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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.
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.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
