University of Manchester Choral Programme

We’re delighted to announce that The University of Manchester Chorus will still be rehearsing this year despite the Coronavirus pandemic!  Chorus rehearsals (commencing over Zoom) will be open to returning members, as well as new members.  As well as singing, we also host Q&A’s with guest speakers and have virtual socials!  During the first term we sang a wide range of repertoire: the Road Home’ by Stephen Paulus, ‘Shenandoah’ by James Erb, Greig’s ‘Ave Maris Stella’ and Elgar’s ‘The Snow’.

We’re very eager to welcome back our returning members and to welcome new singers to the choir!  In order to register and sign up for our Zoom rehearsals please email: attendance@universitychorus.org.uk.

The Manchester University Choral Programme is made up of Manchester University Chorus, Ad Solem, and the Cosmo Singers.  Led by Robert Guy, they perform in concerts in Manchester and further afield throughout the year.  While Ad Solem and Cosmo Singers are auditioned ensembles made up of Music students, the University Chorus is not auditioned and includes both students and non-students of all ages.

The University of Manchester Music Department is proud to be a part of the Choral Leadership Network, an inclusive support network for choral leaders and singers.

Our aim is to promote the joy of choral singing through increased training and resource opportunities for choral leaders of all abilities and styles. Led by the Hallé, the partnership brings together the experience and expertise of a number of different choral organisations from across the country. Together, we aim to promote the quality, profile and opportunities for choral singing and training across the North West and beyond.

Our website – www.choralleadership.net – is a dynamic hub for event listings, fantastic resources and observation opportunities.

Add your own choral event for free via our online submission form: www.choralleadership.net/node/add/event

Chorus’ Newsletter

A note from our Conductor and Head of Choral Programme – Robert Guy

Virtual music making and leadership

At Manchester, we have embraced the new world. Since returning from the summer break Chorus has been meeting to rehearse online via Zoom. Our recent recording of ‘The Snow’ by Sir Edward Elgar was a team effort.

This video was produced by a final year student sound engineer, and you can hear four student violinists (two in 1st year), a student pianist and eight student singers.  We wanted to have a ‘chorus conductor cam’ and we have found that this has helped make our online rehearsals more engaging and exciting for our members.

Each rehearsal we have a team of six student conductors who I mentor to take voice sectionals in breakout rooms and take a warmup. I am proud that we are still creating opportunities for our musicians to sing/produce/lead and make music despite the circumstances. We have over 100 members in Chorus with both our auditioned chamber choirs Ad Solem and the Cosmo Singers at 30 and 50 respectively. There is definitely scope for online education experience/training in this model and our students are gaining valuable experience.

A note from our President – Esther 

I have been really encouraged by what Rob, myself and the rest of the 2020/21 Chorus Committee have been able to achieve with online rehearsals so far this term. Despite my initial worries that online Chorus would not be popular we have continued to see over 100 members turn up to the zoom rehearsal each week. Coming together each Thursday evening to rehearse has brought back some normality for all our members and I am proud of how much positive feedback we have received.

We have been able to set up an excellent YouTube channel where we upload piano accompaniment recordings for each piece which has helped members to practice at home with ease. Additionally, we hold socials every other week so members can chat in breakout rooms after the rehearsal. This has encouraged all our members to get to know each other and has successfully created stronger bonds between the student and non-student members.

In my role as Chorus President I am gaining such valuable experience in administration, organisation, professionalism and musicianship. I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity and I will value the experience it has given me in future roles!

Advantages of being online

We have welcomed other conductors and singers from other choirs who include the Welsh National Opera Community Chorus and other choirs across North Wales and the North West who have signed up as members. Our membership has diversified and grown during the pandemic. Many choirs have felt overwhelmed embracing online music making. It is good to know that Manchester is leading the way giving people these valuable experiences and providing a sense of community at a time when we need it most. We have complemented rehearsals with guest visits from industry professionals which has given members the opportunity to hear valuable professional advice.

Industry Professionals 

Naomi Lewis: Chorus Manager at the Royal Opera House

Ruth Evans: Head of Artistic and Planning at National Youth Choirs of Great Britain

Nihal Arthanayake:  acclaimed broadcaster and TV presenter.  He currently presents a daily daytime show on BBC 5 Live.

Professor John Casken: Internationally acclaimed composer and Emeritus Professor at the University of Manchester

Paul Mealor OStJ CLJ OSS FRSA: one of the world’s most ‘performed’ living composers