Booking closed

Stile Antico

Thursday 2nd July, 2009

Early Music Vocal Ensemble

Desire of Heavenly Harmonies

Byrd's Catholic motets interspersed with Tallis' Protestant psalm tunes

Booking closed

Flute and Guitar Duo

Thursday 1st October, 2009

The Edmondson / Richards Flute & Guitar Duo

Music Over Four Centuries

Booking closed

Ex Cathedra

Thursday 19th November, 2009

Choir & Baroque Orchestra

Handel and Purcell

Booking closed

Divine Music

Thursday 2nd December, 2010

Handel is played by Harry Enfield

Written by Benedict Hoffnung and David Blackadder, and with the character role of an aged Handel played by HARRY ENFIELD

DIVINE MUSIC
FOR TRUMPETS & VOICES

This concert combines some of the composer's most thrilling music with an informative, moving, and at times humorous dialogue. Enfield, assuming the role of an aged Handel - a German, soon to become an Englishman, and a favourite of Kings - reminisces to the audience, taking them on his extraordinary journey. We learn of the composer's formative years in provincial Saxony, his departure to Hamburg, his travels in Italy, and his arrival in London, during the midst of a golden age.

The Rinaldo Consort, the Leicester Bach Choir, soloists David Blackadder, Ruby Hughes, Christopher Lowry, Giles Underwood and an armada of baroque trumpeters conducted by Benedict Hoffnung combine to tell this dramatic story of the 18th century.

Programme to include excerpts from: Rinaldo, Acis and Galatea, Birthday Ode to Queen Anne, Scipione, Messiah, Water Music, Firework Music, Judas Maccabaeus, Zadok the Priest, Dettingen Te Deum

Booking closed

St James Cantata Choir

Saturday 3rd December, 2011

The Messiah

George Frederick Handel's most loved work

THE MESSIAH

with

The Saraband Consort of Period Instruments

Conducted by Matthew Haynes

Juliet Fraser (Soprano)
Tom Williams (Counter-tenor)
Nicholas Todd (Tenor)
Edward Price (Bass)

Booking closed

The Bardi Strings

Saturday 29th September, 2012

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A Concert of Popular String Favourites

VIVALDI - The Four Seasons
ELGAR - Serenade
BARBER - Adagio
HOLST - St Paul's Suite
WALTON - 2 pieces from "Henry V"

Adam Summerhayes
Music Director & Solo Violin

Booking closed

Kingfisher Chorale

Saturday 13th October, 2012

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Adrian Willaert - The Missing Master?

The First of the Great Venetian Composers

Hailed in his day by composers, contemporary music historians and aristocracy alike as one of the most significant musicians of the time, Adrian Willaert stood astride some of the most significant musical developments of the early 16th Century. Recognised as a the master of the prima practica - the school of polyphony later most associated with Palestrina - he was also in Venice at the birth of the multiple choir works we know best through Gabrieli and Monteverdi. How could one man be so influential in two such different styles of music?

In this, Willaert's 450th anniversary, Kingfisher Chorale, joined by sackbut ensemble Piffari, chart the change in styles and musical fashions. Through his music and that of his contemporaries, including Ockeghem, Gombert, Mouton and Gabrieli, we follow him as he moves from his Flemish origins, through France and central Italy, and finally to Venice where he laid the musical foundation for extraordinary developments in the early 17th Century.

Musical Director - Giles Turner

Booking closed

Ex Cathedra

Thursday 18th October, 2012

Ex Cathedra Consort (Photo: Paul Arthur)

SPLENDOURS FROM THE DOGE'S CHAPEL

Venetian Music by Giovanni Gabrieli

Ex Cathedra Consort with His Majesty's Sagbutts and Cornetts conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore

Booking closed

St James Cantata Choir

Saturday 10th November, 2012

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REQUIEM
CORONATION MASS
SYMPHONY NO.39 IN E FLAT MAJOR

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The Orchestra da Camera (Leader: Philip Gallaway)

Conducted by Matthew Haynes

Heather Parker (Soprano)
Carris Jones (Mezzo-Soprano)
Thomas Elwin (Tenor)
Oliver Hunt (Bass)

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 17th November, 2012

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PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE

Gioacchino Rossini

EIN DEUTSCHES REQUIEM (excerpt)

Johannes Brahms

The main work will be Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle. Rossini said of it "Dear God... Have I truly written la musique Sacree (sacred music) or la sacree musique (damnable music)? ...Not much skill, a little heart, and that's about it". The work is neither small - it is nearly as long as Verdi's Requiem, nor solemn, ranging from hushed intensity to boisterous high spirits. La Petite Messe Solennelle is overtly operatic and musically eclectic in style. It is full of memorable tunes and rhythmic vitality, and will be performed in its original version scored for two pianos and organ.

Our programme will also include the second movement of the Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem, Denn alles Fleisch, es ist wie Gras, which centres on the heavy rhythms of the funeral march in proclaiming the inevitability of man's fate.

Some old friends join us for this performance:- Janet Shell (Alto), and Thomas and Stephen Moore (pianists) and we will be joined by Elizabeth Roberts (Soprano), Andrew Phillips (Tenor) and Jamie W Hall (Bass). All vocal soloists appear by arrangement with Chameleon Arts Management.

We will be accompanied on two pianos by two exceptional musicians - Thomas and Stephen Moore. Both are from Leicester and were at one time organists at the church of St James the Greater. Our organist will be Geoffrey Clarke, another fine musician from Leicester.

Booking closed

Israel In Egypt

Saturday 24th November, 2012

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ISRAEL IN EGYPT

by George Frederic Handel

The Leicester Bach Choir and The Bach Camerata

Conductor - Richard Laing
Leader - David Le Page
Soprano - April Fredrick
Soprano - Katy Dent
Counter-tenor - Tom Williams
Tenor - Edward Goater
Bass - Chris Johns
Bass - Robert Clarke

Booking closed

Enderby Brass Band

Saturday 8th December, 2012

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 15th December, 2012

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 22nd December, 2012

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CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

This year The City of Leicester Singers have chosen the theme of nature for our Christmas Concert. This is reflected in carols including The Cherry Tree Carol, Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, A Spotless Rose, & Rise up Shepherds and Follow.

We have also included Jubilate! Jubilee! a new piece composed by Paul Mealor, written in honour of the Diamond Jubilee. The work is a setting of a specially written poem by the Rt. Revd Dr George Rowell, the Bishop of Gibraltar and is included to mark the end of the Diamond Jubilee Year.

The audience is invited to join in several familiar carols including Good King Wenceslas, O Little Town of Bethlehem and Once in Royal David's City.

Our conductor is Richard Archer and our Accompanist is Geoffrey Clarke.

We are joined by the Ratby Junior Brass Band who will be playing a selection of favourite carols under the baton of Becky Moss. The Band was formed in 1973. It has an average membership of 65 players between the ages of 7 and 19 (plus a few adults).

Booking closed

The Bardi Symphony Orchestra

Saturday 2nd March, 2013

ROSSINI, MOZART, SIBELIUS, AND MENDELSSOHN

Booking closed

The Cecilian Singers

Saturday 9th March, 2013

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CELEBRATE

with Queen's Park Sinfonia

An evening of choral and orchestral gems from Handel, Vivaldi, Albinoni and more

Jeremy Jackman celebrates more than twenty years as Director of Music

The programme included the world premiere of Jeremy Jackman's "Three Scribes"

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 16th March, 2013

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MEALOR AND HAYDN

The two main works will be contrasting versions of Stabat Mater. Literally translated as 'the mother stood', this thirteenth century hymn to Mary reflects on her sufferings during the crucifixion of Christ. The choir will first perform a modern interpretation by Paul Mealor (b.1975), and secondly the Stabat Mater by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809).

The third work, to celebrate Christ's resurrection, will be the Easter Hymn from the one act opera Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) by Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945).

Soloists for this concert are Sarah Stephens (soprano), Kathryn Cook (mezzo), Paul Smy (tenor) and James Oldfield (bass). The Chameleon Arts Orchestra appears by arrangement with Chameleon Arts Management. Geoffrey Clarke will play the organ.

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 23rd March, 2013

KODÁLY AND RHEINBERGER

Rheinberger

Mass in Eb for double choir Cantus Missae

Abendlied

Kodály

Missa Bervis

Organ - Ivan Linford
Conductor - Richard Laing

Booking closed

The Sixteen

Thursday 18th April, 2013

The Sixteen - (c) MolinaVisuals

The world famous choral ensemble with their internationally acclaimed conductor, Harry Christophers, are back again at St James the Greater

THE CHORAL PILGRIMAGE 2013

The Queen of Heaven

Music by Palestrina, MacMillan and Allegri's Miserere

This will be the sixth visit to St James by this world famous choir. The Papacy refused to allow any copy of Miserere by Allegri to leave the Vatican, realising they were in possession of a work of considerable renown. There is a story that the young Mozart first broke this barrier of secrecy by copying the work out by memory having heard it just once.

During the Choral Pilgrimage 2013 Harry Christophers and The Sixteen present a new version of Allegri's Miserere charting its evolution. They intend to shed light on the complicated history of this most famous of choral pieces.

Harry Christophers says "I am very grateful for Ben Byram-Wigfield's amazing work on the Allegri. He has scrutinised all the available source material from the Vatican and other libraries, giving us an invaluable insight into the origins of the music. Sadly, nothing survives from Allegri's lifetime, and what we usually hear today is the result of scribal errors and fanciful interpretation. What we have attempted to do, by making use of the many sources, is to show how the piece has evolved over the centuries into the version audiences know and love today."

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 8th June, 2013, 7.30pm

CHOIR AND CELLO

John Tavener

Svyati

Knut Nystedt

Stabat Mater

Ola Gjeilo

O magnum Mysterium

Other works by Arvo Pärt and Bach

Cello - Rowena Calvert
Conductor - Richard Laing

Following our successful collaboration with the cellist Oliver Coates we are delighted to welcome Rowena Calvert to join us for another concert of music for cello and choir, this time with a Northern European flavour. A prize-winning graduate from the Royal College of Music, Rowena now pursues a busy career as a soloist and chamber music player, notably as a member of the Cavaleri Quartet. Rowena will be performing the popular concert piece Fratres by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt and movements from J. S. Bach's sublime suites for solo cello. She also joins the Leicester Bach Choir in three modern classics for cello and choir by Tavener, Gjeilo and Nystedt.

John Tavener is well-known for his beautiful carol The Lamb and for his Song for Athene, performed so memorably at the funeral of Princess Diana. Svyati is an equally serene and beautiful setting of a Russian Orthodox prayer. This mood is sustained in the piece aptly titled Serenity, a setting of the familiar text O magnum mysterium, expressing wonder at the birth of Christ, by the young composer Ola Gjeilo, born in Norway but now resident in the USA. The third of our joint performances is of the Stabat Mater by another Norwegian, the veteran Knut Nystedt, an exciting and dramatic portrayal of the mother of Jesus at her son's crucifixion, which nevertheless culminates in a radiant picture of Paradise.

The programme is completed by three settings of the Orthodox liturgy from great Russian masters of the 19th Century: Tchaikovsky's Dostoino yest, a hymn to the Virgin Mary, Arensky's Otche nash, a setting of the Lord's Prayer, and the beautiful Hymn of the Cherubim by Glinka. The luscious Romantic harmonies of these are suited perfectly to the wonderful acoustic of St James the Greater.

Richard Laing, Leicester Bach Choir's Music Director, is renowned for creative programming with strong thematic links and great variety. This summer concert will appeal to all lovers of choral music.

Booking closed

Song Recital

Sunday 9th June, 2013, 3.30pm

SONGS BY HUGO WOLF AND GERALD FINZI

David Clark (Baritone)
Tor Bridge (Piano)

This is an opportunity to hear a rarely performed repertoire from the late 19th century and the early 20th century. We are performing eleven favourite songs by Hugo Wolf:

Fussreise/A country walk; Verschwiegene Liebe/Silent Love; Lied eines Verliebten/Lover's Song; Der Tambour/The Drummer-boy (an amusing tale of an imaginary feast); Anacreon's Grab/Anacreon's Grave; Der Musikant/The Musician; Abschied/Farewell (a critic gets his come-uppance); Gebet/Prayer; Das Ständchen/Serenade; Der Rattenfänger/The Rat Catcher (Goethe and Wolf's version of the Pied Piper).

After a brief break comes the Song Cycle Earth, Air and Rain by Gerald Finzi - settings of ten poems by Thomas Hardy, including the famous Rollicum Rorum and the lesser known, but highly dramatic and tragic The Phantom. The concert lasts just over an hour.

Attendance is free. Please note the time of the concert.

Booking closed

Charnwood Orchestra

Saturday 29th June, 2013, 7.30pm

Charnwood Orchestra

SUMMER CONCERT

The Charnwood Orchestra, under its conductor Nic Fallowfield, has an enviable reputation for excellence, musicality and vitality. Based in Charnwood it draws players from all over Leicestershire. The Summer Concert programme will consist of three works:

Borodin - On the Steppes of Central Asia

This symphonic poem paints a vivid picture of a caravan of Central Asians crossing the desert under the protection of Russian troops. You will hear the opening theme, representing the Russians, followed by the haunting strains of an intricate eastern melody on cor anglais, representing the Asians. The two melodies combine while the pizzicato strings are the plodding hoofs of horses and camels. The music dies away leaving only the Russian theme, so celebrating the silver anniversary of the reign of Alexandra II of Russia.

Prokoviev - Violin concerto No 2 (soloist: Benedict Holland)

A year after the Bolsheviks took power, Prokofiev received permission to travel to America, then Paris, where he lived and worked during the '20s and early '30s. The violin concerto was the last work he composed before homesickness overtook him and he made his final return to Russia. It was premiered in Madrid in 1935. It had been eighteen years since his first violin concerto, but the two works share a similar singing lyricism coupled with virtuoso passagework. The second, however, is more meditative at the beginning, more explosive at the end. There are echoes of both the romantic melodies and the brash peasant dance tunes from the composer's Romeo and Juliet, written around the same time.

Symphony No 2 - Sibelius

Sibelius had taken his wife and daughter to Italy for a holiday in the winter of 1900-01. While there he worked on sketches for the symphony. Italy was his second favourite country (naturally after Finland!) and many commentators have observed that the sunny and relaxed nature of the second symphony reflects the Italian influence. The symphony was seen by many as a nationalist work - an expression of Finland's struggle against Russian interference - in much the same way as "Finlandia" had been two years earlier. Sibelius, however, denied any nationalist intent - he saw it as being largely an abstract work.

Booking closed

2nd Wind

Wednesday 3rd July, 2013, 7.30pm

2nd Wind

2nd Wind in Concert

Conducted by Brian Humpherson MBE

In aid of research at the Leicester Diabetes Centre

2nd Wind was formed in 2007 by Sheehan's of Leicester in conjunction with the Music Industries Association. Its aim is to give lapsed adult players an opportunity to take up their instruments again, and to give adult learners a chance to play with others in a relaxed and friendly environment.

From an enthusiastic group of approximately 16 diverse instrumentalists, the band has grown to sixty members whose abilities and experience range from those who have recently taken up an instrument to those who have played for many years.

Our musical director is Brian Humpherson MBE, who is vastly experienced and is well known as a musical director and performer throughout Leicestershire and beyond. Brian is the driving force behind 2nd Wind and we are delighted to have him on board.

New band members are always welcome. There are no auditions. All we ask is your commitment and enthusiasm. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings during term time at the Richard Attenborough Centre, University of Leicester Arts Centre, Lancaster Road, Leicester.

If you'd like further details then you can speak to any member of the band, or enquire at Sheehan's of Leicester (see website for contact details)

Diabetes research in Leicester - why it's important to everyone

2nd Wind is performing in support of the world-renowned research taking place in the Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester General Hospital.

Type 2 diabetes, in which the body cannot regulate the levels of glucose in the blood, is the Cinderella of the world of serious diseases. In the early stages, it's often symptomless, so that someone can have diabetes for many years before being diagnosed. Not surprisingly, few people realise that heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness and amputation, are the complications of uncontrolled diabetes. Diabetes is a leading cause of death and disability world-wide, and in Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland today, there are over 49,800 people with Type 2 diabetes, and at least a further 15,000 people who have the disease without realising it.

But there is good news.

New interventions developed and tested at the Leicester Diabetes Centre are supporting people who already have diabetes to get in control of their disease and avoid serious complications. Research is even allowing us to help those at risk of diabetes to avoid the disease altogether, or at least slow down its development. This is especially important in Leicester, where young people are worryingly starting to develop Type 2 diabetes at an early age.

The work of the Centre relies almost totally on grants, sponsorship and donations, which is why we are delighted to be the chosen charity of Second Wind. For more information on diabetes and research visit our website.

Booking closed

Ex Cathedra

Thursday 24th October, 2013, 7.30pm

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MOZART

Nocturnes and Vespers

Ex Cathedra Choir and Classical Ensemble conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 16th November, 2013

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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Haydn, Rutter, Puccini, and Bizet

The 50th anniversary year of The City of Leicester Singers will commence with a concert comprising of a programme of pieces which the Choir has enjoyed performing in the past. We hope that the audience will enjoy hearing them again.

The concert will start with Part One of The Creation by Joseph Haydn, which ends with the rousing chorus "The Heavens are telling". COLS last performed this in 2000, followed by The Gloria by John Rutter. This recalls a performance in 1984 when COLS combined with the BBC Radio Manchester Chorale to give one of the first performances of the work in the East Midlands.

Concerts from 2009 and 2005 will be evoked through The Gloria from The Messa di Gloria by Giacomo Puccini and the Te Deum by Georges Bizet. One of Puccini's early works, The Gloria clearly demonstrates his potential as an operatic composer of fine tunes. Although not initially successful the Te Deum is now established as a popular and tuneful part of the choral repertoire.

The Soloists will be Ruth Provost (Soprano), David Manford (Tenor) and Clive Hilton, one of COLS own members, (Bass). David Cowen will provide the organ accompaniment and our conductor will be Richard Archer.

Booking closed

Kingfisher Chorale

Friday 22nd November, 2013, 8pm

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KEEP CALM AND SING BRITTEN

Musical Director - Giles Turner

Britten is widely regarded as the greatest British composer since Purcell. Perhaps more than Purcell, the influence and admiration of his work spread far beyond these shores to Europe and in the opposite direction to America. His works for voices are undoubtedly at the heart of his output in every sense of the word.

Featuring Rejoice in the Lamb, Hymn to St Cecilia, Choral Dances from Gloriana, Hymn to St Peter, and the magnificent Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard.

Booking closed

Christmas Oratorio

Saturday 7th December, 2013, 7.30pm

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CHRISTMAS ORATORIO

by Johann Sebastian Bach

The Leicester Bach Choir and The Bach Camerata

Conductor - Richard Laing
Evangelist - Nathan Vale
Soprano - April Fredrick
Mezzo-Soprano - Cathy Bell
Tenor - James Geer
Bass - James Oldfield

Booking closed

Musical and Amicable Society

Thursday 12th December, 2013, 7.30pm

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The Musical & Amicable Society are a small ensemble of strings and harsichord; they are all professional freelance performers and between them have appeared with most of the high-profile period instrument groups - including the English Concert, the Academy of Ancient Music, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the New London Consort, the King's Consort, the Sixteen Orchestra, and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra.

The programme includes Vivaldi's Four Seasons (with a different violin soloist for each season), Telemann's Viola Concerto, Bach's Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, and Corelli's Christmas Concerto.

Booking closed

Leicestershire Chorale

Saturday 14th December, 2013, 7.30pm

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A BOY WAS BORN

with Finchley Children's Music Group (Director: Grace Rossiter)

Leicestershire Chorale's final celebration of the Britten 100 year includes a rare Leicestershire performance of one his most challenging choral works. A Boy Was Born; a cantata for unaccompanied choir, soloists, and children's choir, was written whilst Britten was still a student at the Royal College of Music. Leicestershire Chorale are delighted to be joined for this, by the internationally-acclaimed Finchley Children's Music Group, who were themselves founded by Britten in 1958. The rest of the programme will include other short choral items of the composer and then a joint rendition of his Ceremony of Carols. This arrangement has been put together from both the original scoring for upper voices and the SATB version later arranged by Julius Harrison.

Musical Director: Tom Williams

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 19th December, 2013, 7.30pm

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Carols at St James

Conducted by Oliver Neal Parker

A festive concert of carols and Christmas music for choir and audience. A traditional celebration of the Christmas season. For many in Leicester, Christmas starts with the Phil's annual carol concert.

Michael Rule, Associate Director of Music at St James the Greater, will be at the organ and well-known broadcaster, John Florance, will be compère for the evening.

Tickets £14 (from LPC Booking Manager, concessions available) to include a glass of wine and a mince pie.

Advanced booking advised. Unreserved seating.

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 21st December, 2013, 7.00pm

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CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

In this, our Golden Anniversary Season, The City of Leicester Singers are collaborating with Vista to perform a Christmas concert to celebrate the festive season.

Our programme recalls the atmosphere of early Carol concerts performed by the Leicester and Leicestershire Teachers' Choir at De Monfort Hall. It includes familiar rousing carols for all to sing as well as joyful choir items, some with a touch of fun and a more secular approach.

In this centenary year of Benjamin Britten's birth we will also sing two extracts from his "A Ceremony of Carols", Wolcum Yole and There is no Rose.

We welcome back Denise Leigh as our soloist. Denise has performed before with The City of Leicester Singers, and sang at the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games 2012.

We are delighted that The Earl Shilton Handbell Ringers , who performed for us in 2011, will again be taking part in the concert.

The conductor will be Richard Archer and the accompanist will be Geoffrey Clarke.

Mince pies and mulled wine included in the ticket price.

Booking closed

Yvonne Bloor

Sunday 2nd February, 2014, 3.30pm

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YVONNE BLOOR

Performs music for solo guitar from her new CD 'Promise'

Music to include works by Bach, Albéniz, and Villa-Lobos. Donations will be invited to support the work of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust

Following the concert Afternoon Tea will be served in the Church Hall (suggested minimum donation £3). Please help us to cater for the right number by contacting the Church Office or by signing the list at the back of the church to say if you are attending.

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 5th April, 2014, 7.30pm

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50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

I WAS GLAD - CHARLES H H PARRY (1848-1918)
ETERNAL LIGHT: A REQUIEM - HOWARD GOODALL CBE (b.1958)
BLEST PAIR OF SIRENS - CHARLES H H PARRY
MESSE SOLENNELLE DE SAINTE-CÉCILE (ST CECILIA MASS) - CHARLES GOUNOD (1818-1893)

The third concert in our Golden Anniversary season is a feast of well-loved choral music by composers covering the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

The concert opens with the hymn most associated with the coronations of British monarchs, I was glad when they said unto me. This imposing, majestic music (originally written for the coronation of Edward VII) was composed in 1902 by Sir Hubert Parry. More recently it was used as a processional anthem at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It is a prayer for the peace of Jerusalem based on the words of Psalm 122.

Our second work is by a living Composer - Howard Goodall. It must be a challenge for a modern composer to write a Requiem, given all the impressive names that have done so before with such a diversity of musical styles. Generally composers use the Catholic liturgical plan which emphasises judgement and hellfire. In this Requiem, Howard Goodall uses a gentler and thoughtful style in the hope of bringing comfort to those who grieve. The text of John McCrae's evocative poem "In Flanders fields the poppies blow" reflects the full horror of armed conflict in the Dies Irae movement, while in the Lachrymosa, the sad and beautiful words written by Mary E Frye "Do not stand at my grave and weep" are used. This Requiem was ready for release in 2008, the 90th Anniversary of the end of WW1. It is appropriate that we perform it in 2014 as we mark the centenary of the outbreak of the same war.

The second half of our concert starts with another favourite by Parry - Blest pair of sirens - composed in 1887 as a setting of a poem by John Milton. The words concern man's desire to join the heavenly music of the Spheres. The work was dedicated to Charles Villiers Stanford and conducted by him at its first performance (by the Bach Choir) on 17th May 1887. This, incidentally, was another Golden Celebration - the Golden jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Our final work is St Cecilia Mass composed by Charles Gounod in 1855. Gounod was fond of both sacred music and opera, and this is reflected in this stylish work which he composed for the Feast of St Cecilia, the patron saint of Music. It brings together a very French combination of operatic styles and the spirituality of Palestrina's music which Gounod had heard in his time at the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

We are delighted that our soloists are Caroline Palmer, Soprano; John Gull, Tenor; and Andrew Ashwin, Bass. We are also very pleased to welcome Soraya Vermuelen, Harpist and our Organist is Simon Headley. Our conductor is Richard Archer

Booking closed

The Sixteen

Thursday 29th May, 2014, 7.30pm

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THE CHORAL PILGRIMAGE 2014

Voice Of The Turtledove

For its 14th Choral Pilgrimage The Sixteen and Harry Christophers revisit the golden age of Renaissance polyphony with a stunning programme of music by English composers John Sheppard, Richard Davy and William Mundy.

Harry Christophers writes...

For this year's tour, I have returned to our grass roots to focus on the music of three exceptional Tudor composers. I am delighted to revisit a work we last performed at our first-ever concert and I recall the amazing review we had for it - "not only was the sound of the choir a revelation but so too was the music". The critic was referring to William Mundy's monumental work Vox patris caelestis, the text of which comes from the Song of Songs. It is full of pictorial imagery with such phrases as "Arise, my dove, my fair one" and "the voice of the turtle dove" to revel in.

Mundy is very much the youngest of our composers; he died in 1591 whilst John Sheppard only just managed to see in Queen Elizabeth I by a month or so. His setting of the "Inviolata" prose, Gaude, gaude, gaude Maria is simply glorious and is only bettered by one of the gems of Tudor music, Libera nos. I cannot think of a more sublime piece.

However the most extraordinary music of all comes from the earliest of our trio, Richard Davy. He died in 1507 and the fact that his music survived the reformation is nothing short of a miracle. His remarkable work O Domine caeli terraeque was, according to the Eton Copyist, written in just one day at Magdalen College, Oxford.

Each one of these works is a real gem just waiting to be discovered by a wider audience. This music is part of our great heritage and I look forward to you joining us on this pilgrimage of discovery.

Booking closed

Charnwood Orchestra

Saturday 28th June, 2014, 7.30pm

Charnwood Orchestra

SUMMER CONCERT

Charnwood Orchestra continues its year of 40th Anniversary celebrations with a wonderful concert of Russian music.

Liadov: Kikimora and Baba-Yaga

Liadov was born into a family of eminent Russian musicians in 1855. As a young composer he gained an unfortunate reputation as unreliable and indolent but never-the-less was well respected for his skilful use of instrumental colours. Many of his compositions, including Kikimora and Baba-Yaga , are short tone poems and dances based on Russian folk tales. Kikimora is a malign house spirit. Liadov wrote she "grows up with a magician in the mountains. From dawn to sunset the magician’s cat regales Kikimora with fantastic tales of ancient times and faraway places, as Kikimora rocks in a cradle made of crystal. It takes her seven years to reach maturity, by which time her head is no larger than a thimble and her body no wider than a strand of straw. Kikimora spins flax from dusk and to dawn, with evil intentions for the world". Baba-Yaga is another witch figure of Eastern European / Slavic folklore.

Tchaikovsky: Violin concerto with soloist Fenella Humphreys

The Violin Concerto in D major, written by Tchaikovsky in 1878 is one of the best known of all violin concertos and is also also considered to be among the most technically difficult works for the violin. It was written while Tchaikovsky was recovering from depression and even once completed, it was surrounded by stormy emotional reactions, delays, cancellations and finally a damning review from an influential critic. It was several years before it became popular with the public and a regular part of the repertoire.

Our soloist, Fenella Humphreys is much in demand as a soloist and chamber musician. This is hardly surprising given press comments about her playing as 'alluring', 'unforgettable' and 'a wonder'. Charnwood Orchestra is really looking forward to working with her.

Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances

The Symphonic Dances is an orchestral suite in three movements. Completed in 1940 in his villa in Switzerland, it is Rachmaninov's last composition, characterised by its curious shifting harmonies, rhythmic vitality and fantastic instrumental tone colors throughout (highlighted by his use of an alto saxophone in the opening dance). The Dances allowed him to indulge in a nostalgia for the pre-revolutionary Russia he had fled in 1917. Both the first and third movements include motifs characteristic of Russian church music. He may have included material intended for a ballet entitled The Scythians, begun in 1914-15 but abandoned before he left Russia. While no manuscript for the ballet is known to have survived, this does not make his quoting the work inconceivable, given the vastness of Rachmaninov's memory. He could remember and play back accurately pieces he had heard years earlier, even those he had heard only once. The composition includes several quotations from his other works, and can be regarded as a summing-up of his entire career as a composer.

Booking closed

St James Baroque Soloists

Thursday 25th September, 2014, 7.30pm

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Vivaldi and J S Bach

The St James Baroque Soloists

The Musical & Amicable Society are a small ensemble of strings and harsichord; they are all professional freelance performers and between them have appeared with most of the high-profile period instrument groups - including the English Concert, the Academy of Ancient Music, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the New London Consort, the King's Consort, the Sixteen Orchestra, and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra.

Booking closed

Kingfisher Chorale

Saturday 1st November, 2014, 7.30pm

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FAURÉ REQUIEM

Cantique de Jean Racine

Debussy - Vilette - Duruflé - Poulenc - Ravel

Musical Director - Giles Turner

With the Musical and Amicable Society - Baroque Orchestra

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 8th November, 2014, 7.00pm

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The Seasons

Franz Joseph Haydn

For their Autumn 2014 concert, The City of Leicester Singers have chosen the oratorio "The Seasons" by Franz Joseph Haydn.

After the success of "The Creation", which had gained widespread popularity, Haydn was persuaded by his librettist to write another oratorio, based on an adaptation of James Thomson's pastoral epic poem "The Seasons", published in 1730. It is one of Haydn's last major works, and depicts the yearly cycle of countryside life as seen through the eyes of three peasants. Haydn's oratorio was first performed in Vienna in 1801 to rapturous applause. It consists of four cantatas, one for each season, and celebrates an idyllic, divinely ordered world, including even a stag hunt and a wine harvest. It has been described as a joyous evocation of the world in which the composer, son of a master wheelwright, had grown up, and concludes with a magnificent fugue celebrating the certainty of salvation.

The work requires three vocal soloists, and COLS will be joined by Michelle Carlin (soprano), Paul Smy (tenor) and Robert Clarke (bass). Organ accompaniment will be provided by Simon Headley.

Booking closed

Messiah

Saturday 29th November, 2014, 7.00pm

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MESSIAH

by George Frederic Handel

The Leicester Bach Choir and The Bach Camerata

Conductor - Richard Laing
Soprano - Katie Trethewey
Mezzo-Soprano - Cathy Bell
Tenor - Julian Forbes
Bass - James Oldfield

Booking closed

UoL Chamber Choir

Saturday 6th December, 2014, 7.30pm

Monteverdi

Lamento d'Arianna

Lamento is the only surviving section of Monteverdi's opera L'Arianna, one of the earliest operas in musical history, and highly influential on the development of the operatic genre. Beatus Vir is an established choral favourite and will feature strings and chamber organ.

The concert will also include modern choral works by Whitacre, Neaum and Sigurbjörnsson.

Directed by Roxanne Summerfield

Booking closed

Musical and Amicable Society

Thursday 11th December, 2014, 7.30pm

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The Musical & Amicable Society are a small ensemble of strings and harsichord; they are all professional freelance performers and between them have appeared with most of the high-profile period instrument groups - including the English Concert, the Academy of Ancient Music, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the New London Consort, the King's Consort, the Sixteen Orchestra, and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra.

Bach - A Minor Violin Concerto
Telemann - Concerto for Flute, Oboe d'amore and Viola d'amore
Bach - Concerto for 3 Violins
Vivaldi - D Minor Concerto for Violin and Cello
Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No.4
Corrette - Symphonies de Noel

Directed from the Harpsichord by Martin Perkins

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 20th December, 2014, 7.00pm

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A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS

Christmas is a joyous and wonderful time, and this year The City of Leicester Singers present a selection of Christmas carols and songs emphasising the idea of joy at Christmas. The concert includes: Stephen Cleobury's arrangement of The Joys Seven; Joy to the World arranged by John Rutter; David Willcock's Tomorrow will be my Dancing Day; and Their Sound is Gone Out from Handel's Messiah.

We will also be singing an arrangement of O Holy Night, linking back to our joint concert with VISTA last year when Denise Leigh sang this beautiful piece as a solo; and the Russian Bell Carol, which is a favourite of many of our choir and we hope of you too.

As usual, you the audience are invited to join us in well-known settings of several much loved carols including: O Come all ye Faithful, The First Nowell and As With Gladness Men of Old.

The Earl Shilton Handbell Ringers will add to the joy and magic of the evening by performing arrangements of familiar Christmas carols, some we can all hum along to.

Refreshments of Mulled wine, fruit juice and mince pies will complete the evening, as we wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

The conductor will be Richard Archer and the accompanist will be Geoffrey Clarke.

The choir is supporting Teenage Cancer Trust at the Leicester Royal Infirmary as our chosen charity this year and their representatives will welcome donations at the concert.

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 21st March, 2015, 7.30pm

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BACH Magnificat in D major

HANDEL Messiah (Part 3)

For their Spring 2015 concert, The City of Leicester Singers have chosen works by two great composers of the Baroque period, both born in 1685, namely Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.

The two main works to be performed are Bach's Magnificat in D major, and Handel's Messiah Part 3. The Magnificat was composed by Bach for the Christmas celebrations of 1723, following his move to Leipzig, and is one of his most famous sacred works. The Messiah was composed by Handel in a mere 25 day period in 1742, and was first performed in Dublin. It was one of the greatest triumphs of his long musical career.

Complementing these two major works are Handel's anthem Zadok the Priest, written for the anointing ceremony of the coronation of King George II in 1727; and Bach's Jesu, joy of man's desiring, which is the last movement of Cantata 147, written in 1716 and augmented in 1723.

Soloists for this concert will be:

Ruth Provost - soprano
Sarah Shorter - mezzo-soprano
Gill Cook - contralto
David Manford - tenor
Andrew Ashwin - bass

Orchestral accompaniment will be provided by Chameleon Arts Management. The organist will be David Cowen and the conductor Richard Archer.

The Chameleon Arts Orchestra appears by arrangement with Chameleon Arts Management.

Booking closed

Middleham Requiem

Thursday 26th March, 2015, 7.00pm (ARRIVAL BY 6pm)

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MIDDLEHAM REQUIEM

Conducted by the Composer, Geoffrey Davidson

On reinterment day, join members of the Richard III society, and invited guests for a very special performance of the Middleham Requiem which celebrates the life of Richard III.

With a 21-piece orchestra, a choir of 50, 12 choristers, three soloists and a narrator, this will be only the fourth, but the most poignant, performance of this unique work which premiered at Fotheringhay church in 1993.

The narrator will be Sir Timothy Ackroyd, the actor, writer and director.

Hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Gretton and the Richard III Society in partnership with St James the Greater. Ticket price includes an interval drink.

Booking closed

SSAFA

Saturday 16th May, 2015, 7.30pm

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CHARITY CONCERT

Wigston and District Male Voice Choir

A charity concert in support of SSAFA

With guest soloists

Booking closed

The Sixteen

Thursday 28th May, 2015, 7.30pm

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THE CHORAL PILGRIMAGE 2015

Flight of Angels

Music by Francisco Guerrero and Alonso Lobo, composers of the 16th century Spanish Renaissance

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 13th June, 2015, 7.30pm

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RHAPSODY

A Miscellany of Music

Entitled 'Rhapsody', our programme will be an eclectic mix of works by composers from Elgar to Freddy Mercury. Elgar's From the Bavarian Highlands contains some of his most felicitous choral writing, including wonderful tunes. Bob Chilcott is a leading composer of contemporary choral music - always inspired and immaculately crafted. Freddie Mercury's Bohemian Rhapsody is a mixture of many styles - a classic. We also have a piece that will be new to many - Ola Gjeilo's The Ground.

Rhapsody!

The accompanist will be Geoffrey Clarke and the conductor Richard Archer.

Booking closed

Charnwood Orchestra

Saturday 4th July, 2015, 7.30pm

Charnwood Orchestra

SUMMER CONCERT

It's a wonderful programme consisting of

Mozart: Magic Flute Overture
Beethoven: Violin Concerto (solo Thomas Bowes)
Brahms: Symphony No 4

Mozart: Magic Flute Overture

Mozart struggled to earn enough money in his final years. In 1791 he decided to apply his skills as an opera composer to a more commercial venture; he invited his friend Schikaneder to create a singspiel, a popular format that blended singing and spoken dialogue in native German (like today's Broadway musicals). Schikaneder would provide his theatrical troupe and write a libretto borrowing elements from popular fairy tales. This new comic opera, The Magic Flute, took shape during the spring and summer of 1791 and opened on September 30. Sadly, Mozart never fully capitalized on the popular success of his fanciful creation because he died a little more than two months after its premiere.

Beethoven: Violin Concerto (solo Thomas Bowes)

Beethoven's output in nearly every musical genre was prolific - so it's perhaps surprising that he wrote only the single concerto for one of the most popular instruments of his day: the violin.

This work, which is now so firmly accepted as one of the greats of the repertoire, was slow to take off. Unlike many other pieces by the great composer, it certainly didn't become an instant hit. The concerto was rattled off by Beethoven in a remarkably short space of time. He took just a few weeks to compose it in the winter of 1806, and it was premiered within days of its completion on 23 December. This was a fairly rushed affair. The soloist hadn't had time to learn his part, so spent a good deal of the concert sight-reading. It's hard to imagine Beethoven being too pleased with such an approach.

We are delighted to welcome Tom Bowes back to Charnwood Orchestra from his Bach Pilgrimage.

Brahms: Symphony No 4

"I shall never write a symphony! You can't have any idea what it's like to hear such a giant marching behind you!" Brahms was 39 and a well-established composer when he wrote these words. He saw the symphony as the musical form in which a composer had to prove himself but was haunted by the shadow of Beethoven. He eventually produced his 1st Symphony but even when he started work on the 4th, he was reluctant to admit what he was really working on. Shortly before completing it he commented "perhaps it will not get much of an audience." Friends and critics were, at first, not sure what to make of the symphony - some at first found it "very difficult" and one critic described the first movement as "like being beaten up by two tremendously intelligent people". Brahms conducted the symphony's first performance in 1885. Like its predecessors, it was an immediate success. He was worrying for nothing!

Booking closed

Kingfisher Chorale

Saturday 10th October, 2015, 7.30pm

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MESSIAH

George Frideric Handel

Soprano: Bethan Williams

Countertenor: Tom Scott-Cowell

Tenor: Peter Harris

Bass: James Newby

Musical Director - Giles Turner

With the Musical and Amicable Society

Booking closed

Osiligi Maasai Warrior Troupe

Friday 16th October, 2015, 7.30pm

THE OSILIGI MAASAI WARRIOR TROUPE

The Osiligi Maasai Warrior Troupe make their first visit to Leicester, although this is their thirteenth year of touring the UK. The proceeds of the tours, and the charity that stemmed from it, have seen their community, some 30 miles South of Nairobi, rise out of total destitution, to a point where they have a new school, a new church, a clinic, fresh clean water and solar lighting.

The troupe are stunning performers, and always receive a rapturous reception. Their concert is a sensation to watch, much more than a performance. It's an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience! They thrill all audiences aged 5-95. Everyone is enthralled and excited by their song and natural rhythm, and their jumping, for which they are renowned, is really something to behold! All performances are narrated.

Not to be missed !!!

Booking closed

St James Cantata Choir

Saturday 31st October, 2015, 7.30pm

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DURUFLÉ REQIUEM

Fauré - Cantique de Jean Racine
Duruflé - Quatre Motets
Poulenc - Organ Concerto

Organ - Stephen Cleobury
Director of Music, Choir of Kings College, Cambridge

Conductor - Matthew Haynes
Director of Music, St James the Greater, Leicester

The Musical and Amicable Society

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 14th November, 2015, 7.30pm

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MENDELSSOHN ELIJAH (part one)

Schubert Mass No2 in G

ELIJAH was written in two parts for the Birmingham Music Festival of 1846 and depicts events from the life of the Prophet, including the raising of the widow's son, the victory over the prophets of Baal and the ending of the drought in Israel. Containing rousing choruses, and an extended operatic like duet between the widow and Elijah, the work ends with the triumphal chorus "Thanks be to God".

The first part of the Concert will be a performance of the Mass Number 2 in G by Schubert, a highlight of which is the memorable setting of the Benedictus sung by the Soprano, Tenor and Bass soloists.

The soloists will be Michelle Carlin (Soprano), Alison York (Alto), John Gull (Tenor), Michael Dewis (Bass) and a Chorister from St. James The Greater Church will sing Treble.

The accompanist will be Simon Headley and the conductor Richard Archer.

Booking closed

Bach B Minor Mass

Saturday 28th November, 2015, 7.30pm

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B Minor Mass

by Johann Sebastian Bach

The Leicester Bach Choir and The Bach Camerata

Conductor - Richard Laing
Soprano - Katie Trethewey
Mezzo-Soprano - Cathy Bell
Tenor - Edward Goater
Baritone - Angus McPhee

Booking closed

UoL Chamber Choir

Saturday 5th December, 2015, 7.30pm

Poster

Rejoice in the Lamb

Benjamin Britten

Leicester University Chamber Choir presents Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb, a cantata for soloists, chorus and organ, is a wonderfully eccentric depiction of worship in all its many and varied forms. The concert will also feature a selection of other great choral works of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Come and enjoy an exciting musical evening with this young, vibrant choir.

Conductor: Roxanne Summerfield
Organ: John Gull

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 17th December, 2015, 7.30pm

Carols at St James

Conductor: John Gull

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 19th December, 2015, 7.00pm

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It's Christmas

Christmas is a joyous and wonderful time and this year The City of Leicester Singers present a wide-ranging selection of favourite and traditional Christmas carols and songs.

In addition we will be singing Carl Schalk's lovely "Before the Marvel of this Night" and two carols by Bob Chilcott.

As usual the audience will be invited to join us in well-known settings of several much loved carols including Once in Royal David's City, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.

This year, for the first time, we are very pleased to welcome the accordionist David Price to our concert. David is well-known on the local scene and promises us an evening of lively and festive music.

The accompanist will be Geoffrey Clarke and the conductor Richard Archer.

Refreshments of mulled wine, fruit juice and mince pies will complete the evening, as we wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

The choir is supporting Save the Children as our chosen charity this year. There will be a retiring collection after the concert.

Booking closed

New Leicester Youth Chorus

Tuesday 22nd December, 2015, 7.30pm

Poster

New Leicester Youth Chorus
Formerly The Leicester Pheonix Youth Chorale

WASSAIL

A Christmas Concert of carols, classic and contemporary pieces for the festive season

Ticket Prices

Full Price (£9)

Concessions (£6)

Under 16 (£2)

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 12th March, 2016, 7.30pm

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A Celebration of English Music

Elgar's The Banner of Saint George, celebrates the story of England's patron saint, as he rescues the maidens of Silene from a dragon, using his mighty sword Ascalon. Set to the words of the poem by Shapcott Wensley, the work was commissioned by Novello in 1896, and composed in only one month. As a devout Roman Catholic and of lower middle class origins, Elgar might not have been seen as part of the 'establishment', but he regarded himself as above all, a proud Briton, and keen to serve his country. This little known work relates a well known story with music which is dramatic, colourful and full of memorable tunes.

Set in 1916 to William Blake's 1808 poem 'And did those Feet', Parry's 'Jerusalem' needs no introduction. Its wistful longing for a 'green and pleasant land' is reflected in Goodall's melodious setting of the 23 Psalm. Both are popular pieces with lives beyond choirs. Jerusalem is the official hymn of England and Wales Cricket Board and beloved of Rugby League and the WI. Goodall's setting of the 23rd Psalm, made popular by BBC's 'The Vicar of Dibley', can be found in the repertoire of choirs across the country.

Lastly, in 'A Sprig of Thyme', John Rutter has arranged a collection of well-known folksongs, breathing new life into them while retaining their integrity.

The accompanist will be Geoffrey Clarke and the conductor Richard Archer.

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Saturday 16th April, 2016, 7.30pm

Voices and Brass

Conductor: Hilary Davan Wetton

Booking closed

BabyGigs Childrens' Concert

Sunday 17th April, 2016, 3.00pm

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Pirates & Princesses

Set sail on a musical adventure

Family Concert for ages 4-11

Younger siblings welcome

Booking closed

NYCGB Fellowship Octet

Thursday 28th April, 2016, 7.30pm

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FROM BYRD TO THE BEATLES
(AND BACH)

500 Years of Choral Music

The eight young singers who make up the 2015-16 Fellowship Octet are a remarkable group of multi-talented musicians with vocal talent to burn - prepare to be impressed! Their wide-ranging repertoire emcompasses choral music from Byrd to The Beatles and everything in between.

This concert will showcase the talents of some of Great Britain's finest young singers.

"A new young Praetorian Guard of singers" - Sean Rafferty, BBC Radio 3, January 2015

Launched in 2015, the NYCGB Fellowship Programme is a major new initiative by the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain which aims to create the most highly skilled and multi-talented choral singers in the UK. Each year, eight singers aged 22-25 selected at open audition benefit from a comprehensive and remunerated 50-day professional training programme designed to develop outstanding skills in performance, education and leadership. Fellowship holders are supported by individual bursary awards of £4,000 plus expenses, with the possibility of additional fees for engagements throughout the year.

2015-16 Programme highlights include performances at the Royal Albert Hall; Aldeburgh Christmas Festival; King's College, Cambridge; St James the Greater, Leicester; Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham; Cheltenham Festival; tours to Malta and China; masterclasses and mentoring from Harry Christophers, James Gilchrist, Kitty Whately and Roland Wood, workshop leading at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama; Royal Hospital School, Suffolk and Cornwall Music Education Hub and a diverse range of professional guidance sessions.

The NYCGB Fellowship Programme is principally supported by ABRSM and Dunard Fund, with additional support from the Royal Albert Hall, the D'Oyly Carte Foundation, NM Rothschild & Sons, the Ofenheim Trust, the Stanley Picker Trust, the Garrick Charitable Trust and the Fidelio Trust.

"The NYCGB Fellowship Programme is vital in enabling the most talented and motivated young singers to fulfil their potential and develop into artists capable of entering the music profession at the highest level." - Nicholas Sears, Head of Vocal Studies, Royal College of Music.

We are delighted to able to welcome them to Leicester - even more so as they include a former Head Chorister of St James the Greater.

There will be a cash bar open from 6.30pm.

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 18th June, 2016, 7.30pm

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A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

If like a lot of people you don't fancy the thought of sitting through a complete opera but really enjoy hearing the well known tunes from them, the next City of Leicester Singers concert is for you.

Everyone is bound to hear several of their favourites in the varied programme with Choir items ranging from the haunting "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves" to the rousing "Triumph Scene from Aida" and favourite solos from Michelle Carlin, Dale Harris and Robert Clarke the Soprano, Tenor and Bass soloists.

The accompanist is Tom Moore and the concert will be conducted by Richard Archer.

Booking closed

Musical and Amicable Society

Saturday 25th June, 2016, 7.30pm

(C) Copyright Natasha Kraemer

The Musical & Amicable Society are a small ensemble of strings and harsichord; they are all professional freelance performers and between them have appeared with most of the high-profile period instrument groups - including the English Concert, the Academy of Ancient Music, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the New London Consort, the King's Consort, the Sixteen Orchestra, and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra.

Vivaldi - Four Seasons (with four soloists!)
Bach - Concerto for two violins in D minor (BWV1043)
Wassenaer - Concerto Armonico no 1 in G major
Vivaldi - Concerto in D minor for two violins and 'cello from L'Estro Armonico, op 3 no 11

Directed from the Harpsichord by Martin Perkins

Booking closed

Charnwood Orchestra

Saturday 2nd July, 2016, 7.30pm

Charnwood Orchestra

SUMMER CONCERT

Charnwood Orchestra's season ends in spectacular style with an exciting concert of twentieth century English music.

Vaughan Williams: Overture "The Wasps"
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves
Vaughan Williams: Tuba Concerto
Gustav Holst: The Planets

Vaughan Williams: Overture "The Wasps"

In 1909, Vaughan Williams was asked to write the incidental music for a production of Aristophanes' play The Wasps. VW obliged with an overture and 17 other items. The music was a huge hit. Although the play is strongly satirical, the music is consistently jolly and good-natured, reflecting the sound and spirit of English folk songs (even though there are no actual folk songs, nor Greek music, nor Greek scales; only a very waspish buzzing.) The overture quickly entered the concert repertoire as a stand-alone piece.

Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves

Fantasia on Greensleeves by Vaughan Williams is an exquisite four-minute orchestral miniature that has far eclipsed the song it was inspired by, Greensleeves, a traditional melody that was doing the rounds in the days of the Tudors. Originally it was used in the third act of the composer's Shakespeare-inspired opera Sir John in Love but has become a popular piece on its own. VW manages to capture the very essence of England, the serene, pastoral sounds evoking images of bucolic bliss.

Vaughan Williams: Tuba Concerto

While some view the Tuba Concerto by Vaughan Williams as the eccentric idea of an aging composer, it soon became one of his most popular works, and an essential part of the tuba repertoire. VW wanted to give the tuba a rare chance to take centre stage and went to considerable efforts to study its capabilities. True, its elephantine humour is exploited in the first movement, but its unsuspected agility is given rein too; the slow movement has a main theme of lyrical beauty and in the Finale, the tuba romps amid the dancing strings, like Falstaff among the fairies in Windsor Forest. Our soloist, Stephen Calow is the young Leicestershire musician. He is no stranger to the orchestra but his first time performing with us a soloist.

Gustav Holst: The Planets

The Planets Suite by Holst must be one of the most famous and popular pieces of English music in the world (excluding pop music!) It was also Holst's largest orchestral work, consisting of "seven influences of destiny and constituents of our spirit". It originated from his study of astrology which had helped him come to terms with a period of musical disappointments. Holst began to write Mars just before the outbreak of war in 1914 followed by Venus and Jupiter, then Saturn, Uranus and Neptune and finally Mercury in 1916. He then arranged them in the playing order Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, not the astronomical order. He explained the astrological pattern as symbolising the unfolding experiences of life from youth to old age (although others dispute this meaning). Surprisingly, Holst was most dismayed by the international popularity of the suite.

Booking closed

The Gesualdo Six

Saturday 3rd September, 2016, 7.30pm

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SUMMER TOUR 2016

Directed by Owain Park

Beautiful unaccompanied choral music from the renaissance to the present day: Tenebrae Responsories, English Polyphony, Contemporary Works, Light Music Selection

Byrd, Tallis, Tomkins, Sheppard, Gesualdo, Harvey, Marsh, Poulenc, Ligeti

"The coolest vocal group around... revel in the gorgeous sounds, the spellbinding music, the programmes with something for everyone. Don't miss them, I guarantee you'll have the best evening ever." - John Rutter

The Gesualdo Six are a vocal sextet specialising in the performance of renaissance polyphony, directed by Owain Park. Formed in March 2014 for a performance of Gesualdo's Tenebrae Responsories for Maundy Thursday, the ensemble has since gone on to perform numerous concerts around the UK, including a ten-concert tour in the summer of 2015.

Whilst focusing on early music, the group often programmes modern works, recently juxtaposing madrigals by Monteverdi and Gesualdo with Ligeti's Nonsense Madrigals. Other programmes have included sacred and secular renaissance works by the English and Italian masters, combined with modern works by Poulenc, Jackson and Lukaszewski.

In June 2015, the group were revealed as St John's Smith Square Young Artists, following a highly competitive audition process. The scheme aims to invest in future talent, selecting promising artists who show "enormous talent and energy", endeavouring to help shape their futures. The ensemble will perform several times at St John's Smith Square during the 2015/16 season.

Booking closed

KoolGigs Family Concert

Sunday 9th October, 2016, 3.00pm

The Piano has Landed

Concert pianist Eleanor Hodgkinson in a varied programme including pieces by Debussy, Chopin and Albeniz - as well as some intergalactic hits such as Star Wars!

About KoolGigs

Following a successful pilot concert in April 2016, KoolGigs are returning to present a new series of interactive family concerts at St James the Greater, running from October to March. An off-shoot of the popular BabyGigs series, these concerts are aimed at the whole family and also feature young, local performers; however the emphasis is still on a relaxed atmosphere that focuses on children.

Founder Eleanor Hodgkinson is keen to bring classical music to everyone, in an enjoyable way as possible. The concerts are given by some of the UK's leading professional musicians, all highly experienced in performing to a wide age range: expect audience participation, games, dancing and much more... or just come along and listen!

Each concert starts at 3pm and lasts no longer than 1 hour. There is comfy floor seating in addition to chairs, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments are kindly provided by the church, with donations to the choir's fund.

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 12th November, 2016, 7.30pm

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VIVALDI AND FAURÉ CONCERT

For their Autumn 2016 concert, The City of Leicester Singers have chosen popular contrasting works by Vivaldi and Fauré.

The two main works to be performed are Vivaldi;s Gloria and Fauré's Requiem. The Gloria in D Major is Vivaldi's best-known sacred composition and was written around 1713 during his employment at the Ospedale della Pietà, one of four Venetian orphanages for girls. The Requiem was written in 1888 shortly after the death of Fauré's own mother. It is a tender rather than grief-stricken work, and offers what Fauré called "an aspiration to the bliss of the beyond".

Complementing these two major works are Handel's anthem "The King shall rejoice", written for the actual crowning of King George II in 1727, and one of the four coronation anthems; and "The Beatitudes", written in 1990 by the contemporary Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

Richard Archer - Conductor
David Cowen - Organist
Ruth Provost - Soprano
Alison York - Mezzo-Soprano/Contralto
Clive Hilton - Baritone/Bass

Booking closed

KoolGigs Family Concert

Sunday 13th November, 2016, 3.00pm

A Soldiers Tale

The military sounds of the saxophone will be heard as John Barker, Assistant Head of Music at Leicester Grammar School, treats us to some well-known classics along with performances from two of his advanced students.

About KoolGigs

Following a successful pilot concert in April 2016, KoolGigs are returning to present a new series of interactive family concerts at St James the Greater, running from October to March. An off-shoot of the popular BabyGigs series, these concerts are aimed at the whole family and also feature young, local performers; however the emphasis is still on a relaxed atmosphere that focuses on children.

Founder Eleanor Hodgkinson is keen to bring classical music to everyone, in an enjoyable way as possible. The concerts are given by some of the UK's leading professional musicians, all highly experienced in performing to a wide age range: expect audience participation, games, dancing and much more... or just come along and listen!

Each concert starts at 3pm and lasts no longer than 1 hour. There is comfy floor seating in addition to chairs, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments are kindly provided by the church, with donations to the choir's fund.

Booking closed

St James Cantata Choir

Saturday 26th November, 2016, 7.30pm

Glynn Richerby

A farewell Concert for Glynn

A special concert to celebrate the ministry of our Vicar, Canon Glynn Richerby, with favourite music from throughout the Church's Year.

The concert features our current choir, former members and friends singing resounding hymns of praise, festive favourites and classic Anglican masterpieces. There is no set entry charge however there will be a retiring collection to cover the costs of the concert and support music at St James.

Prior to the concert, there will be an organ recital from 6.00pm to 7.00pm featuring romantic French masterpieces including Vierne's wonderfully crafted 3rd Symphony. Music by Vierne, Alain, Mulet and Howells.

Doors, refreshments and cash bar will open at 5.30pm.

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 3rd December, 2016, 7.30pm

Flyer

REQIUEM

by Duruflé

The Leicester Bach Choir

Fauré - Messe Basse
Duruflé - Messe Cum Jubilo

Conductor - Richard Laing
Organ - Simon Hogan

Tickets can be obtained from Churchgate Music, Visit Leicester in Gallowtreegate or online

Booking closed

KoolGigs Family Concert

Sunday 4th December, 2016, 3.00pm

Christmas Sparkles

Featuring Emma Trounson (soprano) alongside the Choir of St James the Greater, in a programme of seasonal favourites.

About KoolGigs

Following a successful pilot concert in April 2016, KoolGigs are returning to present a new series of interactive family concerts at St James the Greater, running from October to March. An off-shoot of the popular BabyGigs series, these concerts are aimed at the whole family and also feature young, local performers; however the emphasis is still on a relaxed atmosphere that focuses on children.

Founder Eleanor Hodgkinson is keen to bring classical music to everyone, in an enjoyable way as possible. The concerts are given by some of the UK's leading professional musicians, all highly experienced in performing to a wide age range: expect audience participation, games, dancing and much more... or just come along and listen!

Each concert starts at 3pm and lasts no longer than 1 hour. There is comfy floor seating in addition to chairs, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments are kindly provided by the church, with donations to the choir's fund.

Booking closed

Ex Cathedra

Tuesday 6th December, 2016, 7.30pm

Ex Cathedra Consort in Hereford Cathedral

CHRISTMAS MUSIC
BY CANDLELIGHT

Ex Cathedra Consort conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore

Aimed at the heart of Christmas, these atmospheric concerts have become a popular tradition in Birmingham and London, which this year we extend to the fabulous acoustic of St James the Greater, Leicester. A seamless stream of music brings old favourites, stunning new music and hidden gems, all interspersed with readings that capture the meaning - and humour - of the season.

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 15th December, 2016, 7.30pm

Carols at St James

Conductor: Matthew Haynes

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 17th December, 2016, 7.00pm

Flyer

JOY TO THE WORLD

This year the City of Leicester singers has chosen "Joy to the World" as their theme for their Christmas concert.

We travel round the world to far off lands from Australia's "The Christmas Tree", through the Ukraine with "Carol of the Bells" and to America for the Spiritual "Rise up Shepherd".

Our central item is "Fantasia on carols" by Vaughan Williams which focusses on English carols.

As part of our concert we are delighted to welcome back the Earl Shilton Handbell Ringers, who will entertain us during our concert.

We have also invited the Leicestershire and Rutland Air ambulance to attend and advertise their cause, whilst taking a retiring collection.

Booking closed

Epiphany Carol Concert

Saturday 7th January, 2017, 7.30pm

EPIPHANY CAROL CONCERT

Join us for an evening of Epiphany Carols in the beautiful acoustics of St James the Greater, Leicester. Featuring music by Rutter, Howells and Holst, performed by some of Cambridge's finest choral scholars from the world famous Trinity, Sidney Sussex and Caius College Choirs, this concert is not to be missed.

Proceeds from this concert will go towards Cancer Research UK's Brain Tumour Research.

If you are unable to attend the concert but would still like to donate to the cause, then please visit our online fundraising page (link below)

Booking closed

KoolGigs Family Concert

Sunday 29th January, 2017, 3.00pm

The Story of the 'Cello

Cellist Nick Stringfellow performing "The Story of the 'Cello", with members of the Leicester Suzuki Group.

About KoolGigs

Following a successful pilot concert in April 2016, KoolGigs are returning to present a new series of interactive family concerts at St James the Greater, running from October to March. An off-shoot of the popular BabyGigs series, these concerts are aimed at the whole family and also feature young, local performers; however the emphasis is still on a relaxed atmosphere that focuses on children.

Founder Eleanor Hodgkinson is keen to bring classical music to everyone, in an enjoyable way as possible. The concerts are given by some of the UK's leading professional musicians, all highly experienced in performing to a wide age range: expect audience participation, games, dancing and much more... or just come along and listen!

Each concert starts at 3pm and lasts no longer than 1 hour. There is comfy floor seating in addition to chairs, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments are kindly provided by the church, with donations to the choir's fund.

Booking closed

KoolGigs Family Concert

Sunday 19th March, 2017, 3.00pm

Pirates and Princesses

"Pirates and Princesses" returns on 19th March, with more musical mayhem from our pirates - and will also feature local young soloists.

About KoolGigs

Following a successful pilot concert in April 2016, KoolGigs are returning to present a new series of interactive family concerts at St James the Greater, running from October to March. An off-shoot of the popular BabyGigs series, these concerts are aimed at the whole family and also feature young, local performers; however the emphasis is still on a relaxed atmosphere that focuses on children.

Founder Eleanor Hodgkinson is keen to bring classical music to everyone, in an enjoyable way as possible. The concerts are given by some of the UK's leading professional musicians, all highly experienced in performing to a wide age range: expect audience participation, games, dancing and much more... or just come along and listen!

Each concert starts at 3pm and lasts no longer than 1 hour. There is comfy floor seating in addition to chairs, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments are kindly provided by the church, with donations to the choir's fund.

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 1st April, 2017, 7.30pm

Flyer

STABAT MATER

Karl Jenkins

For their Spring 2017 concert, the City of Leicester Singers have chosen as their principal work a 2008 setting of the 13th century religious text Stabat Mater by the contemporary Welsh composer, Karl Jenkins, who was born in 1944. The text focuses on the suffering of Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, during his crucifixion. Karl Jenkins also includes texts which lie outside the original Stabat Mater, and which are sung in a variety of languages: English, Hebrew, Latin, Aramaic, Greek and Arabic.

Complementing this major work are four shorter choral works: Locus iste, by Bruckner, Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré, Panis angelicus by Franck, Ave verum by Saint-Saëns

Contralto soloist for the Stabat Mater will be Rozanna Madylus. Organ and piano accompaniment will be provided by Geoffrey Clarke and Emily Turfus. The concert will be conducted by Richard Archer.

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 8th April, 2017, 7.00pm

Flyer

ST JOHN PASSION

by J S Bach

With the Bach Camerata

Conductor: Richard Laing
Leader: David Le Page
Evangelist: Nathan Vale
Jesus: James Oldfield
Soprano: Katie Trethewey
Mezzo-soprano: Cathy Bell
Tenor: Edward Goater
Pilate and Bass arias: Jon Stainsby

Booking closed

NYCGB Fellowship Octet

Thursday 27th April, 2017, 7.30pm

NYCGB Fellowship Programme octet 2016-17.
Image credit: NYCGB/Andy Staples

Programme includes music by:

Monteverdi, Ramsey, Gombert, Purcell, Leighton, Vaughan Williams, Britten, Park, Hamilton, Swingle, Trad American, Trad Hawaiian, Goffin, Joel (arr Lawson), Webster/Harris (arr Friedman).

The NYCGB Fellowship Programme is vital in enabling the most talented and motivated young singers to fulfil their potential and develop into artists capable of entering the music profession at the highest level. Nicholas Sears, Head of Vocal Studies, Royal College of Music.

Launched in 2015 by the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, the NYCGB Fellowship Programme is a major new initiative which aims to create the most highly skilled and multi-talented choral singers in the UK. Each year, eight singers aged 22-25 selected at open audition benefit from a unique 50-day professional training programme designed to develop outstanding skills in performance, education and leadership. Fellowship holders are supported by generous individual bursary awards.

Highlights of the 2015-16 Fellowship Programme included performances at the Royal Albert Hall, the Aldeburgh Easter and Christmas Festivals, Cheltenham Festival, King's College, Cambridge, Royal Concert Hall Nottingham, tours to Malta and China, masterclasses and mentoring from Harry Christophers, James Gilchrist, Kitty Whately and Roland Wood, leading workshops at the Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and Cornwall Music Education Hub, broadcasts and recordings for the BBC and NYCGB's own digital record label, and professional seminars on audition technique, stagecraft, self-employed finances and marketing.

The 2016-17 Fellowship Programme features a range of new opportunities including education work with children in Nottinghamshire and County Durham, a residency and concert performance of Handel's 'Messiah' at Snape Maltings, self-devised singing workshops with primary schools around the UK, recording sessions with Tenebrae vocal consort, a performance with The King's Singers, teaching and mentoring on NYCGB residential courses, and multitrack video recording experience with YouTube musician James Rose.

The NYCGB Fellowship Programme is principally supported by ABRSM and Dunard Fund, with additional support from the Royal Albert Hall, the D'Oyly Carte Foundation, NM Rothschild & Sons, the Ofenheim Trust, the Stanley Picker Trust, the Garrick Charitable Trust, the Fidelio Trust, and I Fagiolini Charitable Trust.

We are delighted to able to welcome this year's Fellowship to Leicester - following a successful visit by last years' Octet

There will be a cash bar open from 6.30pm.

Booking closed

DMU Orchestra

Saturday 17th June, 2017, 7.30pm

De Montfort University Orchestra

Beethoven's Ninth Symphony

The De Montfort University Orchestra celebrates its 1st birthday with a performance of Beethoven's epic 9th Symphony featuring four incredible soloists, a chorus of over 50 singers from choirs across Leicestershire and the world premiere of 'Perhaps', commissioned by the DMU Orchestra and written by celebrated composer and Philharmonia Orchestra Cellist, Richard Birchall, for Soprano and Orchestra.

The concert will be conducted by the DMU Orchestra Musical Director, Samuel Burstin. Based in London, Samuel is an award-winning conductor and in 2014 was a prize-winner at the highly prestigious Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition in Paris, where he conducted the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France at the Salle Pleyel. The following year, Samuel made his Russian debut in Kazan with the Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra, with the Korngold Violin Concerto (Laurent Korcia) and Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra. As an orchestral musician, Samuel has played principal viola with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony, New Zealand Symphony, Opera North, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Scottish Chamber orchestras, joining the Viola section of the Philharmonia in 2005.

Programme:

Brahms: Academic Festival Overture

World Premiere of 'Perhaps' by Richard Birchall

Beethoven: Symphony No.9 in D Minor

Beethoven Soloists:

Soprano: Belinda Evans

Mezzo-Soprano: Vanessa Heine

Tenor: Adam Tunnicliffe

Bass-Baritone: Stephen Kennedy

Booking closed

KoolGigs Family Concert

Sunday 1st October, 2017, 2.30pm

Teddy Bears' Picnic

Bring your bear and join Trumpeter Richard Skilbeck for musical fun. Foodbank Donations for the Red Cross.

About KoolGigs

KoolGigs are returning to present a new series of interactive family concerts at St James the Greater, running from October to April. An off-shoot of the popular BabyGigs series, these concerts are aimed at the whole family and also feature young, local performers; however the emphasis is still on a relaxed atmosphere that focuses on children.

Founder Eleanor Hodgkinson is keen to bring classical music to everyone, in an enjoyable way as possible. The concerts are given by some of the UK's leading professional musicians, all highly experienced in performing to a wide age range: expect audience participation, games, dancing and much more... or just come along and listen!

Each concert starts at 2.30pm and lasts no longer than 1 hour. There is comfy floor seating in addition to chairs, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments are kindly provided by the church, with donations to the choir's fund.

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 26th October, 2017, 7.30pm

Fauré: Requiem

Conductor: Stephen Bullamore

£10 (unreserved)
£20 (reserved)
£24 (reserved)
Concessions:
Over 60s - 10% on top price
U25 £5 for all seats
Refreshments available

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 28th October, 2017, 7.30pm

Flyer

Brahms - A German Requiem

Dvorák - Te Deum

For their Autumn 2017 concert, the City of Leicester Singers have chosen works by two great composers of the 19th century Romantic period, Brahms (1833-1897) and Dvorák (1841-1904).

The two works to be performed are the German Requiem by Brahms and the Te Deum (opus 103) by Dvorák. The Requiem, composed between 1865 and 1868, is Brahms's longest composition, sacred but not liturgical, and very much a requiem in the German language. The text is derived from the German Luther Bible, and the requiem was probably inspired by the death of Brahms's mother in 1865. The Te Deum was composed in 1892 during Dvorák's American period to mark the 400th anniversary of the discovery of that continent by Christopher Columbus.

The City of Leicester Singers are delighted that they will be accompanied by the Charnwood Orchestra in this venture.

Vocal soloists will be Caroline Palmer (soprano) and Andrew Ashwin (baritone). The concert will be conducted by Richard Archer.

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 25th November, 2017, 7.30pm

Flyer

AUTUMN CONCERT

Ireland: A Downland Suite
Holst: The Hymn of Jesus
Britten: St Nicolas

Conductor: Richard Laing

Booking closed

Ex Cathedra

Thursday 7th December, 2017, 7.30pm

Ex Cathedra Consort in Hereford Cathedral

CHRISTMAS MUSIC
BY CANDLELIGHT

Ex Cathedra Consort conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore

In the deep, still darkness, only candles pierce the winter gloom. And then, upon the silence, comes the luminous sound of a choir in harmony. With a sequence of Christmas music old and new, and readings to make you smile and reflect, our popular Christmas concerts are a uniquely magical way to begin your festive season.

"A treasury of seasonal music... performed with imagination and impeccable musicality" (Birmingham Post)

Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

This concert will end at approximately 10pm.

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 14th December, 2017, 7.30pm

Carols at St James

£8
£18
No Concessions

Refreshments available

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 16th December, 2017, 7.00pm

Flyer

A CHRISTMAS HISTORY

This year, The City of Leicester Singers present an evening of music and readings which will celebrate the festive season by exploring its story through the ages to modern times. We hope that our programme will provide something of interest, and even amusement, for all, as well as giving our audience the opportunity to join us in singing some favourite carols.

Our carols are arranged in chronological order, starting with music from the fourteenth century, and finishing in the present day. Most will be familiar, but a few are new not only to the choir, but probably also to those listening. Readings by members of the choir - a mixture of prose and poems - will explore the development of Christmas and the origins of many customs associated with it.

We hope that our concert will be enjoyable, and informative in a light-hearted way. It might even provide some interesting things for our audience to pass on to friends and family over the Christmas season!

Booking closed

KoolGigs Family Concert

Sunday 17th December, 2017, 2.30pm

Christmas Sparkles

Featuring Emma Trounson (soprano) in a programme of seasonal favourites.

About KoolGigs

KoolGigs are returning to present a new series of interactive family concerts at St James the Greater, running from October to April. An off-shoot of the popular BabyGigs series, these concerts are aimed at the whole family and also feature young, local performers; however the emphasis is still on a relaxed atmosphere that focuses on children.

Founder Eleanor Hodgkinson is keen to bring classical music to everyone, in an enjoyable way as possible. The concerts are given by some of the UK's leading professional musicians, all highly experienced in performing to a wide age range: expect audience participation, games, dancing and much more... or just come along and listen!

Each concert starts at 2.30pm and lasts no longer than 1 hour. There is comfy floor seating in addition to chairs, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments are kindly provided by the church, with donations to the choir's fund.

Booking closed

Epiphany Carol Concert

Saturday 6th January, 2018, 7.30pm

EPIPHANY CAROL CONCERT

The Cambridge Fundraising Choir will perform Epiphany Carols in the beautiful church of St James the Greater - the proceeds of this concert will go towards Cancer Research UK's Brain Tumour Research.

The programme will include works by Howells, Rutter and Tavener, and there will be a 20 minute interval with refreshments.

Cambridge Fundraising Choir

The choir is composed of current and former choral scholars at Cambridge University who study a wide range of subjects. Within their respective college choirs, they have been fortunate to be a part of professional CD recordings and tour all over the world, with trips to Australia, America, Hong Kong, Canada and Germany. They gave their first concerts in Rutland and Leicestershire in January 2017, and in the last year they have performed in Magdalen College, Oxford, St Cross, Winchester and Trinity College, Cambridge. They have raised over £6000 for Cancer Research UK's Brain Tumour Research in the last year, and they aim to raise another £2000 in January 2018.

Cancer Research UK

We would like to raise money to help support the invaluable work of Cancer Research UK, and in particular their contribution towards the treatment of brain tumours. We have witnessed the results of their excellent research first-hand, as in the last year two people close to members of the choir have undergone treatment for brain tumours: a 22-year-old fellow student from Trinity College, Cambridge and a godmother to a member of the group.

For more information, please email Ellie: cambridgechoirfundraising@gmail.com or visit The CFC website, https://cambridgefundraisingchoir.com

Tickets £10 (Children Free) - all proceeds going toward Cancer Research UK's Brain Tumour Research

To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/CFCleicester

To donate, please visit: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/cambridge-fundraising-choir

Booking closed

KoolGigs Family Concert

Sunday 4th February, 2018, 2.30pm

Spacehop

Take an intergalactic journey with our three time-travellers: Simon Chalk (Violin), Nick Stringfellow (Cello) and Eleanor Hodgkinson (Piano)

About KoolGigs

KoolGigs are returning to present a new series of interactive family concerts at St James the Greater, running from October to April. An off-shoot of the popular BabyGigs series, these concerts are aimed at the whole family and also feature young, local performers; however the emphasis is still on a relaxed atmosphere that focuses on children.

Founder Eleanor Hodgkinson is keen to bring classical music to everyone, in an enjoyable way as possible. The concerts are given by some of the UK's leading professional musicians, all highly experienced in performing to a wide age range: expect audience participation, games, dancing and much more... or just come along and listen!

Each concert starts at 2.30pm and lasts no longer than 1 hour. There is comfy floor seating in addition to chairs, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments are kindly provided by the church, with donations to the choir's fund.

Booking closed

Leicestershire Chorale

Friday 16th March, 2018, 7.45pm

Flyer

THIS HAVE I DONE FOR MY TRUE LOVE

Leicestershire Chorale, one of the region's foremost chamber choirs, returns to St James the Greater with a programme of English a cappella choral music, including Ralph Vaughan Williams sublime Mass in G minor. They also include a rarely-heard setting by the same composer of the passion tide text O vos omnes and psalm settings by Gustav Holst, most famous for his Planets Suite.

This Friday evening recital will last no longer than an hour and aims to transport you to a higher realm at the end of a no doubt busy week...

Booking closed

KoolGigs Family Concert

Sunday 18th March, 2018, 2.30pm

The Piano has Landed

Pianist Eleanor Hodgkinson brings you all things piano!

About KoolGigs

KoolGigs are returning to present a new series of interactive family concerts at St James the Greater, running from October to April. An off-shoot of the popular BabyGigs series, these concerts are aimed at the whole family and also feature young, local performers; however the emphasis is still on a relaxed atmosphere that focuses on children.

Founder Eleanor Hodgkinson is keen to bring classical music to everyone, in an enjoyable way as possible. The concerts are given by some of the UK's leading professional musicians, all highly experienced in performing to a wide age range: expect audience participation, games, dancing and much more... or just come along and listen!

Each concert starts at 2.30pm and lasts no longer than 1 hour. There is comfy floor seating in addition to chairs, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments are kindly provided by the church, with donations to the choir's fund.

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 24th March, 2018, 7.30pm

Flyer

90th ANNIVERSARY SEASON CONCERT

Bach: Jesu, meine Freude
Brahms: Geistliches Lied
Schütz: Selig sind die Toten
Mendelssohn: Verleih uns Frieden
Mendelssohn: Richte mich, Gott
Bruckner: Ave Maria
Bruckner: Christus factus est
Brahms: Warum ist das Licht gegeben

Organ music by Bach Brahms, Rheinberger & Reger

Conductor: Richard Laing
Organ: Ivan Linford

Booking closed

KoolGigs Family Concert

Sunday 29th April, 2018, 2.30pm

Carnival: Bach to Brazil

Kickstart your summer with International Harpist Eleanor Turner

About KoolGigs

KoolGigs are returning to present a new series of interactive family concerts at St James the Greater, running from October to April. An off-shoot of the popular BabyGigs series, these concerts are aimed at the whole family and also feature young, local performers; however the emphasis is still on a relaxed atmosphere that focuses on children.

Founder Eleanor Hodgkinson is keen to bring classical music to everyone, in an enjoyable way as possible. The concerts are given by some of the UK's leading professional musicians, all highly experienced in performing to a wide age range: expect audience participation, games, dancing and much more... or just come along and listen!

Each concert starts at 2.30pm and lasts no longer than 1 hour. There is comfy floor seating in addition to chairs, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments are kindly provided by the church, with donations to the choir's fund.

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 12th May, 2018, 7.30pm

Flyer

Requiem - Rutter
Gloria -Poulenc

Lamb of God - Beethoven

This Concert features two of the foremost choral works of the second half of the 20th century. Both are by European composers but both received their first performances in the USA.

The Requiem by John Rutter was first performed in Dallas, Texas in 1985.

The Gloria by Francis Poulenc was first performed in Boston Massachusetts in 1961.

Both are written for a four part Choir and Soprano soloist and the soloist with The City of Leicester Singers will be Ruth Provost.

Also included is Lamb of God a choral setting of a theme from The Pathetique Sonata by Beethoven.

The organ accompaniment will be provided by David Cowens and Richard Archer will conduct.

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 16th June, 2018, 7.30pm

Flyer

SUMMER CONCERT

MacCunn: The Wreck of the Hesperus
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
Elgar: As Torrents in Summer
Elgar: Salut d'amour
Elgar: Chanson de matin
Elgar: Chanson d nuit
Stanford: The Princess

Conductor: Richard Laing
Violin: Shulah Oliver
Piano: Jennifer Carter, Simon Marlow

Booking closed

Charnwood Orchestra

Saturday 30th June, 2018, 7.30pm

Charnwood Orchestra

SUMMER CONCERT

The final concert for the Charnwood Orchestra 2017/18 season sees the Orchestra performing a varied programme of works by Dvorak, Korngold and Tchaikovsky.

Dvorak: The Noon Witch
Korngold: Violin Concerto Soloist Fenella Humphreys
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 "Pathetique"
Vaughan Williams: Overture "The Wasps"
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves
Vaughan Williams: Tuba Concerto
Gustav Holst: The Planets

Antonin Dvorak - The Noon Witch

A symphonic poem with the music following the story closely to illustrate the characters and events. A mother warns her son that if he does not behave she will summon the Noon Witch to take him away (oboe and bass clarinet are used to depict the misbehaving child and the witch respectively). Of course, the son does not behave, and the witch arrives at the stroke of noon (strokes of a bell). The mother thinks the Witch is going to take the child. The mother, terrified, grabs her son, and the witch begins chasing them. (use of different time signatures to add drama to the chase). Finally the mother grasping her child, faints. Later in the day, the father comes home to find his wife, grasping the dead body of their son in her arms. The mother has accidentally smothered the son while protecting him from the witch. The story ends with the fathers sorrow at the terrible events.

Eric Korngolg - Violin Concerto; Soloist Fenella Humphreys

The Orchestra welcomes leading violinist Fenella Humphreys in what promises to be a dazzling performance of Korngold's concerto. Fenella is in growing demand combining a busy career performing solo and chamber works. Composed in 1945, the concerto is in 3 movements, Moderato, Romanze and Allegro Vivace. Korngold draws on his film scores for themes, with an expansive scoring for the orchestra. It was premiered in 1947, by Jascha Heifet.

Tchaikovksy - Symphony No.6 "Pathetique".

The Symphony is in 4 movements, but needs no introduction having remained a popular choice amongst concert audiences ever since its premiere in October 1893, just nine days before the composer's death. Such is the popularity of the work that themes have found their way into popular culture in variety of ways, from films, songs, cartoons, video games and the 2010 winter Olympic closing ceremony.

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 27th October, 2018, 7.30pm

Flyer

WAR AND PEACE

Mass in Time of War - Haydn

Better is Peace - Jenkins

Eternal Light - Goodall

For their Autumn 2018 concert, the City of Leicester Singers have chosen to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War with music on the theme of "war and peace".

The first work to be performed will be Haydn's Mass in Time of War (Missa in tempore belli) also known as Paukenmesse or Drum Mass. This was first performed in Vienna in 1796 at a time when Napoleon's troops were already encamped in Austria. The music in the Agnus Dei evokes the sound of the advancing French armies.

The second work will be Better is Peace the final movement from The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins, a work dedicated to the victims of Kosovo. The mass ends with the affirmation from Revelations that change is possible, that sorrow, pain and death can be overcome.

The final work will be Eternal Light: A Requiem, by Howard Goodall. This was written in 2008 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War, and it was Goodall's intention to acknowledge the terrible, unbearable loss and emptiness that accompanies the death of loved ones. It is thus, like that of Brahms, a requiem for the living.

Vocal soloists will be Michelle Carlin (soprano), Alison York (contralto), Tom Stanyard (tenor) and Michael Dewis (bass). The concert will be accompanied on the organ by John Pye and on the piano by Emily Turfus, with additional instrumental accompaniment by Alex Rider (harp), Hari and Dipna Trivedi (percussion) and Jenny Bakewell (piccolo). The concert will be conducted by Richard Archer.

Booking closed

Casualties of War

Sunday 11th November, 2018, 3.00pm

Flyer

CASUALTIES OF WAR

Celebrating the legacy in Poetry and Song of the Lost Generation of World War I and those deeply affected.

To mark the Centenary of Armistice Day, Richard Roddis (tenor) and friends present a commemorative programme of songs and readings. Rather than focussing on the conflict, this recital highlights the talent of the British composers and poets who like so many others left to fight but never returned. It also celebrates the rural landscape of England which they held so dear and which they died defending.

Including:

Composers George Butterworth, the emblem of lost talent; W Denis Browne and Ernest Farrar, who both left only a handful of pieces. Poets Edward Thomas, Rupert Brooke, Wilfred Owen, Francis Ledwidge. Straddling the two art-forms and prolific in both, Ivor Gurney survived but later suffered mental breakdown. And Gerald Finzi, pupil of Farrar, champion of Gurney.

Booking closed

Appassionato

Sunday 18th November, 2018, 2.30pm

Flyer

APPASSIONATO

A Recital of Music for Violin and Piano

Amalia Young and Bryan Evans will present a recital of classical music for violin and piano.

Amalia is a former member of the Choir of St James the Greater and is now a scholarship student at the Royal Academy of Music in London, studying with French violinist Philippe Honoré. Amalia was the 2016 Bardi Orchestra Young Musician with whom she gave an acclaimed performance of the Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1.

Bryan Evans is Music Director of the London-based Diva Opera Company and has given over 3000 performances worldwide as a soloist, accompanist and conductor.

The recital will include Francis Poulenc's neo-classical Violin Sonata, J.S. Bach's great G minor solo Sonata and the powerfully expressive Subito by Witold Lutoslawski. The afternoon's performance will conclude with the tempestuous Sonata No. 3 for Violin and Piano by Herbert Howells. Tickets are £8 and £5 (concessions) available from the St James the Greater website and at the door.

Booking closed

Ex Cathedra

Thursday 6th December, 2018, 7.30pm

Ex Cathedra Consort in Hereford Cathedral

CHRISTMAS MUSIC
BY CANDLELIGHT

Ex Cathedra Consort conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore

These popular concerts are aimed at the heart of Christmas. Much-loved favourites, little-known gems and stunning new works are accompanied by a selection of readings, which together capture the meaning - and humour - of the season.

"Christmas Music by Candlelight is to be transported to another place, timeless, almost unbearably beautiful, intense and joyously uplifting! Christmas begins here" (Audience member)

Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

This concert will end at approximately 10pm.

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 8th December, 2018, 7.30pm

Flyer

ADVENT CONCERT

in aid of LOROS with New Leicester Youth Chorus

Readings by Anne Davis, BBC East Midlands Today

Conductors: Richard Laing and Willard Welsford

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 20th December, 2018, 7.30pm

Carols at St James

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 22nd December, 2018, 7.00pm

Flyer

THE MYSTERY OF CHRISTMAS

2018 Christmas Concert

The Birth of Jesus, Angels appearing to Shepherds, Wise men following a star, Santa Claus and his Reindeer, Cards, Trees and Presents all combine to make Christmas time the most mysterious time of the year and all of these elements are included in The City of Leicester Singers Christmas Concert.

In addition to the traditional Carols in which the audience are invited to join the choir will sing seasonal items ranging from Rudolf the red nosed Reindeer to Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen. Several members of the Choir will sing solo items and the Great Central Strummers Ukulele Band will play.

The concert will be conducted by Richard Archer.

After the music Mulled Wine/Fruit Juice & Mince Pies will be served.

Booking closed

DMU Orchestra and Chorus

Saturday 2nd February, 2019, 7.00pm

De Montfort University Orchestra

DMU ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS

Programme:

Handel: Rinaldo Overture

Monteverdi: Beatus Vir

Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus

Haydn: Insanae et Vanae Curae

Mozart: Symphony No.41 Jupiter

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Saturday 23rd March, 2019, 7.30pm

Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem

Ticket includes a pre-concert talk and drinks reception

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 13th April, 2019, 7.30pm

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MOZART MASS in C MINOR

Haydn: The Representation of Chaos
Mendelssohn: Psalm 95 - Kommt, lasst uns anbeten

Conductor: Richard Laing
Sopranos: Katie Trethewey and Kirsty Hopkins
Tenor: Andrew Henley
Baritone: Geoff Williams

with Bach Camerata

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 18th May, 2019, 7.30pm

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STAGE AND SCREEN

A joint concert by the City of Leicester Singers and the Leicester South Salvation Army Band

The City of Leicester Singers has decided to join forces with the Leicester South Salvation Army Band for their May 2019 concert following a very successful joint venture for last November's Remembrance Sunday. The concert will be in two halves, each part comprising a joint presentation of the choir and band, namely "Do you hear the people sing?" from Les Miserables and "The Grand March" from Aida.

Within each half both groups will perform independently. COLS will sing a medley from Oliver and West Side Story in the first half and, in the second half, COLS will sing a selection of Opera Choruses including: The Villagers Chorus, Anvil Chorus, the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves and The Bell Chorus.

The Leicester South Salvation Army Band will play from its wide ranging repertoire of contemporary and classical music, including selections from both Christian and secular musical shows.

There will be an interval during which time refreshments will be served.

The concert will be conducted by both Richard Archer (COLS) and Andrew Piper (LSSAB) and accompanied by John Pye as well as the Band!

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 15th June, 2019, 7.30pm

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Fauré Requiem

Langlais Messe Solennelle
with organ interpolations by Couperin De Grigny

Conductor: Richard Laing
Organ: Simon Hogan

Booking closed

Charnwood Orchestra

Saturday 29th June, 2019, 7.30pm

Charnwood Orchestra

SUMMER CONCERT

Conductor: Nic Fallowfield
Violin: Zhivko Georgiev

Tchaikovsky Fantasy Overture "Romeo and Juliet"
Kabalevsky Violin Concerto
Shostakovich Symphony No.5

Booking closed

The Band of the Household Cavalry

Friday 11th October, 2019, 7.30pm

CELEBRATING 75 YEARS SUPPORTING OUR SOLDIERS

The Band of the Household Cavalry

The Band of the Household Cavalry, famous for their resplendent uniforms and magnificent drum horses, will perform a wide selection of traditional and popular music to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of ABF The Soldiers' Charity.

The charity was founded in 1944 as the Army Benevolent Fund to ensure that soldiers returning from the Second World War were well cared for. Since then, the welfare of our soldiers, past and present, and their families has been at the heart of everything the charity does, by providing a lifetime of support to serving soldiers, veterans and their immediate families when they are in need.

ABF The Soldiers' Charity is the only military charity where funds are distributed directly into the hands of serving and former soldiers and families who find themselves in desperate need. With the withdrawal of our troops from Afghanistan and other conflicts, many people may think that calls on the charity's resources would diminish over time. In reality it is now and in the future when the charity most needs your help to deal with the physical and psychological challenges soldiers may face in the years ahead; often not surfacing for 15 years or longer.

Please come and help us make this event both a pleasurable occasion and financial success.

Booking closed

The Ratby Co-operative Band

Saturday 26th October, 2019, 7.30pm

The Pride of Leicestershire

MUSIC APPEAL CONCERT

In aid of Lucy's BLUEBIRD TRUST supporting children with life limiting illnesses.

The Ratby Co-operative Band

The Ratby Co-operative Brass Band and
The Fosse Singers

Featuring some of Leicestershire's finest music ensembles the award winning Ratby Co-operative Championship Brass Band perform alongside county favourites The Fosse Singers to deliver a special evening of music in the glorious setting of St James the Greater in Leicester - show-casing a pride of Leicestershire musical talent in aid of The Bluebird Trust, who are supporitng children with life limiting illnesses and their families.

All seats (£10)

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 9th November, 2019, 7.30pm

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Dvorák

Mass in D

Elgar

The Music Makers

Dvorák's Mass in D major was instigated by Josef Hlavka, later the founder and first president of the Czech Academy of Sciences. In 1886 Hlavka had a new chapel built at his summer residence in Western Bohemia. When the chapel was to be consecrated, he asked his friend Dvorák to write a new mass for the occasion. Dvorák, who thought very highly of Hlavka, was glad to oblige and wrote a mass for solos, choir and organ. He completed the work within three months.

The Music Makers, Op. 69, is a work for mezzo-soprano, chorus and orchestra composed by Edward Elgar. It was dedicated to "my friend Nicholas Kilburn". It was first performed at the Birmingham Festival on 1 October 1912, conducted by the composer.

The text of the work is the 1874 poem Ode by Arthur O'Shaughnessy, which Elgar set in its entirety. He had been working on the music intermittently since 1903, without a specific commission.

Soloist Rozanna Madylus (mezzo-soprano), Accompanist Thomas Moore. The concert will be conducted by Richard Archer.

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 30th November, 2019, 7.30pm

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The Fruit of Silence

Music for Choir and Strings from Four Centuries

Conductor: Richard Laing
Mezzo-soprano: Karen Wise

with Bach Camerata Leader: David Le Page

Gjeilo - Dark Night of the Soul
Bach - Aria 'Vergnügte Ruh'
Reger - Cantata 'Meinem Jesum lass ich nicht'
Brahms - Zwei Gesänge, op.91
Beethoven - Elegischer Gesang
Richter - On the Nature of Daylight
Vasks - The Fruit of Silence
Whitacre - Five Hebrew Love Songs
Gjeilo - Luminous Night of the Soul

Booking closed

Ex Cathedra

Friday 13th December, 2019, 7.30pm

Ex Cathedra Consort

CHRISTMAS MUSIC
BY CANDLELIGHT

Ex Cathedra Consort conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore

In the deep, still darkness, only candles pierce the winter gloom. And then, upon the silence, comes the luminous sound of 10 voices in perfect harmony. With an atmospheric sequence of Christmas music old and new, and readings to make you smile and reflect.

We are delighted to welcome back the wonderful voices of Ex Cathedra for their now annual, popular Christmas concert. Don't miss this uniquely magical way to begin your festive season.

Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

This concert will end at approximately 10pm.

Booking closed

Leicestershire Chorale

Saturday 14th December, 2019, 7.30pm

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SHEPHERDS, KINGS AND THE CHRIST CHILD

Music for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany

It is always a great pleasure to return to sing in the church of St James the Greater, with its arresting architecture and stunning acoustic. Our programme is of a slightly more esoteric and serious musical nature than that which we enjoyed last December and will include some more contemporary compositions by Jonathan Dove, Judith Weir and Bob Chilcott, many written as commissions for the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College in Cambridge.

David Cowen will also get an opportunity to display his skill and experience, with organ music by Messiaen and other twentieth century French masters.

Tom Williams (Conductor), David Cowen (Organ)

Tickets: £15 / £1 U19 and NUS

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 19th December, 2019, 7.30pm

Mr Fezziwig's Christmas Party

Join the Phil as they start the Christmas festivities at Mr Fezziwig's Christmas party, there will be music, merriment and Mince Pies for all.

Stephen Bullamore (Conductor)
Chameleon Arts Orchestra

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 21st December, 2019, 7.00pm

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SING CHRISTMAS

In this year's Christmas concert we will be singing a range of Christmas music. There will be congregational carols for the audience to join in, old favourites and a few new carols including one by a local composer. We will be joined by the Leicester Recorder Players and will be supporting Vista, a Leicester charity supporting people with sight loss. Come and join us to Sing Christmas!

Accompanist John Pye. The concert will be conducted by Richard Archer.

Join us after the performance for a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.

Booking closed

Spirituals and Standards

Sunday 21st November, 2021, 3.45pm

SPIRITUALS AND STANDARDS WITH THE TITANIC JAZZ BAND

Come and enjoy, home-made cake, tea and a sing along.

Tickets £5 in aid of church funds

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 27th November, 2021, 7.30pm

AUTUMN CONCERT

Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem

Magnificat (Bach)J.S. Bach, O Jesu Christ meins Lebens Licht

Lieder by Richard Strauss and Brahms.

Conductor: Richard Laing
Soprano: April Fredrick
Baritone: Geoff Williams
Pianists: Jennifer Carter and Robert Challinor
Organist: Ivan Linford

Booking closed

The Ratby Co-operative Band

Saturday 11th December, 2021, 7.30pm

The Ratby Co-operative Band

The Ratby Co-operative Brass Band and
The Fosse Singers

Featuring some of Leicestershire's finest music ensembles the award winning Ratby Co-operative Championship Brass Band perform alongside county favourites The Fosse Singers to deliver a special evening of music in the glorious setting of St James the Greater in Leicester.

All seats (£10)

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 16th December, 2021, 7.30pm

Carols at St James 2021

Leicester Philharmonic Choir are back this Christmas to bring you their traditional Carols at St James

The choir really missed being able to perform for you last year and hope that you will be able to join them this year.

A glass of wine and mince pies are included.

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 18th December, 2021, 7.00pm

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HALLELUJAH

City of Leicester Singers return to present Carols at St James the Greater with Choruses from Handel's Messiah - Supporting Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People

A traditional Christmas Concert with a sprinkling of festive Handel choruses from Messiah and carols new and familiar: a chance for audience participation: the Earl Shilton Bell Ringers: mince pies and mulled wine: and a splendid opportunity to support the wonderful works of Rainbows Hospice.

This is our first post Covid Concert at St James the Greater so please join us and start a Great Christmas with us.

Booking closed

Knighton Chamber Orchestra

Saturday 22nd January, 2022, 4.00pm

KNIGHTON CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

MOZART

Clarinet concerto, arias from Figaro and piano Concerto No.23, Symphony No.29

Tickets £10 in aid of church funds

Booking closed

University of Leicester Chamber Ensemble

Sunday 27th February, 2022, 3.45pm

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

The Trout Quintet by Schubert

Come and enjoy Tea and Cakes and Schubert's sublime music.

Tickets £5 on the door with all proceeds to St. James the Greater Church funds.

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Saturday 2nd April, 2022, 7.30pm

Bach's St John Passion

Stephen Bullamore (Conductor)
Musica Donum Dei Orchestra

Tickets: £15, £10, Under 25s £5
Includes glass of wine

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 9th April, 2022, 7.30pm

MUSICA GALLICA

An Evening of Musique á la Française

Francis Poulenc - Gloria
Olivier Messiaen - O sacrum convivium
Cesar Franck - Psaume 150
Charles Gounod - Gallia
Maurice Duruflé - Quatre Motets

Conductor: Richard Laing
Soprano: April Fredrick
Organist: Simon Hogan

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 7th May, 2022, 7.30pm

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ST CECILIA MASS (Gounod)

MASS IN C (Beethoven)

This Programme consists of two settings of the Latin Mass, however the way in which they have been composed could not be more different.

Beethoven goes for an overall effect producing a Mass which is more symphonic than the earlier Sonata based Masses, indeed some reviewers have called it his 10th Symphony whereas Gounod treats the text more like an opera libretto and fills the score with large scale operatic tunes.

The Beethoven was not well received at its first performance and was positively disliked by its sponsor, Prince Esterhazy but it is now highly regarded by musical critics and has been described as "His neglected masterpiece".

The Gounod Mass was his first major work and was first performed on St Cecilia's Day, 22nd November 1855 It was well received from the start and Saint Saëns commented after hearing it that it was music of such grandeur that it at first dazzled, then charmed then conquered him.

Hopefully we can have a similar effect on you.

Booking closed

Rigoletto

Saturday 17th September, 2022, 7.00pm

KNIGHTON CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

RIGOLETTO

Knighton Opera and Knighton Chamber Orchestra will be performing a semi-staged version of Verdi's opera.

Conducted by Paul Jenkins

Saturday 17th and 24th September (tickets £15) and Thursday 22nd September (tickets £12)

Booking closed

Rigoletto

Thursday 22nd September, 2022, 7.00pm

KNIGHTON CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

RIGOLETTO

Knighton Opera and Knighton Chamber Orchestra will be performing a semi-staged version of Verdi's opera.

Conducted by Paul Jenkins

Saturday 17th and 24th September (tickets £15) and Thursday 22nd September (tickets £12)

Booking closed

Rigoletto

Saturday 24th September, 2022, 7.00pm

KNIGHTON CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

RIGOLETTO

Knighton Opera and Knighton Chamber Orchestra will be performing a semi-staged version of Verdi's opera.

Conducted by Paul Jenkins

Saturday 17th and 24th September (tickets £15) and Thursday 22nd September (tickets £12)

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 12th November, 2022, 7.30pm

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AN EVENING OF MOZART

For their Autumn 2022 concert, The City of Leicester Singers will present an evening of choral music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The first half comprises the Missa Brevis in G, K140, is also known as the Pastoral Mass and the Litaniae Lauretanae, K195, is also known as the Litany of Loreto or Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The second half begins with the well-known Ave Verum Corpus (Hail, true body), K618. This is followed by Exsultate, Jubilate, K165. The concert ends with Vespere solennes de confessore, K339, (solemn vespers for a confessor).

Soloists will be:
Soprano: Caroline Essex
Contralto: Annie George
Tenor: Richard Roddis
Bass: Andrew Ashwin

The concert will be accompanied on the organ by Tom Moore and conducted by Richard Archer.

Tickets £12, under 16s free, are available:
From choir members, www.cityofleicestersingers.co.uk or on the door on the day of the concert

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 26th November, 2022, 7.30pm

Dawn Choruses

A musical journey into daybreak

Ola Gjeilo - Sunrise Mass
The Lark Ascending - Vaughan Williams
Serenade to Music - Vaughan Williams
Five Mystical Songs - Vaughan Williams
Ave Maris Stella - Cecilia McDowall

Tickets: £18 | Accompanied under 16s: Free | Concessions*: £5
Tickets from leicesterbachchoir.org.uk, or at the door.
* Concessions: Students, wheelchair users and their carers

Booking closed

The Ratby Co-operative Band

Saturday 10th December, 2022, 7.30pm

The Ratby Co-operative Band

CHRISTMAS BRASS AND VOICES
The Fosse Singers

Featuring some of Leicestershire's finest music ensembles the award winning Ratby Co-operative Championship Brass Band perform alongside county favourites The Fosse Singers to deliver a special evening of music in the glorious setting of St James the Greater in Leicester.

Booking closed

Tears and Celebration

Sunday 11th December, 2022, 4.30pm

TEARS AND CELEBRATION

A carol service celebrating the message and meaning of Christmas, dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth II

The carol service will include a mix of traditional and popular Christmas music and readings read by some familiar faces. Curated by Dave Andrews & Emma Trounson, the service will feature congregational carols, The Choir of St James the Greater, Junior Choir, The Ratby Band, Barbershop group, Harpist, New Parks Handbell Ringers and solo singers, including Sarah Stephens, Jenny Saunders & Emma Trounson.

Tickets are free and there will be a retiring collection for Leicester Children's Hospital Appeal #DoThemProud & St James the Greater Church.

Available via Eventbrite or by calling the church office.

Booking closed

Vivaldi's Four Seasons at Christmas

Tuesday 13th December, 2022, 7.30pm

The Piccadilly Sinfonietta

Katie Stillman - Violin Soloist/Guest leader
Warren Mailley-Smith (Piano)

Enjoy a magical Christmas concert by candlelit in the beautiful setting of St James the Greater in Leicester. The exceptional musicians of the Piccadilly Sinfonietta will perform masterpieces by Chopin, Corelli and Vivaldi, including the epic Four Seasons. This spectacular concert will ensure you celebrate the festive season in style !

'Stunning' (Classic FM)

• Programme
• Pachelbel - Canon in D
• Corelli - Christmas Concerto
• Chopin - Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor
• INTERVAL
• Vivaldi - Four Seasons

Tickets: £19, £29, £38
Phone: 0333 6663366
Online: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cm/vivaldis-four-seasons-at-christmas/e-zdlxoj

Since its formation in 2017, the Piccadilly Sinfonietta have become a regular feature on the UK concert scene, giving up to 100 performances a year in some of the country's most beautiful and prestigious venues. The ensemble comprises some of the most prodigious musical talent and performs exclusively with leading virtuoso soloists. The group performs under the artistic direction of its founder, concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith and focuses on the virtuoso concerto repertoire of the baroque, classical and early romantic periods.

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 15th December, 2022, 7.30pm

Carols at St James 2022

Tickets are on sale now!!!

The Phil return again to St James the Greater to start their Christmas countdown - and yes, wine and mince pies are included.

Stephen Bullamore (Conductor)

Tickets: £15, £10, Under 25s £5
Includes glass of wine

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 17th December, 2022, 7.00pm

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COME EMMANUEL

For its Christmas Carol Concert, the City of Leicester Singers will present a programme of carols, some with audience participation and some for choir only, interspersed with topical readings and instrumental solos.

The programme loosely follows the Christmas story, from the yearning for the coming of Christ (O come, Emmanuel) to the journey of the magi (We three kings).

This year is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams, a pre-eminent composer and arranger of hymns and carols. Tribute is paid to him by the choir singing three of his carols, and by the popular audience carol "O little town of Bethlehem".

The concert will be accompanied by John Pye and conducted by Richard Archer. Refreshments will be available at the end of the concert.

Tickets £12, under 16s free, are available:
From choir members, www.cityofleicestersingers.co.uk or on the door on the day of the concert

Booking closed

BabyGigs Childrens' Concert

Sunday 18th December, 2022, 3.00pm

The Christmas Rescue

Join BabyGigs for their magical Christmas Concert! Full of Christmas classics and seasonal music, beautiful singing from Emma Trounson and the puppet wizardry of Ricardo Insua-Cao, this is a show for all the family. Follow Poncho the Bear as he battles the wrong weather, multiple toy strikes and mischievous elves in a race against the clock!

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Saturday 25th March, 2023, 7.30pm

THE MESSIAH

Stephen Bullamore (Conductor)

Musica Donum Dei (Orchestra)

Soloists:
Alison Rose
Matthew Farrell
William North
Julian Empett

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 1st April, 2023, 7.30pm

Spring Concert

Dove: Vast Ocean of Light
Lili Boulanger: Hymne au Soleil
Vierne: Hymne au Soleil
Holst: Choral Hymns selected from The Rig Veda
Ireland: The Hills
Stanford: The Blue Bird
Elgar, arr. Phelps: Sea Pictures

Experience a Saturday evening concert of luscious twentieth and twenty-first century music performed in the Italianate splendour of St James the Greater. Curated by Music Director and conductor Richard Laing ("Breathtakingly expert conductor", "faultless authority" and "dynamic direction", the Orchestra da Camera has never sounded better") and is performed by the Leicester Bach Choir ("The choir once again presented an evening of moving and inspiring music in the magical setting of St James the Greater!). Organist Ivan Linford (who has given recitals in all the major English cathedrals) performs Vierne's Hymn to the sun, a theme also addressed in the choral piece by contemporary French composer Lily Boulanger. The primary accompanist is pianist Anita D'Attellis ("I was immediately struck by a unique sensitivity in her playing - just sublime!" and "Mesmerising and always elegantly controlled. Perfect.").

Tickets: £18 | Accompanied under 16s: Free | Concessions*: £5
Tickets from leicesterbachchoir.org.uk, or at the door.
* Concessions: Students, wheelchair users and their carers

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 13th May, 2023, 7.00pm

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MUSIC FOR MONARCHY

A celebration of music for monarchy and the four nations

The City of Leicester Singers present a concert in May to celebrate music that has been sung in coronations over the last century and before.

The anthems and hymns include "If you love me" by Tallis, "Oh taste and see" by Vaughan Williams. Such a tribute to coronations would not be complete without "Zadok the Priest" by Handel and "I was glad" by Parry.

The programme then goes on to celebrate the four nations with songs from each of the four countries including "Danny Boy" from Northern Ireland, "All through the night" from Wales, "Ye banks and braes" from Scotland and "O Waly Waly" from England.

A programme which offers something for everyone.

The concert will be accompanied by John Pye and conducted by Richard Archer.

Tickets £12, under 16s free, are available:
From choir members, www.cityofleicestersingers.co.uk or on the door on the day of the concert

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Saturday 17th June, 2023, 6.00pm

TIME FOR SUMMER

A Summer evening feast of timely music....

Featuring the choristers of St James the Greater

Stephen Bullamore (Conductor)

Music includes:
Chilcott: Five days that changed the world
Baber: Sure on this shining night
Will Todd: Footprints
Gershwin: Summertime

Booking closed

Charnwood Orchestra

Saturday 24th June, 2023, 7.30pm

Charnwood Orchestra

SUMMER CONCERT

Conductor: Nic Fallowfield
Violin: Sebastian Wyss

Tchaikovsky Capriccio Italien
Glazunov Violin Concerto
Shostakovich Symphony No.6

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 1st July, 2023, 7.30pm

CHOIR AND CELLO MEDITATIONS

Featuring Cellist Matthew Sharp, Viola from Rose Redgrave and Organist Simon Hogan(Southwark Cathedral).

A trio of top soloists joins the Leicester Bach Choir. It is a textured concert that moves between accompanied choral works, and instrumental solos, duets and trios. Out of the Deep turns Psalm 130 into a spiritual. Svyati earths the choir's 3-note Russian Orthodox incantation on a deep bass drone, counterpointed by the cello. For In Paradisum, cello and viola fizz against the choir's beating of angels' wings.

Tickets: £18 | Accompanied under 16s: Free | Concessions*: £5

Booking closed

Fosse Singers and Semper Singers

Saturday 8th July, 2023, 7.30pm

SHOWSTOPPERS

A choral concert featuring songs from musical theatre, pop and even opera

Conductor: Emma Trounson
Accompanist: Josephine Markham

Tickets: £10 | Under 12s: Free

Booking closed

Cantus Juvenum Karlsruhe

Wednesday 23rd August, 2023, 6.00pm

Cantus Juvenum Karlsruhe

German Youth Choir

Directors: Jörg Wetzel, Tristan Meister, Peter Gortner. Accompanist: Leon Tscholl

Free of charge, donations for the organ

Booking closed

The Ratby Co-operative Band

Friday 10th November, 2023, 7.30pm

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE
Choirs of St James the Greater

Ratby Brass Band are joining forces with the Choirs of St James the Greater, and young singers from the choir of Hazel Primary School who are taking part through the 'St James Choral Project'. There will be a variety of music, from familiar wartime songs to more reflective classical pieces.

Tickets: £10 | Under 12s: Free

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 11th November, 2023, 7.00pm

Flyer

VIVALDI : GLORIA

Haydn : Te Deum in C Major
Puccini : Gloria from Messa di Gloria
Bach : Concerto No.3 in D Minor

This is a programme of joyful music in praise of God. It consists of a Te Deum, two Glorias and a Concerto.

Haydn : Te Deum in C Major

This was written for Empress Marie Therese the second wife of Emperor Franz 11 and was first performed in Eisenstadt, the home of the Esterhazy family, in the autumn of 1800 during a visit by Nelson. It is Choral throughout and opens with an allegro sung in unison, followed by a Te ergo section in C Minor before returning to the cheerful mood of the opening with a coda like section with syncopated rhythms which brings the piece to a glorious close.

Puccini : Gloria from Messa di Gloria

He composed this as his dissertation at the end of his time as a student at Istituto Musicale Pacini in Lucca. It marked the pinnacle of his ecclesiastical compositions. It also clearly shows that he was already looking forward to the next chapter of his life as a composer of Grand Opera.

Vivaldi : Gloria

He composed this Gloria in 1715 for the students of the Ospedale della Pieta, an orphanage for the education and care of girls which specialised in music. He worked there initially as a violin teacher but then became musical director and composed many sacred works and hundreds of instrumental pieces to showcase his pupils. After his death the piece remained lost in a pile of manuscripts until it was discovered in 1920 since when it has been regularly performed. It is a jubilant piece consisting of twelve varied movements each stylistically and rhythmically different, giving the work a real sense of drama.

Johann Sebastian Bach : Concerto No.3 in D Minor for two violins and strings

This was composed about 1730 when Bach was Director of Collegium Music at the University of Leipzig where, despite his prolific output, his music was not popular and it wasn't until 1829 when Mendelssohn performed his St Matthew Passion that his reputation was rebuilt. The Concerto is in three movements and demonstrates his great mastery of his art. The first and third movements are full of vigour and energy and the second is sublime.

The 4tissimo String Quratet and John Pye. Conducted by Richard Archer.

Tickets £12, under 16s free, are available:
From choir members, www.cityofleicestersingers.co.uk or on the door on the day of the concert

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 9th December, 2023, 7.30pm

The Messiah

Katie Trethewey - Soprano
Cathy Bell - Mezzo-soprano
Nathan Vale - Tenor
Stephen Gadd - Baritone

Orchestra: Bach Camerata, Leader: Shulah Oliver
Conductor: Richard Laing

Advance tickets from Eventbrite, Choir members or on the door: card & cash accepted

Tickets:
Centre nave: £25 in advance | £28 on the door Side aisle: £18 in advance | £20 on the door Concessions: Registered disabled & companion, students, 6th formers: £5 | Accompanied U16s free

Booking closed

Caring at Christmas

Sunday 10th December, 2023, 7.30pm

CARING AT CHRISTMAS

A community carol service in collaboration with Dave Andrews and in the presence of the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, the Lord Mayor of Leicester and the High Sheriff of Leicestershire.

With choirs, brass band, handbell ringers, soloists and celebrity readers, we will hear the Christmas story through the theme of Caring in the Community. There's something for everyone with a variety of styles of music and well-known carols to sing along with, so invite your family, friends and neighbours!

This year, our chosen charity is LOROS and there will be festive refreshments after the service, supported by the Co-op.

Tickets are free - available from trybooking.co.uk/CUSY

Booking closed

The Ratby Co-operative Band

Wednesday 13th December, 2023, 7.30pm

The Ratby Co-operative Band

CHRISTMAS BRASS AND VOICES
The Fosse Singers

Featuring some of Leicestershire's finest music ensembles the award winning Ratby Co-operative Championship Brass Band perform alongside county favourites The Fosse Singers to deliver a special evening of music in the glorious setting of St James the Greater in Leicester.

Booking closed

Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 14th December, 2023, 7.30pm

CAROLS AT ST JAMES

Join the Phil for their annual christmas celebration at St James.

The concert includes a selection some of the choirs favourite christmas pieces as well the customary mince pie....

Booking closed

City of Leicester Singers

Saturday 16th December, 2023, 7.00pm

Flyer

JOY TO THE WORLD

Join us to celebrate together the Joy of Christmas.

This year we have chosen favourite carols of the past as well as a couple of new lively ones. The programme is both joyful and full of variety which we hope you will enjoy as much as we do. There are plenty of carols for you to join in with as well.

Happy Christmas !

Accompanist John Pye. Conducted by Richard Archer.

Tickets £12, under 16s free, are available:
From choir members, COLS website or on the door on the day of the concert.

Booking closed

BabyGigs Childrens' Concert

Sunday 17th December, 2023, 3.00pm

THE THREE AND A HALF KINGS

The Three and Half Kings are going shopping for the Big Day but they keep getting lost and can't find any transport. Can you help them on their way? The gorgeous voice of Emma Trounson, the puppet wizardry of Ricardo Insua-Cao and the musical talents of Eleanor Hodgkinson bring this original story to life, combining well-loved Christmas music with traditional carols.

Suitable for 0 to 7's and their grown-ups. Babies under 1 go free.

Booking closed

Leicester Bach Choir

Saturday 16th March, 2024, 7.30pm

EXSULTATE JUBILATE

This concert is gorgeously varied. Local star, now international soprano Joanne Lunn, opens with Mozart's fizzing Exsultate Jubilate. The choir perform Scarlatti's plangently beautiful Stabat Mater in 10 parts, each singing the tune at a different time in marvellous polyphony. Choir and soloist perform Patrick Hawes' Song of Songs, exploring connections between romantic and erotic love and spirituality. These express emotions felt by lovers - desire, hope, confusion & joy. Hawes is a composer in residence with Classic FM.

Mozart - Exsultate Jubilate

Scarlatti - Stabat Mater

Patrick Hawes - Song of Songs

Mozart - Laudate Dominum

Mendelssohn - Wer nur den lieben Gott

Gounod - Jerusalem

Orchestra: Bach Camerata
Conductor: Richard Laing

Advance tickets from Eventbrite, Choir members or on the door: card & cash accepted

Tickets:
£20 in advance | £23 on the door
Concessions: Registered disabled & companion, students, 6th formers: £5 | Accompanied U16s free

Booking closed

Luminatus

Saturday 23rd March, 2024, 7.30pm

ST JOHN PASSION

J S BACH

Luminatus professional vocal ensemble and the 18th century Sinfonia will be performing Bach's St john Passion with period instruments.

This version will feature the small scale forces available to Bach in Leipzig, with solos taken by members of the ensemble.

Luminatus draws together singers from the local area, aiming to perform a wide range of early and contemporary repertoire. It has been described as 'a choir of exceptional ability with a refreshing collegiality and flexibility'. Our new recording of previously unrecorded music by Tiburtio Massaino, Franceso Guerrero. Melissa Dunphy and Cecilia McDowall is available in early spring.

Leader: David Lewis
Evangelist: Sam Madden
Director: David Bray

Tickets: £15, £12