90th Birthday
To celebrate 90 years since the first City of Birmingham Choir concert in November 1921, we performed a spectacular concert of Dvǒrák’s Te Deum and Janáček’s Taras Bulba and Glagolitic Mass. This performance took place on 5th November 2011 in Symphony Hall. The Choir was joined by the CBSO and fine soloists Judith Howarth (Soprano), Catherine King (Mezzo soprano), Adrian Thompson (Tenor) and Keel Watson (Bass). Adrian Lucas, our Conductor since 2002, was at the helm.
Afterwards, we had a late bar in Symphony Hall foyer where audience, friends and performers could relax and chat as part of the 90th birthday celebrations. Our President, Hugh Carslake, welcomed the Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress (who cut the celebratory cake), as well as our other patron, long-time former Conductor, Dr Christopher Robinson CBE CVO.
Christopher Robinson also participated in the pre-concert talk hosted by choir members Martin Willis and Stephen Shaw, and was joined in audio messages from Sir David Willcocks (Conductor 1950 – 57) and Adrian Lucas. They discussed the history of the choir and the music for the concert. Our associate youth choir, as part of our Voice factory programme, Bounville Young Singers, gave a very brief performance at the end of the talk, pointing to the ways in which the choir aims to encourage choral singing into the future.
A fine exhibition, organised by Bob Casselden, was displayed in the foyer covering the history of the City of Birmingham Choir from its earliest days to the present.
Members of the choir followed up this anniversary concert with an enjoyable 90th birthday dinner at Birmingham Botanical Gardens in January 2012.
You can find more about the history of the choir on this website.
Happy Birthday, City of Birmingham Choir!
Sir David Willcocks and Adrian Lucas record special messages for our 90th birthday.
Watch the Central News clip below, or read the review.