Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

Joyful Company of Singers is a renowned classical music ensemble based in London, England. Founded in 1988 by Peter Broadbent, the choir has established itself as one of the leading choral groups in the United Kingdom, known for its exceptional performances of both traditional and contemporary choral music. Peter Broadbent, a former member of the King's Singers, founded Joyful Company of Singers with the aim of creating a choir that would perform a wide range of choral music, from the Renaissance to the present day. The choir's name was inspired by a line from Handel's oratorio, Messiah: "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." From its inception, Joyful Company of Singers has attracted some of the finest choral singers in the UK, many of whom have gone on to successful solo careers. The choir's current members include sopranos Sarah Fox and Grace Davidson, mezzo-sopranos Clare McCaldin and Martha McLorinan, tenors Mark Dobell and James Gilchrist, and basses Robert Rice and Ben Davies. Over the years, Joyful Company of Singers has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the UK and abroad, including the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican Centre, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Berlin Philharmonic Hall. The choir has also collaborated with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Academy of Ancient Music. One of the highlights of Joyful Company of Singers' career was their performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion at the BBC Proms in 1995. The performance, conducted by Sir Roger Norrington, was widely praised for its clarity and precision, and was later released on CD by Decca Records. In 2002, Joyful Company of Singers won the prestigious Gramophone Award for Best Choral Recording for their album of music by the contemporary composer James MacMillan. The album, entitled "The Confession of Isobel Gowdie," features MacMillan's powerful setting of the Scottish witch's confession, as well as other works inspired by Scottish folk music. In addition to their performances and recordings, Joyful Company of Singers is also committed to promoting new choral music. The choir has commissioned and premiered works by a number of contemporary composers, including John Tavener, Judith Bingham, and Nico Muhly. Joyful Company of Singers has also been involved in a number of educational and outreach projects, working with schools and community groups to promote choral singing and music education. The choir's "Sing for Pleasure" workshops, led by Peter Broadbent, have been particularly successful in encouraging amateur singers to develop their skills and confidence. In recent years, Joyful Company of Singers has continued to build on its reputation as one of the UK's leading choral ensembles. The choir's 30th anniversary season in 2018-19 featured a range of concerts and events, including performances of Bach's Mass in B Minor and Handel's Messiah, as well as a collaboration with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. As Joyful Company of Singers looks to the future, the choir remains committed to its mission of promoting choral music of all styles and periods, and inspiring audiences and singers alike with the power and beauty of the human voice.

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