Joint China Choir Trip 2012

The joint QEH and Red Maids’ School Choir performed at The Lord Mayor’s Chapel on Sunday 5 February in the presence of The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress – there were readings by the acclaimed novelist and Orange Prize winner Helen Dunmore.

The joint choir will next perform at St Mary’s Church, Stoke Bishop on Wednesday 8 February at 7.30pm. The evening is free and open to the general public.

 

These concerts follow the joint concert on 28 January celebrating Chinese New Year at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, when the choir formed part of day-long celebrations of Chinese New Year, which included traditional dances, family trails and dragons flying overhead!

The choir, comprising 25 girls and 15 boys from Years 9 to 13, are preparing to fly to Beijing on Saturday 11 February for an eight-day tour. The pre-tour concerts have provided an opportunity for singers and instrumentalists to rehearse their repertoire in front of appreciative audiences in the Bristol.

As well as seeing several cultural highlights such as the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army, the group have three performances lined up. The first is at a school in Beijing, the second is in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and the third is outside a school in Xian.

Speaking of the trip, Dianne Francombe, Vice Chairman of The Bristol China Partnership said, “We are delighted the choir from QEH and Red Maids’ will be performing at several venues in China.”

The choir, together with talented string and woodwind players, is currently working hard to perfect its performance which includes some Spanish and African pieces, the instrumental item The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and choral pieces such as Zadok the Priest, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Rule Britannia and The Bare Necessities!

Mr Stephen Browne, Director of Music at The Red Maids’ School said, “Many members of the public commented on the high quality of the joint choir’s performance at Bristol Museum to celebrate Chinese New Year and the 2012 Year of the Dragon. Our concert next Sunday at the Lord Mayor’s Chapel, and on 8 February at St Mary’s Church, Stoke Bishop, also form part of our warm up preparations for the big trip to China in a few weeks time.”

QEH Director of Music, Mr Ed Gent, adds, “The choir is very excited about visiting China at a time when it features so much in the international arena. The students will perform together in some prestigious venues whilst working collaboratively and perfecting their musical skills.”

Please feel free to come to our forthcoming concerts.

For further information about the Chinese New Year celebrations in Bristol, view the weekend programme by clicking for Mshed here or museums here

SEE OUR PICTURE GALLERY FOR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE EVENTS & THE TOUR

For China trip programme click here