The British Choral Tradition is the reason why today we have over 80 cathedral and college choirs plus many parish choirs( though parish music is in an increasingly unhealthy state). In addition, it has inspired and spawned thousands of amateur choruses throughout the land. It is the reason why Handel was attracted here from his native Germany, and why works like Messiah have become universally loved, and adopted as‘ British’ music. At a time when the country seems keen to express its‘ Britishness’ by separating from the EU, we must not forget that British music has always been inspired by the continent. The Italian Renaissance informed much of our 16th century choral music, Elgar, our most‘ British’ of composers owes much to German music, especially Wagner, Vaughan Williams studied with Ravel and Britten was inspired by Shostakovich and Stravinsky.
There is something unique and special about singing, and for the singer it can be an addictive activity. The sound of voices in our fine buildings and acoustics can be magical, and over the ages, composers have identified the potent effect of choral music sung in fine buildings within the context of the liturgy. The soaring vocal lines of the music of Byrd, Sheppard and Tallis echo the arching architectural contours of the great buildings in which they worked. Many of our church composers were themselves church musicians, working daily with choirs, and so their understanding of voices and the impact of vocal sound within our cathedrals and chapels was comprehensive.
The educational benefits which choristers( Quiristers) receive is matchless. The daily choral discipline provides our young singers with resources which will take them through life, and the skills they learn will never be forgotten. Singing in a choir inspires confidence and promotes teamwork, concentration, social awareness and a striving for the highest standards: a rare commodity in our throw-away society which is too content with mediocrity. Linked to the musical benefits and a fine academic education, is a love of music and a wide appreciation of music styles. I am not alone as a choral director in being very proud to have seen, over the years a growing number of my singers who have continued to prosper with their music-making, as professional musicians, in university choirs, at conservatoires or just as a passionate hobby.
It is no coincidence that a choir like The Sixteen was founded by a former chorister( Harry Christophers was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral and then an Academical Clerk at Magdalen College, Oxford). The King’ s Singers, The Monteverdi Choir, Polyphony and the Tallis Scholars have all been populated by former choristers and choral scholars. Peter Phillips who founded the Tallis Scholars always claims that he owes his whole career to being inspired by Orlando Gibbons anthem O Clap your Hands while he was singing with Winchester College Chapel Choir. Many of our professional singers, particularly those specialising in early music, will have been involved in cathedral or collegiate singing at some point. This and the Welsh tradition of choral singing has also been responsible for some of our finest operatic and concert soloists.
The benefits of this fine education are still not fully appreciated and we must continue to get the word out about the fantastic musical and educational opportunities available for young people in our choirs. Here at Winchester we must continue to keep the profile of our choir high through concerts, recordings, broadcasts and tours, so we can keep Wykeham’ s vision alive, and enable the future nurturing of many more young singers.
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