Music / choir
How a centuries-old choir are coping with Covid-19
Back in March 2020, Bristol Choral Society were gearing up for the latest in their successful series of concerts held at Bristol Cathedral. They were to perform two of the great 20th century choral works: Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms and Faure’s Requiem.
Of course, this was also about the same time that the Covid-19 pandemic was becoming a serious matter and the concert was postponed.
Before long, the country was in full lockdown, making any in-person performances impossible. However, the choir were undeterred, and have found creative solutions to continue making music over the past few months.
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Many musicians have turned to video conferencing software during the pandemic, to allow them to continue rehearsing and performing.
The choir quickly began rehearsing in this way, with chief conductor Hilary Campbell and deputy Steven Kings keeping things under control.
The choir even put together a ‘virtual choir’ performance of a section from Rachmaninov’s Vespers, Bogoroditse Devo, using editing that allows the audience to experience the performance as if in a live concert setting.
In the interim period between lockdowns, it was possible to begin rehearsing in person again, but only in groups of around 30 at a time, in accordance with government guidance.
While concert performances were still not possible, September saw the release of the choir’s first ever CD, which was recorded in collaboration with Bristol Youth Choir at St George’s Hall in January 2020.
It features a performance of the The Big Picture, a recent work by Master of the Queen’s Music Judith Weir, alongside pieces by Bob Chilcott and Cecilia MacDowell that the choir had previously sung in their November 2019 concert at the cathedral.
The choir have continued their commitment to performing and encouraging contemporary repertoire with their latest project. In March 2020, the group launched their Mary Otty Carol Competition, which asked composers to submit new Christmas-themed works for their carol concert. More than 70 pieces were submitted, and have been narrowed down to a shortlist of five.
While the originally planned concert cannot go ahead, the shortlisted works will instead be presented in a Zoom event, taking place on Sunday, December 13 at 7pm.
Image: Bristol Choral Society
The concert will feature virtual premiere performances of the carols, using recordings that the choir members have submitted of their individual parts, accompanied with performances by the harpist Anne Denholm.
They will also be joined by the judges – Judith Weir and prominent choral director Stephen Jackson – who will pick a winner to receive the first prize of £1,000 and their carol being published by Shorter Publishing. There will also be the opportunity for audience members to vote for their own favourite carol.
While there are no dates set yet for the choir’s return to full live performances, they are sure to make a welcome return to Bristol’s cathedrals, schools and concert halls as soon as this becomes possible.
Main photo: Bristol Choral Society
Read more: Creating a new piece of music that paints a picture of Bristol in 2020
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