Latest news

A Great Debut at Lichfield Cathedral

4th March 2024, by Mark Lawrence

We had a brilliant concert on Saturday, our first ever at Lichfield Cathedral. Whilst the day was cold, the reception of the full audience was very warm and appreciative. The rarely performed Haydn – Stabat Mater was preceded by the moving cantata Weines, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen by J S Bach and the famous Adagio in G minor vaguely thanks to Albinoni, though largely composed by a musicologist!  The Musical and Amicable Society orchestra and our soloists were on fine form, all under the direction of Adrian Lucas.

We continue rehearsing for our French Romantics concert in Tewkesbury Abbey on 15th June.  Read more HERE and BOOK TICKETS.

Reflections – music for Lent

3rd January 2024, by Mark Lawrence

Our new term of rehearsals sees us learning works new to members of the choir, bringing a programme of choral music for Lent, the period of preparation for the festival of Easter.

Haydn’s Stabat Mater, a musical gem, is set to the familiar medieval poem reflecting on the Virgin Mary, as she stands witnessing the Crucifixion. The choir and orchestra will be joined for this powerful and emotive piece by the four soloists.

JS Bach’s Cantata no. 12 is another 18th century choral setting of Lenten text – ‘weeping, lamenting, worrying, fearing’. This cantata features alto, tenor and bass soloists who will perform this wonderful work alongside the choir and orchestra.

Tickets are already available for our concert in Lichfield Cathedral on Saturday 2nd March – see the QR code.

Hallelujah!

14th November 2023, by Mark Lawrence

After a splendid concert of English music balanced with Beethoven’s marvellous Mass in C, our thoughts go forward to our annual performance of Handel’s Messiah.

Please join us in Symphony Hall for the work at which we are experts and have been so for 100 years.  Our friends in the CBSO play the music with great sensitivity.  Our wonderful team of soloists retell Charles Jennens’ libretto with distinction.  Adrian Lucas conducts and directs the fine vocal forces of the City of Birmingham Choir in Handel’s most famous work.

The concert is at 7pm on Friday 8th December.  Buy tickets HERE.  We look forward to seeing you.

Get your tickets now!

5th November 2023, by Mark Lawrence

Don’t hesitate to get your tickets for our superb upcoming concert on Sunday afternoon 12th November at 2.30pm.

Beethoven’s Mass in C is paired with the less well known Shepherd’s Calendar by British 20th century composer, author and authority on British music, Michael Hurd, as well as delightful orchestral music: Banks of Green Willow by George Butterworth and Serenade for a Small Orchestra by Malcolm Arnold.

We have really enjoyed rehearsing both of these choral works and know that you will enjoy hearing our performance. Great choral singing, fine orchestral playing, superb soloists – all under the expert baton of our Conductor and Music Director, Adrian Lucas.

Click on the red BUY TICKETS button to go to the ticket link.

We are looking forward to our first visit to the splendid Ruddock Performing Arts Centre at King Edward’s School.

Open Rehearsal to start our autumn schedule

16th August 2023, by Mark Lawrence

Have you considered becoming a member of our wonderful choir?  On Tuesday 5th September at 6.30pm in central Birmingham, our first rehearsal of the season will be open to those who would like to explore singing with us.  Our ‘Welcome Rehearsal’ is at our regular venue, the Priory Rooms in Bull Street B4 6AF.  Come early to have a cuppa and meet choir members, borrow music and join in the rehearsal.  This term we will be learning Beethoven’s Mass in C and Michael Hurd’s A Shepherd’s Calendar and brushing up on Handel’s Messiah later in the autumn.

Read the leaflet for more details: Welcome Sept 2023

You can email membership@citychoir.org.uk if you wish, or just turn up on the day.

Saints and Angels – Poetry and Music

27th April 2023, by Mark Lawrence

We are eagerly anticipating our Saints and Angels concert on Saturday 13th May. This marriage of poetry and music, together with our Voice Factory Saints and Angels schools’ project is introduced here by Birmingham’s Young Poet Laureate, Iona Mandal.  Get tickets here.

 

Exploring less familiar music

7th February 2023, by Mark Lawrence

Susan Spain-Dunk in 1916

We have an exciting online education project for secondary schools for this concert – click HERE.

You might be interested to know about our 13th May concert’s orchestral piece.  It is by Susan Spain-Dunk, her Suite for String Orchestra in B minor Susan Spain-Dunk (22 February 1880 Folkestone, England – 1 January 1962 London) was an English composer, conductor and violinist/violist.  This Suite was written in 1920. More biographical details are available online HERE.

Cecilia McDowall

We are enjoying our rehearsals this spring with two new departures for the choir:  Benjamin Britten’s The Company of Heaven  and Cecilia McDowall‘s Ave Maris Stella Finishing our trio of choral works for our 13th May concert is Finzi’s superb miniature, Magnificat.

Click the big button to book…
Book now

If you are interested in joining the choir, read THIS PAGE.

Getting to know the company of heaven…

17th January 2023, by Mark Lawrence

We are enjoying our rehearsals this spring with two new departures for the choir:  Benjamin Britten’s The Company of Heaven  and Cecilia McDowall’s Ave Maris Stella.  Finishing our trio of choral works for our 13th May concert is Finzi’s superb miniature, Magnificat.

If you are interested in joining the choir, read THIS PAGE.

Christmas Carols

12th December 2022, by Mark Lawrence

“A choir, a concert, a cuppa and a chat this Christmas…”

On Saturday 17th December at 2 pm, come and enjoy Carols for All at St Martin’s. Celebrate Christmas with the City of Birmingham Choir in the beautiful surroundings of St Martin’s in the Bull Ring in an afternoon of lovely carols, filling the air with harmony and raising money for charity, Places of Welcome.

Click the links on the website to get more information and to book tickets.

Christmas Seasonal Musical Joy

17th November 2022, by Mark Lawrence

Tickets are now on sale for our annual, wonderful performance of Handel’s Messiah in Symphony Hall on Friday 9th December at 7 pm.  Don’t miss the chance to hear the City of Birmingham Choir in fine form, singing this choral masterwork in which we are experts.  Fine soloists and the renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and conductor Adrian Lucas complete the bill.

“A choir, a concert, a cuppa and a chat this Christmas…”

On Saturday 17th December at 2 pm, come and enjoy Carols for All at St Martin’s. Celebrate Christmas with the City of Birmingham Choir in the beautiful surroundings of St Martin’s in the Bull Ring in an afternoon of lovely carols, filling the air with harmony and raising money for charity, Places of Welcome.

Click the links on the website to get more information and to book tickets.