Brighton College
Saturday 20 February 2010
10.00am to 6.00pm
John Sheppard (c1515-c1559) is one of the lesser known masters of pre-Reformation English music. A contemporary of Thomas Tallis who specialised in the florid style known as the High Renaissance, his music was written almost entirely for the Catholic services at Magdalen College, Oxford. However, he also composed music for the services of the new Anglican Church, serving as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal.
Sheppard's music is both challenging and very rewarding to sing. His music is entirely unaccompanied, uses as many as seven or eight voices, and often includes the very high treble parts which were a feature of the period. The complex polyphony interspersed with plainsong provides constant variety, and his music ranges from the highly energetic to the serenely beautiful.
The Esterhazy Chamber Choir will be holding a Choral Workshop on the music of Sheppard on Saturday 20 February 2010, at Brighton College, Eastern Road, Brighton. We will explore some of his Latin hymns and antiphons including the spectacular Christmas hymn Verbum caro and the serene Libera nos, as well as his English setting of the Lord's Prayer.
Singers who are keen to discover more about this wonderful but neglected composer,
and to sing a selection of his music, are welcome to join us.
The course will be directed by David Thomas, former Musical Director of the choir,
and will end with an informal concert to which guests are welcome (admission free).
Timetable: begin 10.00am; break for lunch 12.30-2.00pm. Tea break mid afternoon.
Informal Concert at 5.30pm, to finish by 6.00pm.
Refreshments will not be provided - please bring your own.
Cost: £10 (cash on the day) for non-members of Esterhazy Chamber Choir.
Applications: please apply early (by 31 December 2009)
so that we can plan which works to include.
Acceptance will be subject to overall balance.
Voice allocations and music will be sent out by email by 15 January.
Please apply by email only to David Thomas (dst@eggconnect.net) stating the following:
Name
Address
Telephone No.
Email address
Voice *
Choir(s) you currently sing with
* if soprano, state 1st or 2nd - 1sts must be comfortable up to top Bb
Venue: click here for information on how to get to Brighton College.