Details
Worcester Cathedral
8 College Yard
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR1 2LA
England
Programme
Aaron Copland – Fanfare for the Common Man
Ralph Vaughan Williams – Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Philip Sawyers – Mayflower on the Sea of Time
Aaron Copland – Appalachian Spring (1945 - orchestra)
Performers
Neil Ferris – choral director
Kenneth Woods – Conductor
April Fredrick – soprano
David Stout – baritone
Worcestershire Mayflower Chorus
English Symphony Orchestra
Programme Note
One of the highpoints of the city of Worcester's commemorations to mark the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s pioneering voyage to the New World in 1620 and Worcestershire’s strong connection to this momentous and far-reaching event.
As well as audience favourites by Vaughan Williams and Copland, the Gala Concert programme is to include the World Premiere of a specially commissioned choral/orchestral work: Mayflower on the Sea of Time, written by British composer Philip Sawyers.
Offering young people in Worcestershire access to the finest performance opportunities, the specially formed Worcestershire Mayflower Chorus – a 200-strong choir of students and teachers – will perform alongside professional musicians, including the English Symphony Orchestra under their conductor Kenneth Woods, and soloists April Fredrick, soprano and David Stout, baritone. Students from Worcester’s Academy Theatre Arts will join the performance of Copland’s Appalachian Spring in a dance of celebration performed around the cathedral, choreographed by college principal, Helen Leek.
The concert is the culmination of an inspired educational project with Worcestershire secondary schools and colleges under the direction of esteemed choral conductor, Neil Ferris, who is Director of the BBC Symphony Chorus, amongst other eminent choirs, and recognized as one of the country’s leading teachers of choral conducting.
“I am very excited about returning to Worcester to work with incredibly talented secondary school students and their dedicated teachers for what promises to be a rewarding and life-long memorable event”, said Mr Ferris. “We have commissioned a superb piece from Philip Sawyers, which will make a significant contribution to the cultural events taking place nationally and internationally in this Mayflower 400 year.”
Philip Sawyers added: “My task as a composer was to write a substantial work to commemorate this event and the challenges the Pilgrims faced in the New World. The work is in four parts telling of the persecution and journey, arrival in the New World, survival and community and ‘The Sea of Time’, which includes a reflection of the mystic qualities of the natural world using words by one of America’s most iconic poets, Walt Whitman. Finally, a celebration and the first ‘Thanksgiving’ brings the work to an affirmative close.”