Birmingham Choral Union Day of Song (January 24th 2009).
Messiah by G.F.Handel.
Workshop Leaders:
Colin Baines (BCU Conductor and Director of Music).
Darren Hogg (BCU Accompanist).
Soloist:
Emily Baines (Soprano).
Birmingham Choral Union organises these public events at regular intervals, the subject of this one being Handel’s epic work ‘Messiah’, which it is set to perform at Birmingham Town Hall on April 11th 2009. This increased the likelihood that a core of members already reasonably familiar with the oratorio would be present, providing a solid foundation to support any inexperienced singers.
To the delight of the organisers, some 110 arrived to enjoy the day including participants from fifteen of our local choirs. The level of ability meant that the conductor was able to work through a good variety of choruses, each making its own particular demands on the singers. Declamation and articulation in ‘The Lord gave the word’ was followed by the more flowing style of ‘Their sound is gone out’. The choir then went on to tackle the quite demanding ‘Let us break their bonds asunder’ achieving a reasonable level of performance, before being let loose on ‘Hallelujah’ to the relief of many who had worked very hard in the preceding sessions. Our conductor then pointed out some of the finer musical points of this seminal chorus and the choir realized that there was always work to be done if a superior outcome was to be achieved.
Colin Baines had provided some copies of the original Handel manuscript for perusal at lunchtime, so participants could gain some idea of the musicianship necessary when preparing an adequate contemporary performance. Other Choir displays included one on the history of the Choir with portraits of those prominently involved with it and the precious Choir Performance Record Book, with signatures of soloists together with other memorabilia, was also on show.
The afternoon saw work on ‘Since by man came death’ with its magical mood changes and time just allowed adequate coverage of ‘Worthy is the lamb that was slain’, the choir being reminded of the need to pay most careful attention to a number of details if an appropriate climatic atmosphere was to be attained before it embarked on the consummate musical achievement of the ‘Amen’.
The day ended with a performance of the choruses covered during the workshop. We were fortunate to be joined by our soloist, a daughter of our conductor and together they provided some items which gave continuity to the finale. Emily Baines gave a particularly touching performance of ‘I know that my redeemer liveth’ and Colin entertained us with a fine rendition of ‘The trumpet shall sound’.
By general consent, the day had been both enjoyable and musically valuable. The Chairman was able to thank our conductor, accompanist and soloist for compelling musical leadership. Warmest thanks were given to all visiting singers who had taken part and the entire assembly was delighted to congratulate the considerable number of Choir members who so efficiently participated in organisation of the event both before and during the day. The usual thanks went to Selly Oak Methodist Church for use of the premises and facilities.
The following choirs had members participating in this event:
Arrow Vale Singers;
Barnt Green Choral Society;
Birmingham Hospital Choir;
Bromsgrove Choral;
CBS Chorus;
City of Birmingham Choir;
Dudley Choral;
Halesowen Choral;
Hollyfield TG Choir
Midlands Hospitals Choir;
Quinborne Combined Choirs;
St Francis Church Choir;
St Nicolas Church Choir;
Warley Male Voice Choir;
West Midlands Police Choir;
Mike Bloxham,
Chairman, Birmingham Choral Union.