Choir director shortlisted for ‘musical Bafta’ honour
BRISTOL Choral Society’s musical director Hilary Campbell has been shortlisted for the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Inspiration Award.
The society is now asking the whole of Bristol to step up and vote for their choir.
A society representative said: “Bristol Choral Society has been around for over 125 years, but never have we been more honoured than now. This is an important moment for music making in Bristol and the South West generally.
“We are shortlisted along with other very interesting and diverse musical groups, and the result will be down to a public vote, with the award ceremony on November 1 at the Wigmore Hall.”
Throughout the lockdowns of the past 18 months, the choir has been meeting weekly on Zoom. Instead of feeling alone and isolated, the choir members, led by Hilary, could draw on the sessions to help them.
“We’ve actually learnt new repertoire, sung together and felt part of the choir, despite all the barriers to singing,” said the representative.
“This is our chance – and, of course, Hilary’s – to win what amounts to a musical Bafta, and she certainly deserves it!”
Hilary is one of six nominations for the Inspiration Award.
You can find out more – and vote – at https://royalphilharmonicsociety. org.uk/awards/rps_music_awards/ inspiration-award
The other nominees are:
» Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra and Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra
» Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra
» Orkney Winter Choir and Orkney Camerata
» South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus
» Themba Mvula and Lichfield Gospel Choir