Keyword - Joy!

Joy was the keyword at our recent concert - and a joyous experience it was.

A varied programme with significant challenges, alongside straightforward and accessible works, meant there was a change of pace every couple of numbers. This put us on our mettle. Philip Moore's Jubilate Deo and Gerald Finzi's My Spirit Sang All Day were highlights.

As our music director, Janet Lincé, put it: "... your singing was full of vitality, commitment and ‘JOY’."

For the spirituals we adopted a mixed-up formation. This significantly changes the way the choral sound blends and carries to the audience. It's also great for building individual confidence (and something we often do in rehearsal as well). 

Our next date is 12 January - our workshop: "Sing the Words, Paint the Music". Essential skills for singers who want to improve and push their boundaries. Click www.newchoir.org.uk/workshop for more info and to register. See you there! #joy #oxford #choral #concerts #oxfordchoir #newchoir

Singing joyfully! 1 December 2018

Beginnings

newChoir was born in 2012. Four friends were sitting in a pub, and one suggested starting a choir. It seemed a good idea at the time.

As it turned out, it was. But why start a choir in Oxford, which had at least 70 choirs already? Was there any need for yet another?

Our idea was ... something a bit different. Neither a choral society nor a chamber choir, but something in between. An auditioned ensemble that aimed for high musical standards, and pushed singers' boundaries - but was not forbidding.

Also, we wanted to tackle unusual repertoire, as well as the well-known works. So, pushing boundaries in that way too.

It was a bit like a business startup - but, if there was ever a business plan, it was on the back of an envelope, now lost.

We were fortunate that Janet Lincé, our distinguished musical director, was willing to come on board. And that James Brown, organist at at the University Church and a superb musician, was too.

To our surprise (given our home-made marketing) there was a surge of interest. A room full of people at our first rehearsal. Suddenly, a pub conversation had become a possible reality!

#newchoir #oxfordchoir #singing #choral #startup #choircreation #choir #choirstartup #formachoir #joinachoir #singinginoxford