2018 Concerts & Events

The choir restarted rehearsals last week, with a busy schedule of upcoming events to look forward to.

1st February 2018:        The Word & the Song  Concert

Only a few weeks away, our concert ‘The Word & the Song’ takes a musical look at the world of poetry.  If you enjoy the rich harmonies of the uniquely british choral tradition, you will enjoy our programme featuring works of Parry and Sullivan, and a reprise of the wonderfully inventive and engaging set of songs by young British composer Toby Young.  Young’s Dancing Star was commissioned in 2016 by three choirs including the Strathclyde University Chamber Choir, and sets texts by Yeats, Emily Dickinson, and Maya Angelou, amongst others.  Modern it may be, but inaccessible it certainly is not – and Dancing Star was one of the highlights of our West End Festival performance last summer.

18th March 2018:    Choral Evensong

We always enjoy our visits to St Bride’s Church in Hyndland, and we will be back there in March for a performance of choral evensong.   St Bride’s has a palpable atmosphere – in no small part due to the years of incense that have been absorbed into the very fabric of the building.  A perfect setting to listen to music by William Byrd, Philip Stopford, and Glasgow composer James Macmillan.

In April, we will be visiting Durham Cathedral, where we have the honour of being the visiting choir for a long weekend.  But if you can’t quite get to Durham, our evensong at St Brides is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a taster from our Durham repertoire.

Visit our Concerts page for more details of upcoming events, and to buy tickets.

Christmas Concert December 2017

Our Christmas Concert was a musical collaboration with the voices of St Charles’ Primary School choir, in the wonderful acoustic of their associated church, St Charles Borromeo in the heart of Glasgow’s West End.

The programme comprised a rich festive fusion of well-loved favourites, uncovered classics, and vibrant new works.

The evocative harmonies of Arthur Sullivan’s O Hush thee my Babie provided poignant contrast to close harmony arrangements such as Santa Claus is coming to Town and energetic pieces such as the Czech Zither Carol.

Modern classics such as Eric Whitacre’s luscious Lux Aurumque are a real favourite for choir and audience alike – and the richly evolving harmonies of the piece hung beautifully in the air, benefitting from the expansive acoustic of St Charles’.

The programme also took time to acknowledge that Christmas is not all parcels, crackers and tinsel:  we were particularly proud to perform the world premiere of a work by local composer Alan Craig, composed specially for the choir.  A Refugee’s Lament is a powerful and haunting setting of words by David Farr, reflecting on the harshness of life for those fleeing war and conflict.   A live recording of this premiere is available  – simply click on this link.

Inevitably, the choir was thoroughly upstaged by the children’s choir – who received their own hearty ‘curtain call’.  A great end to the 2017 choir year.

Look out for our first concert of 2018, on 1st February in Cathcart Trinity Church.