Which choirs don't we hear from?

[MrGongGong]

We hear a lot of choirs from across the country on R3, but which ones would you like to hear more of?

http://www.philminton.co.uk/feral-choir/

[Simon]

http://www.philminton.co.uk/feral-choir/

Well, the one from "Mulouse" (should that read "Mulhouse") could more or less hold a note. I wouldn't hold out much hope for the others being broadcast, though!

Glad they enjoyed it: no doubt it's the taking part that's important rather than the choral result.

[DracoM]

Visceral sound, wonderfully vital.

[Magnificat]

I'd just like to add my thanks (along with those of ff) to Alex Woodrow for giving us such a detailed account of the musical establishment at Bradford. It certainly sounds as if things are on a fast upward curve! Perhaps for the organ nerds amongst us, either you, Alex or one of your colleagues could give us an account of the current state of the instrument?

ardcarp

Not surprised to see the enthusiasm and high standards of Alex Woodrow at Bradford. He was a highly respected organ scholar at St Albans.

VCC

[Alex Woodrow]

I'd just like to add my thanks (along with those of ff) to Alex Woodrow for giving us such a detailed account of the musical establishment at Bradford. It certainly sounds as if things are on a fast upward curve! Perhaps for the organ nerds amongst us, either you, Alex or one of your colleagues could give us an account of the current state of the instrument?

I am glad the information was of interest. In terms of the instrument at Bradford, it is still perfectly functional, in the sense that any member of the congregation or of a recital audience would struggle to perceive there is much wrong. However, the last major restoration work was in 1977, and we are starting to notice problems that will only proliferate, hence taking action now with the Appeal. At the console, occasionally a piston fails to activate the required pre-set combination, so all of the contacts need cleaning, and at the same time we are looking at adding general pistons and a stepper facility. Occasionally flue combinations, especially on the Swell and Solo, produce rushing noises and a humming sound, a sign of air escaping, so all of the trunks and windchests need checking for splits. One or two notes are failing to sound on one of the solo reeds - the Trumpet Major - so the sliders need looking at and many of the pipes from all divisions could do with cleaning, regulating and re-tuning.

At the same time, we are taking the opportunity to look at improving projection into the nave. We are still debating whether it might be possible to re-arrange the placing of divisions within the chamber, but have not ruled this out (the Chancel division is currently very forward and bright, and in fact louder than the Great Plenum, which is back to front, especially when playing transcriptions of Vivaldi concerti and the like...) Additional ranks such as the intended 16' Double Open to the Great (the organ has no bottom-of-chorus 16' manual rank), and a 32' pedal reed, will add to the organ's ability to sound well across the length of the building. At the same time, a Vox Humana, Cromorne and some true undulant strings on the Swell will complement what is already a fine instrument. We might look slightly to take the edge off one or two of the mixture ranks (HN&B at their most neoclassical) and to tone down the Swell Reeds (the Cornopean in particular is louder than the Great Tromba for instance).

As of yet, we are at the early stages, having just launched the Appeal, and we are in dialogue with a number of potential contractors. Visiting players and recitalists always seem to enjoy the instrument, so this is an exciting project for us, and has won the support of many a local resident, former chorister, recital audience members and so forth.

[ardcarp]

Alex. You need to find a benefactor with half a million or so to spare! There used to be plenty of cash around oop in t'industrial North, but I dare say it's more scarce these days. But good luck.

[inquires]

We do have the chapel choirs of Eton and Winchester College from time to time but there are many other very fine school chapel choirs. It's about time they were given the opportunity to broadcast Choral Evensong

[Wolsey]

We do have the chapel choirs of Eton and Winchester College from time to time but there are many other very fine school chapel choirs. It's about time they were given the opportunity to broadcast Choral Evensong

Lancing, for example...