Do you sing or like choral music?
Barristering involves the giving of a performance. This may well be why the Bar appears to attract a large number of musicians into its ranks (writes Tim Dutton QC). In London alone, we have Temple Church with its beautiful acoustic and strong musical traditions, and the Halls of the Four Inns, each of which hosts musical events. And yet we have not, so far, had a Bar Choral Society. A number of us have been discussing creating such a society – so as to have a quality choir which draws upon the Bar, the Judiciary, those we work with, and our families and friends.
Over the past few months we have created the formal structure for the society and the renowned choral composer John Rutter CBE has agreed to be the President.
Robin Griffith- Jones, Master of the Temple, has agreed that the choir can rehearse and perform in Temple Church. Greg Morris (organist at Temple Church) has agreed to be the musical director, and the society’s other officers are currently myself, Kate Lumsdon, Mark Trafford and Anthony Boswood. We have recruited a strong core group of nearly 100 voices – approximately 37 sopranos, 24 altos, 15 tenors, 24 basses, amongst whom are at least three judge members. We will welcome more, particularly female voices. You need to be able to read music and to sing. Our rehearsals are on Mondays at 6.00pm.
The first concert is on 23 June at Temple Church at 6.30pm (it will last an hour, and be followed by drinks in the Master’s Garden). The programme will be Bach – Awake thou wintry earth, Mozart – Ave verum corpus & Laudate Dominum, Mendelssohn – Hear my prayer, an organ solo, and Handel – excerpts from Part 3 of the Messiah. The soprano soloist will be the talented Grace Davidson.
If you are interested in joining please contact kam@fountaincourt.co.uk or myself at tjd@fountaincourt.co.uk. And whether you wish to sing or not please do come to the inaugural concert on 23 June.
