A Ceremony of Carols: Ormond College Choir and a Song for Orlando

Strategic Insights -

The Ormond College Choir, directed by Douglas Lawrence, performed a final concert for the year, featuring music by Britten, including the composer's most popular choral work, A Ceremony of Carols. The choir's performance was marked by its brisk and neat execution, with harpist Huw Jones providing a restrained reading of the instrumental interlude. The concert also included an Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber and Bach's double-choir motet Singet dem Herrn, which proved to be a remarkably effective conclusion due to its exhibition of vitality and authority.

In contrast, the Schola Cantorum of Newman College, directed by Gary Ekkel, performed an adventurous program in honor of Orlando di Lasso, featuring works by Lassus and Gregorian chants. The choir's performance was notable for its precision of attack and rapid movement through melismatic arches, as well as its ability to produce a powerfully rich sound in thickly textured music.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ormond College Choir performed a final concert for the year, featuring music by Britten, including A Ceremony of Carols and the Festival Te Deum.
  • The choir's performance was marked by its brisk and neat execution, with harpist Huw Jones providing a restrained reading of the instrumental interlude.
  • The concert also included an Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber and Bach's double-choir motet Singet dem Herrn, which proved to be a remarkably effective conclusion due to its exhibition of vitality and authority.
  • The Schola Cantorum of Newman College performed an adventurous program in honor of Orlando di Lasso, featuring works by Lassus and Gregorian chants.
  • The choir's performance was notable for its precision of attack and rapid movement through melismatic arches, as well as its ability to produce a powerfully rich sound in thickly textured music.
  • Director Gary Ekkel is also a bass with the Ormond College Choir.
  • The concert at Ormond College was held at St Mary's Star of the Sea in West Melbourne, while the Schola Cantorum's performance took place in the Newman College Chapel.

Statistics:

  • The Ormond College Choir consists of a significant number of singers, although the exact number is not specified.
  • The Schola Cantorum, directed by Gary Ekkel, has 13 singers.
  • The concert program at St Mary's Star of the Sea included A Ceremony of Carols, the Festival Te Deum, and an Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber.
  • The Schola Cantorum's performance in the Newman College Chapel featured works by Lassus, including the 12-part Laudate Dominum and a 10-part Magnificat.

Sources:

  • "A Ceremony of Carols: Ormond College Choir, harp Huw Jones, organ Bruce Fethers, director Douglas Lawrence St Mary's Star of the Sea, West Melbourne, Friday"
  • "A Song for Orlando: Schola Cantorum, director Gary Ekkel; Newman College Chapel, Saturday"