University of Birmingham were delighted to welcome contemporary composer, Jonathan Dove, to the Elgar Concert Hall this month to hear his works performed by the department’s two decorated vocal ensembles - Birmingham University Singers and University Women’s Choir.
Composer Jonathan Dove speaking to Alexander Creamer and the University Women’s Choir in rehearsal.
Conducted by Professor Simon Carrington, the performance included the composer’s It sounded as if the Streets were running - a setting of three Emily Dickinson poems for unaccompanied female voices, as well as the song cycle The Passing of the Year, written in 2000 for the London Symphony Chorus.
Choirs are an essential component of music-making at the Department of Music, connecting the University with the public, and the eclectic mix on offer - ranging from the auditioned Birmingham University Singers to the un-auditioned University Chorus - enables the University to engage with around 350 people per week, of all ages and abilities, in and around the local community. If you would like to find out more about choirs at University of Birmingham, please contact Gavin Allsop.
Left to right: Alexander Creamer, Matthew Brady, Russell Harrold, Simon Carrington, Jonathan Dove, James Naylor, Daniel Mahoney, Julian Wilkins.
