Choral leaders hit back at dismissal of tradition over famed boys-only choirs
CHORAL LEADERS have hit back at suggestions from soprano Lesley Garrett that boys-only choirs are a “throwback to a bygone age”, defending a tradition for which they say the country is revered.
Yorkshire-born Ms Garrett had sparked debate following a piece in the Radio Times , in which she said girls should be allowed to sing at King’s College Carols.
Singling out the institution, which has a history of all-male concerts on Christmas Eve dating back 100 years, she argued that to further such traditions is to “perpetuate a complete anachronism”.
Now David Hill, music director of The Bach Choir, has spoken strongly against the comments.
“The idea that all choirs should be mixed misses the central point that there is a place for both separate boys’ and girls’ choirs as well as mixed where appropriate,” he said.
“Removing the boys’ and men tradition would be removing something which is unique in the choral sound world and for which this country is revered.”
Mr Hill, a former director of music at Westminster and Winchester Cathedrals, said that removing opportunities for boys to sing would impact upon the future number of tenor, bass and counter-tenor singers.
“That would affect the entire singing industry, including opera for which Lesley is most famous,” he added.