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arr Bob Chilcott: Sussex Carol

Biography

Described by the Observer as "a contemporary hero of British Choral Music", Bob Chilcott works tirelessly as a composer and choral conductor. He has over 125 published pieces and his music is performed throughout the world.

Since 2002 he has been Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Singers. He has conducted other distinguished choirs including RIAS Kammerchor, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Jauna Musika, The World Youth Choir, Tower New Zealand Youth Choir, Taipei Chamber Singers, Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir, and the Kyoto Echo Choir. He leads singing days for communities and schools in Britain, and since 1997 has conducted and given workshops in 23 countries. In 2011 he is Composer-in-Residence at Festival 500 in Newfoundland and will give workshops at the World Choral Symposium in Patagonia and the national convention of the American Choral Directors' Association.

He has two critically acclaimed recordings on Signum, Man I sing with the BBC Singers and Making Waves with the women's choir The Sirens. He wrote the title track for the newly-released King's Singers album, Swimming over London and his piece Irish Blessing featured on the multi-platinum debut album of The Priests.

Sussex Carol
Chilcott directs his own, ebullient arrangement of a traditional English carol whose words begin "On Christmas night all Christians sing, to hear the news the angels bring". Chilcott's choral arrangements are popular across the world: a former member of the King's Singers, his experience and enthusiasm for choral music is always present in his work.

More like this: John Gardner - Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Christmas is a time for good humour and good cheer in both Gardner's dance-carol and Chilcott's Christmas arrangements. The light-hearted syncopation that infuses both works creates two joyfully memorable carols.
More Carols