BBC Singers tenor Stephen Jeffes offers his post-performance reflections on The Elements ...
Children from Harrow schools performing
Wow, what a performance! The energy and commitment from everyone onstage was electric. Soaring vocal lines from the children, inspired by the burnished, full bodied tone of the BBC Singers, filled the packed roundhouse with sound. I felt proud to be a part of this unique experience. Hearing the BBC Singers perform a piece in which they can give of their best, then to be joined by 500 school children giving it their all, was exceptionally rewarding. The different styles of singing coming together into a cohesive sound was everything we had hoped for when composing the piece. I hope it can be performed again and again.
Harrow schoolchildren with the BBC Singers
And BBC Singers Learning Manager Garth McArthur adds ...
On June 20th, the BBC Singers and around 500 young people from Harrow schools – both primary and secondary, descended upon the Roundhouse for a unique performance which opened the Voices NowFestival 2013. The BBC Singers are partnered with Harrow Music Service and we have been looking at ways in which to support and nurture secondary school choirs in the borough. To assist us, we commissioned Stephen Jeffes and Grace Rossiter to create a cantata – The Elements, which showcased secondary school choirs, primary Choirs and the BBC Singers as well.
We worked in Harrow from January, running teacher rehearsals and master-class days, and BBC Singers mentored particular school choirs in the run up to the performance so that each choir would be able to sound as amazing as possible. To see so many young people on stage at the Roundhouse, such a historic and inspiring venue, was breath taking, and to hear them produce such an incredible sound was very rewarding for all involved. The piece was not written to be easy, and every person on stage more than rose to the challenge.
There was over 1000 parents, friends and family in the audience cheering the choirs on, and the atmosphere on stage was electric. My only wish is that we can do it all again very soon. I think the below quote by one of our teachers sums up the event:
'They got to experience the rehearsal and performance aspect of professional musicians in a fantastic venue. They heard and saw the results of singing in a venue that has amazing sound and light engineering. They were proud to show their relatives/teachers/friends that they were real musicians, deserving of working alongside professionals. They were aware that each and every one of them played a key part in the performance. For these reasons, I think the event will stay with them forever.'
Bravo to all!
View a gallery of photos from the event: copyright Mark Allan/BBC
