released this year by Delphian Records to great critical acclaim, the CD is on sale from the NYCGB office on 01748 825242.
Sunday 22nd July 2007
Henry Kelly - CD of the Week from 9am - 12noon on Classic FM (100-102FM)
07-17 11:12
Conducting Workshop 2007.Mike Brewer OBE, Musical Director of NYCGB, and Greg Beardsell, Associate Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, would like to invite potential candidates to participate on a conducting course at Tudor Hall School in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
Age range of applicants: 18-23
Date of workshop: 1-2 August
Venue: Tudor Hall School, Banbury
Cost: £50 (for one night stay on the 1st Aug or £70 for those staying extra
night on the 2nd Aug)
Included: Working with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain - Observation of rehearsals, taking of sectional rehearsals, taking
of half-choir rehearsals and possibly full-choir rehearsals. DVD recording
of sessions. Chance to be invited to be assistant conductor on the National
Youth Training Choir course at easter 2008.
Tutors: Greg Beardsell and Mike Brewer OBE
To express your interest, please forward your details to Mark Anyan, General Manager of NYCGB, on office@nycgb.net
#07-17 10:11
Laudibus on Classic FM.On Sunday 22nd July 2007, Henry Kelly will be presenting the newly released disc ‘Song of Songs’ as his CD of the Week on Classic FM. Recorded by Laudibus in 2006 and conducted by Mike Brewer OBE, the CD features music by Victoria, Frances Grier, Giles Swayne and Daniel-lesur, all of it centred around the erotic biblical stories set down in the Songs of Solomon. Released this year by Delphian Records to great critical acclaim, the CD is on sale from the NYCGB office on 01748 825242.
Sunday 22nd July 2007
Henry Kelly - CD of the Week from 9am - 12noon on Classic FM (100-102FM)
07-16 17:11
NYCGB Concerts Summer 2007.Friday 3rd August 2007
National Youth Choir of Great Britain
Conducted by Mike Brewer OBE
Assistant Conductor: Alex Jarrett
St Mary’s Church, Banbury
Tickets: £9 (£8 concs.) Advance purchase discount on 01748 825242
£10 (£9 concs.) Available on the door
Monday 6th August 2007
National Youth Choir of Great Britain
Conducted by Mike Brewer OBE
Gloucester Cathedral, 10:30am
Tickets: Three Choirs website
Programme (performed at both venues):
Josquin: Qui habitat a24
Victoria: Magnificat Sexti Toni
Schuetz: Psalm 98: Singet den Herrn
Schuetz: Psalm 130: Aus der Tiefe
Holst: Nunc dimittis
Joubert: Joy in the morning
Maconchy: Siren’s Song
Skempton: Rise up, my love
Britten: Hymn to St Cecilia
Tallis: Spem in alium (40-part motet)
Thursday 30th August 2007
National Youth Training Choir of Great Britain
Conducted by Greg Beardsell
Assistant Conductors: Jim Davey and Rachel Coward
Coventry Cathedral, 7:30pm
Tickets: £7.50 (£6.50 concs.) Advance purchase discount on 01748 825242
£8.50 (£7.50 concs.) Available on the door
Programme:
Tavener: Birthday Sleep
Hassler: Cantate Domino a12
Schuetz: So fahr ich hin zu Jesu Christ
McGlynn: Geantrai
Hrusovsky: Rytmus
Dove: In beauty may I walk
Finzi: My spirit sang all day
Britten: Marshflowers
Rachmaninov: Bogoroditsye Dyevo
Jackson: O Sacrum Convivium
Finzi: The Hills
Britten: The Evening Primrose
Mendelssohn: Richte Mich Gott
O’Regan: Alleluia, Lauss et Gloria
Bartok: The wooing of the girl
Vaughan-Williams: Bushes and Briars
07-16 17:11
NYC Musical Highlights 2006.NYCGB has enjoyed another hugely successful year that culminated with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain performing in London on September 16th to a packed audience at St Alban’s Church in Holborn.
FA Cup Final
The National Youth Choir of Great Britain was invited to sing in front of 35′000 people at the FA Cup Final in May. Singing age-old favourites such as ‘Abide with me’ and the National Anthem, the choir sang before kick-off to a worldwide audience of millions. Having also sung at Twickenham for England Rugby Internationals, NYC is becoming a fixture at national sporting events across the country.
Classic FM Live
Following an appearance at the Classic FM 10th Brithday Concert in 2003, the National Youth Choir was invited back to the Royal Albert Hall in London to sing at Classic FM Live, presented by Simon Bates. The concert features guest appearances by Julian Lloyd-Webber and pianist Stephen Hough, with NYC raising the roof in ‘O Fortuna’ from Carmina Burana, ‘Benedictus’ form The Armed Man, and in a choral and firework finale of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
#07-16 17:11
BBC Proms 2006.Members of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain took part in this year’s BBC Proms, joining forces with the National Youth Choir of Scotland, the Rodolfus Choir, and ‘The Shout’ to perform Poulenc’s Gloria and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. The Proms are this year celebrating the human voice, and the concert was hailed a success by all concerned. A report from a member who took part will be published soon.
See www.bbc.co.uk/proms
06-07 10:12
Northern Spirit Singers Summer Concert 2007.Saturday 9th June 2007, 7:30pm
Northern Spirit Singers
Elvet Methodist Church, Durham
Conducted by Andy King
Assistant conductor: Mike Summers
Northern Spirit Singers was set up by National Youth Choir members Andy King, Mike Summers, and Ross Furmedge in 2000 and has since gone from strength to strength, performing throughout the country to critical acclaim. This concert is an annual event that sees the choir performing a varied programme of sacred and secular music.
Scheutz - Psalm 130: Aus der Tiefe
Whitacre - Lux arumque
Horovsky - Rytmus
Bennett - All creatures now
Rachmaninov - O come let us worship and Ave Maria from Vespers
Dowland - Come heavy sleep
Stanford - The blue bird
Summers - Hawaii Five-O
Burton - Dream a little dream
Summers - Ghostbusters
Tickets: £5 (£4 concessions) - available on the door
#06-06 11:11
Royal Festival Hall 2007.Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June
Southbank Centre, London
Various Times
The National Youth Choir of Great Britain have been asked to take part in the grand celebrations for the re-opening of the Royal Festival Hall in London after a two-year refurbishment.
Saturday 9th June
Roof of the Royal Festival Hall, London
National Youth Choir of Great Britain
Conducted by Mike Brewer OBE
5:30pm
Arr. Erb - Shenandoah
Arr. Brewer - I wish I knew how
Arr. Hogan - I can tell the world
Trad. - Soualle
Sunday 10th June
Royal Festival Hall, London
Massed Choirs
5pm
Beethoven - Symphony No.9 ‘Choral’
For further information please go to Royal Festival Hall
#06-05 16:12
Royal Festival Hall 2007.Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June
Southbank Centre, London
Various Times
The National Youth Choir of Great Britain have been asked to take part in the grand re-opening celebrations for the re-opening of the Royal Festival Hall in London after a two-year refurbishment.
Saturday 9th June
Roof of the Royal Festival Hall, London
National Youth Choir of Great Britain
Conducted by Mike Brewer OBE
5:30pm
Arr. Erb - Shenandoah
Arr. Brewer - I wish I knew how
Arr. Hogan - I can tell the world
Trad. - Soualle
Sunday 10th June
Royal Festival Hall, London
Massed Choirs
5pm
Beethoven - Symphony No.9 ‘Choral’
For further information please go to Royal Festival Hall
#06-05 15:12
Singleader Workshop Day.Friday 6th July 2007
South Camden Community School
10:30am
As part of the SingLondon project taking place this summer, the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain are holding a workshop day fo primary school teachers, offering basic skills and confidence to teach young children music in its most readily accessible form - singing. National Youth Choir leaders will offer an holisitic approach to singing, using games and activities to integrate vocal skills, improvisation, and musical styles.
For further information please contact Mark Anyan, General Manager NYCGB, on 01748 825242, or e-mail office@nycgb.net.
#06-05 15:12
Worldsong 2007.Sunday 1st July
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
11am
Mike Brewer OBE, Musical Director of the National Youth Choirs of Great Briatin, will be leading a free workshop day for youth choirs and singing groups of all abilities to culminate in a semi-imrpovised performance. This exhilirating experience is suitable for singing groups up to 40 members, even if they cannot read music.
For further information please contact Mark Anyan, General Manager of NYCGB, on 01748 825242 or e-mail office@nycgb.net for further details.
#05-18 16:17
Resound! Spring 2007.Download the newsletter to read articles by choir members and staff about all of the events that have taken place this year.
#05-18 14:16
Three Choirs Festival 2007.Monday 6th August 2007
Gloucester Cathedral, 10:30am
National Youth Choir of Great Britain
Conducted by Mike Brewer OBE
Josquin: Qui Habitat a24
Victoria: Magnificat Sexti Toni
Schuetz: Psalm 130: Aus der Tiefe
Holst: Nunc Dimittis
John Joubert: Joy in the morning
Elizabeth Maconchy: Siren’s Song
Howard Skempton: Rise up, my love
Britten: Hymn to St Cecilia
Tallis: Spem in alium (40-part motet)
Online booking service opens on Tuesday 8th May. Please click here to apply for tickets.
#05-11 09:11
Sing Now!.The 3rd annual Sing Now! event is being held in Sheffield over the weekend of 30th June - 1st July.
Sing Now! is organised by ex-Nycer Simon Wright to help raise funds for NYCGB. The weekend consists of rehearsals for a concert on the final day. Past and present members of NYC are all invited to join in and sing.
For futher information please contact Simon at simonendowood@hotmail.com
#05-11 09:11
BBC New Talent.Water is a brand new musical drama tackling the current phenomenon of climate change and will be staged on Monday 27 August 2007 at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the world renowned BBC Proms. It is collaboration between Oscar winning composer Rachel Portman and award winning poet and playwright Owen Sheers. It draws on global myths and legends about water - from ice and storms to flood and drought and draws on current stories to reflect climate change and how it affects and concerns young people.
BBC New Talent is offering new talented young singers an opportunity to take part in this exciting performance. They will join with professional performers and the BBC Concert Orchestra for this unique Prom that will be broadcast live (??) on BBC Radio 3 in front of a capacity audience at the Royal Albert Hall.
Audition workshops will take place in July 2007 and all of the chorus and soloists selected will be invited to attend a 10 day residential music camp prior to the performance in August. If you are aged between 11 and 16 (boys your voices must not have broken) and love singing and performing then we want to hear from you. Go to www.bbc.co.uk/newtalent
Closing date for applicants is 8th June 2007.
#05-11 09:11
Rachmaninov Vespers.The recently formed Encoro, jointly directed by Sarah Tenant-Flowers and Janet Lincé, is on the lookout for excellent young singers in all voices to sing in two performances of Rachmaninov’s Vespers on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 September, in Keble College Oxford and Douai Abbey, Berkshire respectively.
Performing to an exceptionally high standard, the choir arranges intensive rehearsals immediately prior to concerts. The Vespers rehearsals will take place in Oxford on Saturday 15th (2.00 - 6.00pm), Sunday 16th (1.30 - 5.00pm) and Saturday 22nd September (11.00am - 1.30pm + 2.30 - 5.30pm).
Please contact either Sarah _singscape@aol.com_ (mailto:singscape@aol.com)
or Janet _info@choros.org_ (mailto:info@choros.org) to express interest.
05-11 09:11
Three Choirs Festival 2007.Monday 6th August 2007
Gloucester Cathedral, 10:30am
National Youth Choir of Great Britain
Conducted by Mike Brewer OBE
Josquin: Qui Habitat a24
Victoria: Magnificat Sexti Toni
Schuetz: Psalm 130: Aus der Tiefe
Holst: Nunc Dimittis
John Joubert: Joy in the morning
Elizabeth Maconchy: Siren’s Song
Howard Skempton: I will arise
Britten: Hymn to St Cecilia
Tallis: Spem in alium (40-part motet)
Online booking service opens on Tuesday 8th May. Please click here to apply for tickets.
#05-11 09:11
Auditions June 2007.We are delighted to announce dates and venues for our June auditions. These auditions are for our Junior Choirs only: boys with unbroken voices aged 9 and above, and girls aged 11-15.
Please go to the Auditions page for further information about applying and to download an application form. There is no official closing date as we fill up the venues on a first-come-first-served basis.
Monday 4th June - Guildford
Tuesday 5th June - Aspull, Wigan
Friday 8th June - Darlington
Monday 11th June - Bristol
Tuesday 12th June - Birmingham
05-11 09:11
Laudibus Concert.Saturday 19th May 2007, 7:30pm
St John’s College Chapel, Cambridge
‘Song of Songs’
Conducted by Mike Brewer OBE
Laudibus will be performing music by Dunstable, Victoria, Daniel-Lesur and Gabriel Jackson, inspired by the chapter and verse of the Songs of Solomon. The concert also marks the release of a new CD recording of this music by Laudibus for Delphian Records, which will be on sale on the night.
Tickets: £12 (£8)
Available from NYCGB on 01748 825242 or on the door
Contact pete@nycgb.net for further information
05-11 09:11
Tribute to Matthew Courtney.It is with great sadness we have learned of the tragic death of Matthew Courtney. As a member of the National Youth Choir from 1996 – 1998, Matthew was a popular and valued member of the Bass 2 team and took part in the recording of the National Youth Choirs’ CD, ‘Pearsell and Wood: Madrigals and Partsongs’. He contributed much to NYC and we know that he went on to great achievement as a high profile lawyer and was making a mark in his professional life.
On behalf of all those involved with the National Youth Choirs, we would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to Matthew’s family and friends.
#05-11 09:11
Autumn 2006 Newsletter.Download the newsletter to read articles by choir members and staff about all of the events that have taken place this year.
#05-11 09:11
Five-Star Review for Swayne CD.The Times - Saturday 7th October 2006
Swayne pushes at the boundaries of choral singing to create works of excitement and beauty. The extract from his 1995 setting of Blake’s ‘The Tiger’ crackles with dark, dangerous mystery in a thrilling performance by Laudibus, formerly the National Youth Chamber Choir for which it was written. The voices both of this and the larger ensemble betray no youth and are testament to the current vocal culture - and what soloists are produced. The counter-tenor Stephen Wallace expresses the terrifying madness in the solo cantata ‘A Convocation of Worms’ with almost psychotic feverishness.
This review is for the new recording of the music of Giles Swayne by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, which was officially released by Delphian Records at the NYC Reunion concert on September 16th 2006. The CD contains some of Swayne’s best-known works, including Magnificat I, The Tiglet, and Missa Tiburtina. The recording also features world premiere recordings of new works by Swayne, such as the Four Passiontide Motets. Conducted by Mike Brewer, the CD contains performances by both NYC and the National Youth Chamber Choir, Laudibus, which is made up of current and ex-members of the main choir. The CD is available to buy for £12.99 from the NYC office. Please go to our Store for an order form and payment details.
#05-11 09:11
NYC European Tour 2006.The National Youth Choir of Great Britain has just returned from a hugely successful tour of Central Europe that saw the choir perform to packed houses in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria.
Please follow the link NYC European Tour 2006 Photos to see NYC at work and play in Europe.
12-21 12:08
NYCGB Christmas Holidays.The NYCGB office will be closed from Saturday 23rd December 2006 - Tuesday 2nd January 2007 (inclusive). Please leave a message on the office phone and we will contact you once the office has re-opened.
The staff at NYCGB would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2007!
#12-21 12:08
Laudibus website.Laudibus, the National Youth Chamber Choir of Great Britain, is a professional chamber choir made up of NYC graduates who are selected by audition while members of the main National Youth Choir. Under the direction of Mike Brewer, musical director of NYCGB, the choir is able to draw on years of collective expertise as members of NYC. Please follow this link to see further biographical and concert information about Laudibus.
#10-31 15:07
Autumn 2006 Newsletter.Download the newsletter to read articles by choir members and staff about all of the events that have taken place this year.
#10-17 09:34
Five-Star Review for Swayne CD.The Times - Saturday 7th October 2006
Swayne pushes at the boundaries of choral singing to create works of excitement and beauty. The extract from his 1995 setting of Blake’s ‘The Tiger’ crackles with dark, dangerous mystery in a thrilling performance by Laudibus, formerly the National Youth Chamber Choir for which it was written. The voices both of this and the larger ensemble betray no youth and are testament to the current vocal culture - and what soloists are produced. The counter-tenor Stephen Wallace expresses the terrifying madness in the solo cantata ‘A Convocation of Worms’ with almost psychotic feverishness.
#10-11 03:34
Giles Swayne CD.The new recording of the music of Giles Swayne by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain was officially released by Delphian Records at the NYC Reunion concert on September 16th 2006. The CD contains some of Swayne’s best-known works, including Magnificat I, The Tiglet, and Missa Tiburtina. The recording also features world premiere recordings of new works by Swayne, such as the Four Passiontide Motets. Conducted by Mike Brewer, the CD contains performances by both NYC and the National Youth Chamber Choir, Laudibus, which is made up of current and ex-members of the main choir. The CD is available to buy for £12.99 from the NYC office. Please go to our Store for an order form and payment details.
#09-26 10:35
Three Choirs Festival 2007.The National Youth Choir of Great Britain will be singing at the Three Choirs Festival on Monday 6th August 2007, which is being held in Gloucester. Under the direction of Mike Brewer, the choir will be performing at the morning session with works by Holst, Howells, and Schuetz, as well as anniversary works by Howard Skempton, John Joubert, and Elizabeth Maconchy. NYC will also be performing Benjamin Britten’s Hymn to St. Cecilia and Thomas Tallis’ masterpiece 40-part motet Spem in alium. For further information please go to Three Choirs Festival and download the 2007 brochure.
#09-19 16:23
NYC European Tour 2006.The National Youth Choir of Great Britain has just returned from a hugely successful tour of Central Europe that saw the choir perform to packed houses in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria.
Please follow the link NYC European Tour 2006 Photos to see NYC at work and play in Europe.
09-19 16:23
NYC Musical Highlights 2006.NYCGB has enjoyed another hugely successful year that culminated with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain performing in London on September 16th to a packed audience at St Alban’s Church in Holborn.
FA Cup Final
The National Youth Choir of Great Britain was invited to sing in front of 35′000 people at the FA Cup Final in May. Singing age-old favourites such as ‘Abide with me’ and the National Anthem, the choir sang before kick-off to a worldwide audience of millions. Having also sung at Twickenham for England Rugby Internationals, NYC is becoming a fixture at national sporting events across the country.
Classic FM Live
Following an appearance at the Classic FM 10th Brithday Concert in 2003, the National Youth Choir was invited back to the Royal Albert Hall in London to sing at Classic FM Live, presented by Simon Bates. The concert features guest appearances by Julian Lloyd-Webber and pianist Stephen Hough, with NYC raising the roof in ‘O Fortuna’ from Carmina Burana, ‘Benedictus’ form The Armed Man, and in a choral and firework finale of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
#09-19 11:23
BBC Radio 3 Broadcast.On Friday 15th September 2006, Mike Brewer and a small ensemble of NYC members took part in a broadcast for the Radio 3 programme ‘In Tune’. This is the flagship early evening music show on Radio 3 and highlights music-making throughout the country. The programme featured performances of music performed by NYC in Europe last month as well as the first chance to hear the new CD release of music by Giles Swayne recorded by NYC for Delphian Records. The programme is available from the BBC Radio 3 website for the next seven days.
#09-14 17:52
Auditions.The application form for the NYCGB auditions taking place in November is now available in downloadable pdf format from the Auditions page.
#09-13 09:52
BBC Radio 3 Broadcast.On Friday 15th September 2006, Mike Brewer and a small ensemble of NYC members will be taking part in a broadcast for the Radio 3 programme ‘In Tune’. This is the flagship early evening music show on Radio 3 and highlights music-making throughout the country. The programme will feature performances of music performed by NYC in Europe last month as well as information on the new CD release by NYC of the music of Giles Swayne on Delphian Records, which is taking place this weekend at the reunion concert. The programme goes out live on Friday at 5pm on 90-93FM.
#09-12 15:52
NYC European Tour 2006.The National Youth Choir of Great Britain has just returned from a hugely successful tour of Central Europe that saw the choir perform to packed houses in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria. See details below about the Reunion Concert taking place in London on Saturday 16th September and come along to hear the programme of music that so enthralled audiences across Europe.
Please follow the link NYC European Tour 2006 Photos to see NYC at work and play in Europe.
09-12 09:52
NYC Reunion Concert 2006.St Alban’s Church, Holborn, London
Saturday 16th September 2006
7:30pm
The reunion concert is the last concert of the National Youth Choir European Tour 2006 and sees the 120-strong choir performing works by Tallis, MacMillan, Schütz, Gabriel Jackson, Tarik O’Regan, and Hugo Wolf.
Conducted by Mike Brewer OBE, together with Associate Conductor Greg Beardsell, the concert is also part of a recording weekend with Delphian Records of the music of Heinrich Schuetz and Gabriel Jackson (including his 40-part motet Sanctum est verum lumen). These CDs will be released in 2007.
The launch of a CD of music by Giles Swayne, recorded by NYC in 2004, will also take place that night.
Tickets are available from:
NYCGB
11 Finkle Street
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL10 4QA
Adults: £8 Concessions: £6.50 (Please send an SAE. Due to limited space in the church we advise early booking)
Put this date in your diary and come along to support NYC in their final concert of the year.
Nearest Tube Stations:
Chancery Lane (Central Line – OPEN SUNDAYS)
Farringdon (Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, Thamseslink)
Holborn (Central)
Buses:
8, 17, 25, 45, 46, 242, 341, 521
09-12 09:52
NYC Musical Highlights 2006.NYCGB has enjoyed another hugely successful year that will culminate with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain performing in London on September 16th.
FA Cup Final
The National Youth Choir of Great Britain was invited to sing in front of 35′000 people at the FA Cup Final in May. Singing age-old favourites such as ‘Abide with me’ and the National Anthem, the choir sang before kick-off to a worldwide audience of millions. Having also sung at Twickenham for England Rugby Internationals, NYC is becoming a fixture at national sporting events across the country.
Classic FM Live
Following an appearance at the Classic FM 10th Brithday Concert in 2003, the National Youth Choir was invited back to the Royal Albert Hall in London to sing at Classic FM Live, presented by Simon Bates. The concert features guest appearances by Julian Lloyd-Webber and pianist Stephen Hough, with NYC raising the roof in ‘O Fortuna’ from Carmina Burana, ‘Benedictus’ form The Armed Man, and in a choral and firework finale of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
#09-07 15:51
NYC European Tour 2006.The National Youth Choir of Great Britain has just returned from a hugely successful tour of Central Europe that saw the choir perform to packed houses in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria. See details below about the Reunion Concert taking place in London on Saturday 16th September and come along to hear the programme of music that so enthralled audiences across Europe.
Please go to the LINKS page (under NEWS on the bar above) to see the collection of photographs showing NYC at work and play while on tour.
09-07 12:51
NYC European Tour 2006.The National Youth Choir of Great Briatin has just returned from a hugely successful tour of Central Europe that saw the choir perform to packed houses in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria. See details below about the Reunion Concert taking place in London on Saturday 16th September and come along to hear the programme of music that so enthralled audiences across Europe.
Please go to the LINKS page (under NEWS on the bar above) to see the collection of photographs showing NYC at work and play while on tour.
09-05 17:49
BBC Proms 2006.Members of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain took part in this year’s BBC Proms, joining forces with the National Youth Choir of Scotland, the Rodolfus Choir, and ‘The Shout’ to perform Poulenc’s Gloria and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. The Proms are this year celebrating the human voice, and the concert was hailed a success by all concerned. A report from a member who took part will be published soon.
See www.bbc.co.uk/proms
09-05 16:49
NYC’s Summer Highlight Concert - Winchester Cathedral.NYC gave its last performance of 2005 on August 27th in the magnificent setting of Winchester Cathedral. Even by NYC standards, it was an exceptionally full day!
We kicked off with a very special blessing service in the morning to celebrate the recent marriage of Mike Brewer, the man behind all that NYC does, not only as Conductor but as overall director and inspiration, to Sandra. Current NYC-ers and many former members and old friends were there for this special event, and for the lunchtime reception held afterwards in the Cathedral Refectory courtyard.
During the afternoon, we were joined by NYC Vice-President John Rutter and the South Bank Show film crew which is currently making a documentary on him and choral music in the UK. The crew took a couple of hours of footage of the choir in action, both in rehearsal and performance, and interviewed Mike, Greg Beardsell and several choir members.
Many enthralled tourists sat in on the rehearsal and bought tickets for the evening performance, boosting audience numbers over and above the advance sales.
During the afternoon, Greg also led a workshop for local children, before they attended NYC’s open rehearsal in the Nave to see the choir in action. After a little observation, they joined NYC to learn a new piece based on a Zulu chant, which Mike has just completed ready for publication by Faber. They stayed on with us for the evening concert, and joined NYC on stage for the last piece in the programme, in front of a packed Cathedral nave.
Tallis’s 500th birthday was celebrated with a wonderfully paced resonant performance of his great 40-part motet, Spem in alium conducted by Greg. Tippett’s 100th birthday was also marked with Plebs angelica and Dance, Clarion Air. The last in our trio of birthdays was that of John Rutter, 60 this year, which NYC celebrated wtih performances of two of his lesser known works for double-choir, Hymn to the Creator of Light and Come down O Love Divine. It was a great honour to have him with us for the occasion.
We are very grateful to the Dean and Chapter of Winchester Cathedral for their generosity in making the building available to us for the day.
#08-31 11:15
NYC IN EUROPE.Please go to the LINKS page (under NEWS on the bar above) to see photos taken by NYC members currently touring through central Europe. NYC is touring Europe until August 28th 2006.
#08-22 11:58
NYC IN EUROPE.Please go to the LINKS page (under NEWS on the bar above) to see photos taken by NYC members currently touring through central Europe. NYC is touring Europe until September 3rd 2006.
#08-22 11:58
NYC Reunion Concert 2006.St Alban’s Church, Holborn, London
Saturday 16th September 2006
7:30pm
The reunion concert is the last concert of the National Youth Choir European Tour 2006 and sees the 120-strong choir performing works by Tallis, MacMillan, Schütz, Gabriel Jackson, Tarik O’Regan, and Hugo Wolf.
Conducted by Mike Brewer OBE, together with Associate Conductor Greg Beardsell, the concert is also part of a recording weekend with Delphian Records for a CD featuring much of the music performed by NYC throughout Europe.
The launch of a CD of music by Giles Swayne, recorded by NYC in 2004, will also take place that night.
Tickets are available from:
NYCGB
11 Finkle Street
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL10 4QA
Adults: £8 Concessions: £6.50 (Please send an SAE. Due to limited space in the church we advise early booking)
Put this date in your diary and come along to support NYC in their final concert of the year.
Nearest Tube Stations:
Chancery Lane (Central Line – OPEN SUNDAYS)
Farringdon (Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, Thamseslink)
Holborn (Central)
Buses:
8, 17, 25, 45, 46, 242, 341, 521
08-22 11:58
BBC Proms 2006.Following the success of last year’s all-day celebration of the violin at the Proms, the BBC turns this year’s spotlight upon the most primal and direct medium of music-making - the human voice. The programme runs the gamut of vocal expression, from colourful sacred settings by Bernstein and Poulenc to Barber’s nostalgic evocation of an all-American childhood. The afternoon also sees the world premiere of a brand-new vocal work to a specially written text by Caryl Churchill on the threat of climate change, co-created by youth and adult choirs from across the UK working under the inspirational leadership of composer/choral director Orlando Gough and his off-the-wall vocal group The Shout, with ‘rabble choirs’ of volunteer singers recruited from Glasgow, London and the Prommers.
The project was conceived by the BBC with the BBC Scottish Sympony Orchestra. The National Youth Choir of Scotland, NYC and Training Choir, and Ralph Allwood’s Rodolfus Choir will all be supplying young singers to the project.
The date for your diary is July 29, 14:30 - 16:40 at the ROYAL ALBERT HALL. The performance will go out live on Radio 3 and be available through the BBC website during the following week. See www.bbc.co.uk/proms
#08-22 11:58
National Youth Choir Composition Prize Winner Announced.GRAHAM ROSS emerged as winner of this prestigious new national competition and had his winning work, ‘Come to me in the silence of the night’, a setting of words by Christina Rossetti for 8 part choir, premiered by the National Youth choir under Mike Brewer OBE on Easter Saturday at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.
Over 40 entries from contestants aged 16-24 were sifted by a distinguished panel of judges which included Ralph Allwood, Mike Brewer, Richard Allain, Stephen Jackson and Susan Digby. The prize is performance by the National Youth Choir and publication by Novello and Co Ltd, a great asset for a young composer seeking recognition.
The competition was structured to give entrants workshop encounters with singers to try out and restructure their pieces in the light of performer feedback, under the direction of composer Richard Allain. It also gave NYC an invaluable opportunity to learn new scores with the composers present.
GRAHAM ROSS
Graham Ross is in his third year reading music at Clare College, Cambridge. He currently studies composition with Giles Swayne, and has had works performed at numerous concerts and festivals, including as far afield as Slovenia and Kuwait. Recent premières have included a work for double choir and organ commissioned by Westminster Choir College (Princeton, USA), and Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, a setting of Walt Whitman’s text for mezzo-soprano, harp and double string orchestra. As a treble he was a finalist in the BBC Choirboy of the Year, and now currently holds the position of Senior Choral Scholar as a bass in Clare College Choir. He is currently Assistant Conductor of both Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra and Cambridge University Musical Society, and is also founder/director of The Dmitri Ensemble, a 40-strong string orchestra he set up in his first year to explore in depth the diversity of the string orchestra repertoire. Next year he returns to the Royal College of Music to begin a postgraduate Masters programme in orchestral conducting.
David Lloyd-Mostyn’s piece’ Jargonvox’ and Matthew Oglesby’s ‘To one in paradise’ were runners up and also receive performances by NYC, this time at Leeds Town Hall.
The winning work is being put into print by the distinguished choral publishers, Novello.
This project is made possible through funding from Arts Council England.
For further information contact NYCGB Promotions and Projects Manager, Alison Giles on 01242 820132, alison@agiles.org.uk
#08-22 11:58
Spring 2006 Newsletter.- Resound! The official newsletter of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, Spring 2006
PDF 700KB.
08-22 11:58
Autumn 2005 Newsletter.- Resound! The official newsletter of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, Autumn 2005
PDF, 744 KB
(Please note: this newsletter has had minor updates since it was first published on the website in September.)
#08-22 11:58
Advice on voice change for boys.Singing teacher Jenevora Williams is a specialist in the teaching of young voices and is a regular consultant for St Paul’s Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral, Wells Cathedral and Guildford Cathedral as well as for the Royal Opera House and Les Arts Florissants, and recording companies such as Decca and Hyperion.
She is currently pursuing PhD research into the vocal health and development of boy choristers. For anybody interested in learning more about adolescent voice change in boys, Jenovora has kindly allowed us to publish some of the fruits of her research and experience. Please download the PDF document below.
#08-22 11:58
A special invitation to NYC and NYTC members….Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra invites NYC and Training Choir members to sing with the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus (Director Greg Beardsell) in a performance and recording of Carl Orff’s spectacular Carmina Burana, with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop.
The schedule is as follows and you would be required for all rehearsals and sessions:
- Chorus rehearsal Tuesday 25th April 19.00-21.00
- Chorus rehearsal Tuesday 2nd May 19.00-21.00
- Piano rehearsal with Ms Alsop Monday 8th May 19.00-21.00
- Orchestra rehearsal with Ms Alsop Tuesday 9th May 19.00-21.00
- Evening concert Wednesday 10th May (to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3)
- Recording Saturday 13th 14.00-21.00 and Sunday 14th 10.00-17.00
All rehearsals, concert and recording at The Lighthouse, Poole Arts Centre. The disc will be released by Naxos.
Greg is looking for all voice parts especially tenors and basses, and the chorus will include BSC and Waynflete Singers. The more NYC-ers we can get together the better! It’s a great opportunity to work with the BSO, and they look forward to making NYC welcome.
If you’re over 18, Greg can help to find you accommodation in the area if you need it. If you’re interested in taking part, please contact Greg at gregbeardsell@hotmail.com or call 07967 551380.
#08-22 11:58
New Office Details.NYCGB has moved! Please put our new contact details in your address book:
11 Finkle Street
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL10 4QA
The telephone number is 01748 825242.
Our contact e-mail address is still office@nycgb.net.
#08-22 11:58
Arts Council Award.Arts Council England has confirmed a substantial grant to the National Youth Choirs to fund a commissioning and workshop programme for 2006. The Choirs will commission two pieces, one a setting of text from The Song of Songs from Tarik O’Regan for the senior choir, the other a piece by Richard Allain for the Training Choir.
Both composers will be also be involved in a series of workshops with the choirs, and Richard Allain, NYC’s Associate Composer, will work alongside NYC coaches on a series of sessions with young composers to help them acquire and understand the special skills required for choral writing. Premieres of both pieces, plus the most promising from the young composer workshops, will be given by the choirs at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on April 15th 2006.
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