National Youth Choirs of Great Britain
Encyclopedia
The National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (NYCGB) is the name given to a family of choir
s for young singers in the United Kingdom
. It comprises a total of eight choirs and in the 2009/2010 season almost 800 young people between the ages of 8 and 23 participated in the choirs.
and Carl Browning, and in the same year gave its inaugural concert at the Royal Albert Hall
. Originally set up as a single choir made up of 100 of the best young singers in the UK, NYCGB now comprises an educational structure which includes three Junior Choirs (NYJC), a choir for boys with changing voices (Cambiata), two Training Choirs (NYTC), the National Youth Choir (NYC) itself and the graduate chamber choir, Laudibus.
Entry to the junior choirs, training choirs and main choir is by direct audition, with most successful applicants (depending on age and ability) being invited to join the either the Junior or Training Choirs before advancing, again by audition, into the training or main choirs. Membership of Laudibus is exclusively by audition from the main choir.
NYCGB have collaborated with a wide range of musicians, been involved in various recordings and performed on tours as well as at many venues within the UK. NYCGB performed with George Shearing
and the King's Singers at the Barbican Centre
, and again with the King's Singers for their 25th anniversary and the NYC's 21st anniversary. They have also worked with the National Youth Orchestra
and other national youth music organisations. The National Youth Choir performed on the recording of Karl Jenkins
's The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
and will perform a concert at the Royal Festival Hall
in October 2010 to celebrate 10 years since the recording of the CD. Future collaborations include working with the National Youth Jazz Collective and with drum and bass star, Goldie
. NYCGB also performed at Twickenham Stadium
for the Rugby Football Union
England internationals and Cardiff's Millennium Stadium
for the 2006 FA Cup
Final.
NYCGB have also toured internationally and have visited New Zealand, Australia, USA, Singapore, Samoa, Rarotonga
and South Africa. In summer 2006 NYCGB visited Eastern Europe
Scotland at Night: Choral settings of Choral Poetry (2009) Delphian Records
Sactum est verum lumen: Multi-Part Music for Choir (2008) Delphian Records
Vaughan Williams: A Cappella Choral Works (2008) Delphian Records
Heinrich Schütz - Die vögel unter dem Himmel (2008) Delphian Records
Song of Songs (2007) Delphian Records
Giles Swayne - Convocation (2006) Delphian Records
Various - All in the April Evening (2006) Hyperion Records
Richard Allain - When I'm Gone (2004) Delphian Records
Karl Jenkins
- The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
(2001) Virgin Records
Wood/Pearsall - Madrigals and Partsongs (1999) Priory Records
Humphrey Clucas - Crucifixus: The Choral Music of Humphrey Clucas (1998) Upbeat Recordings
Rainier/Routh/Rawsthorn - British Choral Music (1996) Redcliffe Recordings
Various - Twentieth Century British Choral Classics (1994) IMP Classics
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
s for young singers in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It comprises a total of eight choirs and in the 2009/2010 season almost 800 young people between the ages of 8 and 23 participated in the choirs.
About the choirs
The organisation was founded in 1983 by Michael Brewer OBEMichael C. Brewer
Michael C. Brewer is musical director of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. He also conducts Laudibus, a chamber choir. Brewer has a master of music degree and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1995....
and Carl Browning, and in the same year gave its inaugural concert 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....
. Originally set up as a single choir made up of 100 of the best young singers in the UK, NYCGB now comprises an educational structure which includes three Junior Choirs (NYJC), a choir for boys with changing voices (Cambiata), two Training Choirs (NYTC), the National Youth Choir (NYC) itself and the graduate chamber choir, Laudibus.
Entry to the junior choirs, training choirs and main choir is by direct audition, with most successful applicants (depending on age and ability) being invited to join the either the Junior or Training Choirs before advancing, again by audition, into the training or main choirs. Membership of Laudibus is exclusively by audition from the main choir.
NYCGB have collaborated with a wide range of musicians, been involved in various recordings and performed on tours as well as at many venues within the UK. NYCGB performed with George Shearing
George Shearing
Sir George Shearing, OBE was an Anglo-American jazz pianist who for many years led a popular jazz group that recorded for MGM Records and Capitol Records. The composer of over 300 titles, he had multiple albums on the Billboard charts during the 1950s, 1960s, 1980s and 1990s...
and the King's Singers at the Barbican Centre
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the City of London, England, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory...
, and again with the King's Singers for their 25th anniversary and the NYC's 21st anniversary. They have also worked with the National Youth Orchestra
National Youth Orchestra
The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain is an orchestra of 163 young musicians from the United Kingdom. The members of the orchestra are all aged between 13 and 19 years. The players are selected by auditions which take place in the autumn each year at various locations in the country...
and other national youth music organisations. The National Youth Choir performed on the recording of Karl Jenkins
Karl Jenkins
-Other works:*Adiemus: Live — live versions of Adiemus music*Palladio *Eloise *Imagined Oceans *The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace...
's The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
The Armed Man
The Armed Man is a Mass by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins, subtitled "A Mass for Peace". The piece was commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum for the Millennium celebrations, and to mark the museum's move from London to Leeds, and it was dedicated to victims of the Kosovo crisis...
and will perform a concert at the Royal Festival Hall
Royal Festival Hall
The Royal Festival Hall is a 2,900-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre in London. It is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, not far from Hungerford Bridge. It is a Grade I listed building - the first post-war building to become so protected...
in October 2010 to celebrate 10 years since the recording of the CD. Future collaborations include working with the National Youth Jazz Collective and with drum and bass star, Goldie
Goldie
Clifford Joseph Price, better known as Goldie is an English electronic music artist, disc jockey, visual artist and actor. He is well known for his innovations in the jungle and drum and bass music genres, having previously gained exposure for his work as a graffiti artist...
. NYCGB also performed at Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
for the Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
England internationals and Cardiff's Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
for the 2006 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
Final.
NYCGB have also toured internationally and have visited New Zealand, Australia, USA, Singapore, Samoa, Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
and South Africa. In summer 2006 NYCGB visited Eastern Europe
Recordings
Mike Brewer's World Tour (2009) Delphian RecordsDelphian Records
Delphian Records is a small Edinburgh-based independent classical record label founded in 2000 by two students of the University of Edinburgh, Paul Baxter and Kevin Findlan with start-up funding from two private individuals and support from the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust.The label has...
Scotland at Night: Choral settings of Choral Poetry (2009) Delphian Records
Delphian Records
Delphian Records is a small Edinburgh-based independent classical record label founded in 2000 by two students of the University of Edinburgh, Paul Baxter and Kevin Findlan with start-up funding from two private individuals and support from the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust.The label has...
Sactum est verum lumen: Multi-Part Music for Choir (2008) Delphian Records
Delphian Records
Delphian Records is a small Edinburgh-based independent classical record label founded in 2000 by two students of the University of Edinburgh, Paul Baxter and Kevin Findlan with start-up funding from two private individuals and support from the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust.The label has...
Vaughan Williams: A Cappella Choral Works (2008) Delphian Records
Delphian Records
Delphian Records is a small Edinburgh-based independent classical record label founded in 2000 by two students of the University of Edinburgh, Paul Baxter and Kevin Findlan with start-up funding from two private individuals and support from the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust.The label has...
Heinrich Schütz - Die vögel unter dem Himmel (2008) Delphian Records
Delphian Records
Delphian Records is a small Edinburgh-based independent classical record label founded in 2000 by two students of the University of Edinburgh, Paul Baxter and Kevin Findlan with start-up funding from two private individuals and support from the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust.The label has...
Song of Songs (2007) Delphian Records
Delphian Records
Delphian Records is a small Edinburgh-based independent classical record label founded in 2000 by two students of the University of Edinburgh, Paul Baxter and Kevin Findlan with start-up funding from two private individuals and support from the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust.The label has...
Giles Swayne - Convocation (2006) Delphian Records
Delphian Records
Delphian Records is a small Edinburgh-based independent classical record label founded in 2000 by two students of the University of Edinburgh, Paul Baxter and Kevin Findlan with start-up funding from two private individuals and support from the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust.The label has...
Various - All in the April Evening (2006) Hyperion Records
Hyperion Records
Hyperion Records is an independent British classical record label.-History:The company was named after Hyperion, one of the Titans of Greek mythology. It was founded by George Edward Perry, widely known as "Ted", in 1980. Early LP releases included rarely recorded 20th century British music by...
Richard Allain - When I'm Gone (2004) Delphian Records
Delphian Records
Delphian Records is a small Edinburgh-based independent classical record label founded in 2000 by two students of the University of Edinburgh, Paul Baxter and Kevin Findlan with start-up funding from two private individuals and support from the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust.The label has...
Karl Jenkins
Karl Jenkins
-Other works:*Adiemus: Live — live versions of Adiemus music*Palladio *Eloise *Imagined Oceans *The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace...
- The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
The Armed Man
The Armed Man is a Mass by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins, subtitled "A Mass for Peace". The piece was commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum for the Millennium celebrations, and to mark the museum's move from London to Leeds, and it was dedicated to victims of the Kosovo crisis...
(2001) Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
Wood/Pearsall - Madrigals and Partsongs (1999) Priory Records
Priory Records
Priory Records is a record company in the UK founded in 1980 and devoted mostly to church music and organ music. Important projects have included the complete psalms sung by cathedral choirs to Anglican chant, all of the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis settings by Herbert Howells and, more recently,...
Humphrey Clucas - Crucifixus: The Choral Music of Humphrey Clucas (1998) Upbeat Recordings
Rainier/Routh/Rawsthorn - British Choral Music (1996) Redcliffe Recordings
Various - Twentieth Century British Choral Classics (1994) IMP Classics
Notable former members
- Rich BatsfordRich BatsfordRichard William Batsford is an English pianist, composer and singer-songwriter. He is a recording artist and a frequent performer in and around his home in Birmingham UK, presenting shows featuring a mix of meditative solo piano instrumentals and reflective songs.Batsford is also a co-creator of...
- Stephen Connolly of the King's SingersKing's SingersThe King's Singers is a British a cappella vocal ensemble who celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2008. Their name recalls King's College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed by six choral scholars in 1968. In the United Kingdom, their popularity peaked in the 1970s and early 1980s...
- Joanna Goldsmith of the Swingle Singers
- Chris Neale of the Swingle Singers
- Lucy Bailey of the Swingle Singers
- Ben ThapaBen ThapaBen Vishala Thapa is a tenor, formerly in the group G4.Ben started singing lessons at 14 and sang in his local church choir. He played the clarinet in an orchestra while at Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge...
of G4 (band)G4 (band)G4 were a four-piece British vocal troupe who first came to prominence when they finished second in ITV's talent show The X Factor in 2004. The members met at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, from which the name G4, standing for "Guildhall 4", derives.-The X Factor:G4 auditioned for the... - Henrik Wager of the Flying Pickets
- Karen England of Opera BabesOpera BabesThe Opera Babes are a crossover classical music duo, consisting of Karen England , mezzo soprano, and Rebecca Knight , soprano....
- Laura Wright of All AngelsAll AngelsAll Angels are a British classical crossover group formed in 2006, consisting of Daisy Chute, Rachel Fabri, Melanie Nakhla andCharlotte Ritchie....
- John Daszak - Opera Singer
- Jon RobynsJon RobynsJon Robyns is a British stage actor, who is perhaps best known for playing the roles of Princeton and Rod in Avenue Q the musical in London's West End. He left the show in December 2007, and appeared as Marius in the London production of Les Misérables.-Early life:Robyns grew up in Liverpool,...
- West End star of Les MisérablesLes Misérables (musical)Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
and Avenue QAvenue QAvenue Q is a musical in two acts, conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics. The book was written by Jeff Whitty and the show was directed by Jason Moore and produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, and Jeffrey Seller...