Choral Group WeekendThe GAOS Choral Group likes to have a summer activity each year - just to keep people in voice (because the vocal cords, like every other muscle need to be used regularly!!). This year, we have a weekend of music planned for the 7th, 8th and 9th of July during which we will be working on choral songs by some of the composers of the early 20th century and late 19th century (such as Edward Elgar, Charles Villiers Stanford, Hubert Parry). Directing the weekend will be Julian McNamara, well-known to many GAOS members. Whilst he was in Geneva he was not only studying at the Conservatoire de Musique and organist and choirmaster at Holy Trinity Church but was also Musical Director of several GAOS spring shows (notably The Mikado and My Fair Lady). Julian also conducted the GAOS Choral Group for some concerts and Christmas carol evenings. He is now Head of the Department of Music at Downside Public School, close to Bath in Somerset, UK. Sessions will be held at GAOS HQ (on Friday) and at the Salle Communale de Founex (Saturday and Sunday) and will be followed on Sunday evening by an informal concert and an apéro dinatoire. Who are we?The Choral Group is made up of GAOS members who love to sing. Some members use the opportunity to "keep in voice" in between shows, while others simply like the chance to sing without the demands of a mainstage production. Rehearsals usually take place on Monday evenings 18h30-20h30 at GAOS HQ. |
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The Choral Group performs 3 concerts per year, including the annual Christmas Carol Concert. They’ve performed everything from Tallis to Mozart, Brahms to Bernstein, Rutter and the list goes on. Their most recent performances have included Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, Duruflé’s Requiem and excerpts from Handel’s Belshazzar.
The Choral Group season often includes a weekend workshop with invited clinicians, as well.
Contact choralgroup@gaos.ch to find out when to attend your first rehearsal!
The Choral Group was founded in 1985 with just 16 singers and has performed in numerous locations around Geneva, including Victoria Hall, the Château de Prangins, the Auditoire du Calvin and even at Geneva’s Fête de la Musique! The group has often combined forces with other local choirs and orchestras, and in 2008 traveled to Durham, UK to combine with the Durham Choral Society Chorus and Orchestra for a concert of Mozart’s Requiem and Vesperae solennes de Confessore.