Genre

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Choral

 

Wells Cathedral Choir is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been enchanting audiences with its ethereal music for over a thousand years. The choir is based in the historic city of Wells in Somerset, England, and is known for its exceptional performances of choral music, particularly sacred music. The choir was founded in the 10th century, making it one of the oldest choirs in the world. It was originally established as a monastic choir, with the monks of the cathedral singing the daily services. However, in the 16th century, the choir was re-established as a secular choir, with boys from the local area being recruited to sing in the choir. Today, the choir is made up of around 20 boy choristers, 12 girl choristers, and 12 adult singers, known as lay clerks. The choir is led by the Director of Music, who is responsible for selecting the music and conducting the choir. Over the years, the choir has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, including St. Paul's Cathedral in London, the Vatican in Rome, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia. The choir has also performed for members of the royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles. One of the highlights of the choir's history was its performance at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The choir sang the hymn "I was glad" by Sir Hubert Parry, which has become one of the most iconic pieces of music associated with the coronation. The choir has also won numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 2019, the choir was awarded the prestigious Gramophone Award for its recording of the music of Arvo Pärt. The choir has also been nominated for several other awards, including the BBC Music Magazine Awards and the International Classical Music Awards. In addition to its performances and recordings, the choir is also involved in a number of educational and outreach programs. The choir runs a chorister school, which provides a high-quality education to the choristers while also training them in the art of choral singing. The choir also runs a program called "Sing Up", which aims to promote singing in schools and communities across the UK. Overall, Wells Cathedral Choir is a truly remarkable ensemble that has a rich history and a bright future. With its exceptional performances, award-winning recordings, and commitment to education and outreach, the choir is sure to continue enchanting audiences for many years to come.

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