Blackbird Leys Choir
Encyclopedia
The Blackbird Leys Choir formed in January 2006 as 'Ivor's Choir' for a constructed documentary series, The Singing Estate
under Ivor Setterfield
. Original members all live or work on or around the Blackbird Leys
estate in Oxford
, England, and the series focused on their quest to become a classical choir in just three months.
After performances in Oxford, Italy, and at the Royal Albert Hall
in London, the choir's future was uncertain for a while, but core members remained keen after filming ended, and in summer 2006 it was confirmed that there was funding for performances in February 2007. Choir master Andrew Stewart took over, and rehearsals began in September 2006.
On 19 December 2006 twenty members of the choir performed Handel
's Hallelujah chorus in private performance at Buckingham Palace
for HM Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh
, and others; they also sang carols for guests at the 'Achievers of the Year' reception.
On 14 January 2007 the choir reunited with Ivor Setterfield for Oxford Sings, with other singers from around the city and county, to sing the Hallelujah chorus in a one-day workshop. This performance was recorded for broadcast on BBC
local radio, and filmed for inclusion in a 'one year on' documentary by the makers of The Singing Estate
.
On 14 February 2007 the choir performed with Oxford Philomusica
at 'A Night at the Movies' at the local BMW
factory, and on 24 February 2007 at Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre
with the Philomusica and two guest solo singers. In 2008 they performed again at the Sheldonian Theatre, with Julian Lloyd Webber
and the Oxford Philomusica.
In 2009 the choir performed a number of public concerts, and in August visited Oxford's twin town, Leiden, for a series of small concerts as part of the Rapenburg music festival.
The Singing Estate
The Singing Estate was a four-part constructed documentary series made by North One Television for Five and FiveArts Cities in the UK, shot from January 2006 to April 2006 and transmitted from 11 June to 2 July 2006...
under Ivor Setterfield
Ivor Setterfield
Ivor Setterfield is a British conductor and countertenor, and Musical Director of London’s largest choir, Barts Choir.- Education :After beginning his musical studies with the violin, then as a boy treble at St Alban’s Cathedral, Setterfield studied at the University of York graduating with a BA ...
. Original members all live or work on or around the Blackbird Leys
Blackbird Leys
Blackbird Leys is a civil parish and ward in Oxford, England, and is one of the largest council estates in Europe. According to the 2001 census, the ward had a population of 5,803. Unlike most parts of the City of Oxford, the area has a civil parish. The parish was created in 1990. Its 2001 parish...
estate in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, England, and the series focused on their quest to become a classical choir in just three months.
After performances in Oxford, Italy, and at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in London, the choir's future was uncertain for a while, but core members remained keen after filming ended, and in summer 2006 it was confirmed that there was funding for performances in February 2007. Choir master Andrew Stewart took over, and rehearsals began in September 2006.
On 19 December 2006 twenty members of the choir performed Handel
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
's Hallelujah chorus in private performance at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
for HM Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh is a British royal title, named after the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726...
, and others; they also sang carols for guests at the 'Achievers of the Year' reception.
On 14 January 2007 the choir reunited with Ivor Setterfield for Oxford Sings, with other singers from around the city and county, to sing the Hallelujah chorus in a one-day workshop. This performance was recorded for broadcast on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
local radio, and filmed for inclusion in a 'one year on' documentary by the makers of The Singing Estate
The Singing Estate
The Singing Estate was a four-part constructed documentary series made by North One Television for Five and FiveArts Cities in the UK, shot from January 2006 to April 2006 and transmitted from 11 June to 2 July 2006...
.
On 14 February 2007 the choir performed with Oxford Philomusica
Oxford Philomusica
The Oxford Philomusica, based in Oxford, England, is an orchestra. It was launched with a concert at London's Barbican Centre in November 1998 and made its Oxford debut the following February at the Sheldonian Theatre...
at 'A Night at the Movies' at the local BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
factory, and on 24 February 2007 at Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre
Sheldonian Theatre
The Sheldonian Theatre, located in Oxford, England, was built from 1664 to 1668 after a design by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford. The building is named after Gilbert Sheldon, chancellor of the university at the time and the project's main financial backer...
with the Philomusica and two guest solo singers. In 2008 they performed again at the Sheldonian Theatre, with Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Lloyd Webber is a British solo cellist who has been described as the "doyen of British cellists".-Early life:Julian Lloyd Webber is the second son of the composer William Lloyd Webber and his wife Jean Johnstone . He is the younger brother of the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber...
and the Oxford Philomusica.
In 2009 the choir performed a number of public concerts, and in August visited Oxford's twin town, Leiden, for a series of small concerts as part of the Rapenburg music festival.
External links
- Oxford Mail 20 February 2006
- Oxford Mail 10 April 2006
- Five TV — The Singing Estate
- FiveArts Cities
- IMDB — The Singing Estate
- Daily Telegraph, 10 June 2006
- Oxford Mail 16 December 2006
- Buckingham Palace December 2006
- Oxford Times 22 December 2006
- Oxford Mail 12 January 2007
- Oxford Mail 15 January 2007
- February 2007 concert