Our Current Repertoire
What makes singing and performing so interesting for both choir members and our audiences is the contrasting range, styles and genres of our music.
Our Musical Director, Chris Hann puts together, teaches and conducts the repertoire which the choir then learn to perfection. The repertoire is regularly updated with new pieces and other pieces dropped over time. This keeps our repertoire fresh and exciting to listen to.
Here are some examples of pieces we have been singing recently:
- Media Vita
-
Date Posted: Fri, 2 Dec 2022
Composed by Kerensa Briggs
Commissioned in 2015 by the English vocal ensemble, Siglo de Oro to celebrate the 500th anniversary of John Sheppard's birth
Karensa Briggs is an award winning composer bassed in London
Some wonderful harmonics to be enjoyed to the full in this piece where 'In the midst of life, we are in death'
More information about the composer https://www.kerensabriggs.co.uk/YouTube Video URL: 
- Beati Quorum Via
-
Date Posted: Fri, 2 Dec 2022
Composed by Owain Park
Beati quorum via is a contemporary, unaccompanied piece for SSATB choir - it's a beautiful, reflective piece to sing and listen to.
Taken from psalm 119, the piece was commissioned by Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust and dedicated to their patron, HRH The Countess of Wessex
Owain Park was born in Bristol, UK in 1993. His compositions are published by Novello, and have been performed internationally by ensembles including the Tallis Scholars and the Aurora Orchestra.
For more information, see: https://www.owainpark.co.uk/ YouTube Video URL: 
- Even When He is Silent
-
Date Posted: Sun, 24 Oct 2021
Composed by Kim André Arnesen
From a text scratched on a wall of a WW11 concentration camp
Premiered in 2011, at Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim.
An intensely moving piece by the contemporary Norweigian choral composer Kim André Arnesen, 'Even When He is Silent' captures the ray of hope in the darkest of times.For more information, see: https://www.kimarnesen.com/even-when-he-is-silent
- The Music of Stillness
-
Date Posted: Sun, 14 Feb 2021
Composed by Elaine Hagenberg
Lyrics from a poem by Sara Teasdale
Published in 2017
Reading Phoenix Choir continues to champion compositions from female composers with this beautiful piece that conjures images of "stars shining, rooftops covered with snow, crystal peace finding the 'music of stillness'.
YouTube Video URL: 
For more information, see: https://www.elainehagenberg.com/the-music-of-stillness-satb
- Hymn to the creator of the light
-
Date Posted: Sun, 14 Feb 2021
Composed by John Rutter
Words by Lancelot Andrewes (1555 - 1626)
Published in 1993
John Rutter wrote this anthem for the dedication of the Herbert Howells memorial window in Gloucester Cathedral in 1992.Written for double-choir, the piece is decidely not the usual melody and harmony one might normally associated with Rutter. Instead we have a mysterious almost dissonant introduction which explodes into a glorious 'fire of flame'. The second section introduces an energetic 'Glory be to thee' followed by a tranquil setting for the Creator of the visible light'.
For more information, see: johnrutter.com/music/printed-music/catalogue/hymn-to-the-creator-of-light
- Libera nos, salva nos
-
Date Posted: Sun, 14 Feb 2021
Composed by John Sheppard (c1515 - c1559)
Sheppard was Informator Choristorum of Magdalen College, Oxford in the 1540s. In the college statutes, Magdalen's founder, William Waynflete, ordained that college members should recite the antiphon to the Trinity each morning and night, and Sheppard's pair of settings of Libera nos, salva nos appear to have been written for this purposeYouTube Video URL: 
- Nunc Dimittis
-
Date Posted: Sun, 14 Feb 2021
Composed by Gustav Holst
for SSAATTBB unaccompanied
Holst originally wrote the piece in 1915 where it was performed once at Westminster Cathedral, but was then forgotten. The piece was re-discovered by Imogen Holst and the first concert performance given by the BBC Northern Singers in 1974 at the 27th Aldeburgh Festival.
YouTube Video URL: 
- O Oriens
-
Date Posted: Sun, 14 Feb 2021
Composed by Cecilia McDowall
An ethereal and evocative setting of one of the seven Advent O Antiphons. First performed by the Choir of Merton College Chapel, Oxford on 4 May 2012, conducted by Benjamin Nicholas
Facebook VideoFor more information, see: ceciliamcdowall.co.uk/biography/
