National Youth Choirs

of Great Britain

2014 Programme
We work with all areas of the
community to inspire creativity
and share the Halls events and the
unique characteristics of the building.

2
Spring concerts 2014

Wednesday 9 April 2.30pm

Worcester Cathedral
Struggles and Smiles
Girls Choirs

Tuesday 15 April 3pm

St Marys Church, Banbury
Calling
Boys Choir and Cambiata Voices

Friday 18 April 7.30pm The thing I value most

Birmingham Town Hall is being able to be part
Shadow Dancing
of such a professional
Training Choirs North and South
choir, and the challenges
Saturday 19 April 7.30pm of difficult music.
Leeds Town Hall
Songs of Farewell
National Youth Choir
This performance will be recorded by
BBC Radio 3 for future broadcast

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4
Welcome

It is a great pleasure to welcome back all our young singers, who

are meeting up for the first time since summer 2013. For some of
them, the concert you will hear today will be their first with us. They
have just completed their spring residential course, during which
they will have discovered some wonderful choral music, tried out
new singing techniques and styles and made some new friends.

All of us at NYCGB would like to thank parents and carers,

whose support of and commitment to our activities is so much
appreciated. We hope that you will gain much enjoyment and pride
from our spring 2014 concert series.

Our musical team has been working very hard over the past few
months to prepare for the courses and concerts, carefully selecting
choral music as a balanced diet for these exceptional young
singers, so that their short time with us gives each of them a broad,
challenging, enjoyable and achievable musical experience.

Finding outstanding young singers across the country during our

annual audition season is just part of the great pleasure we have
in working with all our choirs. The residential courses offer us the
chance to nurture and support young singers, and to help inspire
and encourage them in the great achievements you will hear in
concert.

We are grateful to the Royal Albert Hall for supporting our nationwide
auditions programme, and to the PRS for Music Foundation for
supporting our new music programme, which includes the Training
Choirs project with Shlomo in Birmingham.

Ben Parry
Director, National Youth Choirs of Great Britain

Confiden
ce,
knowledge
and friends 5
Supporting the
National Youth Choirs
of Great Britain
Each year, over 750 of the UKs most promising and motivated
young singers come together to participate in NYCGBs uniquely
diverse, life-changing experience. World-class tuition in choral
performance, voice training and musicianship fuse with natural talent
to produce the outstanding results that you are enjoying today.

We are immensely grateful to our existing supporters for their

generosity and we aim to build upon these strong relationships
to secure a more exciting future for NYCGB. We wish to pay
particular thanks to the PRS for Music Foundation for their
tremendous contribution towards our new music programme
for 2014, to new principal supporters the Garfield Weston
Foundation for their support towards our widening access
and engagement programme, to new corporate partners
Julius Baer International Ltd and to the Royal Albert Hall
for supporting our nationwide auditions programme.
To find out more about how you can support
This year it will cost nearly 1.3 million to underpin our programme NYCGB, please contact Nina Camilleri,
of work. This includes twelve residential courses, a broad range of Director of Strategy and Development:
concerts across the UK, our new widening access and engagement nina@nycgb.net
programme, the subsidy of course fees and a vital bursary
programme for members in need of financial support. Calling All Alumni!
Our alumni activities got off to a
To continue to build, develop and safeguard the future of this great start in January this year
wonderful organisation, we aim to broaden our network of donors. with a singing day at Spitalfields.
As a world-class arts and education body, we are able to form Around 100 alumni from NYCGBs
tailored and mutually beneficial partnerships with our supporters. very earliest years right up to recent
singers came along for a rehearsal
So, whether you are here today as an individual, or as a and very loud, enthusiastic concert
representative of a company or a trust, we hope that your concert followed by an evening out in a local
experience with us might inspire you to support our work in some Italian restaurant. Well definitely be
way. Please do get in touch if are able to help. organising another similar event.

Nina Camilleri If youre a former member and

Director of Strategy and Development youd like to be involved, wed love
to hear from you. Either fill in the form
Our Support Our Future leaflet is enclosed with this programme. included on your programme insert,
There are a number of ways you can help. For example, you or visit
can become a Friend for 40 a year or perhaps consider a www.nycgb.net/support-nycgb/alumni
life-changing bursary as a Vocal Supporter for 500 a year. to download a form.

6
Thank you
NYCGB is most grateful to the following
organisations, individuals and charitable
trusts and foundations who support our broad
programme of work

Principal Supporters Corporate Partners Friends

Arts Council England Julius Baer International Ltd Mrs Judith Argyrakis
John Ellerman Foundation Tony Broomfield
The Leverhulme Trust In Kind Supporters Stephen Chater
The Royal Albert Hall Executive Offices Group Mr & Mrs Dieu
Garfield Weston Foundation Royal Welsh College of Music Geoff & Margaret Farrell
The Wolfson Foundation and Drama Robert & Emma Glover
National Foundation for Youth Music A H Grosz
Vocal Supporters Penny Lewis
Key Educational Partners Achill Management Mr & Mrs C N Maundrell
Cornwall Music Hub Sir Gerald & Lady Elliot Gillian OGorman
London Youth Choir Christopher Huxtable Mr & Mrs M OKane
Rosehill Theatre, Cumbria Krista Murray Angela Ramsden
Royal Albert Hall The Sanders Family Robin & Lindsay Stock
Sage Gateshead David & Suzannah Taylor
Gold Friends Mr Mark S Windisch
Trusts and Foundations David & Beverley Aspinall The Wynn-Evans Family
Alice Cooper Dean Charitable Trust Mr David Richard Beamish
Andor Charitable Trust David Carrington And supporters who wish
Misses Barrie Charitable Trust Mr & Mrs R J Edwards to remain anonymous
Roger and Sarah Bancroft Clark Paola Giunti & Martin Fraenkel
Charitable Trust Sarah Panizzo
Britten-Pears Foundation Mr & Mrs P Tuch
Chapman Charitable Trust Dr Fiona Philippa Tudor
CHK Charities Ltd
Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust Silver Friends
Charities Trust Mr & Mrs J P Asquith
John S Cohen Foundation Donna K Carver
DOyly Carte Foundation Ian & Shirley Duff
Dunard Fund Mr & Mrs K Ellis
The Elmley Foundation Robert & Clare Falls
The Emerald Foundation Jonathan & Claudia Golden
J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust Mr & Mrs C Hawkins
The Goldsmiths Company James & Henrietta Hillman
The Golsoncott Foundation The Holt Family
The Grimmit Trust Wendi Lewitt
Hadrian Trust Mrs Sylvia Morgan
The Idlewild Trust Mr James Prescott-Martin
ISSMUS Doreen Selig
The Joicey Trust Mr Ian Staite
The Kirby Laing Foundation Patrick & Caroline Strafford
Sir James Knott Trust
Lord & Lady Lurgan Trust
Mercers Company
The Michael Marks Charitable Trust
The Ofenheim Charitable Trust
PRS for Music Foundation
NM Rothschild & Sons
HR Taylor Charitable Trust
The Thompson Educational Trust
The W E D Charitable Trust
The Vardy Foundation
1989 Willan Charitable Trust
Worshipful Company of Musicians

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Forthcoming
performances

Sunday 22 June, 3pm: Girls Choirs

Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh
The Girls Choirs sing Brittens Childrens Crusade alongside
Aldeburgh Voices as part of the 2014 Aldeburgh Festival.
Tickets: 18, 16, 14, 11, 9
Booking via Aldeburgh Music, online at
tickets.aldeburgh.co.uk or by phone: 01728 687110
(MonSat,10am4pm)

Monday 11 August, 7.30pm: Training Choir South

Tonbridge School Chapel, Kent
Tickets: 10 / 5 for U25s
Booking: Tickets will be available in advance to parents and family
of the performers from NYCGB, or on the door from 6.45pm Image: The Whitehaven News

Saturday 16 August, 5pm: Boys Choir,

Cambiata Voices and Girls Choirs
Cambridge Corn Exchange
Tickets: 6 / 3 for U25s
Booking via Cambridge Corn Exchange, online at
www.cornex.co.uk/ or by phone: 01223 357851
(MonSat 10am6pm)
1 fee for posted tickets
Booking opens on Monday 5 May

Saturday 23 August, 3pm: Training Choir North

St Bees School, Cumbria
Tickets: 10 / 8 concessions / 5 U25s
Booking via Rosehill Theatre, online at www.rosehilltheatre.co.uk
or by phone: 01946 692422
(MonFri 10am5pm and 1 hour before each performance)
1 transaction fee for online and phone bookings if postage is required.
Booking opens early May

Saturday 30 August, 7.30pm: National Youth Choir

Sage Gateshead
Tickets: 10 / 8 / 5 for U25s
Booking via Sage Gateshead, online at www.sagegateshead.com
or by phone: 0191 443 4661 (MonSun 10am6pm)
Booking fee: 2.50 per transaction
Booking is open

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David Bedford Music
Education Award
NYCGB has been awarded PRS for Music
Foundations David Bedford Music Education
Award for its new music programme in 2014.

Our New Music Programme 2014 includes:

Simon Shlomo Kahn: She Lost my Crossed Heart for the
combined NYCGB Training Choirs. Shlomo will join the singers
for creative workshop sessions during their course, and a fully
improvised circle-jam will be performed in the concert.
Performance: Friday 18 April, 7.30pm, Birmingham Town Hall
Folk music experts Will Lang and Niopha Keegan are creating
four new arrangements for choir and folk band which focus on
traditional music from Cumbria and the North West of England, for
Training Choir North.
Performance: Saturday 23 August, 3pm, St Bees College, Cumbria
Northumberland-based composer John Casken writes a work
for the National Youth Choir, taking poems by Katrina Porteous,
Northumbrian poet, historian and broadcaster to reflect the
landscape of the North of England.
Performance: Saturday 30 August, 7.30pm, Sage Gateshead

What is PRS for Music Foundation? To write for this

PRS for Music Foundation was set up in 2000 to stimulate and
support the creation and performance of new music throughout the
extraordinary ensemble
UK and to ensure that this music is enjoyed by a wide audience.
It has become a significant force in supporting pioneering musical
presents a thoroughly
activity in music of all genres across the UK. This is why were exciting opportunity. The
particularly delighted to support the National Youth Choirs of Great
Britain, who are supporting the creation and performance of new choirs combination of
music for the UKs future professional vocal talent.
inventiveness, versatility
The David Bedford Music Education Award celebrates
exceptional music education projects involving UK composers and
and excellence is a
new music, selected and funded by PRS for Music Foundation, and
is given four times a year. Previous recipients include the Jewish
dream for any composer.
Music Institute, South West Music School and Music in the Round. Shlomo

NYCGB has been commissioning new music since its foundation

30 years ago and as a result our members have experienced a
phenomenal range of new music influences. Exploring brand new
commissions with our young singers is central to our aims of creating
exceptional performance experiences, enthusing young people in the
joy of singing and demonstrating outstanding national relevance.

Receiving the David Bedford Music Education Award is helping us

to continue with this central part of our work for young singers. We
are hugely grateful to PRS for Music Foundation for allowing these
compositions to become a reality for our members, collaborators
and audiences, and forming the backbone of a very exciting season
of choral music.

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Girls Choirs
Struggles and Smiles
Wednesday 9 April 2.30pm Worcester Cathedral

This spring we are thrilled to have as Guest Musical Director the

highly sought-after professional singer, vocal coach and former
Musical Director of the Swingle Singers, Joanna Forbes LEstrange.
She has been working principally with the Junior Girls on a wide
range of choral repertoire designed to enable them to develop both
musical and vocal versatility.

The focus for the Senior Girls on this course has been learning
Brittens Childrens Crusade. This is a little-known ballad for
childrens voices and orchestra (mainly percussion), which the Girls
have been invited to perform at the prestigious Aldeburgh Festival
in June.

Our programme opens with Medieval Gloria by Vijay Singh, a

modal, chant-like work for unaccompanied voices and hand-drum,
which harks back to the type of song which might have been heard
echoing around Worcester Cathedral when it was first built. This is
followed by the duet Sound the Trumpet from Come, ye sons of It was fantastic to spend
art a musical ode written by Purcell in honour of the birthday of
Queen Mary II in 1694. In it, over a modulating ground bass, the
so much time with such
singers imitate the showy brilliance of baroque trumpets. fantastic people, making
At the heart of the programme for the Junior Girls are three pieces great music.
by contemporary choral composers: On Eagles Wings is an
uplifting anthem written for the girl choristers of St Davids Cathedral
by Joannas husband Alexander LEstrange, who has visited the
course to work with the girls this week; The Lord is my shepherd,
by Will Todd, is a stunning new setting of Psalm 23, arranged
here for upper voices by the composer; and Kala, Kalla from Eric
Whitacres Five Hebrew Love Songs, which were originally written
as solo songs to be sung by his girlfriend of the time (now wife), Hila
Plitmann, who also wrote the Hebrew texts.

10
 h e fabulous music,
T ch i n g
h e tea and
t
th e excell ent s
ocial
a s pe c t

The Junior Girls complete their set with the delightful Smile Medley
by Joanna Forbes LEstrange. It comprises three contrasting songs
on the subject of smiling: When youre smiling (swing jazz), Smile
(ballad) and Youre never fully dressed without a smile (musical
theatre).

Brittens Childrens Crusade is scored for nine soloists, two pianos,

organ and a huge battery of percussion instruments. It was written
in 1969 and commissioned to mark the fifth anniversary of the
charity Save the Children. The text, by Bertolt Brecht, tells the story
of Polish children orphaned at the start of the Second World War.
They travel off in search of hope, but the group eventually breaks
up due to death or squabbling. It is demanding for the performers
and listeners alike, due to the twelve-tone techniques employed
by Britten and the atmosphere of bleakness and the despair that
characterizes both text and music.
Vijay Singh (b1963)
In contrast, our concert concludes with two upbeat pieces sung Medieval Gloria*
by both Girls Choirs: Akakomborewa - a Shona translation of the Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Benedictus composed by Lee Kesselman in the spirit of choral Sound the Trumpet*
Alexander LEstrange (b1974)
music heard in the Episcopal Cathedral of Harare, Zimbabwe - and
On Eagles Wings*
a vibrant setting of Amazing Grace by Joanna Forbes LEstrange, Will Todd (b1970)
originally written for the Swingle Singers, but arranged here for The Lord is my shepherd*
upper voices. Eric Whitacre (b1970)
Kala, kalla*
Esther Jones Joanna Forbes LEstrange
Smile medley*
John Tavener (1944-2013) arr Jones
Mother of God
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Childrens Crusade
Kesselman (b1951)
Akakomborewa*
Joanna Forbes LEstrange
Amazing Grace*

* Junior Girls Choir

Senior Girls Choir

Esther Jones
Joanna Forbes LEstrange
conductors
James Sherlock organ
Jonathan French piano
Sam Wilson, Craig Apps
George Barton, Chris Brice
Gareth Ceredig, George English
percussion

Find out more about our musical team

on pages 22-23, and online at www.nycgb.net.

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Boys Choir and
Cambiata Voices
Calling
Tuesday 15 April 3pm St Marys Church, Banbury

This years spring programme is built around the theme of Calling.

The need to communicate with others is one of the deepest human
instincts. Between the two choirs the programme includes works
containing cries of sorrow and anguish, calls to battle, statements
of adoration and wonder, serenades and more besides. We have
thoroughly enjoyed the experience of preparing Calling and look
forward to communicating these tales, beliefs and emotions through
song - we hope you enjoy the results.

Tanzen und springen Hans Leo Hassler

We open this afternoons programme with a lively German madrigal.
Translating to dancing and leaping, singing and ringing, it includes
the traditional fa-la-la we have come to expect from madrigals.
Hassler was born 450 years ago and lived through the late
Renaissance and early Baroque eras.

The Call (from Five Mystical Songs) Ralph Vaughan Williams

Vaughan Williams developed a unique style capturing the very I always feel that
essence of the English landscape. He was influenced by his love
of Tudor music and spent his life collecting English folksongs. His
Ive improved my
Five Mystical Songs are set to poems by George Herbert. Individual
movements such as Easter and Let all the World in every corner
technique and love
sing are performed in our churches and cathedrals around the taking what Ive learnt
country. The set of five are often performed by choral societies with
baritone soloist. We will perform the fourth movement, with unison back with me to
treble voices - echoing the title of this afternoons programme.
other choirs.
Ave Maria Lorenzo Perosi
Italian composer Lorenzo Perosi studied at the Milan Conservatory,
but was one of the only composers of his generation who did not
write opera. He wrote sacred music, including large-large scale
oratorios. This short and serene setting of the prayer Hail Mary calls
for the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

Shto mi e milo - Macedonian traditional

This traditional Macedonian folksong celebrates owning a shop in
the southwestern city of Struga. From here, the shop owner can
watch the world go by and send the young people to fetch water
from the well.

12
 different
an
d
of

te
n
un
us
u al
repertoire

Cross the wide Missouri - Don Besig and Nancy Price

This piece amalgamates two traditional folksongs: Oh Shenandoah,
an American song and The Water is wide (sometimes known as O
Waly, Waly), from England. The lyrics of the latter have been adapted
here by the composer and calls to be united with the lost love. Its
relatively simple harmony and use of counter-melody makes for a
beautiful and uplifting setting of songs from two continents.

The Snow Edward Elgar

The Snow was dedicated to Mrs E B Fitton of Malvern, a fine pianist
who frequently played with Elgar in local concerts and musical
evenings. Elgars wife Alice, who was a published author of poetry
and fiction, wrote the words. The poem is a romantic Victorian
plea for keeping the soul pure. It was written for upper voice,
accompanied by piano and two violins.

Justorum animae Charles Villiers Stanford Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612)

Stanford was a great educator who taught composition at the Royal Tanzen und springen*
College of Music to such greats as Holst, Vaughan Williams, Ireland Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
and Bridge. Justorum animae was written to be sung on All Saints The Call from Five Mystical Songs*
Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Day at Trinity College, Cambridge and is the first of a set of three
The Snow*
motets. The text is from chapter three of the Book of Wisdom: The Macedonian Traditional
souls of the righteous are in the hands of God Stanford contrasts Shto mi e milo*
the peaceful outer sections with a harmonically restless central Lorenzo Perosi (1872-1956)
passage, depicting torment and malice. Ave Maria*
Don Besig and Nancy Price
Cross the wide Missouri*
I love my Love Gustav Holst Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
A folksong of Cornish origin, I love My Love features perhaps the Justorum Animae*
most recurrent of all themes, that of lost love. The piece begins with Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
a bystander, our narrator, drawn to the song of a young woman I love my Love
behind the walls of the infamous Bedlam asylum. Her lament tells of Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921)
Srnade dhiver
her love being sent to sea and how, although this has driven her to
Henry VIII (1491-1547)
madness, she remains true to her dearest. At that precise moment O my heart
her love returns from sea. On hearing where she is he rushes to find David Childs (b1969)
her and the two, now reunited, embrace and live happily ever after. O Magnum Mysterium*
Moses Hogan (1957-2003)
continued on page 15 Joshua fit the battle of Jericho*

* Boys Choir
Cambiata Voices

Niall Crowley
Greg Hallam
conductors
Ruairi Edwards
piano

Find out more about our musical team on

pages 22-23, and online at www.nycgb.net.

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A Festival of Britten
Centenary double disc of music by Britten
featuring all eight NYCGB choirs

the joy of fresh voices cleanly singing a generous cross-section

of Brittens output. A Ceremony of Carols, with girls voices, and
Rejoice in the Lamb, to Christopher Smarts quirky words, are
particularly delightful. The pleasures also keep coming in the shorter
church settings Geoff Brown, The Times (
2013
****), November
For the past few years the National Youth Choir of Great Britain has
been among the stars of the BBC PromsChoral singing of that
standard is always worth following and this two-CD set of Britten is
welcome. Richard Fairman, Gramophone, January 2014

One of the joys of these Britten performances is hearing the full

power of something like the combined girls choirs in A Ceremony
of Carols, which you dont often hear with so many good young
singers and the strength of the response of the National Youth
Choir proper in Rejoice in the Lamb. Andrew McGregor, BBC
Radio 3 CD Review, November 2013

Order A Festival of Britten from the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (NYCGB)

Price: 14.99 plus 1.50 p+p (UK cost only;

please contact us at office@nycgb.net to confirm
overseas delivery rates) Different delivery address

Title Title

Name Name

Address Address

Postcode Postcode

Country Country

I would like to purchase copy/copies I would like the disc gift wrapped (1.50)
of NYCGBs Britten Centenary double disc
Please send your completed form and a cheque to:
Delivery address NYCGB, Rivergreen Centre, Aykley Heads,
Same as billing address above (please tick) Durham DH1 5TS

14
Oh My Heart Henry VIII
Whilst Henry VIII is largely remembered for his many wives and a
notorious, even tyrannical reign, he was also one of the foremost
patrons of music in all of Europe. An accomplished musician himself,
he played many instruments and also enjoyed composing. There are
over 30 compositions now attributed to Henry VIII, encompassing an
impressive variety of song, instrumental and consort music.

Srnade dhiver Camille Saint-Saens

Like many other composers before and since, Saint-Sens was a
child prodigy. His incredible talent was first brought to light at his
debut recital, where at the age of 11 he performed piano concertos
by Beethoven and Mozart and other works. The creator of a huge
compositional oeuvre of almost every genre, Saint-Sans fell from
favour in his own country after initial popularity but outside France
was celebrated and widely considered Frances foremost composer.
Composed in 1867, Srnade dhiver tells the story of four men
who find themselves without lodgings on a cold winter night. They I learned more than
attempt to use their tuneful voices and passionate poetry to charm a
young maiden to invite them inside for the night.
I could have possibly
O Magnum Mysterium David Childs
ever predicted.
There is a long history of evocative settings of this special text
those by Victoria and Poulenc being two notable examples. The
words describe the nativity scene and the wonder and consequence
of the birth of Jesus Christ. Childs setting shows the influences
of medieval and orthodox music whilst remaining a contemporary
work. Indeed, one section yields entirely to the music of older times
with the inclusion of Plainchant. David Childs is a New Zealand-born
composer, now living and working in America.

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Moses Hogan Singing

Until his untimely death in 2003, Moses Hogan was one of the most
celebrated contemporary arrangers and conductors of spirituals.
In his short life he created many original arrangements of classic new and
different
spirituals and formed several world class choirs to showcase his
new works. Joshua fit the battle of Jericho is possibly Hogans most
well-known arrangement. The piece is packed full of rhythmic and
textural interest, word painting and harmonies steeped in blues and
jazz, so typical of Hogans style.
kinds of
Greg Hallam and Niall Crowley music to
a high
standard
15
Training Choirs
North and South
Shadow Dancing
Friday 18 April 7.30pm Birmingham Town Hall

Our members surpass their own creative expectations when

collaborating with muscians who bring new insights to repertoire,
challenge traditions, and encourage new levels of artistic
accomplishment. Such collaborative partnerships are often the
catalyst for the formation of broader concert programmes, enabling
us to look into more diverse avenues of musical creativity.

An explosion in a cappella singing has ruptured the perceived

notion of choral music, creating even greater opportunities
for originality. One musician at the centre of this expansion is
Shlomo, whose vocal music is famous the world over. We are
delighted to be performing alongside him in our concert tonight,
making music together and premiering his new work She Lost
my Crossed Heart. NYCGB is very grateful to the PRS for
Music Foundation for their support towards this commission.

To surround this commission in the second half of the concert are

a variety of choral works, some planned, some improvised and What do you enjoy most
some a mixture of the two, including arrangements of songs made
famous by the finest a cappella groups in the world; Take 6 (USA),
on an NYCGB course?
The Real Group (Sweden) and Postyr Project (Denmark).
The combination of
Music set for Holy Week has produced arguably the greatest
choral music of all time and Thomas Luis de Victoria wrote top-class musicianship
a portion of this extraordinary output in 1585; a collection
containing 37 works with music set from Palm Sunday to Easter and crazy social stuff.
Saturday. Within this is the setting of the office of the Tenebrae
(the shadows), a combination of Matins and Lauds which
would feature the gradual extinguishment of 15 candles which
represent Christ, the Disciples (excluding Judas) and the three
women who visited the tomb. Our concert begins with three
movements from this most dramatic of liturgical ceremonies.

16
This leads us to one of Victorias poly-choral masterpieces, the Toms Luis de Victoria (c1548-1611)
Magnificat Sexti Toni for three choirs. Written around 1590 for Tamquam ad latronem
Iesum tradidit impius
a Vespers service in Rome, this piece displays mastery for the
Caligaverunt oculi mei
burgeoning multi-choir format, contrasting the individual choirs From the Tenebrae Responsories
sections with tutti passages of great strength and colour, the Toms Luis de Victoria
most powerful music arriving with for behold from henceforth all Magnificat Sexti Toni
generations shall call me blessed and he hath showed strength Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
with his arm. Mitten Wir im Leben sind
Arvo Prt (b1935)
Which was the Son of
In contrast to this Catholic floridity is the austere weight of Mitten
wir im Leben sind. Such heaviness sets it apart from Mendelssohns Interval
usual writing style but entirely reflects the text: Though in midst
of life we be, Snares of death surround us; Where shall we for Anders Edenroth (b1963)
Words
succor flee, Lest our foes confound us? His musical setting
Mark Kibbel / Take 6; arr Tijs Krammer
shows considerable influence of Johann Sebastian Bach, whom Get Away Jordan
Mendelssohn considered the greatest of all composers. The piece Earth Wind and Fire; arr Martin Carbow
is divided into three verses, each concluded by a Kyrie eleison, September
and characterised by the textural contrasts achieved by setting Shlomo (b1983)
lamenting chorales against uplifting, contrapuntal sections. She Lost my Crossed Heart (world premiere)
Shlomo
Looping Solo
When Reykjavik became European Capital of Culture in 2000, Shlomo & members of the choir
Arvo Prt was asked to write a work for the youth choir Voices of Circle Jam
Europe which featured ten singers from the nine previous cultural Tine Fris
capitals aged between 18 and 23. The text he decided to set is arr Line Groth and Kristoffer Thorning
from Lukes Gospel and outlines the genealogy of Jesus. At first Go! Dont stop!
glance, it would seem this passage is un-settable, an interminable Shlomo guest artist
list of names linking Jesus to God, but Prt cleverly varies the
character of the music to include what is almost a French-style Greg Beardsell
baroque overture at the opening, followed by call and answer Dominic Peckham
passages evoking a modern gospel idiom, lilting 9/8 sections of Adam Treadaway
conductors
interweaving lines and gentle interjections and a final passage which
adopts a powerful and lengthy cycle of fifths as we approach our Find out more about these artists on pages
final name. 20-23, and online at www.nycgb.net.

Greg Beardsell

r y ne
Eve o
working
t ogeth e 17
r
National Youth Choir
Songs of Farewell
Saturday 19 April 7.30pm Leeds Town Hall

Focusing on key major choral works by three British composers,

Hubert Parry, Benjamin Britten and James MacMillan, tonights
programme brings together an exceptional range of colours and
textures. This is choral music at its most moving and dramatic,
infused with vivid expressions of personal journeys, including
appropriately for the Easter weekend those of faith and betrayal.

The programme is bookended by companion choral works by the

writing partnership of NYCGB Director, Ben Parry, and lyricist Garth
Bardsley: Sun Soul tracing the arc of the sun within a single day
and Eclipse, unusually a lunar eclipse. Garth writes: As a musician
and singer, my poetry is always written with a view to it being sung
or set to music. The sun and moon subject fired my imagination and
I have attempted to describe not only aspects of the relationship
that man has with these celestial bodies but also their extraordinary,
unearthly kaleidoscopic quality.

James MacMillans Cantos Sagrados is a searingly powerful I always feel that Ive
piece that deals with the uncomfortable subject of repression and
loss. MacMillan writes: In writing this work I wanted to compose
improved my technique
something which was both timeless and contemporary, both
sacred and secular the three poems are concerned with political
and love taking what
repression in Latin America and are deliberately coupled with Ive learnt back with
traditional religious texts to emphasise a deeper solidarity with the
poor of that sub-continent. The voices in Ariel Dorfmans poems me to other choirs.
belong to those who suffer a particular type of political repression:
the disappearance of political prisoners. Ana Maria Mendozas
poem about the Virgin of Guadeloupe tackles the same problem by
asking a more fundamental cultural and historical question.

e e t i n g
M
oth er
n g e r s
18
si
Contrastingly, three songs of nature include Bob Chilcotts infectious Ben Parry (b1965)
Weather Report, written for the BBC Singers tour of Japan last Sun Soul (text: Garth Bardsley)
James MacMillan (b1960)
summer. Chilcott weaves together a tapestry of well-known weather
Cantos Sagrados:
rhymes, such as The rain it raineth every day and Whether the 1 Identity (text: Ariel Dorfman)
weather, in a work that is energetic, quirky, and entertaining. I hear 2 Virgin of Guadaloupe (text: Ana Maria Mendoza)
the rain by Danish composer Per Nrgrd is intriguing in its use 3 Sun Stone (text: Ariel Dorfman)
of extended vocal techniques to convey the sound of rain falling. Bob Chilcott (b1955)
Anders Edenroth is proving a popular choice for NYCGB choirs Weather Report
Per Nrgrd (b1932)
Bumble Bee is a delightfully gentle and touching picture of one of I hear the rain
natures wonders. Anders Edenroth (b1963)
Bumble Bee
Hubert Parry composed his Songs of Farewell in the last two years
of his life; devastated by World War 1, but still undiminished in his INTERVAL
working capacity. The six songs display the epitome of his skill for
Hubert Parry (1848-1918)
choral writing expressive, dramatic and with intense sensitivity to Songs of Farewell:
the chosen texts. 1 My soul, there is a country (text: Henry Vaughan)
2 In know my soul hath power to know
Rejoice in the Lamb is a work of great artistry and imagination, both all things (text: John Davies)
in music and text. The imagery conjured up in Christopher Smarts 3 Never weather-beaten sail (text: Thomas Campion)
4 There is an old belief (text: John Gibson Lockhart)
poem Jubilate Agno must have been immediately appealing to
5 At the round earths imagined corners
Britten, nowhere more so than in the four central solo movements, (text: John Donne)
dealing again with nature and animals, as well as the difficult subject 6 Lord, let me know mine end (text: from Psalm 39)
of rejection and isolation. The homage to Purcell is also obvious in Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
the Halleluiah sections, the second of which completes the work. Rejoice in the Lamb
Ben Parry
Eclipse (text: Garth Bardsley)
Ben Parry
Ben Parry conductor
Greg Batsleer assistant conductor
This performance is being recorded for future broadcast by BBC Radio 3. Simon Lindley organ

Find out more about these artists on pages

20-23, and online at www.nycgb.net.

19
Guest artists

Shlomo
Internationally acclaimed beatboxer and World Loopstation
Champion SHLOMO creates an incredibly energetic live show like
nothing you have seen before: jaw dropping, inspirational and totally
absorbing. A Guinness World Record holder, Shlomo gave up
astrophysics to perform his amazing vocal pyrotechnics. Since then
he has won global acclaim and worked with some of the biggest
names in music including Bjork, Damon Albarn, Jarvis Cocker,
Martha Wainwright, Imogen Heap, The Specials, DJ Yoda and even
comedians the Mighty Boosh. In the process he has consistently
pushed the boundaries of beatboxing, bringing the art form to new
and unexpected audiences through such diverse collaborations.

Shlomo is a firm favourite on the UK Festival scene, having Hes like a one-man
introduced Pulp, Chase and Status and Cee Lo Green at
Glastonbury, collaborated with pop wonders Ed Sheeran, James Hollywood action
Morrison and Jason Mraz and performing his sell-out shows at the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival. film soundtrack
The Times
Raised on a strict childhood diet of orchestral percussion and
jazz drums, Shlomo instinctively began making vocal music as a
small child. He first found critical acclaim as a beatboxer aged 18
when he began touring with the award winning multinational hip
hop group Foreign Beggars, and was named the Harry Potter of
beatboxing by BBC Radio 1s Tim Westwood. This was designed
as a compliment, we think either way it wasnt long until Shlomo
was collaborating with Icelandic pop queen Bjork on her all vocal
album Medulla in 2004.

Shlomos performance on BBC2s Later with Jools Holland was

seen by Emily Eavis who invited him to host a 2-hour collaborative
extravaganza at Glastonbury Festival. Shlomo was joined by a host
of star names, including Martha Wainwright, Ed Harcourt, Portico
Quartet, Reverend and the Makers, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly in a
memorable and moving performance.

As both a solo artist and a bandleader, Shlomos live performances

never cease to amaze and are not to be missed.

20
 Simon Lindley organ
Simon Lindley is Organist of Leeds Town Hall and Leeds Minster. He
is often to be heard as a choral accompanist and orchestral organist
with choirs of the calibre of Huddersfield Choral Society, Leeds
Philharmonic Chorus and Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus to name
but three with whom he regular records and broadcasts.
As a solo player, he is in demand for recitals and concerts, with
upcoming events this and next month at Kings College, Cambridge
and the Minsters of Halifax and Southwell as well as here at home in
Leeds. A number of his small-scale liturgical compositions and carol
arrangements have achieved widespread provenance.

Simon is closely involved with many aspects of music making in the

West Riding and serves as Music Director of St Peters Singers and
Conductor of Sheffield Bach Choir and Doncaster Choral Society.
He is Visting Tutor in Advanced Organ Skills at the Royal Northern
College of Music and has served as an Examiner to the Universities
of Huddersfield and Sheffield and to the Royal Academy of Music.

Prior to moving to Yorkshire almost forty years ago, Simon Lindley

served at Westminster and St Albans Cathedrals and St Albans
School. He still retains very strong connections with the City of
London where his career began in the mid 1960s.

Non-musical interests include printing and typography, local history,

cooking and travel - especially rail travel.

L ifelong
friendship
s
new
and a m usical
experience 21
NYCGB Musical Team
You can find out more about our hugely talented
team of musical directors and conducting staff at
www.nycgb.net/people

Esther Jones Girls Choirs

Esther Jones is a professional conductor specialising in choral music
and music education, in demand across the UK and beyond as a
conductor, teacher, adjudicator and animateur. She studied music
at Oxford and choral conducting at the Royal Academy of Music,
where she was the first Open Academy Fellow and now teaches
part-time. She also directs a number of choirs in London and the
south-east. Esther oversees all four junior choirs as Deputy Music
Director of NYCGB.
www.estherjones.info

Joanna Forbes LEstrange Girls Choirs

Joanna Forbes LEstrange is a professional singer, arranger, choral
leader and adjudicator. A music graduate of Oxford University and
former Musical Director of The Swingle Singers, she performs all
over the world and has recorded over fifty CDs and approaching
a hundred film soundtracks, including Harry Potter and Pirates
of the Caribbean. Known for her stylistic versatility, Joanna sings
classical, jazz, contemporary, pop and crossover repertoire and has
worked with Take That, Sir Paul McCartney, Jarvis Cocker, Katherine
Jenkins and Bryn Terfel. She is a patron of Voice Festival UK.
www.joannaforbeslestrange.com

Greg Hallam Boys Choir

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of
Music, Greg balances his life conducting, singing and adjudicating.
He works with a host of choirs on a weekly basis and runs workshops
and residential courses throughout the UK. Assistant Music Director
with NYCGB, he is also Musical Director of Swansea Bach Choir,
Bracknell Choral Society and London Youth Boys and Training
Choirs; teaches at Wellington College and Christchurch Cathedral
School; and Artistic Director of the Penkhull Festival of Music and Art.
www.greghallam.moonfruit.com

Niall Crowley Cambiata Voices

Niall Crowley started conducting professionally aged just 19 when
he established a boys choir in his hometown of Waterford. He is
now one of the leading exponents of choral music in Ireland, as
Musical Director of the Waterford Institute of Technologys award-
winning Choral Music Programme, tutoring on singing, choral and
conducting courses throughout Ireland, including the Irish Youth
Choir and Ulster Youth Choir. Niall is Assistant Music Director with
NYCGB.

22
Greg Beardsell Training Choirs
Greg Beardsell is a leading light in music education and
performance. In addition to his role as Deputy Artistic Director of
the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, he is Musical Director
of the Irish Youth Choir, Artistic Director of the Ulster Youth Choir
and Choral Director for the Gabrieli Consort and Players education
initiative, the Gabrieli Young Singers Scheme. He works extensively
as a conductor, singer, adjudicator, workshop leader and presenter.
Greg oversees both NYCGB training choirs.
www.gregbeardsell.com

Dominic Peckham Training Choirs

Dominic Peckham is regarded as one of the UKs finest
ambassadors of choral music, both in performance and through
his critically acclaimed educational work. In addition to his role as
Assistant Music Director of NYCGB, he is Artistic Director of The
Royal Opera Houses RM19, Director of The Ulster Youth Training
Choir, Patron and Adjudicator of The Voice Festival UK and has
recently been appointed Musical Director of The London Oriana
Choir.
www.dominicpeckham.com

Adam Treadaway Training Choirs

Graduate of The University of York (MA Conducting), Adam has
been assistant conductor with NYCGB for three years. He is
Musical Director of Camden-based Jazz ensemble, Take Twenty,
the Cotswold Youth Choirs, and The Foundling Museum; Assistant
Conductor with Ulster Youth Training Choir and The Beckenham
Chorale, a Vocal Animateur for the Orchestra of the Age of
Enlightenment, and offers tuition at several schools. Adam also
enjoys performing engagements as a soloist and ensemble musician.
adamtreadaway.com

Ben Parry National Youth Choir

Director of NYCGB, Ben Parry is a successful composer, conductor,
arranger, singer and producer in classical and light music. He has
made over 60 recordings and his compositions and arrangements
are published by Peters Edition. Current appointments include
Director of Aldeburgh Voices, co-director of London Voices and Eton
Choral courses and Assistant Director of Music at Kings College,
Cambridge. Ben was also Director of Choral Music at the Royal
Conservatoire Scotland and Musical Director and singer with The
Swingle Singers.
www.benparry.org

Greg Batsleer National Youth Choir

Gregory Batsleers current posts include Artistic Director of the
National Portrait Gallery Choir in Residence Programme and Chorus
Master with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Formerly Director of
Choir at Manchester University, Director of the Hall Youth Choir and
Assistant Conductor with the Amadeus Orchestra, he has worked
with Sir Mark Elder, Robin Ticciati, Emanuel Krivine, Sir Roger
Norrington and Philippe Herrewheghe. Gregory is Artistic Director
of Pencil Presents, creates sound design for theatre productions,
and has collaborated with Damon Albarn, Elbow, James and the
Temptations. Gregory continues to study conducting with Neil Ferris.
23
Spring 2014
course staff

Girls Choirs Boys Choir and Cambiata Voices

Tudor Hall School, 4-9 April Tudor Hall School, 10-15 April

Course Director (Boys) Course Director

Esther Jones Greg Hallam
Conductor (Cambiata) Conductor
Joanna Forbes LEstrange Niall Crowley
Singing Teachers in Residence Singing Teacher in Residence
Charlotte Dougan Jennifer Snapes
Jennifer Snapes Singing Teachers
Singing Teachers Carys Lane
Frith Trezevant Ghislaine Morgan
Carys Lane Musicianship
Miranda Wright Emily Owen
Musicianship Tutor Section Leaders
Emily Owen David Ireland
Accompanists James Slimings
Jonathan French Sarah Champion
Section Leaders Robbie Blake
Sarah Champion Jonathan Schranz
Flo Taylor Lucy Cox
Charlotte Broadbent Course Manager
Lucy Cox Felix Leach
Hannah Berridge Head of Pastoral Care
Course Manager Julia Mansbridge
Sarah Proudlove Senior Pastoral Care/Head of House
Assistant Course Manager Hannah Trenner
Emily Sanders Senior Pastoral Care/Heads of Social
Head of Pastoral Care Daniel Daly
Julia Mansbridge Caroline Kelly
Senior Pastoral Care/Heads of House Jess Blease
Charlotte Wilks Pastoral and Social Assistants
Irene Proudlove James Hutchings
Senior Pastoral Care/Heads of Social Charlotte Curwen
Jess Blease Tim Edmundson
Harriet Eaves
Pastoral and Social Assistants
Sarah Hickling

par
Alice Higgins
Anna Marshall

an t
i nc of s
redi uc h
24
bl e choir
Training Choirs North and South National Youth Choir
Leighton Park School, 10-18 April Abbots Bromley School, 9-19 April

Course Director Course Director

Greg Beardsell Ben Parry
Conductor Assistant Conductor
Dominic Peckham Greg Batsleer
Assistant Conductor Singing Teacher in Residence
Adam Treadaway Berty Rice
Singing Teachers in Residence Singing Teachers
Veronica Veysey Campbell Nicki Kennedy
Sophie Grimmer Felicity Cook
Singing Teacher Giles Underwood
Alistair Digges Alexander Technique
Frith Trezevant Margaret Heaton
Alexander Technique Section Heads
Linda Ryder Cath Backhouse
Margaret Heaton Katie Thomas
Section Leaders Richard Eteson
Laura Attridge Section Head in Residence
Zoe Brown Tom Bullard
Charlotte Brosnan Course Manager
Helen Tweedy Mark Anyan
Tori Longdon Head of Pastoral Care
Matthew Swanson Hannah Jones
Robbie Jacobs Senior Pastoral Care/Heads of House
Eunan McDonald Danny Curtis
Angus McPhee Lisa Swayne
Course Manager
Sarah Proudlove
Assistant Course Manager
Emliy Sanders
Heads of Pastoral Care
Joy Brereton
Gill McLorinan
Senior Pastoral Care/Heads of House
James Smyth
E J Wood
Senior Pastoral Care/Heads of Social
Will Matthews
Harriet Eaves
Pastoral and Social Assistants
Ruth McElvanney
Kayleigh McEvoy
Rebecca Hardwick
Alice Higgins
Ella Bodeker
25
How to join NYCGB

To join the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, you need to apply
to attend an audition. We hold auditions in locations across the
country to find outstanding young singers.

May 2014 auditions for Boys Choir (boy trebles)

We are holding two days of auditions in May for the NYCGB Boys
Choir (boy trebles): Tuesday 13 May, in Kensington (London) and
Thursday 22 May, in York. Auditions are allocated on a first come,
first served basis, so apply as early as you can. Application forms
are at www.nycgb.net/join-nycgb/how-to-apply

Autumn 2014 general auditions

Young singers from school year 5 (boys) or school year 6 (girls)
up to age 22 can apply from the beginning of September for an
audition during the autumn. We aim to visit as many corners of the
country as possible each autumn to find the best young singers -
and to help you to find us. Check the map on the back cover to see Between Friday 1 and Sunday
where were aiming to hold auditions this autumn. 30 November 2013, we held
auditions in York, Birmingham,
Financial support Kensington, Bristol, Thurrock,
While all course fees are subsidised, NYCGB offers bursaries to Bromley, Gateshead, Ipswich,
help you and your family or financial supporters meet audition costs, Glasgow, Peterborough, Truro,
and if offered a place in a choir, to meet course costs too. You Dulwich, Cardiff, and Manchester,
can indicate on your audition application form if you require more seeing nearly 600 young singers.
information. Find out more about financial support in How to Apply
on our website.
The Royal Albert Hall is proud to be
Join our mailing list to receive e-news including information about a principal sponsor and partner of
our next auditions: www.nycgb.net/ subscribe NYCGBs auditions programme.

Singing al
l
th e tim e!
26
About NYCGB

NYCGB provides the widest of musical experiences for over 750 President Emeritus
young people aged 9-25. Sir David Willcocks
President
John Rutter CBE
Boys Choir is for trebles in school years 5-10 and Cambiata Vice Presidents
Voices, for boys undergoing voice change in school years Harry Christophers CBE
6-10; these choirs train together Sir John Eliot Gardiner
Girls Choirs Junior and Senior, for girls in school years 6-10,
which also train together Trustees
Prof. Christopher Higgins (Chair)
Training Choirs North and South, for mixed voices in school
David Aspinall
years 9-13 Nigel Brookes
The National Youth Choir, for mixed voices in school years Patricia Keir
11 to age 22 Richard Elder
Chamber Choir for young professionals and those studying Anthony Garnett
Geoff Mountfield
to become professional singers up to age 25
Nicolas Sears

Our youngest singers have very different needs from those in Director
their early twenties, and our choir structure enables us to nurture Ben Parry
these musicians from their earliest potential, providing high quality
mentoring and guidance through their musical development. Deputy Artistic Director
Greg Beardsell
Deputy Music Director
Our twice-yearly residential courses include intensive rehearsals, Esther Jones
classes in musicianship plus individual and group singing lessons, Assistant Music Directors
all of which take place in an environment which cultivate teamwork Niall Crowley
and leadership. The courses aim to develop performance skills at Greg Hallam
the highest level, challenging young singers to embrace a broad Robert Isaacs
Dominic Peckham
and diverse repertoire and to develop a flexible and creative Rachel Staunton
approach to musical performance. Head of Pastoral Care
Joy Brereton
In order to continue to offer a high quality artistic and educational
programme, we engage with a diverse range of artists and Director of Strategy
and Development
educational bodies, nationally and internationally. By monitoring and
Nina Camilleri
responding to this wider musical landscape, we continually ensure General Manager
that NYCGB is as relevant, supportive and exciting as possible. Mark Anyan
Communications Manager
Katy Rodda
Choirs Administrator
Amanda Wood
Assistant Administrator
and Development Officer
Emily Sanders
National Youth Choirs of Great Britain
Assistant Administrator
Rivergreen Centre Durham DH1 5TS
Edward Hardyman
t: 0191 383 7355
e: office@nycgb.net Photographs of the National
Youth Choirs of Great Britain:
w: nycgb.net Belinda Lawley
@nycgb
Programme Design
Registered Charity (Number 515660) harrison-agency.com
Company Registered in the UK no. 1850803

27
 Glasgow

4 Gateshead
Whitehaven 5

York

Leeds

Manchester

Peterborough
Birmingham

Cambridge
Worcester Aldeburgh
Banbury
Ipswich

Cardiff 2,3 Thurrock

Bristol London
Bromley
Tonbridge

1
Truro

Spring concerts Strategic partners

National Youth Choirs of Great Britain
Summer concerts 1 Cornwall Music Service
Rivergreen Centre Durham DH1 5TS
Auditions - May 2 London Youth Choir
t: 0191 383 7355 Auditions - autumn provisional 3 Royal Albert Hall
e: office@nycgb.net Other activities 4 Rosehill Theatre
w: nycgb.net 5 Sage Gateshead

@nycgb