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Looking for something to sing about
Camden Choir is calling for new recruits, writes Martin Sheppard
IF you enjoy singing and want something rewarding to do every week, why not join a choir?
Choral singing involves you directly with western music’s superb 400-year heritage . While you sing with the other members of your part of the choir, whether soprano, alto, tenor or bass – and as a member of the choir as a whole – you also learn the music for yourself in preparation for each concert. Performing a piece well at a concert is always a satisfying experience.
One of the most distinctive local choirs, the Camden Choir, has an exciting season ahead. Following a successful and highly enjoyable concert of Baroque anthems in June at St Mary’s Primrose Hill which included Handel’s famous Zadok the Priest, the choir is singing a mixed programme of more modern music by Kodály, Nielsen and Poulenc, at the same venue in November.
The highlight of the year will undoubtedly be J S Bach’s St Matthew Passion at St John’s Smith Square in March.
This, one of the greatest of all works of music, is being performed for the first time in a new English translation by Lyndon van der Pump, who is based in Camden.
The third concert, in June 2008, is of music from the Renaissance, including Byrd and Monteverdi.
In addition, the choir is providing the chorus for English Touring Opera’s performance of Handel’s opera Teseo, at the Hackney Empire on October 12.
The choir, which has about 50 members, is conducted by Julian Williamson. It is well known for singing excellent but rarely heard works as well as more obvious ones. In recent years it has sung works ranging from Victoria’s Requiem and Byrd’s Great Service to Elgar’s The Apostles, and Handel’s Messiah.
Rehearsing for two-and-a-half hours a week on Monday evenings near the Round House, the choir has a very sociable atmosphere and many loyal supporters.
Rehearsals for the 36th season begin on September 10. The choir welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds, and is keen to recruit new members. Some ability to sight-read music is essential and there is a simple voice test.
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