Saturday 11 March – Easter by Candlelight
A feast of beautiful Renaissance and Baroque choral music from Italy, Portugal and Spain at St James Priory.
2022
Monday 19 December – Christmas Spectacular
Exultate Singers and Bristol Ensemble’s annual Christmas Spectacular, a wonderfully entertaining and uplifting evening of Christmas music and readings at St George’s Bristol
Saturday 10 and Wednesday 14 December – Carols by Candlelight
Exultate Singers’ annual concerts of beautiful carols and Christmas music in the medieval church of St James Priory in central Bristol.
Sunday 4 October at 4pm – Music on the Quantocks
Exultate Singers performed a programme of Renaissance music to a sell-out audience at St James Church in Taunton as part of the Music on the Quantocks series.
Saturday 15 October – The Heart’s Voice
Exultate Singers were joined by Craig Ogden and Gary Ryan, two charismatic and entertaining virtuosi of the guitar for an entertaining of music with folksong associations, as well as works by Vaughan Williams to celebrate the composer’s 150th birthday
28 – 29 May 2022 – York Minster
Exultate Singers sang the weekend’s services at York Minster – Evensong at 5.30pm on Saturday, and Sunday’s services were Choral Matins, Choral Eucharist, and Choral Evensong.
14 May 2022 – Bach’s Mass in B Minor
Exultate Singers and professional orchestra the Bristol Ensemble performed one of the greatest works in the choral repertoire – Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor.
24 April 2022 – Westminster Abbey
The choir sang evensong in the magnificent setting of Westminster Abbey, including Roxanna Panufnik’s Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, and David’s Ogden’s Every Breath A Song
12 February 2022 – Saxultate II
The renowned saxophonist Amy Dickson joined Exultate Singers on stage at St George’s Bristol for a spellbinding programme of music for choir and saxophone
2021
Monday 20 December • Christmas Spectacular
Exultate Singers and Bristol Ensemble take to the stage at St George’s Bristol for a festive evening of music and readings
Saturday 11 and Wednesday 15 December • Carols by Candlelight
A return to St James Priory for Carols by Candlelight
Saturday 27 November at 7.30pm • From darkness to light
Exultate Singers travelled to Wrington to give an Advent concert at All Saints’ Church for Churchill Music
Saturday 16 October 2021 at 7.30pm • Every breath a song
Exultate Singers returned to St George’s to perform an uplifting and moving programme of music in celebration of singing including Bach’s Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied and Rheinberger’s Cantus Missae in E flat.
Sunday 3 October at 3.30pm • Music on the Quantocks
Exultate Singers performed a programme of Renaissance music at Wiveliscombe Church in Somerset as part of the Music on the Quantocks series.
Wednesday 11 August at 7.30pm • All Glorious Above
The sopranos and altos of Exultate Singers performed a heavenly programme of music for upper voices at St George’s Bristol.
2020
Monday 21 December • Christmas concerts at St George’s Bristol
Exultate Singers performed two hour-long Christmas concerts at St George’s Bristol featuring a beautiful selection of music and readings, which were also live streamed for an online audience to watch at home.
Friday 18 December at 7pm • Christmas Carols with Exultate Singers
Exultate Singers performed an online concert of carols and readings, recorded at St George’s Bristol
Tuesday 15 December at 7.30pm • The Lark Ascending Centenary
Exultate Singers joined Bristol Ensemble and Bristol Beacon to recreate the concert that premiered one of the nation’s favourite works at Shirehampton Public Hall, exactly 100 years ago
Sunday 8 November • Songs of Hope
An online concert on the themes of hope and light, including works by William Harris, Hubert Parry, Philip Moore, Edward Elgar and Rani Arbo. Excerpts of the concert can be found on our videos page
Sunday 20 September at 2pm and 4pm • Autumn Serenade
Exultate Singers’ first post-lockdown performances took place in the gardens of St George’s Bristol. Two one-hour concerts were sung to audiences of 50 people, including music by Byrd, Palestrina, Bruckner, Finzi and Rheinberger.
Thursday 4 June at 1pm • Bristol Arts Channel lunchtime concert
Using archive footage, Exultate Singers performed as part of Bristol Arts Channel’s free online lunchtime concert, curated by St George’s Bristol.
Saturday 28 March at 7.30pm • Easter by Candlelight *cancelled*
Exultate Singers had planned to perform Domenico Scarlatti’s virtuosic and dramatic Stabat Mater, Victoria’s Tenebrae Responsories and large-scale multi-choir Holy Week motets in a candlelit Easter concert in the medieval church of St James Priory, but sadly the concert had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Saturday 8 February at 7.30pm • Sense of the Divine: Saxultate!
Exultate Singers was joined by the saxophonist Amy Dickson for a sensational evening of music including new commissions, arrangements based on timeless folk tunes and well-loved classics.
Friday 24 January at 7.30pm • One Vision, One Voice
Following their collaboration at the memorable High Sheriff’s Concert last summer, Exultate Singers and the Renewal Choir joined forces again to pay tribute to the power of music not only to transform lives, but also to bring communities together in the second performance of Toby Young’s As One.
2019
Friday 20 December at 7.30pm • Christmas Spectacular
Exultate Singers’ Christmas extravaganza with the Bristol Ensemble at St George’s Bristol.
Wednesday 11 and Saturday 14 December at 7.30pm – Carols by Candlelight
Exultate Singers’ annual concerts of beautiful carols and Christmas music in the medieval church of St James Priory in central Bristol.
Sunday 10 November at 6pm • Lux Aeterna
In this early evening Remembrance Sunday concert at St George’s Bristol, Exultate Singers performed a programme of music on the theme of light as a symbol of hope and optimism including music by Howells, Rachmaninov, Cecilia McDowall and Nicholas O’Neill.
Tuesday 29 October at 7pm, Faro Cathedral
As part of Exultate Singers’ tour of Portgual, the choir performed a concert of music by Gabrilei, Tallis, Byrd, de Vivanco, Zielenski, Lopes Morago, Pearsall, Purcell, Howells, Carpenter, de Brito and Bruckner
Sunday 27 October at 10.30am, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Lisbon
As part of Exultate Singers’ tour of Portgual, the choir sang . music by Lassus, Estevao de Brito, Lopes Morago, Ian Carpenter and Gustav Holst at Mass in the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Saturday 26 October at 8pm, Lisbon Cathedral
As part of Exultate Singers’ tour of Portgual, the choir performed a concert of music by Gabrilei, Tallis, Byrd, de Vivanco, Zielenski, Lopes Morago, Pearsall, Purcell, Howells, Carpenter, de Brito and Bruckner
Wednesday 19 June at 7.30pm • As One: High Sheriff’s Concert
Renewal Choir, Bristol Youth Choir and Exultate Singers united in a very special High Sheriff’s Concert celebrating talent and diversity across the city.
Saturday 11 May at 7pm • Spring Serenade
Exultate Singers made its Cornish debut singing a concert in the 15th century parish of St Mabyn near Bodmin.
Saturday 30 March at 7.30pm • A European Easter
Exultate Singers and the internationally renowned early music ensemble His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts joined forces again for a celebration of European baroque choral and instrumental music.
Saturday 9 February at 6pm • Sense of the Divine: Love and Harmony
An early evening concert on the theme of love including music by Finzi, Purcell, Lauridsen, Chilcott, Ešenvalds, Whitacre, Dvořák and Borodin.
Friday 1 February at 7.30pm • Classical Mixtape
Classical Mixtape concert featuring Exultate Singers alongside some stars of the classical music world including the saxophonist Amy Dickson and cellist Laura van der Heijden, winner of the 2012 BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.
2018
Friday 21 December at 7.30pm • Christmas Spectacular
Exultate Singers’ annual Christmas extravaganza with the Bristol Ensemble at St George’s Bristol.
Wednesday 12 and Saturday 15 December at 7.30pm – Carols by Candlelight
Exultate Singers performed beautiful carols and Christmas music in the medieval church of St James Priory in central Bristol.
Sunday 18 November at 6pm • Glories of Byzantium
Exultate Singers performed an entertaining and enterprising programme showcasing the influence of Greek sacred and secular traditions and culture including the first performances of works by Toby Young and Solfa Carlile, together with music by Nick Bicat, John Tavener and traditional Greek Byzantine chant.
Saturday 27 October at 7.45pm • A Celebration of Life
Exultate Singers joined forces with Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra to perform Fauré’s Requiem in remembrance of David Nash.
Saturday 20 October at 10.30am • Lilliput Concert
A concert of proper music for tiny people at Redland Park URC.
Sunday 30 September at 7.30pm • MacMillan and Handel
Sir James MacMillan’s iconic work Seven Last Words From The Cross was paired with Handel’s joyful and exuberant Dixit Dominus.
Saturday 9 June at 7.30pm • Sense of the Divine: Pictures at a Concert Hall
This Sense of the Divine concert was a feast for the eyes as well as the ears as Dr Beth Williamson, Reader in History of Art at the University of Bristol, introduced paintings from around the world and across the centuries while the choir performed music associated with and inspired by the paintings.
Saturday 5 May at 7.30pm – Immortal Fire
Exultate Singers performed the premiere of Raymond Warren’s Requiem in a concert celebrating the composer’s 90th birthday. The programme also included music by Tippett and Britten.
Sunday 25 February at 6pm • Evening Romance
The renowned guitarist Craig Ogden and cellist Richard May joined Exultate Singers for an early-evening concert of romantic music from around the globe.
2017
Thursday 21 December at 7.30pm • Christmas Spectacular
Exultate Singers’ annual Christmas extravaganza with the Bristol Ensemble at St George’s Bristol.
Wednesday 13 and Saturday 16 December at 7.30pm – Carols by Candlelight
The choir’s annual sell-out concerts of beautiful carols and Christmas music took place in the medival church of St James Priory.
Saturday 14 October at 7.30pm • 1300th anniversary concert
Exultate Singers performed a concert of music specially chosen for the 1300th anniversary celebrations of Westbury-on-Trym Parish Church, Bristol.
Sunday 12 November at 7.30pm • Into the World of Light
A concert of ethereal and powerful music featuring world premiere performances of works by two leading British composers, Sir James MacMillan and Toby Young
Wednesday 21 June at 7.30pm • High Sheriff’s Concert
Exultate Singers joined Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra and singers from Merchant’s Academy and Colston’s Girls Schools to perform a programme of music around the theme ‘Towards the New World’. The orchestra will perform Dvorak’s New World Symphony and Exultate Singers will perform Barber’s haunting Agnus Dei, the composer’s own arrangement of his Adagio for Strings.
Saturday 24 June at 7.30pm • The Dream of Gerontius
Considered one of the greatest pieces ever written for chorus and orchestra, The Dream of Gerontiusis Elgar’s masterpiece about life, death and one man’s journey into the afterlife. Tickets available now from Colston Hall box office online and on 0844 887 1500
Wednesday 3 May at 7.45pm • Dreams of Flight
Exultate Singers performs a concert of music inspired by flight including Eric Whitacre’s dramatic Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine and Owain Park’s The Wings of the Wind at a concert given in Christ Church, Malvern Road, Cheltenham GL50 2JH as part of Cheltenham Christian Arts Festival. Tickets £13 (£5 for full time students) available from the festival box office early bird discount of 15% until 28 February
Saturday 1 April at 7.30pm • Monteverdi Vespers of 1610
A performance of Monteverdi’s sumptuous Venetian masterpiece, in collaboration with the virtuosic early music ensemble His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts. This dazzling work is regarded by many as one of the greatest glories of the choral repertoire, juxtaposing reflective, intimate moments with opulent, flamboyant music. Tickets from St George’s box office online and on 0845 40 24 001
Saturday 25 February at 7.30pm • A Sense of the Divine
A Grand Tour of sacred and secular music from around the cities and countryside of Europe and across the centuries, including Tallis’ 40-part motet Spem in alium and the world premiere of Naji Hakim’s Exultate Deo
2016
Wednesday 21 December at 7.30pm • Christmas Spectacular
The annual Christmas Spectacular concert at St George’s Bristol with the Bristol Ensemble, a brilliant evening of festive entertainment
Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 December at 7.30pm – Carols by Candlelight
The choir’s annual concerts of beautiful carols and Christmas music in the medival church of St James Priory
Wednesday 9 November at 7.30pm – Redland Parish Church Halls
Exultate Singers gives a celebratory concert as part of the opening festival for the halls built in the £2.4 million development at Redland Parish Church.
Saturday 15 October at 7.30pm – Dreams of Flight
As part of St George’s Bristol’s Art of Flight Festival, Exultate Singers performed a programme of music about flight, including madrigals inspired by birds and dramatic settings of words from the psalms, exciting contemporary pieces describing the soaring and excitement of aeroplanes as well as the premiere of Dancing Star, a cantata commissioned from Toby Young.
Sunday 4 September at 5.15pm – BBC One’s Songs of Praise
Exultate Singers and the Lochrian Ensemble perform David Ogden’s Christ has no body now but yours in a special programme marking the canonisation of Mother Teresa
Thursday 14 July 2016 – Marlborough College Summer School concert
The choir’s debut performance at the prestigious Marlborough College Summer School featured beautiful choral music on the theme of love as well as a performance of Whitbourn’s Canticles of Mary and Simeon for choir, viola and organ.
Monday 20 June 2016 – Portraits at an Exhibition
A concert of choral music inspired by Rembrandt’s Self Portrait at the Age of 63 in Bristol Museum, given as part of the National Gallery Masterpieces Tour
Thursday 19 May 2016 – Mozart’s Requiem
Singers from City of Bristol Choir, Exultate Singers and Bristol Youth Choir joined the Bristol Ensemble under the baton of conductor David Ogden at Bristol’s Colston Hall to perform one of the most treasured and poignant works of the choral repertoire, Mozart’s Requiem.
Saturday 23 April 2016 – A Sense of the Divine
This year’s ever-popular Sense of the Divine concert featuring a wide variety of passionate and lively choral music across the ages from South America. The choir was joined for this concert by the internationally renowned classical guitarist Craig Ogden, virtuoso cellist Richard May, and percussionist extraordinaire Jeremy Little.
Saturday 19 March 2016 – Handel’s Messiah
Exultate Singers joined forces with Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra to perform Handel’s masterpiece Messiah in aid of St George’s Bristol
Saturday 30 January 2016 – Candlemas Concert
An atmospheric concert at Westbury-on-Trym Parish Church, Bristol
2015
Sunday 27th December – BBC One at 1.15pm
Exultate Singers appeared on BBC One’s Songs of Praise singing John Rutter’s Gaelic Blessing in St Alban’s Church, Bristol
Christmas Day – BBC One at 11.40pm
Exultate Singers performed David Ogden’s setting of Christina Rossetti’s poem Love Came Down at Christmas in this special Christmas message
Tuesday 22 December 2015 – Christmas Spectacular
A brilliantly entertaining evening of festive music for choir and orchestra with the Bristol Ensemble at St George’s Bristol
Saturday 19 December 2015 – Christmas for Lilliput
A sold-out concert of carols and Christmas music for Lilliput Concerts, a classical concert series especially for adults and babies and very young children to enjoy together
Saturday 12 and Tuesday 15 December 2015 – Carols by Candlelight
Exultate Singers’ annual exquisite concerts of carols and Christmas music in the beautiful setting of St James Priory in central Bristol. The concert on Tuesday 15th December is sold out but there are still tickets available for Saturday 12th
Sunday 8 November 2015 – BBC One’s Songs of Praise
Exultate Singers performs David Ogden’s moving setting of We Will Remember Them in a special edition of Songs of Praise for Remembrance Sunday
Saturday 7 November 2015 – Seven Angels
Exultate Singers was joined by an ensemble of two trumpets/shofars, percussion, harp and cello to give the second performance of James MacMillan’s extraordinary new work Seven Angels, a setting of vivid and dramatic text from the biblical Book of Revelation.
Friday 23 to Wednesday 28 October – tour of Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro
The choir gave concerts in the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, Trebinje, Bosnia in collaboration with the cathedral choir on Sunday 25 October and in the Cathedral of St Nicholas, Kotor, Montenegro on Monday 26 October. The final concert was given in collabroation with the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra in the Franciscan Church, Dubrovnik on Tuesday 27 October.
Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August – Salisbury Cathedral
Exultate Singers returned to Salisbury Cathedral for a weekend residency, singing Evensong on Saturday, and Eucharist and Evensong on Sunday
Wednesday 15 July 2015 – Sing for Nepal
A fundraising concert for Nepal in aid of the charity PHASE Worldwide which works in rural communities, and for which one of our singers was volunteering when the earthquake struck in April. The concert raised £2000 from ticket sales and a retiring collection
Sunday 28 June 2015 – Voices in the Woods
Exultate Singers performed a concert amongst the trees, around and aboard the boats of Luke Jerram’s Withdrawn installation, a partnership between the National Trust and Bristol European Green Capital 2015. Beautiful and atmospheric choral pieces celebrating the varied aspects of nature and the sea echoed around the clearing in harmony with the dusk chorus of the woodland’s birds
Saturday 20 June 2015 – Summer Gala
Exultate Singers joined City of Bristol Choir, Westbury-on-Trym Parish Choir, Bristol Youth Choir and the Bristol Ensemble for a concert in Colston Hall in aid of Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal for Bristol Children’s Hospital. Marking his 70th birthday, John Rutter conducts his Mass of the Children and David Ogden conducts the choirs and orchestra in a performance of Jonathan Dove’s There was a Child
Saturday 28 March 2015 – Mass in B Minor
A memorable performance of Bach’s masterpiece, Mass in B Minor in St George’s Bristol with the Lochrian Ensemble. Famous for the beauty and power of the vocal and orchestral writing, the Mass expresses the full range of human emotions from intense sadness to great joy and zest for life
Read the review from 365Bristol.com
Saturday 14 February 2015 – A Sense of the Divine
Exultate Singers returned to St George’s Bristol for its sixth Sense of the Divine concert, a feast of music of the theme of love for Valentine’s Day including the world premiere of a new commission from David Bednall, Thee Songs of Love
2014
Tuesday 23 December 2014 at 7.45pm – Christmas Spectacular
Exultate Singers and professional orchestra The Bristol Ensemble joined forces once again to perform a brilliantly entertaining evening of music for Christmas at St George’s Bristol.
Thursday 11 and Saturday 13 December 2014 at 7.45pm – Carols by Candlelight
The annual sell-out concerts of exquisite a capella choral music for Christmas in the beautiful setting of St James Priory featured music for choir and harp including Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.
Sunday 9 November 2014 at 7.30pm – 1914
Exultate Singers was joined by the Lochrian Ensemble at St George’s Bristol to give a concert marking the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. The programme included Howells’ Requiem and an off-book performance of Take him earth for cherishing, Finzi’s Requiem da Camera and music by Gerald Finzi, Brian Knowles, David Ogden and Harold Darke.
Friday 5 September 2014 at 7.30pm – St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol
A concert in collaboration with Camerata Vocale Hannover, marking the 300th anniversary of the Hanoverian accession to the English throne.
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July – weekend residency at Durham Cathedral
Exultate Singers sings the weekend’s services at Durham Cathedral
Sunday 13 July 2014 at 4pm – concert in Amberley, Gloucestershire
A concert at Holy Trinity Church in Amberley, Gloucestershire. Tickets £10 for adults from Amberley Post Office or telephone Sarah Goodwin on 01453 873381
Wednesday 25 June 2014 – Baroque Masterpieces
A concert of masterpieces from the Baroque era, with chamber organ and continuo cello accompaniment, including Scarlatti’s Stabat Mater and Bach’s motet Der Geist hilft. The virtuoso cellist Richard May played solo pieces by Bach and Vivaldi
Saturday 24 May 2014 – concert in St Lamberti, Hildesheim, Germany
Sunday 25 May – concert in Pauluskirche, Hannover
Two concerts given in collaboration with Camerata Vocale in Hannover and Hildesheim as part of a cultural exchange marking the 300th anniversary of the Hanoverian accession to the English throne
Sunday 11 May 2014 – BBC Radio 2 Good Morning Sunday with Clare Balding
In a live broadcast as part of Clare Balding’s Good Morning Sunday broadcast for the Bristol Food Connections festival, Exultate Singers performs live music from Bristol’s Millennium Square
Thursday 1 May 2014 – BBC Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards
Exultate Singers and young singers from Bristol Schools Junior Chamber Choir performed the premiere of a new food anthem, Stand Up For Good Food, written by David Ogden and Anna Farthing at the BBC Food & Farming Awards. The awards ceremony took place in St George’s Bristol with an audience of food professionals, celebrity chefs including Jamie Oliver, Raymond Blanc and Mary Berry, and BBC Director of Radio Helen Boaden.
Members of the choir also performed the song live on BBC Radio Bristol in the presence of the Director General of the BBC, Tony Hall, at the BBC Bristol Food Connections festival in the harbourside area of the city
Saturday 29 March 2014 at 7.30pm – Splendours of Venice
Bristol’s accomplished chamber choir Exultate Singers and His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts performed a concert of music originally written for St Mark’s, Venice. Read the Bachtrack review here
Saturday 8 March 2014 at 2.30pm – Gershwin Spectacular
Given as part of the Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival, Exultate Singers joined forces with City of Bristol Choir, Bristol Schools Chamber Choir, the North Bristol Wellbeing Choir, the Ashburton Community Choir and Clifton College Choir together with vocalist Jacqui Dankworth and the Big Buzzard Boogie Band to give the world premiere of a specially-commissioned collection of arrangements of Gershwin songs
Saturday 8 February 2014 at 7.30pm – A Sense of the Divine
A sold-out concert in St George’s Bristol of music inspired by the planets and the stars including György Ligeti’s Lux Aeterna. Images of the planets and stars were projected onto the ceiling of St George’s by the planetarium team from Winchester Science Centre
2013
Monday 23 December at 7.45pm – Christmas Spectacular
A full house enjoyed a festive programme of Christmas music and readings performed by Exultate Singers and the professional chamber orchestra The Bristol Ensemble in St George’s, Bristol
Thursday 12 and Saturday 14 December at 7.45pm – Carols by Candlelight
Exultate Singers’ sell-out concerts of exquisite music for Christmas in the beautiful setting of St James’ Priory
Sunday 1 December at 3pm – Sing & Shave To Save in aid of Prostate Cancer UK
A fantastic afternoon’s entertainment conducted by David Ogden with Royal Mail Choir (as featured in the current Royal Mail Christmas TV ad), City of Bristol Choir, Exultate Singers, Bristol Schools Chamber Choir and the debut performance of a new 8-voice ensemble, More Than Four, in aid of Prostate Cancer UK
Tuesday 29 October at 9pm
Concert in the Basilica San Nicolo, Lecco, Italy
Sunday 27 October at 12 noon
Singing Mass in the Basilica San Marco, Venice
Saturday 26 October at 7pm
Concert in the Chiesa dei Filippini, Vicenza, Italy
Saturday 12 October – Ikon: Music from the Russian and Greek Orthodox churches
An atmospheric programme of music written for the Russian and Greek Orthodox churches, including works by John Tavener, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Chesnokov, Schnittke and Grechaninov.
Saturday 20 July – Summer, Shakespeare, Songs & Strawberries
Exultate Singers performed a programme of choral music including settings of Shakespeare texts in the beautiful setting of Clifton College, Bristol
Wednesday 8 May 2013 at 7.30pm – Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony ‘Choral’
Exultate Singers joined the Bristol Ensemble and singers from Bristol Choral Society and City of Bristol Choir to perform Beethoven’s Ninth, a spectacular finale to the professional orchestra’s Beethoven Symphonies Series
Saturday 18 May 2013 at 8pm – London Festival of Contemporary Church Music
Exultate Singers performed the UK premiere of Gregory Rose’s Danse Macabre at St John at Waterloo as part of the 2013 London Festival of Contemporary Church Music
Saturday 23 March 2013 at 7.30pm – Bristol Baroque Festival
Venetian masterpieces with world-renowned early music ensemble His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts in St George’s Bristol
Sunday 10 March 2013 – BBC One’s Songs of Praise
Exultate Singers perform David Ogden’s Song of Ruth in a special programme for Mother’s Day
Saturday 2nd March 2013 at 2.15pm – Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert
Exultate Singers joined forces with singers from City of Bristol Choir, Bristol Schools Chamber Choir and Kidderminster Choral Society together with the Big Buzzard Boogie Band, vocalist Yolanda Quartey and tap dancer Annette Walker in an exhilarating performance of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert as part of Bristol’s first International Jazz & Blues Festival
Saturday 23 February 2013 at 7.30pm – Sense of the Divine
A Sense of the Divine including Tallis’ 40-part motet, Morten Lauridsen’s Fire Songs and 16th and 17th century motets and madrigals by Monteverdi and Gesualdo in St George’s Bristol
Sunday 20 January 2013 at 5pm – BBC Radio 3’s The Choir
Exultate Singers’ semi-final entry recordings for the international choral competition Let The Peoples Sing were broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s The Choir
2012
Christmas Day at 12 noon, BBC Radio 4’s With Great Pleasure
Exultate Singers performed carols as part of the broadcaster Fi Glover’s choice of poetry and prose for Christmas Day
Saturday 22nd December 2012 – Christmas Spectacular
Exultate Singers and the professional chamber orchestra The Bristol Ensemble entertained with a festive programme of Christmas music, readings and pieces for orchestra in St George’s, Bristol
Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th December 2012 – Carols by Candlelight
Two sell-out concerts of carols and Christmas music in the beautiful setting of Bristol’s oldest building, St James Priory.
Sunday 2nd December – BBC One’s Songs of Praise
In a programme of music and readings for the First Sunday of Advent, Exultate Singers performed John Rutter’s What Sweeter Music. Watch the programme on the BBC’s iPlayer
10th November 2012 – Belshazzar’s Feast and Hymnus Paradisi
Exultate Singers performed City of Bristol Choir and The Bristol Ensemble Howells’ Hymnus Paradisi and Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast with New Zealand-born rising star bass baritone Jonathan Lemalu, the magnificent tenor Andrew Tortise and Young Musician of the Year string finalist, violinist Callum Smart.
Sunday 7th October 2012 at 3pm – 10th anniversary concert
Exultate Singers celebrated its tenth anniversary with a concert in St James Priory, Bristol
8th July 2012 – Churchill Music community concert
Exultate Singers together with local choirs from the Churchill area gave the world premiere of a new work by composer Thomas Hewitt Jones and poet Matt Harvey
6th July 2012 – Summer Festival of Song opening concert for Churchill Music
A concert to open the festival in St John the Baptist Church, Churchill
Wednesday 30th May 2012 – The Shaping of the Invisible
Accompanying an exhibition of Ten Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci from the Royal Collection, Exultate Singers performed a concert of music from the time of da Vinci to the present day including Italian madrigals, music by Palestrina, Monteverdi, Croce and Viadana.
Saturday 19th May 2012 – London Festival of Contemporary Church Music
A concert at St Pancras Church that included the premiere of a new setting of the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis that the choir co-commissioned from Roxanna Panufnik.
Wednesday 4th April 2012 – Holy Week concert
A concert in St James Priory, Bristol including music by MacMillan, Nystedt, Tavener and Frank Martin’s sumptuous Mass for double choir
Saturday 25th February 2012 – A Sense of the Divine
‘A marvellous and informative concert that would be well worth seeing again – truly ‘A Sense of the Divine’ – www.bachtrack.com. A sell-out concert in St George’s Bristol with a programme spanning a huge variety of music including Tallis’ 40-part motet, Spem in Alium.
2011
Thursday 22nd December at 7.45pm – Christmas Spectacular
An evening of Christmas entertainment in St George’s Bristol with the Bristol Ensemble
Monday 19th December at 7pm – The One Show, BBC One
Exultate Singers appear on BBC One’s The One Show with Gyles Brandreth and BBC Music Magazine’s Editor Oliver Condy talking about the carol Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, filmed at The New Room in central Bristol
Friday 16th December at 6.15pm – Classic FM
Tune in to Classic FM’s Drive programme at around 6.15pm to hear Exultate Singers’ recording of Tomorrow shall be my dancing day from the A Time For Singing CD
Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th December at 7.45pm
Carols by Candlelight at St James’ Priory
Exultate Singers performed two Carols by Candlelight concerts in the newly refurbished St James’ Priory. Highlights included Poulenc’s Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noël and a performance of Holst’s In the bleak midwinter, encircling the audience. Read The Guardian’s review of the concert
Saturday 3rd December at 7.30pm – concert in St Edmund’s, Calne
An Advent concert in St Edmund’s Church in Calne
Sunday 30th October at 12.30pm – Basilica de San Juan de Dios
Exultate Singers sang Victoria’s Mass Salve Regina during mass in the Basilica.
Saturday 29th October at 8.30pm – concert in Granada, Spain
Concert in the Igelsia San Matias, Granada
Friday 28th October at 8.30pm – concert in Seville, Spain
Concert in the Iglesia de Santo Angel, Seville
Wednesday 26th October at 9pm – concert in Cordoba, Spain
A concert in the Iglesia de San Jose del Convento del Cayetano, Cordoba
Saturday 1st October 2011 at 7.30pm – St James’ Priory Opening Concert
Exultate Singers returned to St James’ Priory following its restoration and rebuild to give the first concert in the church. A full house enjoyed an evening of Spanish renaissance music celebrating St James as fisherman, disciple and patron saint, and a second half tracing the history of Bristol through music.
Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July 2011 – Residency at Winchester Cathedral
The choir sang the weekend’s services in the beautiful setting of Winchester Cathedral
Saturday 9th July 2011 at 10pm – Frome Festival concert
Exultate Singers made its debut at the Frome Festival in a late-night candlelit concert with a programme paying tribute to the artistic influence of the Pre-Raphaelite movement on the next generation of British composers.
Saturday 2nd July – Virtuoso: music for choir and organ
An evening of thrilling music for choir and organ in St Mary Redcliffe Church which included performances of stirring works by Parry heard at the Royal Wedding alongside music by British composers as well as MacMillan’s Cantos Sagrados.
Saturday 9th April – Bach: St Matthew Passion
The magnificent young tenor Andrew Tortise sang a stunning Evangelist in this performance of one of Bach’s masterpieces in St George’s Bristol, with the Exultate Chamber Ensemble.
Sunday 13th February 2011 – A Sense of the Divine
A sell-out concert on Valentine’s Eve included Tallis’s 40-part motet Spem in alium and Allegri’s Miserere alongside sumptuous music by Lili Boulanger, Eric Whitacre and a superb programme ranging from Victoria to Mäntyjärvi.
2010
Wednesday 22nd December 2010 – Christmas Spectacular
An evening of Christmas entertainment in St George’s Bristol with the Bristol Ensemble
Wednesday 15th December 2010 – Carols by Candlelight
A concert of beautiful festive music in Clifton College Chapel, Bristol, including memorable performances of Mäntyjärvi’s O magnum mysterium and Away in a manger, and Richard Johnson’s performance of Messiaen’s Dieu parmi nous
Saturday 4th December 2010 – Carol concert in aid of cancer charities
Exultate Singers returned to St Nicolas Church, Newbury, to sing a concert in aid of local cancer charities.
Sunday 7th November 2010 – Rachmaninov All Night Vigil (Vespers)
A concert of this stunning work, sung in Russian, in St George’s Bristol. The programme included movements from cello sonatas by Rachmaninov and Shostakovich performed by the sensational cellist Richard May and concert pianist Olena Shvetsova.
Wednesday 20th October 2010
Open Rehearsal for Gathering Voices Festival of Song
Held as part of the Gathering Voices Festival of Song’s Song Trail, come and hear the choir at work in rehearsal as they prepare for their concert of Rachmaninov Vespers. The rehearsal will take place at SoundWorks, Southville Methodist Church, Stackpool Road, Bristol BS3 1NW from 7.30 – 9.30pm.
Friday 22nd October 2010
Concert for Gathering Voices Festival of Song
A concert in collaboration with Bristol Bach Choir and Bristol Schools Chamber Choir in All Saints’ Church, Clifton. Given as part of the Gathering Voices Festival of Song.
Sunday 27th June 2010 at 3.25pm – Songs of Praise on BBC Two
A special episode of Songs of Praise presented by Aled Jones meeting the people behind the music. Aled was filmed meeting the choir at one of its rehearsals and the programme included interviews with David Ogden and bass Mike Osborn.
Saturday 26th June 2010 at 7.30pm – Jazz it up!
A sell-out jazz concert in Westbury-on-Trym Parish Church, Bristol with the Andy Williamson Buzztet.
Friday 18th June 2010 at 7.30pm – Gloucester Cathedral
A concert organised by Gloucester Rotary Club in its 90th year, supporting local charities including Gloucester’s Multiple Sclerosis Information and Treatment Centre.
Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th June 2010 – York Minster
Exultate Singers sang weekend services in the magnificent setting of York Minster.
Friday 14th May 2010 – Kington Langley
A concert in St Peter’s Church, Kington Langley, Wiltshire given in support of Christian Aid
Saturday 8th May 2010 – Mozart Mass in C minor
A concert at St George’s marking the debut of the Exultate Chamber Orchestra in a programme including Morten Lauridsen’s Midwinter Songs and John Corigliano’s Fern Hill and Mozart’s ‘Great’ Mass in C minor. Read the Bristol Evening Post review of the concert
Wednesday 31st March 2010 – music for Holy Week
Holy Week concert in the chapel of St Monica’s including performances Howells’ Requiem and parts of Rheinberger’s mass for double choir.
Sunday 7th March 2010 at 5pm – BBC One’s Songs of Praise
Exultate Singers appears on BBC TV’s Songs of Praise singing arrangements of All my hope on God is founded, Father hear the prayer we offer, Make me a channel of your peace, the Irish Blessing and Spirit of God, descend upon my heart.
Saturday 6th March 2010 at 7.30pm – Brass & Choral Spectacular
A concert of flamboyant music for brass and choir in Bristol’s Colston Hall with City of Bristol Choir and Gloucester’s renowned Flowers Band, one of the UK’s leading brass bands.
Saturday 13th February 2010 at 7.30pm – A Sense of the Divine
A sell-out concert of sensational choral music in St George’s, Bristol including Tallis’s remarkable 40-part motet, Spem in Alium.
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd January 2010 – Salisbury Cathedral
A return visit to Salisbury Cathedral to sing a weekend of services, including Panufnik’s Westminster Mass at Sunday Eucharist. On Sunday afternoon the choir was joined by cellist Richard May to perform Roxanna Panufnik’s All Shall Be Well at Evensong.
2009
Tuesday 22nd December – Christmas Spectacular
The annual glittering Christmas Spectacular with the Emerald Ensemble in St George’s, Bristol.
Thursday 17th December – Carols and Christmas music by Candlelight
A Welsh Christmas for 2009 with soprano Angharad Thomas in the wonderful acoustic of St Bonaventure’s Church, Bishopston.
Saturday 5th December- Christmas Cancer Care concert
A concert in Newbury Parish Church, Berkshire for Christmas Cancer Care. in Newbury or Celia Rose on 01635 200874.
Sunday 8th November 2009 – Beyond the Wall
Marking 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, this concert of Eastern European music in Clifton Cathedral included the world premiere of Roxanna Panufnik’s All Shall Be Well, commissioned by Exultate Singers for the occasion.
27th October-1st November – Tour to Poland and the Czech Republic
Exultate Singers’ tour included concerts in Krakow and Prague, and singing Langlais’ Messe Solonelle in St Vitus Cathedral, Prague at High Mass on All Saints’ Day.
Saturday 19th September 2009 – A gala choral concert in aid of The Prince’s Trust
A rousing evening of music in a gala choral concert at St George’s, Bristol in aid of The Prince’s Trust.
Friday 18th September 2009 – Opening of Colston Hall foyer
Bristol’s Colston Hall re-opened with an evening of musical performances including a new commission by Richard Barnard.
Saturday 25th July at 5pm: Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral
Exultate Singers sang Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral including Howells’ Gloucester Serviceand Sumsion’s They that go down to the sea in ships, for the feast of St James the Apostle.
Sunday 12th July: Songs of Praise on BBC1
Singing pieces based around a theme of courage, Exultate Singers made another appearance on Songs of Praise. Recorded in St Alban’s Church, Westbury Park, the pieces included David Ogden’s beautiful arrangements of Dear Lord and Father of mankind and Be still my soul.
Friday 10th July: Music at Saint Patricks
A return visit to St Patrick’s Church in Redfield, Bristol to give the final concert in the 2008/9 series.
Sunday 5th July at 7.45pm: Glories of Venice
A programme of Italian Renaissance music including music by Monteverdi, Croce, Gabrieli and Rigatti.
Saturday 13th June: Birthday Songs – a celebration of Ian Carpenter’s music
A concert of music by Ian Carpenter celebrating the 40th birthday of the composer (and Exultate Singers’ tenor) at All Saints’ Church, Clifton, Bristol.
Friday 15th May 2009 – Concert in Amberley Parish Church, Gloucestershire
Following two very successful appearances in Amberley in 2003 and 2005, Exultate Singers returned to give another concert in the parish church marking the 20th anniversary of Steve Goodwin’s appointment as organist there.
Saturday 4th April 2009 at 7.30pm – Bach’s Mass in B minor
An electrifying performance of Bach’s Mass in B minor at St George’s, Bristol with the tenor James Gilchrist, soprano Nicki Kennedy, mezzo Catherine King and baritone Martin Le Poidevin. One audience member said, “We were left speechless by the stunning quality of Saturday’s Bach B minor Mass. Thanks for uplifting us for Holy Week.”
Saturday 7th March 2009 – Every stone shall sing
The final concert in the mediaeval church of St James’ Priory in central Bristol before it closes for restoration – a programme of a capella music explored links between architecture and music, including a performance ‘in the round’ of Pearsall’s Lay a garland.
2008
Monday 22nd December 2008 at 7.45pm – Christmas Spectacular
Exultate Singers and Emerald Ensemble’s annual sparkling concert of Christmas music which this year included a festive rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas – with actions!
Saturday 20th December 2008 at 7.30pm – A Bach Christmas with Emerald Ensemble
The nativity story was beautifully narrated through readings read by Professor David Thomas and choruses from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Magnificat, performed by Exultate Singers with Bristol’s professional chamber orchestra, the Emerald Ensemble.
Thursday 18th December 2008 at 8pm – Carols by Candlelight at St James’ Priory
Exultate Singers’ atmospheric concert of Christmas music in the mediaeval priory church in central Bristol, conducted by David Ogden. This year the choir was joined by the harpist Kate Watt, and the programme included Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.
Friday 5th December 2008 at 8pm – Concert exploring Tudorism for the University of Bristol
A free hour-long concert in the magnificent setting of the Great Hall of the Wills Memorial Building, given by Exultate Singers as part of the University’s Colston Research Symposium.
Sunday 23rd November 2008 at 5.20pm – Songs of Praise on BBC1
Broadcast of excerpts filmed earlier this year for BBC TV’s Songs of Praise including David Ogden’s arrangements of the hymns Lord for the years, Take this moment, King of glory King of peace and Bernadette Farrell’s O God you search me.
Sunday 9th November 2008 at 7.30pm – Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem
Marking the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, a moving performance of Britten’s powerful work, the War Requiem, in Bristol’s Colston Hall.
Saturday 1st November 2008 at 7.45pm – Sung Eucharist for All Saints Festival
A liturgical performance of Haydn’s St Nicholas Mass with Emerald Ensemble conducted by Nicholas Cleobury at All Saint’s Church, Weston-super-Mare for the All Saints Festival.
Saturday 27th September 2008 at 7.30pm – A concert of French music at St Mary Redcliffe Church
A French theme for this year’s St Mary Redcliffe Autumn concert, with music by Duruflé, Langlais, Messiaen and Poulenc.
Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th September 2008 – Weekend residency at Salisbury Cathedral
A wonderful weekend of services at one of England’s most beautiful buildings.
Friday 4th July 2008 – Concert for St Mary Redcliffe Music Festival
An English theme for this year’s exhilirating concert including performances of Vaughan William’ A Vision of Aeroplanes and Walton’s The Twelve and Where does the uttered music go? at the annual Music Festival in the magnificent setting of St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol.
Sunday 15th June 2008 at 3pm – Concert at the New Room, Broadmead
A Sunday afternoon recital at John Wesley’s Chapel in Broadmead including the first performance of a suite of pieces by Lyn Lloyd Jones setting Charles Wesley texts.
Wednesday 11th June 2008 – Music in the Gardens, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton
An al fresco concert by Exultate Singers in the beautiful – but slightly grey and damp – surroundings of Vyvyan Terrace garden in the heart of Clifton.
Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June 2008 – Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
Exultate Singers sang services at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, including Howells Preces & Responses and his St Paul’s Magnificat and Nunc dimittis.
Wednesday 19th March 2008 – A concert of music for Easter
A concert of music for Easter In the beautiful setting of the mediaeval church, St James’ Priory. Exultate Singers performed Vaughan Williams’ Mass in G Minor, MacMillan’s anthem O bone Jesu, John Sanders’ stunning setting of the Good Friday text, The Reproaches, Howells’ anthem Take him earth for cherishing and anthems by Thomas Tallis.
Saturday 16th February 2008 – MacMillan Seven Last Words From The Cross and Scarlatti St Cecilia Mass
An exhilirating concert of these two very different masterpieces, performed by Exultate Singers with the Exultate Chamber Ensemble. Described by one audience member as “Quite suberb – the MacMillan was just an amazing experience and beautifully performed; the Scarlatti was a great joy and a wonderful way of individual members of the choir being heard.”
2007
Sunday 23rd December 2007 – Christmas Spectacular with Emerald Ensemble
A festive concert of sparkling music for choir and orchestra in the wonderful acoustic of St George’s, Bristol with Bristol’s professional chamber orchestra, Emerald Ensemble.
Thursday 20th December 2007 – Carols by Candlelight, St James’ Priory, Bristol
Exultate Singers’ traditional of Christmas music in the exquisite setting of St James’ Priory.
Sunday 11th November 2007 – Elgar The Kingdom
A stirring performance of Elgar’s mighty work for the final concert in the Elgar series with City of Bristol Choir and full symphony orchestra. Colston Hall, Bristol.
24th-30th October 2007 – Tour of Germany
Exultate Singers’ first overseas tour included the following concerts
Thursday 25th at 8pm – concert in Gedächtniskirche, Berlin
Friday 26th at 8pm – concert in Nikolaikirche, Potsdam
Saturday 27th at 8pm – concert in the Dom zu Brandenburg
Sunday 28th at 6pm – service in Thomaskirche, Leipzig
Saturday 13th October 2007 – Fifth Birthday Concert
Exultate Singers celebrated its fifth brithday with a concert at St Alban’s Church in Westbury Park, one of their favourite venues. The programme included a new commission by the composer Philip Moore, specially written to celebrate the anniversary.
Friday 29th June 2007 – An Amazing Day
A concert of choral music from Britain and America, given in collaboration with the USA’s Stanford Chamber Chorale, as part of St Mary Redcliffe Music Festival. The choirs performed a variety of pieces separately, and joined forces for some memorable performances of Whitacre’s i thank You God for most this amazing day, MacMillan’s A Child’s Prayer and Tallis’ 40 part motet. St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol
Sunday 24th June 2007 at 5.15pm – BBC1 Songs of Praise
The programme followed a journey down the River Avon, which flows through the historic Wiltshire towns of Malmsbury and Bradford-on-Avon and then on to Bath and Bristol, discovering discovers how the river has shaped both the physical and spiritual landscape and continues to inspire people today. Music sung by Exultate Singers included the hymns I cannot tell and I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say.
Saturday 23rd June 2007 at 7.45pm – A Summer Celebration
A concert of popular choral music, given in the glorious acoustic of All Saints’ Church, Weston-super-Mare.
Saturday 9th June 2007 – Elgar Dream of Gerontius
A spectacular concert in Bristol’s Colston Hall given as part of City of Bristol Choir’s Elgar Festival 2007. Exultate Singers teamed up with City of Bristol Choir, the magnificent tenor Paul Charles Clarke of Welsh National Opera, soprano Juliette Pochin, bass Martin Le Poidevin and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for a performance of this cornerstone work in the choral repertoire.
Described as ‘musically and spiritually moving’; ‘a triumph’, ‘remarkable’ and ‘the best Gerontius I’ve ever heard’ by various members of a wonderfully attentive audience.
Friday 25th May 2007 at 7.30pm – Charles Wesley 300th Anniversary Festival
A concert at New Room, Horsefair, central Bristol – the oldest Methodist chapel in the world – marking the 300th anniversary of the birth of Charles Wesley.
Wednesday 4th April 2007 – At the foot of the cross
A journey in music across Italy to Norway, including Scarlatti’s and Nystedt’s settings of Stabat Mater, the latter with solo cello, and Allegri’s Miserere mei.
Friday 23rd March 2007 – Concert in St Patrick’s Church, Redfield, Bristol
A concert of music from England, Ireland, Spain, Poland, the Philippines and America given as part of a series of concerts staged in St Patrick’s Church, Redfield, Bristol.
Saturday 3rd March 2007 – Elgar The Apostles
A wonderful start to City of Bristol Choir’s Elgar Festival 2007. The series opened with this workshop day, concluding with a ‘sensitive and purposeful’ performance of The Apostles.
Saturday 24th February 2007 at 7.30pm – Duke Ellington Sacred Concert
A special concert marking the bicentenary of the abolition of slavery, including a performance of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert with acclaimed jazz vocalist Jacqui Dankworth, Mercury Music Prize shortlisted pianist Zoe Rahman and the Big Buzzard Boogie Band. Described by one audience member as, “The best £15 I ever spent!”
2006
Saturday 23rd December 2006 – Christmas with Emerald Ensemble
Exultate Singers teamed up with Bristol’s professional chamber orchestra, Emerald Ensemble, for a sparkling concert of music for Christmas in St George’s, Bristol.
Thursday 21st December 2006 – Carols by Candlelight, St James’ Priory, Bristol
Exultate Singers’ traditional of Christmas music in the exquisite setting of St James’ Priory; this year with percussion provided by Jeremy Little and Katy Hebditch.
Sunday 1st October 2006 at 8pm – From East to West
This concert included performances of some rarely heard choral works in Russian, Estonian and English, including the first ever performance outside London of Shostakovich’s Two Russian Folksongs, and the first performance in the UK in Russian of some of Shostakovich’s Ten Russian Folksongs. One audience member emailed to say, “Every time I go to St Mary Redcliffe I am stunned by its beauty, and last night the music matched it – as ever – with its mix of skill, variety in the programme and sense of both ease and quality.”
Sunday 2nd July 2006 at 8pm – Jazz it up at St Mary Redcliffe Music Festival, Bristol
Exultate Singers teamed up with Andy Williamson and his Buzztet jazz quartet to perform jazz arrangements at the closing concert of this year’s St Mary Redcliffe Music Festival.
Sunday 9th July 2006 at 8.10am – live BBC Radio 4 broadcast of Sunday Worship
A broadcast of Sunday Worship on Sea Sunday from St Stephen’s Church, central Bristol.
Saturday 10th June 2006 – Trinity Concert, Swansea
A concert themed around the mediaeval Swansea altar piece. The concert was given as part of Arts Week festival in St Mary’s Church, Swansea.
Wednesday 12th April 2006 – A Time For Singing
A concert of music for Holy Week, Passiontide and Easter given in the beautiful setting of St James’ Priory, Whitson Street, Haymarket, Bristol.
Saturday 1st – Sunday 2nd April 2006 – Salisbury Cathedral services
Exultate Singers sang Saturday Evensong, Sunday Eucharist and Sunday Evensong in the beautiful cathedral church in Salisbury.
Friday 31st March 2006 at 8pm – Brunel 200 Celebration Concert
A concert celebrating the 200th anniversary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, when Exultate Singers and Emerald Ensemble premiered Martin Kiszko’s new cantata, A Radius of Curves. The orchestra and choir was joined by BBC 2005 Young Chorister of the Year Sam Adams Nye to perform excerpts from Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and Tippett’s Negro Spirituals from A Child of Our Time.
Saturday 25th February 2006 at 8pm – Handel’s Dixit Dominus and Roxanna Panufnik’s Westminster Mass
In their first collaboration, Exultate Singers and Emerald Ensemble joined forces to give a sparkling performance of Handel’s exhilirating work Dixit Dominus, described by one audience member as, “exquisite, out-of-this-world, uplifting”. St Alban’s Church was filled with the rich textures of Roxanna Panufnik’s Westminster Mass. Members of the audience were given a complimentary programme, and interval refreshments of olives, and foccacia topped with pesto and Italian cheese were served.
2005
Thursday 22nd December 2005 – Carols by Candlelight St James’ Priory, Bristol
The fourth annual carol concert in the beautiful setting of St James’ Priory, featuring music from Exultate Singers’ newly released CD Visions of Peace.
Wednesday 14th December 2005 – Cancer Reseach UK’s Christmas Service of Hope
A concert of carols and readings in St Mary Redcliffe Church, organised by Cancer Research UK.
Saturday 24th September 2005 – Under an English Heaven St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol
An exhilirating evening’s entertainment of some dramatic English choral music, from the challenging and descriptive ‘A Vision of Aeroplanes’ by Vaughan Williams, to Tavener’s serene anthem ‘The Lamb’. Interval refreshments of home-made lemonade and scones with jam and cream were enjoyed by a large audience, who commented on the choir’s committed and communicative singing.
Monday 4th July 2005 – Jazz it up! Holy Trinity Church, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol
An incredible evening of jazz and jazz-inspired pieces was enjoyed by a packed audience at this concert, given as part of the Connect 2005 festival. The choir was joined by members of the jazz band Stekpanna who played some amazing sets. The mix of styles ranged from Leighton and Messiaen to Rutter, King’s Singers, Gershwin, Duke Ellington and traditional spirituals. Click here for more links to find out more about the players.
Sunday 19th June 2005 – Broadcast of Sunday Worship on BBC Radio 4
The theme of this service was the reflecting of God as the divine presence, seen in everyday objects, situations and encounters. The music included a beautiful choral work by the American composer Whitacre, Lux Aurumque, as well as pieces by Margaret Rizza and John Bell, David Ogden’s setting of I see his blood and his new arrangement of For the beauty of the earth, for choir and string quartet . Exultate Singers were joined by the Lochrian Ensemble for the recording.
Friday 29th April 2005 – Around the world… again!
The concert was well received by an enthusiastic audience. Several pieces received their UK premiere, including Mundi Renovatio by the Romanian composer Gyorgy Orban, and Ama Namen by the Filipino composer Gynong Lee. The journey around the world began locally with David Ogden’s Jubilate, written for the RSCM Cirencester course in 2004, and concluded with A Spotless Rose by Howells, written in Gloucester. The choir also sang music from Germany, Russia, Austria, Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico, Spain, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, USA and Ireland, altogether in more than ten different languages.
Saturday 19th March 2005 – Bach St Matthew Passion St Alban’s Church, Westbury Park, Bristol
A powerful and moving performance of Bach’s extraordinary telling of the Passion using the words of St Matthew’s Gospel. Exultate Singers were joined by the tenor Benjamin Hulett in a magnificent performance as the Evangelist, the soprano Rachel Skinner, alto Leigh Woolf and baritone Martin Le Poidevin as Jesus. Exultate Chamber Ensemble accompanied the concert which was enjoyed by a large, appreciative audience.
Saturday 26th February 2005 – Holst Planets with New Bristol Sinfonia Victoria Rooms, Bristol
Exultate Singers joined New Bristol Sinfonia for a performance of Holst’s Planets, one of the most popular works in the orchestral repertoire. The programme also included Debussy’s beautiful Prelude a l’apres-midi d’un faune and Szymanowski’s Violin Concerto No. 1. The soloist was BBC Young Musician of the Year winner Rafal Zambrzycki-Payne.
Saturday 5th February 2005 – Concert for Candlemas St George’s RC Church, Warminster
A concert of music for Candlemas, based around the text of the Nunc Dimittis, which included Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine, Rachmaninov’s Bogoroditste Dyevo and concluded with a rousing performance of the spiritual Goin’ home to God.
Saturday 22nd January 2005 – From Bloomsbury to Barcelona with Bath Baroque orchestra Christ Church, Bath
Francisco Valls’ lively Mass Scala Aretina was the central work in this concert with period-instrument ensemble Bath Baroque.
2004
Monday 20 December 2004 – Carols by Candlelight St James’ Priory, Bristol
The third of Exultate Singers’ magical Christmas concerts in St James’ Priory, for which they were joined by Flamenco guitarist Kevin Byrne for a programme of music with a Spanish flavour.
Thursday 16 December 2004 – Handel’s Messiah with Bath Philharmonia St Cyriac’s Parish Church, Lacock, Wiltshire
Exultate Singers were joined by players from Bath Philharmonia and soloists Fflur Wyn (soprano), Penelope Davies (alto), Jeremy Finch (tenor), Stephen Foulkes (bass) for a chamber performance of Handel’s Messiah in the picturesque setting of Lacock parish church.
Sunday 12th December 2004 – BBC Radio 4 Sunday Worship
Broadcast of Sunday Worship from the Great Hall of Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire, featuring music for Advent, including pieces with brass by Praetorius.
Saturday 20th November 2004 – Sing Through The Centuries Dulverton, Somerset
A programme of choral music through the ages.
Saturday 25th September 2004 – Viva! St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol
Spanish and Latin American choral music including James MacMillan’s Cantos Sagrados, Alberto Ginastera’s Lamentations of Jeremiah.
Friday 18th June 2004 – Around the world in 80 minutes St Helen’s Church, Alveston, near Bristol
A whistlestop musical tour around in the world.
Thursday 20th May 2004 – Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert live on BBC Radio 4
Exultate Singers were joined by the 18-piece Big Buzzard Boogie Band and members of the BBC Daily Service singers for the broadcast, live from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. The broadcast can be heard by clicking on the link here.
Saturday 3rd April and Wednesday 7th April 2004 – Passion Christ Church, Bath and St Alban’s Church, Westbury Park, Bristol
Music for Holy Week and Easter including Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, Finzi Lo, the full final sacrifice and Leighton’s Crucifixus pro nobis.
Saturday 7th February 2004 – Glories of Venice St James’ Priory, Bristol
Choral masterpieces from the composers of Venice including works by Gabrieli, Monteverdi and Vivaldi.
2003
Thursday 18th December 2003 – Carols by Candlelight St James’ Priory, Bristol
Beautiful carols sung by candlelight in the oldest building in Bristol. Essential Christmas listening.
Saturday 27th September 2003 – Sing Through The Centuries St James’ Priory, Bristol
Choral music through the ages from 12th century plainsong to 21st century James MacMillan sung in the oldest building in Bristol. Including Allegri’s Miserere and Bach’s motet Singet dem hern.
Saturday 12th July 2003 – Around the world in 80 minutes
Brompton Regis Parish Church, Somerset
Sunday 29th June 2003 – Mozart Requiem and Bach Magnificat
A performance of these cornerstones of the choral repertoire with full orchestra. Exultate Singers joined up with City of Bristol Choir for the concert in St George’s Bristol.
Friday 12th and Saturday 13th April 2003 – James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words From The Cross and Fauré’s Requiem
Exultate Singers gave the first performance in the South West of James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words From The Cross in two remarkable performances with string orchestra in Christ Church, Bath and St Alban’s Church, Bristol.
Saturday 8th February 2003 – Around the world in 80 minutes
Amberley Parish Church, Wiltshire
2002
Thursday 19th and Saturday 21st December 2002 – Carols by Candlelight
The first of Exultate Singers’ exquisite Christmas concerts at the beautiful church of St James Priory.
Sunday 15th September 2002 – Broadcast of Sunday Worship live on BBC Radio 4
Exultate Singers’ inaugural engagement, a live broadcast from St James’ Priory, Bristol in the heart of Bristol, which included pieces accompanied by harp.