CJ Replay: Choral Music in England

(ACDA’s National Youth Honor Choir is currently performing in London under the direction of Simon Carrington.  It seems a good time to replay this article from the May, 1973, Choral Journal, “Choral Singing in England,” by Harold Decker.)

 

      England, the “mod” country, the originator of the midi and the long hair, fllimous for its Beatles and “Jesus Christ Super Star”, still is the “land of choral tradition.” A visitor from America is readily aware of the vital musical life in London, and a few weeks spent”festival-hopping” in Great Britain can bring great rewards to one who values well prepared performances of great music. This is especially true if in his musical wanderings he can include the Aldeburgh, Oxford and Bath Festivala, although there are many other famous ones to choose from, depending on the length of time one can spend travelling about.

       The high standards of performance and musical traditiqn in both England and Germany have existed since the 19th century and can largely be attributed to the active interest of amateur singers and instrumentalists. No highly successful professional or·chestras or choirswould exist without a foundation of knowledgeable and dedicated amateur musicians. Both of these countries have promoted community choruses and orchestras in small villages as well as inthe larger cities for over a century. In Germany, opera and the theater have the same tradition. There is no doubt but that Great Britain’s great musical vitality today is largely due to the avid

interest of amateur participants. in the choral Societies and in the ·community choirs throughout the land. In addition, there is the superior training of boy choirs sponsored by the Church of England. With excellent training from these sources, choral traditions have become an established part of an Englishman’s heritage.