I watched the Finals yesterday on BBC 4. I thought the six choirs were pretty representative of the range of amateur choral singing in the UK. Since the question of movement often arises in comments about choral singing on these boards, I looked out for instances of this, although my main interest was listening to the musical quality of the choirs' performance.
The last choir to perform, Ysgol Glanaethwy, is a performing arts school which operates outside of normal school hours, and used a great deal of theatrical movement - as you might expect - it's their raison d'etre. In festivals & competitions, in my experience, such performances by 'choirs' are very rare indeed. Perhaps they should not have chosen the Tippett 'Child of our Time' and were criticised publicly by an adjudicator for their performance.
Surrey Hills Chamber Choir used witch-like movement in their last song ('Double, double, toil and trouble') but I thought it appropriate to the choice of song. The choice is the MD's and they are all experienced enough to know the 'risks'. However, the very rapid 'Rytmus' and 'She moved through the fair' were performed without movement and impressive choral technique.
The Methodist College Girls from Belfast performed three songs without any movement apart from a finger pointed at the audience. Obviously a choir of excellent quality and wide experience - and success - in competitions. Very well done the young man accompanying - did I hear correctly - 13 years old ?
The Oxford Gargoyles sing close harmony jazz a cappella, do so brilliantly and it is difficult to imagine how their style and repertoire could be performed without choreography. I think they must have been pretty close to being the winners.
The junior age group was represented by the 60 or so voices of Lindley Jr. Sch. Huddersfield. Apart from the very limited use by five singers of simple bell-like instruments, they stood totally still during each of their three songs but with very expressive faces and a demanding repertoire. A joy to listen to.
The eventual winners, Les Sirenes, brought a touch of ironic humour with one of the group, expecting marriage to the 'Soldier, soldier', had her posy ready for the ceremony, but sthheir vocal skills were fully tested with the bewildering changes of key and modulations demanded by Latham's arrangement. They followed this by Michael Neaum's beautiful arrangement of 'And so it goes'. I think all his many choral arrangements, mainly for the female voice, are absolute gems. The piano accompaniments are intricately interwoven and this song is no exception. Difficult to choose between Sirenes & Gargoyles - I'd have been happy with either.
I was pleased to see arrangers credited in the subtitles, as well as MDs and accompanists in interviews. We should really give much more credit to arrangers who see the potential in a melody and transform it into jewels of even greater beauty for choirs to sing. The youngsters were very articulate in saying how much choral singing meant to them.
Anyone else see the programme ?
The last choir to perform, Ysgol Glanaethwy, is a performing arts school which operates outside of normal school hours, and used a great deal of theatrical movement - as you might expect - it's their raison d'etre. In festivals & competitions, in my experience, such performances by 'choirs' are very rare indeed. Perhaps they should not have chosen the Tippett 'Child of our Time' and were criticised publicly by an adjudicator for their performance.
Surrey Hills Chamber Choir used witch-like movement in their last song ('Double, double, toil and trouble') but I thought it appropriate to the choice of song. The choice is the MD's and they are all experienced enough to know the 'risks'. However, the very rapid 'Rytmus' and 'She moved through the fair' were performed without movement and impressive choral technique.
The Methodist College Girls from Belfast performed three songs without any movement apart from a finger pointed at the audience. Obviously a choir of excellent quality and wide experience - and success - in competitions. Very well done the young man accompanying - did I hear correctly - 13 years old ?
The Oxford Gargoyles sing close harmony jazz a cappella, do so brilliantly and it is difficult to imagine how their style and repertoire could be performed without choreography. I think they must have been pretty close to being the winners.
The junior age group was represented by the 60 or so voices of Lindley Jr. Sch. Huddersfield. Apart from the very limited use by five singers of simple bell-like instruments, they stood totally still during each of their three songs but with very expressive faces and a demanding repertoire. A joy to listen to.
The eventual winners, Les Sirenes, brought a touch of ironic humour with one of the group, expecting marriage to the 'Soldier, soldier', had her posy ready for the ceremony, but sthheir vocal skills were fully tested with the bewildering changes of key and modulations demanded by Latham's arrangement. They followed this by Michael Neaum's beautiful arrangement of 'And so it goes'. I think all his many choral arrangements, mainly for the female voice, are absolute gems. The piano accompaniments are intricately interwoven and this song is no exception. Difficult to choose between Sirenes & Gargoyles - I'd have been happy with either.
I was pleased to see arrangers credited in the subtitles, as well as MDs and accompanists in interviews. We should really give much more credit to arrangers who see the potential in a melody and transform it into jewels of even greater beauty for choirs to sing. The youngsters were very articulate in saying how much choral singing meant to them.
Anyone else see the programme ?
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