Choirs join forces to mark twinning Golden Jubilee
Posted on 7 March 2007
The University of York choir, which features 270 voices, will sing Mozart’s Requiem with choristers from the Studentische Madrigalchor of Westfälische Wilhelms-UniversitÄt Münster at the concert on 14 March.
The event, which is expected to attract an audience of more than 1,000, will feature Northern Sinfonia and York alumni - Helen Neeves, Helena Daffern, Matthew Long and Stephen Varcoe - as soloists, with Peter Seymour as conductor.
It is a great honour for both our choirs to help to mark this important date in the history of our two great cities
Professor Bruce Gilbert
The concert is being supported by the University of York Annual Fund, the German Embassy, Mercedes-Benz (North Yorkshire) and Denison Till.
The 50-strong group from Münster will spend six days in York and between rehearsals they will attend a Civic Reception at the Guildhall as well as a reception given by the University of York choir at the City Art Gallery.
The chair of the University of York choir, Professor Bruce Gilbert, said: "It is a great honour for both our choirs to help to mark this important date in the history of our two great cities. It promises to be a superb musical evening and our gratitude must go to our sponsors for making it possible."
Peter Seymour said: "The Mozart Requiem is one of the great choral masterpieces both for audience and performers. To hear and perform this in York Minster will be an unforgettable experience."
The University of York Choir is hoping to travel to Münster to sing in another joint concert with Studentische Madrigalchor next October.
Tickets for the concert are available from the Box Office (01904 432439; boxoffice@york.ac.uk; www.YorkConcerts.co.uk) and at the Minster on the night.
Notes to editors:
- The University Choir, established in 1965, includes a substantial number of music students, students from other academic departments, members of academic staff, and a significant number of members from York and the surrounding area. The Choir is supported by the University’s Music Department, and the Musical Director is Dr Peter Seymour.
- The Choir aims to make a major contribution to the cultural life of the City and University and is fortunate in being able to sing with leading soloists of national and international reputation and enjoy the accompaniment of professional, locally-based orchestras such as the Northern Sinfonia, English Northern Philharmonia, and Yorkshire Baroque Soloists, as well as the University’s own Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.