In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

National Youth Choir of Great Britain

Director: Mike Brewer

Mixed Choral Chorus from Durham, DH1, England.

Founded in 1983 by Mike Brewer and Carl Browning, NYCGB has grown to become one of the most highly regarded and inspirational youth music organisations in the world. Originally set up as a single choir made up of 100 of the best young singers in the nation, NYCGB now comprises of an educational structure of three Junior Choirs (NYJC), a choir for boys with changing voices (Cambiata), two Training Choirs (NYTC), the National Youth Choir (NYC) itself and the graduate Chamber Choir, Laudibus.

This year almost 800 talented young people, between the ages of 9 and 22, will enjoy the benefits of the NYCGB experience by taking part in a programme of residential courses and concerts. Courses include intensive rehearsals, individual voice coaching and lessons in musicianship: a combination that encourages the development of both teamwork and leadership skills. Course staff members are experts in the field of choral training and specific vocal workshops are provided by guest specialists.

Since the first concert back in 1983, thousands of talented singers have been trained and inspired by NYCGB and many thousands more have been moved by the powerful performances given by these young musicians.

The work of NYCGB is vital in nurturing the exceptional young musical talent that exists in this country. As a beginning to many of Britain's greatest singers' careers, NYCGB continuously feeds the most outstanding professional choirs, opera houses and schools in the country. NYCGB has established itself as a foundation for the musical framework of Britain.

Striving to improve accessibility and constantly exploring new and diverse areas of music, NYCGB stands at the forefront of not only musical education, but also of musical excellence.

Discography

Displaying 1-3 of 3 items.

National Youth Choir of Great Britain : Songs of the Baltic Sea

Review: East meets West on this new recording as two great singing traditions are brought together, to thrilling effect. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union the three Baltic states have emerged as powerhouses of choral innovation and imagination. Mike Brewer and the NYCGB bring all their customary fervour and virtuosity to bear on this programme of masterworks from three of Europe's smallest, yet musically richest, countries.

Songlist: Tau Bet Kokios Sutemos, Lacrimosa, Hyme a St. Martin, Calling Up, A Shoe For The Stone Horse, There Should Have Been, Magic, Earth, Glory, Holy Evening, Guessing Song, O, Kalyudka!, Spring Is Coming, To the Newborn Christ, Cantus Maris Baltici

$\'More$

National Youth Choir of Great Britain : British Choral Music

Review: The British choral music featured on this CD is dynamic. The opening Requiem by Priaulx Rainier is for tenor solo and unaccompanied choir. This very demanding piece was first performed by Peter Pears and the Purcell Singers. Based on the poem by David Gascoyne, the piece was written for the future victims of World War II. On A Deserted Shore, by Francis Routh, for soprano solo, double choir, semi-chorus, two pianos and percussion is a lament on the death of a loved one. The Three Partsongs by Alan Rawsthorne are also incredibly gorgeous. These incredibly difficult pieces are superbly performed by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, conducted by Michael Brewer. The featured soloists are Eileen Hulse, soprano and Mark Wilde, tenor

Songlist: Requiem, Part I, Part II, Part III, On a Deserted Shore, Andanta, Allegro, Vivace, Passacaglia, Andante maestoso, Three Partsongs, A Rose for Lidice (1956), The Oxen (1965), Canzonet (1953)

$\'More$

National Youth Choir of Great Britain : Madrigals and Partsongs

Review: The music of Robert L. de Pearsall and Charles Wood is not very well known today, but definitely deserves a listen. Pearsall was a former lawyer who gave up the law after a stroke. He became interested in early music, particularly 16th century counterpoint. Wood is mainly known for his church music, but was very interested in secular music as well. The madrigals and part songs featured are quite nice and would be of interest to any choir looking for something different. They are wonderfully performed here by the very talented National Youth Choir of Great Britain.

Songlist: Summer is y-coming in, Great God of love, Nights of music, The whispering waves, The widow bird, If love be dead, Come, sleep, Song for a dance, As the moon's soft splendor, When thou art nigh, A clear midnight, How dear to me, The nymph's fawn, Hence away, begone!, Full fathom five, Music, when soft voices die, How sweet the tuneful bells, When winds that move not, Light of my soul, Lay a garland

$\'More$