The BBC Singers were much in the news during 2023, first with news of their imminent disbandment, and then - following widespread criticism of this decision - a reprieve.
They then made a triumphant performance at the 2023 BBC Proms. They will also be performing at the 2024 BBC Proms. And this one is a special one: in 2024, the group marks its 100th birthday.
Who are the BBC Singers?
They are Britain's only full-time professional chamber choir.
Where are they based?
The group is are based at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios in London, but performs all over the UK and abroad.
When were the BBC Singers founded?
In 1924 a choir was brought together by the BBC for a performance of Rutland Boughton's Immortal Hour. Known then as the 'Wireless Chorus', it was soon established as a full-time professional choir. A few years later, in 1927, the Corporation plucked some members from the Wireless Chorus for performances that required fewer performers. These became known as the 'Wireless Singers', later (in 1934) renamed as the 'BBC Singers'.
Is that the end of the story?
No. That same year, the Wireless Singers were split into two octets: Singers A, who specialised in less standard repertoire, such as Renaissance polyphony and madrigals; and Singers B, who sang light music and revue numbers. Singers A were generally paid about £1 more than Singers B.
It wasn't until 1961 that the A/B division was scrapped and the choir reemerged as a single force of 28 voices under yet another new name: the BBC Chorus. Finally, following the appointment of John Poole as chorus master in 1972, the choir reverted to its previous name.
Who is their current chief conductor?
The Swedish choral conductor and mezzo-soprano Sofi Jeannin, who is the first woman to hold the post with this choir. But the choir also works with several guest conductors, who have included Bob Chilcott and the early music specialists Peter Phillips (founder and conductor of the Tallis Scholars) and Robert Hollingworth.
What kind of repertoire do the BBC Singers perform?
Over the years they've built up a reputation for performing new music, and have premiered more than a hundred works, among them pieces by Benjamin Britten, Michael Tippett, Iannis Xenakis, John Tavener, Peter Maxwell Davies and Richard Rodney Bennett, to name a few. But their repertoire is diverse, encompassing over five centuries of choral music.
Any notable alumni?
Yes, many, including the tenor Peter Pears, who was a member of the choir when they premiered Britten's A Boy Was Born in 1934. He went on to become the composer's lifelong partner. Other past members include the mezzo soprano Sarah Connolly and the composer Judith Bingham.
Five great BBC Singers performances
We have celebrated with a round-up of five fantastic BBC Singers performances from around the web.
1. Gustav Holst: Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda
From the moment they gave their first world premiere – Holst’s The Morning of the Year in 1927 – the BBC Singers have held an unrivalled position at the forefront of contemporary choral performance. And Holst has remained a favourite with the choir. Here’s their 2013 BBC Proms performance of Holst’s Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, Op. 26.
2. Harrison Birtwistle: The Moth Requiem
The choir's premieres of such significant works as Berg’s Wozzeck and Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress set a precedent for creative relationships with the most important composers and conductors of the 20th and 21st centuries. In 2013, they performed the UK premiere of Sir Harrison Birtwistle’s The Moth Requiem at the Proms with the Nash Ensemble.
3. Gabriel Jackson: In Nomine Domini
As part of their 90th birthday celebrations in September 2014, the BBC Singers dove into their rich back catalogue of commissions in a special 'Singers at Six' concert, conducted by Stephen Cleobury, Bob Chilcott and Paul Brough. The concert included a focus on their associate composers, Judith Bingham, Edward Cowie and Gabriel Jackson. Below is the choir's world premiere performance of Jackson’s In Nomine Domini from the 2010 BBC Proms.
4. Felix Mendelssohn: Hear My Prayer
The BBC Singers are also known for their education and outreach programmes. In a 2009 masterclass conductor David Hill explains the nuances of performing Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer.
5. George Frideric Handel: Dixit Dominus
Finally, Robert Hollingsworth introduces us to the intricacies of Handel’s Dixit Dominus with the help of the BBC Singers under James O’Donnell.
