Essex Youth Choir hit all the high notes! 

On 13th November 2021, in the unique setting of Ely Cathedral, Essex Youth Choir performed Haydn’s choral masterpiece, The Creation, as part of a new scheme called Gabrieli ROAR!

ROAR is an ambitious scheme to reinvigorate youth choirs around the country, who have faced acute challenges during the pandemic.  The project and its benefits to young musicians has been widely featured on BBC Radio 3 and in the Classical music magazine, Gramophone.

Essex Youth Choir and other choirs from the South of England, were expertly coached in by choral specialists from the Gabrieli Consort team and its conductor (who originally hails from Essex), Paul McCreesh.

At the concert, the young musicians were led by Gabrieli’s Artistic Director, Paul McCreesh, with professional soloists Sarah Tynan, Andrew Staples and Ashley Riches in a concert that was a roaring success of Haydn’s The Creation.

“It was amazing. Thank you so much for the opportunity she’s had. She loved it. She would love to do it again. We brought grandparents and a great uncle and they had a brilliant time.   Thanks to you all of you for your time and patience and passion for doing what you did to make this happen…. The opportunities you [Essex Music Service] provide for ordinary kids from every and any background is substantial and phenomenal.” Jill Ball, parent of an Essex Youth Chorister.

Beverley Heard, Music Service Ensembles Officer, organised the event for Essex Music Service said “What a treat for the Essex Youth Choir to form part of a massive chorus of over 200 singers.  Performing such great music as Haydn’s The Creation is such a privilege in the stunning surroundings of Ely Cathedral accompanied by the Gabrieli Consort on period instruments.   The young people of Essex Youth Choir excelled themselves with the complex lines and intense emotions of the piece.  The choir look forward to more projects with Gabrieli Roar! in the future and I thank them for inspiring such high levels of choral singing.”                                                 

Haydn’s The Creation, considered by many to be one of his masterpieces, is a work for vocal soloists, choir and orchestral accompaniment written in the late 1790s. The work depicts and celebrates the creation of the world as described in the Book of Genesis.

Essex Youth Choir is an advanced full choir that offers students aged 13-19 challenging and varied repertoire in their rehearsals.

Pre-Covid-19, the choir met for termly courses working towards concerts or European concert tours..The choirs last concert included a performance of  Rutter’s Gloria at Chelmsford Cathedral accompanied Essex Youth Orchestra’s brass players.

For further information about how to join our Essex Youth Choir or any of our instrumental music groups, please telephone Beverley Heard – 07786 125 703 or  0333 013 9361  or email beverley.heard@essex.gov.uk