Music / Choral
Your chance to sing Requiem in a day
Choral singers are invited to join a day-long workshop at All Saints Church, Clifton on November 20, culminating in a concert of Matthew Coleridge’s first major composition, the much celebrated Requiem.
The whole day will be facilitated and conducted by the West Country composer himself, whose works have been performed internationally and was lauded by the late Sir Neville Marriner as “a valuable contribution to 21st century choral music”.
Coleridge is midway through a tour of choral workshops and performances of Requiem, bringing singers together in an array of beautiful churches and cathedrals around the UK.
is needed now More than ever
Unlike many pieces bearing the name, Coleridge’s Requiem is not inspired by sadness or grief, but was written following the birth of his son. “I hope this brings an optimistic, affirming and uplifting mood to the music,” he says. The piece was written for choir and solo cello, with organ and/or strings, plus optional percussion.
When composing the piece, Coleridge wanted to build up multiple layers to the overall sound, allowing for counterpoints of emotion that better reflected the human experience. “Whenever the choir are singing about loss or sorrow, the cello sings a song of hope and comfort.”
For many choral singers, this socially-distanced event (with singers spaced 1m+ apart) promises to be a long-awaited celebration of once more rehearsing and performing together. Coleridge is excited too about the prospect of bringing his piece to the beautiful modernist space and incredible acoustics of All Saints Church:
“I was drawn to All Saints as it’s such a striking building – it’s ultra-modern but incredibly beautiful and has a real sense of peace. The interior is bathed in a warm glow of light from John Piper’s magnificent stained glass.”
The day will be accompanied by principal organist at Gloucester Cathedral, Jonathan Hope, cellist and recent graduate from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, George Owen, and classically trained soprano, Emily Hicks.
Choral workshop schedule
from 9.30 – singer registration
10:30-1.30pm – morning rehearsal
1.30pm – break for lunch
2.30-5.30pm – afternoon rehearsal
6.30-7.15 – concert performance
Matthew Coleridge – photo: Mike Griffiths
His experience of teaching and conducting Requiem to large groups of singers to date has taught Coleridge that over the course of the workshop, there is some sort of alchemy at play. “It’s always wonderful to work with a group of singers on music they haven’t sung before,” he explains. “You see their confidence grow throughout the day, from a tentative start to a committed performance.”
Tickets for the event can be bought either for the one-day choral workshop – with or without advanced purchase of the vocal score, which will be loaned free to singers on the day – or for the evening concert performance.
Requiem in a Day is at the Church of All Saints, Pembroke Rd, Bristol, BS8 3ED on Saturday, November 20, at 10.30am-8.30pm for the choral workshop and concert (the performance itself will be 6.30-7.15pm). Under 18s are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets for the workshop and concert, as well as audience tickets to the concert, are available from www.matthewcoleridge.com.
Main photo: Mike Griffiths
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