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Since 1981 the choir has, under
the direction of John Aplin (right), carried on the traditions set by Geoffrey Laycock. 1989 saw the first
of a number of performances accompanied by period instruments, when the
choir collaborated with the Cambridge Baroque Camerata to present the 1610
Vespers on consecutive days in Norwich and Cambridge. A further performance
was given in 1993 to mark the 350th anniversary of Monteverdi’s
death, this time with The Gabrieli Consort and Players, one of several
collaborations between the choir and Paul McCreesh’s internationally
renowned ensemble.
In addition to period instrument
groups, the choir has performed with a number of nationally and
internationally-renowned ensembles and orchestras including, Fine Arts Brass Ensemble,
English Sinfonia, His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, Orchestra de Camera
(Midlands Chamber Orchestra), Nettle and Markham Piano Duo and the Guildford
Philharmonic Orchestra.
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The choir has retained the original name and
still has, amongst its singing membership, some of the early members of the
choir. However, successive years have seen the choir attracting the
most accomplished and experienced amateur choral singers in the area and
enjoying increasing acclaim for performances of challenging repertoire
spanning five centuries.
Keswick Hall Choir still regards
the performance of more unusual repertoire, both renaissance and
contemporary, as an important part of its programming and in 1996 won a PRS Enterprise Award for such a programme, entitled ‘Tavener meets Taverner’.
Much of this area of repertoire is a cappella, some of it very
taxing, and has included some first performances. More recently the choir
has forged particularly close links with the Kings Lynn based composer Paul
Johnson, commissioning two sets of pieces with a grant from the Eastern Arts
Board’s voluntary music development
fund. The choir promotes two major concerts of its own each season but
often appears with or for other organisations, notably appearing at past
Norfolk and Norwich Festivals.
In recent seasons, the
choir (still about 40 members) has presented Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and
Handel’s Judas Maccabæus, both with the Brook Street Band. This
association with the Brook Street Band continued in May 2002 with a special
concert of music by Handel, Britten and Bach to celebrate the Jubilee.
Alternating with these orchestral concerts have been concerts
containing
widely contrasting works by composers such as: Charpentier, Victoria,
Gesualdo, Poulenc, Bernstein,
Messiæn,
Adès, Nystedt, Tavener etc. In November 2001 the choir, under its
conductor John Aplin, took part in the recording of Roger Mayor's new
oratorio, 'Julian - Mystical
Revelations', to a libretto by Sarah Passingham. This work
is based on the words of Mother Julian of Norwich from 1373 and the CD is
available from Prelude
Records, Norwich - see our 'Tickets' and 'Links' pages.
In February 2003 the choir again showed their
versatility performing works ranging from Aurora Lucis Rutilat (Lassus
1532-1594) to the contemporary piece Missa Angelorum, composed by Carl Rütti.
In April 2004 the choir presented
the Monteverdi
Vespers of 1610 to an almost full house in Norwich Cathedral
and in November 2004 the choir took part in a concert
with the London Sinfonietta featuring contemporary works and the premier of
Gavin Bryars 'From Egil's Saga'.
October 2005 saw the choir taking part in the 400th anniversary celebrations
for the birth of Sir Thomas Browne and this heralded a busy season for this
small but ambitious group of singers. Two self promoted orchestral concerts
and the making of a CD. Details of all our forthcoming concerts are available through the 'Future
Concerts' page.
Keswick Hall, the home of the original training college,
is now the base for several commercial organisations and other buildings
have now been converted into residential units. So, the Keswick Hall
Choir is a lasting reminder of the college and the ideals of Geoffrey
Laycock. If you are an ex Keswick Hall student who has come to this
site out of curiosity then we welcome you. Several members of the
original College choir still sing in the choir and we are pleased to hear
from ex Keswick Hall students, more so if you were in the early choir.
(If you would like to know more about the college,
then there is a web site devoted to the college and the link is on our 'Links'
page)
More detailed information on the choir's
recent concerts and works performed can be obtained by clicking the
appropriate box below.
Keswick Hall Choir is always
ready to consider undertaking other engagements and enquiries should, in the
first instance, be directed to the administrator on the choir's link in the ‘Contacts’ section.
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