January 08 News
Reviews 2007
UYC performs with The Chieftains
Plans for 2008
Summer 07 News
Successful UYC Course
Ruth McCartney - Not Printed
Andrea Rea - Newsletter (12th September 2006)
Rathcol - Belfast Telegraph (6th September 2006)
Provisional dates for 2007 announced:
UYC members to perform in Belfast Festival:
UYC joins Songs of Praise:
UYC CD available for purchase:
Summer 06 News
UYC Website – Re-launched
UYC & TC Summer Course
2006 concert schedule announced
UYC to sing in BBC Proms in the Park
2nd UYC CD released The singing will never be done!
Reviews - Ruth McCartney, Irish News
Clonard Monastery, 2 September 2007
On Sunday night the beautiful Clonard Monastry was the setting for the third and final concert of the Ulster Youth Choir’s musica universalis season. Conducted by Artistic Director Greg Beardsell the programme was divided into two contrasting sections. In association with the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queen’s University the use of live electronics in the first half was a welcome new venture for the choir which worked exceptionally well. The young singers displayed technical mastery of some very difficult contemporary music. The newly composed Nachtlied by Daniel Morse, Benedictio by Urmas Sisask and Eric Whitacre’s When David Heard were very well suited to the super acoustics of Clonard and I was tremendously impressed by the effective dynamic contrasts Beardsell achieved. Long lines of music were splendidly controlled and although the choir often had bright, vigorous and earthy sonorities it was soft and ethereal in all the right places.
In the second half the UYC started with Ian Wilson’s atmospheric While guardians of the universe sleep. In this the choir displayed a strong sense of commitment to the music. Three Shakespeare Songs by Vaughan Williams brought a welcome contrast from the contemporary pieces. The first, Full Fathom Five, was very atmospheric and The Cloud-capp’d towers was given a sensitive performance but Over Hill, Over Dale was a little on the fast side for the building. The UYC Chamber Choir gave a haunting performance of the English folk-song Bushes and Briars arranged by Donald James. Dashing away with the smoothing iron had minor tuning issues in the key changes but the energy was evident throughout. I can tell the world, a traditional spiritual arranged by Moses Hogan, was the piece the choir communicated best. They performed it from memory and the spirit and conviction behind their technically excellent singing was conveyed to all. This choir has gone from strength to strength over the last few years and Sunday’s concert was easily the best I’ve heard from them since their formation in 1999. It was right and proper that they received a standing ovation after the encore from a most appreciative audience.
UYC perform with The Chieftains
UYC had the auspicious task of being part of the opening concert of the 45th Belfast Festival at Queen’s on Friday 19th October 2007 at the Waterfront Hall where they performed as guests of The Chieftains along with the Ulster Orchestra, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band and a host of soloists and dancers.
Performing a range of repertoire from the haunting Shenandoah to the rousing spiritual I can tell the world UYC performed with tremendous enthusiasm and style in an event enjoyed by singers and audience alike.
The concert was broadcast live on BBC Radio Ulster. In 2008 and 2009 UYC looks forward to more collaborations with Festival, BBC and the Ulster Orchestra.
With activities in 2007 barely finished, plans are well underway for 2008. With quite a number of new and exciting projects in the pipeline, UYC’s activity will be expanded throughout the year to produce more performing, recording and broadcasting opportunities.
Auditions: 3-6 January 2008 in venues throughout Northern IrelandSummer Course: 20-22 July 2008 in Garron Tower
Concerts: 29/30 August 2008 in venues to be confirmed
Ulster Youth Chamber Choir: Concerts in April, October and December
Application forms for UYC 2008 are now available through the UYC office or you can apply online (include link to apply online page) Closing date for receipt of applications – Friday 14th December 2007
Successful Course and Concerts bring another year of UYC activity to an end:
On a glorious July afternoon, 76 young people from every corner of Northern Ireland crossed the doors of St MacNissi’s College, some with a little apprehension, for another year of Ulster Youth Choir and UYC Training Choir. This year would be different – a new conductor bringing new experiences and ideas. I Sleep, but my heart waketh thematically linking the repertoire to be covered – but not much sleeping was done in the preparation. A hectic daily schedule of physical and vocal warm-ups, sectional and full-choir rehearsals, individual singing lessons, a session or two of Pilates and some recreation thrown in for good measure ensured that everyone was focussed on the job in hand. An exhausting week but one which everyone enjoyed, and is in no small part due to the hard work and dedication of all the music staff led by Greg Beardsell.
What the members said:
“I felt very honoured to spend this week singing in such a talented choir under excellent direction – had an all round brilliant week!”
“Thank you for the opportunity to be in UYC once again. I felt worthy of being there and this was due to Greg knowing every one of us by name. I hope we put as much effort into the concerts as you do looking after us.”
“This year’s UYC exceeded all expectations.”
“The singing lessons were brilliant – extremely useful.”
“This has been my favourite UYC year – the repertoire is gorgeous – Greg is an amazing conductor, great fun and really motivating.”
“I loved the whole experience – the singing lessons and the tutti rehearsals really helped further my choral experience and I loved getting to meet so many new great people.”
Ruth McCartney – Not Printed
“I sleep but my heart waketh” was the permeating theme for the Ulster Youth Choir’s Clonard Monastry concert on Sunday evening. With intermittent readings by Noel Thompson, the UYC performed a host of pieces from different eras, all related to the theme of sleep. New conductor Greg Beardsell at the helm, the singers began by processing from the west end of the monastery singing the famous Before the ending of the day plainsong. This was a good way to bring the choir on-stage and the spatial choral effect worked well. Two choruses from A Midsummer Night’s Dream were well rehearsed and exciting and soprano soloists, Elspeth Jennings and Maeve Johnston, soared effortlessly to the higher notes in perfect tandem. Set me as a seal upon my heart by Walton was magical and suited the line-up of voices perfectly but the highlight of the first half was easily Sleep by Eric Whitacre. Whitacre is flavour of the month at the moment particularly in America and it is easy to see why. The luscious harmonies and numerous dynamic contrasts were judged well by Beardsell and there was a good balance of voices throughout.
In the second half Wachet auf from Cantata No 140 by Bach kept us all awake as this energetic performance resounded round the fabulous Clonard acoustic. This was beautifully done. It was lovely to hear the Cloud-capped towers, the second of Three Shakespeare Songs by Vaughan Williams. This was energetic and well-paced although generally the sopranos projected less well than the other parts. Although there were insecurities in the intonation of Taverner’s Birthday Sleep, the singers kept the vitality of right to the end. Beardsell had a very focused team in this year’s Ulster Youth Choir and we look forward to hearing more programmes of this high standard next season.
Andrea Rea – Newsletter (12th September 2006)
Varied programme from enthusiastic young singers:
The Ulster Youth Choir gave the last of three concerts in its summer/autumn season in Clonard Monastery, Belfast on September 3. This series of performances have been the first with their new conductor Greg Beardsell, an enthusiastic and articulate addition to the UYC’s staff.
The concert began with plainsong directed by Beardsell processing down the aisle of Clonard, the choir following up the two side aisles. This was a very effective use of the beautiful space and surroundings of Clonard. Indeed, the whole programme made good use of the acoustic, and the church itself was a stunning backdrop.
The concert was carefully designed to include examples of music from all periods of music history and most styles as well. There was some dialogue and poetry included, the latter delivered by BBC broadcaster Noel Thompson. Text was printed and this was just as well, because the one drawback of the Clonard acoustic is the wide echo that tended to swallow up text, especially that spoken by choir members.
Two choruses from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Schutz’s Ego Dormio followed the opening plainchant and provided evidence of the choir’s facility with differing styles of music. The soprano line in the Mendelssohn tended towards sharpness, but this settled later. Walton’s glorious Set Me as a Seal Upon Thy Heart began with a gentler vocal quality with strong soloists and solid choral passages later. Conductor Beardsell has an energetic and youthful approach and appears completely at ease with the progress of each piece as he corrects balance and encourages these eager singers.
They are very focused and a pleasure to watch, singing with their eyes as well as their mouths, occasionally seeming to sing from the very soles of their feet as well.
A four-part canon by Haydn entitled Death and Sleep was the picturesque backdrop to Noel Thompson’s (slightly too fast?) reading of John Donne’s Death be not proud and Eric Whitacre’s Sleep demonstrated the choir’s flair for that important world of contemporary choral works and again, their conductor’s concept of light and shade in the music as well as delivery of text came across clearly. For the most part, the Ulster Youth Choir makes a very pure choral sound. The only time this changed was in Bach’s Wachet Auf when the tone approached harshness in an attempt perhaps to present an unbroken wall of choral sound. At times, the different singing sections seemed to be competing and the line was in danger of being lost.
A smaller group from the choir sang Victoria’s Una Hora with a mysterious, clean sound and very clear Latin. There was Tavener, Vaughan Williams and Verdi to follow, each illuminating a slightly different kind of choral writing and each set of demands met by the choir in turn. The final three pieces were contemporary arrangements of popular songs, Billy Joel’s Lullaby and the standards Dream a Little Dream and Mister Sandman. These were well presented, although the setting of Clonard was inevitably at odds with this content. Still, it showed the choir in yet another musical context and rounded off a wonderfully varied programme.
Pianist Oliver Chesser was impressive in his mastery of the often demanding accompaniments, with an orchestral grasp of the instrument.
The Ulster Youth Choir were featured performers for Proms in the Park at the City Hall, Belfast on Saturday evening, an essential and polished part of that big programme. Their singing of Bob Chilcott’s Danny Boy for live network television was a highlight, as was their performance of the finale O Fortuna from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.
Rathcol – Belfast Telegraph (6th September 2006)
New conductor going back to basics
With performances at Christ Church, Derry and here at the Clonard Monastery in Belfast, I sleep, but my heart waketh, saw the introduction of the Ulster Youth Choir’s new conductor and artistic adviser Greg Beardsell.
The dates provided a fascinating insight into the man, much hyped and, after the departure of the highly-thought-of Christopher Bell, regarded as the saviour of the choir in its attempt to regain the cutting edge.
Beardsell has taken over at the beginning of a natural cycle with a band of very young and mostly inexperienced singers. Understandably he concentrated on the basics – tuning and beauty of sound. And on the whole these were achieved. Projection and sustainability will have to be worked at.
The concert was at its most engaging when conductor and singers experimented with space – the opening procession to the plain song Before the Ending of the Day was affecting and Victoria’s Una Hora, withdrawn from the main channels of the church, emerged cloaked in mystery.
There were many delightful moments in this programme but the overall result despite the umbrella theme of sleep, was patchy. Remember: the singers’ counterparts at the Ulster Youth Orchestra had tackled Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony just a week before.
The Ulster Youth Choir is at a vital juncture. It has a new conductor with the enthusiasm and sense of adventure needed to take the ensemble to the next level; it also has an eager band of young, new voices. It now needs some musical meat on its bones.
Provisional dates for 2007 announced:
UYC/TC Auditions 4 – 7 January 2007
UYC/TC Summer Course 16 – 22 July 2007
UYC Concert weekend 31 August – 2 September 2007
Click here to apply online for UYC 2007 or email the UYC office for a copy of the application form.
Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 15th December 2006
UYC members to perform in Belfast Festival:
In a unique and exciting opportunity 25 members of UYC 2006 have been selected to participate in two performances of Bloom as part of the Belfast Festival at Queen’s. A major coup for the Festival, the performances feature one of the world’s leading dance practitioners, Stephen Petronio, with original music by Rufus Wainwright arranged by Francisco Nunez.
Bloom will be performed with two other works (Bud Suite and Lareigne) on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th October 2006 in Stranmillis College Theatre at 8pm. Tickets are available at £15/£12 from the Festival Box Office on 028 9097 1197 or www.belfastfestival.com
Members of UYC and UYC Training Choir 2006 will join forces with choirs from throughout Northern Ireland for a Songs of Praise recording in November 2006 to be broadcast on Sunday 28th January 2007 on BBC One network television. Under the direction of Belfast Cathedral’s Director of Music, Philip Stopford, this is the first time UYC has been involved in Songs of Praise.
UYC CD available for purchase:
In 2003, under their founding Artistic Director and Conductor Christopher Bell, UYC embarked on producing a record of all that had been achieved to date, completing this recording in October 2004 under the direction of David Lawrence.
CD’s are priced at £10 and are available through the UYC office. An order form can be downloaded here…
UYC Website – re-launched The UYC website has been launched and is to be launched again!
Following a logo re-vamp and re-branding project in 2004, The website is currently being updated, refreshed and re-vamped in line with the new look to offer a more slick site with easy navigation.
The site will offer members the opportunity to keep up-to-date with all current news and happenings within the world of UYC as well as continue to stay in touch with all the other UYC members through the members’ site.
As well as this, the new site will offer other visitors the opportunity to explore the world of UYC seeing exactly what we have on offer.
The launch date is due to be Wednesday 30th August 2006 in line with the first concert of the UYC season so have a look around and find out all the things you didn’t know about UYC!
UYC & TC Summer Course
The annual residential course returns once again to the now beloved Garron Tower (St MacNissi’s College), Carnlough from 23-28 July 2006. A 53-strong SATB UYC together with a 24-strong SA Training Choir meet for the first time to get to know each other, rehearse, rehearse and rehearse some more for this year’s annual concerts.
Read about the UYC music staff on the people page and see a complete list of UYC and TC members for 2006 on the Choir page. During the course, members also participate in a pilates/yoga session to compliment all the hard work they’re doing in rehearsals.
Repertoire for this year’s course and subsequent concerts is:
I Sleep but my Heart Waketh…
Before the Ending of the Day - Plainsong
Procul recedant somnia -Tallis
Two Choruses from A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Mendelssohn
Ego dormio, et cor meum vigilat SWV 63 – Schutz
Set me as a Seal - Walton
A Good-night – Richard Rodney Bennett
Sleep Fleshly Birth - Ramsey
Tod und Schlaf - Haydn
Sleep - Eric Whitacre
Wachet auf! from Cantata 140 - Bach
Una Hora - Victoria
Birthday Sleep - John Tavener
Full Fathom Five and The Cloud-Capped Towers from ‘Three Shakespeare Songs’ - Stanford
Va Pensiero, from ‘Nabucco’ - Verdi
Lullaby - Billy Joel arr. Beardsell
Dream a Little Dream - arr. Isaacs
Mister Sandman - arr. Lojeski
…and the Training Choir repertoire is:
2006 Concert Schedule
Concerts have now been confirmed for :
Friday 28th July 2006
St Patrick’s (CoI) Cathedral, Armagh
7.30pm
Saturday 2nd September 2006
Christ Church, Londonderry
7.30pm
Sunday 3rd September 2006
Clonard Monastery
7.30pm
Prices for all the concerts: Adults £10/ Concessions £7/ Students £2 Tickets for all the above concerts available from the Ulster Youth Choir office, 109/113 Royal Avenue, BELFAST, BT1 1FF. Tel. 028 9023 1414
UYC to sing at BBC Proms in the Park
Following a successful performance at Proms in the Park in September 2004 (despite the weather!), UYC has been invited to perform in the 2006 BBC Proms in the Park as part of the Last Night at the Proms on Saturday 9th September.
UYC will share the stage with the Ulster Orchestra under conductor Kenneth Montgomery and soloists Ailish Tynan (soprano), Lesley Garrett (soprano) and Nicola Benedetti (violin) presented by Northern Ireland’s own Noel Thompson. The concert takes place in the grounds of City hall. Gates open at 6.30pm with entertainment on stage from 7.45pm.
Tickets are available from the BBC Northern Ireland Ticket Unit on 0870 333 1918.
Further information from the BBC web site.
2nd UYC CD released The singing will never be done!
With a sigh of relief, the long-awaited 2nd CD recording from UYC has been released. The singing will never be done represents tow years of UYC’s most successful work to date:
In 2003, under their founding Artistic Director and Conductor Christopher Bell, UYC embarked on producing a record of all that had been achieved to date, completing this recording in October 2004 under the direction of David Lawrence. CD’s are priced at £10 and are available through the UYC office. An order form can be downloaded here…