An open invitation to sing with leading West Midlands’ choir.
Birmingham Bach Choir, led by Musical Director Paul Spicer, invite singers from across the West Midlands to join their ranks for an open rehearsal of a much loved choral classic.
The annual Come and Sing! event, which takes place on Saturday 6 February 2016 at Selly Oak Methodist Church, Birmingham, sees the internationally acclaimed choir explore Mendelssohn’s Elijah.
First performed at Birmingham’s Town Hall in 1846 as part of the Birmingham Festival, Felix Mendelssohn’s oratorio was deemed an absolute triumph, with contemporary reports highlighting the 2,000 strong audience’s deafening applause. The work describes the life of the prophet Elijah, as documented in the Old Testament, and confirmed Mendelssohn’s reputation as one of the great composers of sacred music.
170 years after it was first performed, Elijah remains as popular as ever with such personalities as comedy writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, lyricist Tim Rice, songwriter Joan Armatrading and broadcaster Angela Rippon, all selecting the work for their appearance on BBC Radio 4’s long-running Desert Island Discs. Three Conservative Prime Ministers – David Cameron, Edward Health and Margaret Thatcher – also chose the work.
The relaxed, informal and inspired afternoon workshop will be led by the choir’s Musical Director and conductor Paul Spicer, who’s CV includes a string of critically acclaimed compositions and recordings, as well as several biographies.
Sarah Platt, Birmingham Bach Choir’s Chair, said: “Our annual Come and Sing! event is always hugely popular. It’s a great opportunity to come and sing a major choral work instructed and inspired by Paul as well as to meet other singers from all walks of life and from right across the West Midlands.
“During our break we’ll be serving tea with our famed homemade cakes too, which always go down well!”
Tickets for the workshop cost just £10 with tea and cakes included. Attendees can bring their score or hire one for just £1. For more information, including booking forms, see: www.birmingham.bachchoir.com or call 0121 705 3388 to reserve your place.
LISTINGS
Saturday 6 February 2016
Birmingham Bach Choir: Come and Sing!
Join the renowned chamber choir and conductor Paul Spicer for an afternoon rehearsing Mendelssohn’s Elijah.
Selly Oak Methodist Church, Langleys Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6HT
2pm
Tickets: £10
Music hire: £1
Reservations: email cands@birmingham.bachchoir.com or call 0121 705 3388.
Details: www.birmingham.bachchoir.com
NOTES FOR EDITORS
ABOUT BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR
As one of the UK’s leading large chamber choirs Birmingham Bach Choir has been contributing to the musical life of the West Midlands since 1919, making it one of the longest established musical groups in the area. Although the main focus is the Baroque period (especially JS Bach), the choir performs music spanning over 300 years including 20th and 21st century works.
“A huge degree of dynamic subtlety… exhilarating… a wonderful evening.” 5-stars – Birmingham Post (reviewing Magnificat at Birmingham Cathedral, March 2015).
The choir’s 2015-2016 season includes Bach’s St John Passion (5 March 2016, Great Malvern Priory, Worcestershire), and A Shakespearean Concert (18 June 2016, CBSO Centre, Birmingham; 2 July 2016, Stratford Arts House, Stratford-upon-Avon) as part of the UK-wide commemoration marking 400 years since the playwright’s death.
For more information see: www.birmingham.bachchoir.com
ABOUT PAUL SPICER
Though best known as a choral conductor, Paul is also an internationally respected composer, author and tutor. He began conducting Birmingham Bach Choir in 1992.
For details see: www.paulspicer.com
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