Trio of Canterbury Cathedral choral scholars join West Sussex Philharmonic Choir concert
West Sussex Philharmonic Choir will be offering a musical tribute to Ukraine at their concert at St Mary’s Parish Church, Horsham, on Saturday, April 23 at 7.30pm. There will be a retiring collection for the Disasters and Emergency Committee. Spokeswoman Felicity Harrington said: “Though no one could have predicted it, the upcoming concert by the West Sussex Philharmonic Choir has a particularly timely programme, given current events.
“The first piece on the programme is Mass in Time of War by Joseph Haydn.
The music makes graphic references to an advancing army, illustrated at various stages of the work by fanfares and drum rolls. Hence the title of the work in German Paukenmesse – meaning Drum Mass.
“The second work to be performed is the striking The Armed Man A Mass for Peace by the contemporary Welsh composer Karl Jenkins.
This piece incorporates an international selection of music and prose from the major world religions put to an impressive range of styles which draw on many periods, all in the framework of the traditional Christian Mass. “The choir are always delighted to introduce new singers to the Horsham music scene and this concert is no exception bringing you a trio of choral scholars from Canterbury Cathedral to take the soprano, tenor and bass roles.
“The soprano part is beautifully sung by Helen Vincent who has a wealth of choral experience in addition to her solo singing and has performed with renowned choirs such as Ex Cathedra and National Youth Chamber Choir of Great Britain.
“She blazed the trail for future generations at Lincoln Cathedral in 2011, becoming the first woman to be employed as a singer on an otherwise all-male back row. “Emily Carmichael brings her rich contralto to these wonderful pieces. Emily co-founded the semiprofessional chamber choir Quire Voices who recently celebrated their tenth anniversary and with whom she still sings.
“Emily has been fortunate to tour Germany, Latvia, Finland and Estonia and perform with prestigious ensembles including
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Band of the Household Cavalry and the Orpheus Sinfonia.
“David Walsh, tenor, has enjoyed performances both around the UK and internationally, with performances in Carnegie Hall and the University of Michigan under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Buckingham Palace.
“David is a recipient of the University of Aberdeen’s Ogston Music Prize 2019 and was also a member of Dunedin Consort’s Bridging the Gap young artist scheme. “Harry Swanson, bass, was also a choral scholar at Clare College Cambridge.
“In 2020 he sang principal roles in Cambridge
University Opera Society’s The Wings of the Dove and Judith, both new compositions.
“The conductor is Sean
Bui and the choir will be accompanied by organist David Moor and the Orpheus Sinfonia
Tickets are £18 online from westsussexphilharmonic choir.org.uk and on the door.