Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

The Sammes Chorus is a classical music ensemble that has been active since the mid-20th century. The group was founded by Leslie Sammes, a British musician and arranger who had a successful career in the music industry. The Sammes Chorus was initially formed as a studio group, providing backing vocals for various recording artists and film soundtracks. Leslie Sammes was born in London in 1912 and began his musical career as a chorister at St. Paul's Cathedral. He later studied at the Royal Academy of Music and became a professional singer and arranger. In the 1940s, Sammes began working as a vocal arranger for Decca Records, where he worked on recordings by artists such as Vera Lynn and Bing Crosby. In 1950, Sammes formed the Sammes Chorus as a studio group to provide backing vocals for recording artists. The group quickly gained a reputation for their high-quality performances and became in-demand for recording sessions. The Sammes Chorus provided backing vocals for a wide range of artists, including Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark, and The Beatles. In addition to their work as a studio group, the Sammes Chorus also performed live concerts and made several recordings of their own. The group's repertoire included classical choral works, as well as popular songs and folk music. The Sammes Chorus also collaborated with other musicians and ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the King's Singers. One of the highlights of the Sammes Chorus's career was their performance at the 1963 Royal Variety Performance, which was attended by Queen Elizabeth II. The group performed a medley of songs from the musical Oliver!, which was a huge success and helped to raise the profile of the Sammes Chorus. The Sammes Chorus also received several awards and accolades throughout their career. In 1961, the group won a Grammy Award for their recording of the song "Wonderland by Night". The Sammes Chorus also received several Ivor Novello Awards, which are given to British songwriters and composers. Despite their success, the Sammes Chorus faced some challenges in the 1970s as the music industry began to change. The rise of rock and pop music meant that there was less demand for studio groups like the Sammes Chorus, and the group's workload began to decrease. Leslie Sammes retired in 1978, and the Sammes Chorus continued to perform and record under the direction of other conductors. Today, the Sammes Chorus is no longer active as a group, but their recordings and performances continue to be celebrated by fans of classical and popular music. The group's legacy is a testament to the talent and dedication of Leslie Sammes and his fellow musicians, who helped to shape the sound of popular music in the mid-20th century.

More....