Sheffield Bach Choir
Encyclopedia
The Sheffield Bach Choir was founded in 1950 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of J S Bach
in Leipzig
.
Rehearsals are held at Cemetery Road Baptist Church, in Sheffield
’s City Centre, on Monday evenings between 7.30 and 9.30pm. New members, who must be good sight-readers, are welcomed after passing a short audition.
’s Department of Music. Those staff members included Professor Stewart Deas, Emeritus Professor F H Shera and a lecturer, Roger F T Bullivant, together with invited speakers of note from outside the University.
season from November to June 2010-2011 got off to an excellent start with critically acclaimed performances of Mendelssohn
's St Paul and Messiah
in November and December respectively in Sheffield Cathedral
. Returning to the Society's roots in February 2010, Bach cantatas 30 (Freue dich) and 147 (Herz und Mund - with the famous Jesu joy of man's desiring) - together with the composer's concerto
for oboe
and violin
were presented at St Mark's Church Broomhill and a special Diamond Jubilee event took place, also at St Mark's, on Saturday 26 June at 7.30 when Christopher Steel's Sinfonia Sacra was given alongside two works of Mozart the Solemn Vespers and Exultate jubilate - with the famous Alleluia
. A Bach
Cantata
Festival evening at Sheffield Cathedral
on Saturday 16 October at 7.30 featured some of Bach's finest essays in the Cantata style including Nos 9 (Es ist das Heil), 70 (Wachet, Betet), 78 (Jesu, der du meine Seele) and 118 (Herr Jesu Christ, mein Lebens licht) along with the brilliant cantata for solo soprano and trumpet obbligato - Jauchzet Gott (No 51). Bach's Christmas Oratorio
was given, again at the Cathedral
, on Saturday 27 November. The performance of Handel
's Messiah
scheduled for Monday 6 December had to be postponed owing to the appalling weather conditions then prevailing and has been re-scheduled for Monday 7 March 2011 at 7.00 pm in Sheffield Cathedral
. The Choir's final Bach
commitment until next season will be a complete performance of the St Matthew Passion at Sheffield Cathedral
on Saturday 16 April 2011 at 6.30 pm and the last concert of the current season is on Saturday 2 July at 7.30 in St Mark's Church Broomhill
, an evening comprising English sacred choral music by Sir George Dyson
, Herbert Howells
, Ralph Vaughan Williams
with organist David Houlder, soprano
Jenny Leadbeater and baritone
Quentin Brown.
Bach
Society was subsequently founded at a meeting called on 1 May 1950 by Professor Deas. The founding officers were the Bishop of Sheffield – Chairman, Professor Deas - Hon. Director and Mrs Eileen M Denman (a member of the University
Registrar’s staff) - Hon Secretary and Treasurer. Mr Norman Barnes, music master at King Edward VII School in Sheffield was tasked with forming and conducting a choir. Roger Bullivant was appointed as the Choir’s first rehearsal accompanist until becoming Conductor
of the Choir
in 1962, a post which he held until 2000. Mrs Denman acted as Chairman from 1979 until 1988, then as Choir Secretary and finally Archivist until retiring in 1999.
The Sheffield Bach Society organised their first public programme in the Victoria Hall, Sheffield on 28 November, 1950, with a concert by the Stuttgart
Chamber Orchestra. The choir has performed a great number of works through the years, and their first programme was in February 1951. In 1964 Dr Bullivant formed the Society's own orchestra of professional musicians, the Sheffield
Bach Players.
The Sheffield Bach Society is an independent Registered Charity
(No 511146), while retaining strong links to the University of Sheffield. For instance, the present Chairman, Dr Anthony Cowling, is a senior lecturer in the University’s Department of Computer Science. The choir continues to make a significant contribution to the musical life of Sheffield and typically performs at venues such as Sheffield Cathedral
, Sheffield City Hall
, the Victoria Hall, the University’s Mappin Hall and Firth Hall, St John’s Church, Ranmoor, Ecclesall Parish Church and St Mark’s Church, Broomhill. However, the choir also performs farther afield, participating in the Sixth Churchill
Memorial Concert at Blenheim Palace
in May 1971, performing in York Minster
in June 1972 and at the Leeds Music Festival in 1981. In 1985 the Society organised a six-week Bach
Festival in Sheffield to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the births of both J S Bach
and Handel
, during which event the Stadtkantorei from Sheffield's twin city of Bochum
in Germany, performed Bach
's Mass in B minor. In May 1987 the visit was reciprocated when the Sheffield Bach Choir and Players performed in Bochum
.
In 1991, the Choir visited Leeds
again for a special performance of Bach
’s Mass in B minor at Leeds Town Hall
in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the consecration of Leeds Parish Church
on 2 September 1841. The conductor at that occasion, Dr Simon Lindley
, was appointed Conductor of Sheffield Bach Choir towards the end of 2008, and took up duties at the outset of the 2009 season. Dr Lindley is Music Director of Saint Peter's Singers of Leeds
and currently also Chief Guest Conductor of Doncaster
Choral Society.
In addition to the concert programme there have been private events such as members´ meetings, receptions, talks, visits to musical events elsewhere and Society dinners. Concerts by invited orchestras have also taken place, such as the performance by the London Harpsichord Ensemble in October 1954.
Despite the “Bach” of the choir’s title, their repertoire has never been restricted, and through the years a wide variety of works has been undertaken. For example:
Works by a large number of other composers have also been performed, composers such as Brahms, Mozart, Dvorak
, Schubert, Monteverdi, Stravinsky, Bruckner, Vivaldi, Elgar, Britten, Vaughan Williams and Tippett
. A particular feature of the Society's work has been the performance of less familiar contemporary works, early examples being John Joubert
’s The Martyrdom of St Alban and Anthony Hedges’ Epithalamion.
Both Roger Bullivant and Eileen Denman were awarded MBEs in recognition of their services to music, the former in 1984 and the latter in 1999. Following the death of Eileen Denman in December 2001 a Service of Thanksgiving for her life was held in February of the following year at Sheffield Cathedral
. A similar service was held in February 2005 for Dr Bullivant, who had died in November 2004; addresses at this service were given by the University of Sheffield
's Peter Hill and by Dr Simon Lindley
who became the Choir's conductor in 2009. Peter Collis had been appointed conductor on Dr Bullivant’s retirement in 2000 and served for almost a decade in that capacity.
County Council recognised the contribution being made by the Society to the cultural life of South Yorkshire
, and provided funding for performances in numerous venues throughout the county. Arts Council Revenue funding was received through Yorkshire Arts Association, via the National Federation of Music Societies (Making Music), Sheffield City Council
, and more recently, Arts Council England (although sadly, this has now ceased except for very special projects). Other income has been provided both by individual sponsors and by the Friends and Patrons of the Society, in addition, of course, to the subscription by all choir members and constant fund-raising efforts.
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
.
Rehearsals are held at Cemetery Road Baptist Church, in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
’s City Centre, on Monday evenings between 7.30 and 9.30pm. New members, who must be good sight-readers, are welcomed after passing a short audition.
Origins
The choir’s origins date back to the time in early 1950 when a series of lectures was given by members of staff of the University of SheffieldUniversity of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
’s Department of Music. Those staff members included Professor Stewart Deas, Emeritus Professor F H Shera and a lecturer, Roger F T Bullivant, together with invited speakers of note from outside the University.
Diamond Jubilee year 2010
The JubileeDiamond Jubilee
A Diamond Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 60th anniversary in the case of a person or a 75th anniversary in the case of an event.- Thailand :...
season from November to June 2010-2011 got off to an excellent start with critically acclaimed performances of Mendelssohn
Mendelssohn
Mendelson is a Polish/German Jewish family name, meaning "son of Mendel", Mendel being a Yiddish diminutive of the Hebrew given name Menahem, meaning "consoling" or "one who consoles".Mendelssohn is the surname of a number of people:...
's St Paul and Messiah
Messiah
A messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
in November and December respectively in Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral is the cathedral church for the Church of England diocese of Sheffield, England. Originally a parish church, it was elevated to cathedral status when the diocese was created in 1914...
. Returning to the Society's roots in February 2010, Bach cantatas 30 (Freue dich) and 147 (Herz und Mund - with the famous Jesu joy of man's desiring) - together with the composer's concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
for oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
were presented at St Mark's Church Broomhill and a special Diamond Jubilee event took place, also at St Mark's, on Saturday 26 June at 7.30 when Christopher Steel's Sinfonia Sacra was given alongside two works of Mozart the Solemn Vespers and Exultate jubilate - with the famous Alleluia
Alleluia
The word "Alleluia" or "Hallelujah" , which at its most literal means "Praise Yah", is used in different ways in Christian liturgies....
. A Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
Cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
Festival evening at Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral is the cathedral church for the Church of England diocese of Sheffield, England. Originally a parish church, it was elevated to cathedral status when the diocese was created in 1914...
on Saturday 16 October at 7.30 featured some of Bach's finest essays in the Cantata style including Nos 9 (Es ist das Heil), 70 (Wachet, Betet), 78 (Jesu, der du meine Seele) and 118 (Herr Jesu Christ, mein Lebens licht) along with the brilliant cantata for solo soprano and trumpet obbligato - Jauchzet Gott (No 51). Bach's Christmas Oratorio
Christmas Oratorio
The Christmas Oratorio BWV 248, is an oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach intended for performance in church during the Christmas season. It was written for the Christmas season of 1734 incorporating music from earlier compositions, including three secular cantatas written during 1733 and 1734 and a...
was given, again at the Cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
, on Saturday 27 November. The performance of 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 Messiah
Messiah
A messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
scheduled for Monday 6 December had to be postponed owing to the appalling weather conditions then prevailing and has been re-scheduled for Monday 7 March 2011 at 7.00 pm in Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral is the cathedral church for the Church of England diocese of Sheffield, England. Originally a parish church, it was elevated to cathedral status when the diocese was created in 1914...
. The Choir's final Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
commitment until next season will be a complete performance of the St Matthew Passion at Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral is the cathedral church for the Church of England diocese of Sheffield, England. Originally a parish church, it was elevated to cathedral status when the diocese was created in 1914...
on Saturday 16 April 2011 at 6.30 pm and the last concert of the current season is on Saturday 2 July at 7.30 in St Mark's Church Broomhill
Broomhill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Broomhill ward—which includes the districts of Broomhill, Crookesmoor, Endcliffe, and Tapton—is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the western part of the city and covers an area of 2.7 km2. The population of this ward in 2001 was 16,800...
, an evening comprising English sacred choral music by Sir George Dyson
George Dyson (composer)
Sir George Dyson KCVO was a well-known English musician and composer. His son is the physicist and mathematician Freeman Dyson and among his grandchildren are the science historian George Dyson and Esther Dyson...
, Herbert Howells
Herbert Howells
Herbert Norman Howells CH was an English composer, organist, and teacher, most famous for his large output of Anglican church music.-Life:...
, Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams OM was an English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music and song: this activity both influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnal, beginning in 1904, in which he included many...
with organist David Houlder, soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
Jenny Leadbeater and baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
Quentin Brown.
Sheffield Bach Society
The lectures were a great success and the SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
Society was subsequently founded at a meeting called on 1 May 1950 by Professor Deas. The founding officers were the Bishop of Sheffield – Chairman, Professor Deas - Hon. Director and Mrs Eileen M Denman (a member of the University
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
Registrar’s staff) - Hon Secretary and Treasurer. Mr Norman Barnes, music master at King Edward VII School in Sheffield was tasked with forming and conducting a choir. Roger Bullivant was appointed as the Choir’s first rehearsal accompanist until becoming Conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
of the Choir
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...
in 1962, a post which he held until 2000. Mrs Denman acted as Chairman from 1979 until 1988, then as Choir Secretary and finally Archivist until retiring in 1999.
The Sheffield Bach Society organised their first public programme in the Victoria Hall, Sheffield on 28 November, 1950, with a concert by the Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
Chamber Orchestra. The choir has performed a great number of works through the years, and their first programme was in February 1951. In 1964 Dr Bullivant formed the Society's own orchestra of professional musicians, the Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
Bach Players.
The Sheffield Bach Society is an independent Registered Charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
(No 511146), while retaining strong links to the University of Sheffield. For instance, the present Chairman, Dr Anthony Cowling, is a senior lecturer in the University’s Department of Computer Science. The choir continues to make a significant contribution to the musical life of Sheffield and typically performs at venues such as Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral is the cathedral church for the Church of England diocese of Sheffield, England. Originally a parish church, it was elevated to cathedral status when the diocese was created in 1914...
, Sheffield City Hall
Sheffield City Hall
Sheffield City Hall is a Grade II* listed building in Sheffield, England, containing several venues, ranging from the Oval Concert Hall which seats over 2,000 people to a ballroom featuring a sprung dance floor...
, the Victoria Hall, the University’s Mappin Hall and Firth Hall, St John’s Church, Ranmoor, Ecclesall Parish Church and St Mark’s Church, Broomhill. However, the choir also performs farther afield, participating in the Sixth Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
Memorial Concert at Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is a monumental country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, residence of the dukes of Marlborough. It is the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between...
in May 1971, performing in York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
in June 1972 and at the Leeds Music Festival in 1981. In 1985 the Society organised a six-week Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
Festival in Sheffield to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the births of both J S Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
and 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....
, during which event the Stadtkantorei from Sheffield's twin city of Bochum
Bochum
Bochum is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany. It is located in the Ruhr area and is surrounded by the cities of Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Herne, Castrop-Rauxel, Dortmund, Witten and Hattingen.-History:...
in Germany, performed Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
's Mass in B minor. In May 1987 the visit was reciprocated when the Sheffield Bach Choir and Players performed in Bochum
Bochum
Bochum is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany. It is located in the Ruhr area and is surrounded by the cities of Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Herne, Castrop-Rauxel, Dortmund, Witten and Hattingen.-History:...
.
In 1991, the Choir visited Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
again for a special performance of Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
’s Mass in B minor at Leeds Town Hall
Leeds Town Hall
Leeds Town Hall was built between 1853 and 1858 on Park Lane , Leeds, West Yorkshire, England to a design by architect Cuthbert Brodrick.-Background:...
in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the consecration of Leeds Parish Church
Leeds Parish Church
Leeds Parish Church, or the Parish Church of Saint Peter-at-Leeds, in Leeds, West Yorkshire is a large Church of England parish church of major architectural and liturgical significance. It has been designated a grade I listed building by English Heritage...
on 2 September 1841. The conductor at that occasion, Dr Simon Lindley
Simon Lindley
Simon Lindley is a British organist, choirmaster, conductor and composer. He has been organist at Leeds Town Hall since 1976 and Master of the Music and organist of Leeds Parish Church since 1975. Senior Lecturer in Music at Leeds Polytechnic from 1976 to 1987, Lindley held the post of Senior...
, was appointed Conductor of Sheffield Bach Choir towards the end of 2008, and took up duties at the outset of the 2009 season. Dr Lindley is Music Director of Saint Peter's Singers of Leeds
Saint Peter's Singers of Leeds
Saint Peter's Singers is a chamber choir associated with Leeds Parish Church, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-Background:Saint Peter's Singers is a choir of approximately forty mixed voices...
and currently also Chief Guest Conductor of Doncaster
Doncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
Choral Society.
In addition to the concert programme there have been private events such as members´ meetings, receptions, talks, visits to musical events elsewhere and Society dinners. Concerts by invited orchestras have also taken place, such as the performance by the London Harpsichord Ensemble in October 1954.
Despite the “Bach” of the choir’s title, their repertoire has never been restricted, and through the years a wide variety of works has been undertaken. For example:
- 1959 - HandelHANDELHANDEL 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 Israel in Egypt - 1961 - HandelHANDELHANDEL 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 MessiahMessiahA messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
(to become an annual feature) - 1963 – HandelHANDELHANDEL 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 Judas Maccabaeus - 1968 - Haydn’s Creation
- 1970 - MendelssohnMendelssohnMendelson is a Polish/German Jewish family name, meaning "son of Mendel", Mendel being a Yiddish diminutive of the Hebrew given name Menahem, meaning "consoling" or "one who consoles".Mendelssohn is the surname of a number of people:...
's Elijah - 1972 - Christopher Steel's Jerusalem
- 1986 - Geoffrey BurgonGeoffrey BurgonGeoffrey Alan Burgon was a British composer notable for his television and film themes.-Life and career:Burgon was born in Hampshire in 1941, and taught himself the trumpet in order to join a jazz band at school...
's Revelations
Works by a large number of other composers have also been performed, composers such as Brahms, Mozart, Dvorak
Antonín Dvorák
Antonín Leopold Dvořák was a Czech composer of late Romantic music, who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák’s own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many...
, Schubert, Monteverdi, Stravinsky, Bruckner, Vivaldi, Elgar, Britten, Vaughan Williams and Tippett
Tippett
Tippett is the surname of:*Andre Tippett , American footballer*Clark Tippet , American dancer*Dave Tippett , ice hockey coach*Gerald Tippett, fictional character in Shortland Street...
. A particular feature of the Society's work has been the performance of less familiar contemporary works, early examples being John Joubert
John Joubert (composer)
John Joubert is a British composer of South African descent, particularly of choral works. He has lived in Moseley, a suburb of Birmingham, England, for over 40 years. A music academic at the universities of Hull and Birmingham for 36 years, Joubert took early retirement in 1986 to concentrate on...
’s The Martyrdom of St Alban and Anthony Hedges’ Epithalamion.
Both Roger Bullivant and Eileen Denman were awarded MBEs in recognition of their services to music, the former in 1984 and the latter in 1999. Following the death of Eileen Denman in December 2001 a Service of Thanksgiving for her life was held in February of the following year at Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral is the cathedral church for the Church of England diocese of Sheffield, England. Originally a parish church, it was elevated to cathedral status when the diocese was created in 1914...
. A similar service was held in February 2005 for Dr Bullivant, who had died in November 2004; addresses at this service were given by the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
's Peter Hill and by Dr Simon Lindley
Simon Lindley
Simon Lindley is a British organist, choirmaster, conductor and composer. He has been organist at Leeds Town Hall since 1976 and Master of the Music and organist of Leeds Parish Church since 1975. Senior Lecturer in Music at Leeds Polytechnic from 1976 to 1987, Lindley held the post of Senior...
who became the Choir's conductor in 2009. Peter Collis had been appointed conductor on Dr Bullivant’s retirement in 2000 and served for almost a decade in that capacity.
Funding sources
With the high costs of mounting Choral performances, over the years additional financial support has proved necessary. During the 1970s South YorkshireSouth Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
County Council recognised the contribution being made by the Society to the cultural life of South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
, and provided funding for performances in numerous venues throughout the county. Arts Council Revenue funding was received through Yorkshire Arts Association, via the National Federation of Music Societies (Making Music), Sheffield City Council
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield City Council is the city council for the metropolitan borough of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It consists of 84 councillors, elected to represent 28 wards, each with three councillors...
, and more recently, Arts Council England (although sadly, this has now ceased except for very special projects). Other income has been provided both by individual sponsors and by the Friends and Patrons of the Society, in addition, of course, to the subscription by all choir members and constant fund-raising efforts.