Published on Thursday 29 December 2011 15:56
BOB CHILCOTT, described by Gramophone Magazine as ‘one of the finest choral composers at work in Britain today, is to conduct at a concert in Fletching on Friday, January 6.
The concert, called ‘Ring Out Wild Bells,’ is an evening of Christmas and Epiphany music and includes the world premiere of a new work by Chilcott as well as works by John Rutter, Benjamin Britten and others. Congregations will join in singing the Sussex Carol arranged by David Willcocks.
Bob Chilcott is a former chorister and choral scholar at King’s College, Cambridge and for 12 years, a member of the vocal group, The King’s Singers.
Harriet Creamer, chair of the Friends of Fletching Parish Church said: “Bob Chilcott is one of our most exciting composers. His choral music is glorious to listen to: we’re incredibly lucky that one of his choral works is being premiered in Fletching church.”
Chilcott has been a full-time composer and choral conductor since 1997. Principal guest conductor since 2002 of the BBC Singers in London, he has conducted many other distinguished choirs including The World Youth Choir, The Tower New Zealand Youth Choir and the RIAS Kammerchor in Berlin. He regularly leads singing days for communities and schools in Britain. Over the past twelve years he has conducted and given workshops in 23 countries worldwide.
The professional London choir the Band of Voices will be accompanied by Charlotte Buchanan on the trumpet and Tanya Houghton on the harp.
Proceeds from the concert will go to The Friends of Fletching Parish Church, a charity set up in 1991 to help maintain the imposing 13th century church.
The concert starts at 7.30 pm. Tickets, priced at £12.00 in advance or £15.00 at the door, including a glass of wine and nibbles, are available from Harriet Creamer, tel. 01825 722777 or .
The Friends of Fletching Parish Church has raised over £315,000 and funded works including extensive repairs to the roof and reshingling of the spire, complete rewiring, and replacement of the heating system. This concert will showcase the new £27,000 lighting system which has just been installed thanks to funding by the Friends.