Hilary Campbell and Joi Demery (Chair) receiving the RPS Inspiration Award
Hilary, our Musical Director and BCS were the winners of the Inspiration Award at the Royal Philharmonic Society in November 2021.
It was a great honour to have been nominated for this award so to have won is thrilling and a huge thank you to everyone who voted for us!
Winners of the 2021 making music awards!
Making Music, the UK’s membership organisation for leisure-time music groups, has announced the winners of the 2021 Making Music Awards.
We are very proud that our Musical Director Hilary Campbell won the award for best Music Director for a vocal group and BVCS won the award for Best Project with a Focus on New Music for our Mary Otty Carol Competition.
BCS Recording Weekend!
Members of Bristol Choral Society spent an exhilarating weekend recording our second CD with Delphian Records in the wonderful Clifton College Chapel.
The CD will be available next summer in the meantime you can read more details below or if you would like to support BCS you can donate to our crowdfunding via the button below.
- BCS Recording Weekend!
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Date Posted: Thu, 2 Nov 2023
Members of Bristol Choral Society enjoyed an exhilarating weekend recording our second CD with Delphian Records in Clifton College Chapel.
Conducted by our inspirational Musical Director Hilary Campbell we were joined by a number of wonderful professional musicians and even two of the composers which was very exciting.
On the Friday soprano soloist Charlotte Mobbs set us off by recording three solo pieces accompanied by our very own Assistant MD Steven Kings. Including Cecilia McDowall's Four Shakespeare Sons, Ralph Vaughan Williams: Orpheus with his Lute and Elizabeth Maconchy: Ophelia's Song.
Charlotte Mobbs
On Saturday the choir were in full force to record Grace-Evangeline Mason's A Memory of the Ocean, which we premiered in concert in June this year. Once again we were accompanied by Steven Kings on piano, Evva Mizerska on cello and Charlotte Mobbs as our soprano soloist. We were delighted that Grace was able to join us for the recording and provide us with insights into her composition.
Grace-Evangeline Mason
The afternoon we spent recording Vauhgan Williams O Taste and See and finshed off with Holst Psalm 148 both with Richard Moore on organ.
Sunday saw us back in Clifton College Chapel, having appreciated the extra hours sleep, to record Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb. As well as Richard on organ we were joined by solists Emily Wenman (soprano), Phillipa Thomas (Mezzo-soprano), Robert Jenkins (Tenor) and Lawrence White (Bass).
Thankfully the voices were still in good shape for the final afternoon recording of Judith Weir's Praise Him with Trumpets and Elizabeth Poston's Festal Te Deum, another two pieces that have not been previously recorded. We were joined by Jo Harris and Neil Brough on trumpets and the choir were honoured that Judith Weir also joined us to advise and inspire us. It definitely improved the performance of the choir.
Hilary Campbell and Judith Weir in consultation
It was certainly a fantastic weekend, hard work and exhausting but exhilarating and we cannot wait until next summer when we will get to hear the final product!
- A Memory of the Ocean: A 5* Review!
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Date Posted: Tue, 27 Jun 2023
Bristol Post 27 June 2023
- A World Premiere!
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Date Posted: Wed, 31 May 2023
Grace-Evangeline Mason: A Memory of the Ocean - a new commissionBristol Choral Society and Hilary Campbell are proud to present the world premiere on June 24 of A Memory of the Ocean by Grace-Evangeline Mason. A prominent young musical star, Mason was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) to compose this collection of pieces. The result is simply breathtaking. The concert also celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams, whose Trust also supported the commission from Mason. As she says, her work is inspired by Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony. Just think about the ocean, the close harmony of waves and currents, along with haunting melodies from piano and cello.
Women composers and performers are at the centre of the concert on June 24, with works by Elizabeth Poston and Judith Weir also on the programme. The first ever CD recorded by Bristol Choral Society in 2020, ‘The Big Picture’, featured music by Judith Weir. Now there are plans for a second CD in 2023, with Grace-Evangeline’s music at the centre. We invite all music lovers in Bristol to join us for this unique occasion.
For further information and Tickets
- Bristol Choral Society 'Sing for the King'
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Date Posted: Wed, 3 May 2023
Members of Bristol Choral Society took part in a unique event with 650 singers to celebrate Bristol's 650th birthday and the coronation of King Charles III.
The cathedral resounded to the sound of Handel's Coronation Anthem - Zadok the Priest.
It was an amazing experience for all involved.
- Britten Hymn to St Cecilia
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Date Posted: Wed, 15 Mar 2023
Saturday March 25th
7.00pm
Bristol Cathedral
Bristol Choral Society's Spring concert is devoted to the music of Benjamin Britten. If you do not know these pieces, you're in for a great treat. From quiet, peaceful whispers in the choral parts, through to loud bursts of energy - Britten's music is full of humour, passion and melody.
Not only will you be able to enjoy the full force - and the quiet energy - of the full choir, but the evening will also include solo performances from Edward Grint (Bass), Robert Jenkins (Tenor), Emily Wenman (Soprano) and Katie Bray (Alto). Accompanied by Martin Ford, they will perform Canticle II for Alto and Tenor, plus an intriguing piece called 'Tit for Tat' (Bass solo and piano).
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW online at bristolchoral.co.uk/events or call Bristol Beacon 0117 203 4040 Tickets £11 to £28, under 25s £5
- Come and Sing - Rutter: Gloria
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Date Posted: Sat, 14 Jan 2023
Saturday February 11th
Arrive around 1.00 for 1.30 startTyndale Baptist Church
Whiteladies Rd, Bristol BS8 2QG
Our 'Come and Sing' workshop, with Hilary Campbell and Steve Kings, is a chance to join Bristol Choral Society for an afternoon of exciting and engaging music drawn from John Rutter's 'Gloria'. As always, this is a totally inclusive event, music will be provided, and Hilary will support everyone to take part in her own inimitable way.
Rutter composed the Gloria to be sung as a concert work. He directed the first performance on his first visit to the United States in May 1974. Some of you will already be familiar with it, but for many of us, this is something new and so we will all be 'in it' together! As John Rutter himself says: 'The music is simple and direct in style'. All are welcome!
'The Big Picture' (our choir's CD) is ON SALE at only £5, and you can order your copy online when you book for this event. Choral Society members are busy baking cakes for the tea break, music will be provided on the day, and tickets cost just £20 for the day, or £10 for those under 25.
We're a friendly bunch of music lovers, and if you haven't been before, do come along to meet us - or to try out the choir! For more information, see: www.bristolchoral.co.uk/dbpage.php?pg=view&dbase=events&id=162118
- Stravinsky A Symphony of Psalms and Fauré Requiem: A Review
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Date Posted: Wed, 30 Nov 2022
- Great Fun had by all at the Choir Weekend!
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Date Posted: Thu, 22 Sep 2022
Window from the Ammerdown Centre, Radstock, Wilsthire
50 friendly singers, stunning accommodation in the sunny Somerset countryside, delicious food and a relaxed bar. If that was not enough- there was music!
We had a perfect balance between singing, enjoying the surroundings, sharing meals, enjoying the bar and informal music making.
Hilary chose a rich variety of music from renaissance polyphony to something just a little different to balance our normal repertoire. And of course Steve was the perfect accompanist.
It was just such a relaxing oasis that let us all relax and get to know each other better.
Looking forward to 2024!
- Schubert Mass in A Flat: A Review
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Date Posted: Fri, 17 Jun 2022
- Hallelujah Flashmob
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Date Posted: Tue, 17 May 2022
flashmob Messiah
Sunday 5 June
Bristol loves a good flashmob and on Sunday 5 June see if you can spot a special rendition of the famous Hallelujah! Chorus from Handel’s Messiah at venues from Temple Meads station to College Green. Members of Bristol Choral Society and their friends and family are warmly invited to attend and even take part in this unique event, organised by St George’s Bristol as part of the celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
For more details visit:
- Mozart Treasures Concert: A review
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Date Posted: Thu, 31 Mar 2022
Photo: Barbara Evripidou/FirstAVenuePhotgraphy.comFinally the long awaited concert of Mozart Treasures postponed from March 2020 took place in Bristol Cathedral on 26th March 2022. The longest rehearsal time for any of our concerts but it was well recieved. The concert was reviewed by Samir Savant (CEO, St George's Bristol) ...'lovely sustained tone and carefully paced dynamics'.
Read the full review here.
- Launch of Bristol Choral Society's debut CD - The Big Picture
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Date Posted: Wed, 2 Feb 2022
On 23 October, Bristol Choral Society celebrated the release of our first recording for choir, piano and percussion with classical label Delphian. Our musical director Hilary Campbell, our virtual host, was joined by judith Weir, Master of the Queen's Music and composer of the disc's title piece 'The Big Picture'. The CD also includes music by Cecilia McDowall and Bob Chilcott.
It was a splendid evening with Hilary taking us through a virtual journey of the CD and playing a number of clips, which can be found here.
The CD is now available in our on line shop.
- Winners of the RPS Award for Inspiration 2021!
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Date Posted: Tue, 1 Feb 2022
SUCCESS!
Hilary Campbell (centre), musical director of Bristol Choral Society, with Chair Joi Demery, recieving the Inspiration Award from John Gilhooly, Chair of RPS.
Hilary our conductor, along with the choir itself, were the proud winners of the 'Inspiration Award' at the Royal Philharmonic Society this week!!
The results were announced in a nail-biting ceremony at the Wigmore Hall, London on Monday 1st November, and we were so amazingly proud of Hilary - and of course of you, our wonderful audience members and supporters. Without you, we would be nowhere, as this particular award was down to a public vote.
The RPS tweeted their announcement with: ‘Led by Hilary’s unbounded energy, the choir gave stirring renditions of choral works throughout the pandemic, as well as launching their debut CD and a carol commisioning competition'.
Thank you all so much for your support! We felt that the inspiration award really was well earned by Hilary, who has kept us all going with music making over this past couple of years, despite all the problems. A great achievement!
This news comes of course after our double win in the 'Making Music' awards, so we are certainly not short of plaudits right now.
- Mozart Treasures Concert
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Date Posted: Thu, 20 Jan 2022
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Happy New Year to all our friends and audience members!
Bristol Choral Society is delighted to announce the start of a new season for 2022, and with all hopes that more live concerts will go ahead during this coming year. We vastly enjoyed singing the Messiah again just before Christmas, and were so pleased that our audiences also expressed their pleasure at being back in the rhythm of festive choral offerings!
Our upcoming concert now will be just as popular, as it features an all-Mozart programme. So hurry to get your tickets for the 26th March. We'll be in the beautiful setting of Bristol Cathedral, as usual these days. But the tickets are being organised now via a different route - so just follow this link:
https://3choirs.org/book
or call the ticket office 01452 768 928
Tickets are from £11 to £28, with our usual deal for under 25s at £5
(Please note there is also a £2.50 booking fee)
We are again planning for socially distanced seating, to keep everyone safe, as that worked well at Christmas in the vast spaces of Bristol Cathedral.
You will all know by now our amazing conductor, Hilary Campbell. She has been the recipient of prestigious awards over the last year, and with justification. Throughout the pandemic, the choir rehearsed under Hilary's baton on regular Zoom rehearsals, and in fact our rehearsals are still optionally on Zoom as well as in-person. Hilary and the choir have learnt new ways of tackling music, even though initially of course the option of singing remotely was simply a practical reaction to lockdown. Now we see it can give us even greater flexibility.
The programme for the upcoming Mozart concert was one of the first that we learnt via our Zoom rehearsals, more than a year ago now. And it was so uplifting and magical to be making music in this way, despite all the problems we were facing. Mozart doesn't fail to keep our spirits up, and we are sure you will find the same in our concert in March.
- New singers welcome
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Date Posted: Mon, 12 Jul 2021
This coming season in 2021/22 is going to be exciting, as we get back to live concerts, and is a great moment to join the choir, if you'd like to give us a try.
Tenors and basses are particularly needed, but don't worry if you are 'just an alto': you'll find a warm welcome! You can try us out by attending a few rehearsals before having a (very friendly) audition to join as a full member. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings 7-9.00. All ages are welcome and we are proud of having a wide age-range of singers in the choir from 14 years upward. So if you think you might be interested, just fill in the form here or contact our chorus manager: bcschorusmgr@gmail.com
And here is a taste of the repertoire we have covered during the Pandemic. All of this is soon to be coming to a concert hall (or cathedral) near you:
Mozart: Alma Dei Creatoris; Regina Coeli
Finzi: Lo, The Full Final Sacrifice
Imogen Holst: Three Psalms
Bainton: And I Saw a New Heaven
Elizabeth Poston (first public performance): Festal Te Deum
As you can see, we cover both well known favourites alongside new and exciting challenges.Check out our virtual recording of Rachmaninov here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdqV87fP5CI
And all our news here: https://www.bristolchoral.co.uk/newsFor more information, see: bristolchoral.co.uk/join
- Could you be our next choral scholar?
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Date Posted: Mon, 12 Jul 2021
A particularly innovative scheme in our choir is that we recruit up to four paid choral scholars each year, who are young rising stars, often just starting out on their solo careers. You yourself may want to apply for one of these positions, or you may know people who would be keen. Do please pass on the word!
Right now, we have two soprano choral scholars, and we are looking to recruit alto, tenor and bass scholars. Scholarships can start at any point in the season and are worth £1000. They are ideal for aspiring professional singers aged between 18 and 30, wishing to develop their choral singing and sight-reading and to broaden repertoire knowledge.
They should be prepared to attend rehearsals and to sing in all our performances. Solo opportunities and small ensemble performances also come up during the season, and the choir delights in such brilliant voices in their midst. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings at Broadmead Baptist Church, Bristol. Not only do our choral scholars gain from being part of this amazing musical opportunity, but they also take an active role as ambassadors for the choir on social media and elsewhere.
For further information and application forms please visit http://bristolcs.makingmusicplatform.com/scholarsFor more information, see: bristolcs.makingmusicplatform.com/scholars
