Favorite Treble Choirs

[kport]

Several other Anglican Cathedral choirs have created girls sections in recent years; the most recent to announce this is Canterbury Cathedral; also Wells, Lincoln, Ely, Exeter and Southwark come to mind as having separate boys and girls treble sections. (In the US, The National Cathedral in Washington follows this tradition with separate girls and boys treble sections. ) In all cases, the same lay clerks and choral scholars provide the underlying parts, and generally boys and girls sing the same music in the same types of liturgical services, but separately, except for large festivals and concerts when they may join. The experienced ear can detect a slight difference in sound but both are clear and straight toned (even professional adult choirs such as The Sixteen and The Tallis Scholars produce a clear, 'cathedral' sound, from the adult lady singers). How these choirs determine the age ranges of both boys and girls depends upon the school; if choristers of both sexes go to the choir school, then they tend to leave at 13+; however, some choirs (such as Canterbury) have boys only in the choir school, so the girls (drawn from local schools) may stay on to 16 or 18, thus creating a more 'mature' sound.

This change has not been without its inevitable foes, and has not happened overnight; indeed, it is still underway. There are a number of reasons why a centuries-old tradition might accept this: many schools have become co-educational; EU Human Rights legislation encourages equality of opportunity; cathedrals and collegiate choirs are called upon to do more, and more often; boys have heavy academic and other commitments to fulfill; there are fewer boys coming forward to fill the stalls; boys' voices last roughly 8 to 13 if lucky (50 years ago many sang to 15 or 16); there are sisters ready to join their brothers in the choir; the sound is pretty similar up to 13 - many places have determined that it all just seems fair and sensible and right 'In quires and places where they sing' to give girls a place. The advent of girl choristers has not driven out the boys, as some railed might happen; instead, they have enhanced what the boys are already doing, allowing each to be its own group with its own special identity, while joining together, from time to time, for special events.

'The times they are a-changing'.

[cws8998]

Can't seem to let go of this subject.

Allow me to recommended the Munich Boy Choir "Tolzer Knabenchor" for your real listening pleasure. Most specifically, under their assorted YouYube offerings, a scene from "Zauberflote The Magic Flute" from 7/10/06.

The young soprano soloist is Ludwig Mittelhammer, who is featured with 3 of his choir cohorts in this very powerful offering which I think will amaze you. I sure had me wondering how on earth these youngsters at such a young age can pull off something like this.

Ludwig, and Tolser Knabenchor have quite a few sophisticated offerings under their site all of which are choice listenings.

Anyway, for your pleasure...!

Colin

[jdmag44]

I am enjoying this thread very much. I was in a number of choirs from about the age of 9 and even till only a few years ago. I really love Libera they are so unique and have such a beautiful sound. I am not familiar with the choirs mentioned here and I have been enjoying the videos posted.

I did some exploring on you tube and of course found many choir videos, mostly the classical English Cathedral type choir. All wonderful to hear and bringing back memories of my own young choir days.

BUT Yes 'The times they are a-changing'

During my search I discovered something I found totally unique and captivating.
"The Yeshiva Boys Choir"
Having never heard a Jewish choir I checked it out. Not at all what I expected. These videos are so wonderfully crafted. The visual quality and smart editing are exceptional - however I am sure this is not your Fathers Jewish boys choir. Oh yes the times are changing especially when these Kids hit the Synagogue

http://youtu.be/sxg6I8CCFPY


http://youtu.be/uBGLEZCCH7U

[Yorkie]

The choristers of Libera, by the way, kport, also serve as the choir for the parish church, St. Philip's of Norbury, in Norbury, a bit south of London. So, no, they aren't the Monkees of the Boy Choir world.

Quite right Ellen and I was able to attend their Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols on Sunday where the full choir gave a most beautiful performance, the stand out for me being Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium which was simply stunning.

By the way, Libera will also appear on The Today show on Christmas Day for viewers in the States.

[Yorkie]

Speaking of films, there's a BBC TV miniseries (1995) 'The Choir' (starring James Fox, David Warner, Nicholas Farrell, Peter Vaughan et al), an adaptation of a book by Joanna Trollope about a fictional UK cathedral choir. Despite its many flaws, the series is really good and I can wholeheartedly recommend it for watching. The series introduced Anthony Way, then-chorister with St Paul's Cathedral Choir and who played one of the main characters of the series, Henry Ashworth. His track, Panis Angelicus, became a kind of hit at that time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK22gyS1qc8

If anybody is interested in watching the whole of the BBC adaption of "The Choir" I think it is still uploaded on to YouTube and I could provide the links if you want. Just let me know.

[ERinVA]

As I recall, the young boy was played in that production by Anthony Way. Has anyone followed his career since?

On another note, I thought the dean's rebellious son was woefully miscast.

[kport]

As I recall, the young boy was played in that production by Anthony Way. Has anyone followed his career since?

On another note, I thought the dean's rebellious son was woefully miscast.

Anthony's treble career at St Paul's Cathedral saw him rise to Deputy Head Chorister; singing before the Queen Mother at her 96th birthday; recording The Choirboy's Christmas in Temple Church (where Ernest Lough had been a chorister); and taking part in two other St Paul's Choir recordings as a soloist before nature took its course on his career. Decca marked this with his final release: 'The Best of Anthony Way' in 1998.

In 1999 he played the part of Tom in the film 'Tom's Midnight Garden'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIIb1acdSa8 .

These days he lives in Chichester, is married, and plays in the band 'The Last Days of Lorca' (https://www.facebook.com/LDOlorca).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjsxc9MTpp4

[kport]

This has become an interesting thread; one of the common points raised concerns the purity of tone produced by boy trebles, whether from Libera, Tolzer, Montserrat, King's or St Paul's..........

Yet not so long ago, this is what passed for the boys' choir 'sound', in America at least.........ah, memories of Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald and 'Going My Way'!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtP1urL9-OU

[ERinVA]

So here's sweet little blond Anthony Way now.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

[kport]

So here's sweet little blond Anthony Way now.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

Ah, well, the cherub in short trousers in the front row of this photo sang in the choir at the Queen's Coronation:

http://odwa.co.uk/htdocs/fpdb/archives/choir_55.jpg

before becoming a Stone!:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/07/ ... 33x343.jpg