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Rehearsing in the Abbey

Thank you to everyone who came to our Essentially English concert at Tewkesbury Abbey on Saturday 18th May. The nave was packed with concertgoers enjoying our concert on a dry if slightly chill May evening. There was a splendid selection of music by English composers, Byrd, Elgar, Ireland, Howells, Finzi and Leighton both with organ and unaccompanied, all directed by our Conductor, Adrian Lucas.

That completes our season, but you can hear our choir ladies in Holst’s The Planets with Vladimir Ashkenazy at Symphony Hall on 15th June.

We will be back in the autumn with a Karl Jenkins concert (2nd November), conducted by the composer, and Mozart Requiem (16th November), conducted by our own Adrian Lucas.

Birmingham’s well-loved traditional Handel’s Messiah takes place on Friday 6th and Tuesday 10th December.

This Saturday evening, why not come along to the beautiful, historic Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire for a wonderful evening of English choral music.

The City of Birmingham Choir is delighted to be singing in Tewkesbury once again and look forward to welcoming you to an ‘Essentially English’ musical summer’s evening.

Our conductor, Adrian Lucas, says,
‘The English choral repertoire provides a wealth of music to grace a sunny summer evening concert. The rich textures of Howells’ sombre but beautiful Requiem are offset by the sunny, lyrical lines of Gerald Finzi and Edward Elgar.‘

Tickets are available ON LINE until Friday evening, then ON THE DOOR at TEWKESBURY ABBEY prior to the concert, which starts at 7 pm. MORE DETAILS.

Our conductor, Adrian Lucas, says,
‘The English choral repertoire provides a wealth of music to grace a sunny summer evening concert. The rich textures of Howells’ sombre but beautiful Requiem are offset by the sunny, lyrical lines of Gerald Finzi and Edward Elgar.‘

Tewkesbury Abbey is a splendid venue for this evening of excellent music performed in beautiful and ancient surroundings by people who are passionate about great choral music. With ‘local boys’ Elgar and Howells on the bill we are delighted to be singing in Tewkesbury once again and look forward to welcoming you to an ‘Essentially English’ musical summer’s evening.

The Government Culture Ministers in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were unanimous in their praise for the outstanding amateur arts groups honoured this week by the 2013 EPIC Awards.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who made the City of Birmingham Choir Equinox Project such a huge success and to EPIC for awarding it England Runner Up. Feedback from both audience and performers was brilliant:
“Multicultural Birmingham at its best”;
“I felt as excited as if I had been singing myself”;
“Fabulous concert, really blew me away”;
“Still coming down to earth after the buzz of Saturday, the final piece still ringing in my ears”;
“Hugely enjoyed it and was thrilled to see how everyone else felt the same”.
The concert received a 4 star review in the Birmingham Post.
EPIC Awards press release: HERE

We are having a wonderful start to the new year, with a bouquet of superb miniature pieces to learn. From the complex rhythms of Byrd’s Laudibus in Sanctis, to the perfection of the Amen on the last page of Finzi’s Magnificat, to the emotionally charged astringency of Leighton’s Drop, drop, slow tears (final movement of Crucifixus pro nobis), our next concert promises to be a real winner.

Check back from time to time for more information about this concert on 18th May in Tewkesbury Abbey’s glorious ambience.

We have just completed a heroically busy autumn term with Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Now we start on a super programme of shorter works for our Tewkesbury Abbey concert in the spring.
We have an OPEN REHEARSAL on 15th January – do come and investigate if you think singing with us would be your thing!
The autumn included Brahms’ Requiem, Rautavaara’s On the Last Frontier, Messiah, Christmas Treats, Spectacular Classics, a carol service for Parkinsons UK, a CD recording… a real variety providing interest for all tastes.
Do get in touch with us.

Wow! We’ve just finished our Christmas Treats concert, with a sparkling primary schools’ choir, the fabulous Heart of England Brass and organist Paul Carr. On top of that, Brahms and Rautavaara, a favourite Messiah concert, and participation in Spectacular Classics and the Parkinsons UK Candlelit Carols. Next, we will be taking part in Beethoven’s Ninth.
Then in January, we start on our Essentially English programme. You could come to the Open Rehearsal on Tuesday 15th January (see leaflet).
You can buy Christmas Treats – the album – online on CD, just £10 +p&p.

Come and enjoy our lovely Christmas Treats concert in Birmingham Town Hall on Sunday afternoon, 16th December for a sparkling musical feast, adult and children’s voices, brass and the grand organ.  Escape from the rush for pure enjoyment in the comfort and splendour of the Town Hall.

You could buy the album, too!  Christmas Treats is now available to buy online on CD, just £10 +p&p.

After a spectacular Messiah concert, and participation in Spectacular Classics and the Parkinsons UK Candlelit Carols, we are really looking forward to Christmas Treats.

The City of Birmingham Choir look forward to Handel’s Messiah on 7th December, Christmas Treats on 16th December and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on 30th December.
Our Christmas Treats CD is on sale and right now you can buy it online.
Concert tickets 0121 345 0603 or online

The City of Birmingham Choir look forward to Spectacular Classics on 1st December, Handel’s Messiah on 7th December, Christmas Treats on 16th December and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on 30th December.
Our Christmas Treats CD is on sale and right now you can buy it online.
Box office 0121 345 0603 or online