PRESS RELEASE FOR CHORUS ANGELORUM
June 2008

In 1998, in what was to have been a “one time deal” with a Choral Residency at Ripon Cathedral in England, evolved into a remarkable chorus of eager singers whose goal was to promote and foster the most outstanding examples in the Anglican choral tradition. The Ripon Residency planted the seed for the formation of Chorus Angelorum, the name itself coming from the “In paradisum” portion of a Requiem Mass: “may a chorus of angels await you in paradise.” It seemed a most fitting name for a singing group with such high musical ideals and focus.

When one reflects upon these past ten years, the contributions made toward the originally stated goals have been both extraordinary and consistent. The local “agenda” has been to sing Choral Eucharist on the fourth Sunday of every month, offering numerous opportunities to expose the community to one of the richest choral traditions in the world. In a continuum of perhaps the very best of the contributions to choral music, only the German baroque and Italian renaissance can rival the English choral tradition, which is still very much alive and thriving in the cathedral system in England today. During this decade, Chorus Angelorum has accepted four additional residencies in England: Lincoln Cathedral, St. Mary’s Anglican Cathedral, Edinburgh, Durham Cathedral, and in 2008, Canterbury Cathedral.

Allow me to explain what a choral residency entails and how it can benefit an American choir beyond the notion of just another opportunity to vacation in England. As previously mentioned, the cathedral system in the Anglican church in England has a huge impact on choral development and opportunities within the culture. The cathedral choirs traditionally sing Choral Evensong every day of the week, with additional Matins and Holy Communion on Sundays. This spiritual rhythm has been going on in these great places for hundreds of years, well before the English Reformation in the 15th century. Each summer the cathedral choirs take a break from their duties for one-two months, and in their place, visiting choirs are invited to “fill in” while they are away. There is something, which goes beyond definition, that happens when a choir and those individual members of the organization, process down the same aisles and follow the same liturgical functions which have been taking place in the same manner, day after day, for centuries. Their sound becomes part of the layers of sound, the patina, already deposited on the stones and becomes a part of the history of the place. That sort of experience can be life-altering at the least.

In addition to these cyclical escapes to Great Britain, Chorus Angelorum has brought a bit of the English tradition to Houston by way of summer Tudor music workshops. Under the musical direction of David Trendell, music scholar, Senior Lecturer and Chapel Organist at London’s famed King’s College, four workshops have previously been offered: The Music of William Byrd, a celebration of the 500th anniversary of Thomas Tallis, a recognition of the tremendous musical contributions made during the marriage of Queen Mary Tudor and Prince Philip II of Spain, and in 2007, the music of Gibbons and Tomkins. A beneficial part of Trendell’s visit was to have a quartet of professional singers from his choir at St. Bartholomew the Great, London, accompany his, appearing in live performances on KUHF and a public concert during the workshop.

Chorus Angelorum is a 501.c3 organization receiving its operational funding from private donations. The Chorus has a membership of from 18-24 committed singers, offering the most professional experience available anywhere. Under the auspices of the William Byrd Society and in residence at Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church-Anglican Use in Houston, the Chorus continues to sing Choral Evensong at the Church each month. The final Evensong of the season, just prior to leaving for Canterbury, will be sung on Sunday, June 29, at 4:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Walsingham.