King James Bible Composition Awards

[ardcarp]

Did anyone listen to The Choir on Sunday 12th June? Aled was introducing finalists' compositions at The Temple Church..but it was a recorded programme.

The Royal College of Music Junior Department Chamber Choir (catchy title) very ably tackled the new pieces. I wonder if anyone knows anything about them and their conductor, Joy Hill? How junior is junior? The top lines at least sounded quite 'developed' and was not of chorister-type voices.

There were (I think) two categories of entry, one for choirs without much experience or resources, the other for fully fledged choirs. Pieces for the latter (byAnna Matthews, Zachary Wadsworth and William Dougherty...hope I've got that right) were IMO interesting and well-wrought.

For the other category I must say I was disappointed that the brief 'easy' elicited pieces that were...how shall I put this?...esay listening in a Lloyd Webberish, John Rutterish sort of way. Now I've nothing against those guys, but why does 'easy' have to mean well worn chord sequences and smolzy tunes? (Christopher Tolney did shove in a cluster from Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb...either by accident or design!)

Any thoughts?

[DracoM]

I was just a tiny bit underwhelmed by the lack of invention in the 'for professional choirs' category.

Sub Lauridsen, sub-Tarik O Regan, sub-Dove? Didn't think we heard much.

Now, if some of the top order were taken on by a resourceful DoM, sort of composer in residence, I suspect they might well come on a treat with some security, a choir to try things with and a few solid commissions and some experts round him / her.

As you say, ably sung, not really the kind of choral sound the composers might have imagined maybe, but radi9o exposure, and pretty effective performances all the same.

[DracoM]

Sorry, should have said Cusworth was my pick on hearing his piece.
So what do I know!!

[Chris Newman]

The RCM Junior Department runs 5 choirs on Saturdays when musical students from across the South of England aged 8 to 18 are given superb coaching in instruments, voice and theory. All students are expected to sing in a choir though the creme de la creme work in the Chamber Choir. The other London conservatoires all run similar excellent schemes.

[jean]

(Christopher Tolney did shove in a cluster from Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb...either by accident or design!)

That was the best bit.

[Wolsey]

The other London conservatoires all run similar excellent schemes.

In fact, all the UK's conservatoires have Saturday morning junior departments; they've been in existence for many decades. I'm immensely indebted to the RAM for the musical education I received on Saturday mornings as a Junior Exhibitioner (now Junior Academy) when at school.