July 17 Levowan Chamber Choir

We welcome back, local favourites, the Levowan Chamber Choir for their summer concert. The programme of music is an eclectic mix of classical, contemporary and popular songs. From Henry Purcell’s ‘Hear My Prayer’ to Eric Whitacre’s ‘Sing Gently’, and Ēriks Ešenvalds’ ‘Stars’ to Sting’s ‘Fields of Gold’, there really is something for everyone. The choir are also proud to be premiering ‘Ave Verum’ by their own baritone and resident composer Hugh Walkington. Among the set will be a choral arrangement of the beautiful and poignant ‘Homeward Bound’ by Marta Keen, the solo version of which (sung by Sir Bryn Terfel) reached Classic FM’s Hall of Fame for the first time this year. 

Founded in 2015 and brought together to celebrate the collective joy of making music, Levowan Chamber Choir (www.levowan.com) has now become well-established in the South West. The ensemble performs several concerts each year at venues across Devon and Cornwall, captivating audiences with its signature sound. Passionately driven to maintain high standards of performance and musicianship, the choir works on tonal richness and choral blend as well as musical expression and artistic delivery. The singers all have a strong musical background and bring a broad range of experience and versatility. Levowan presents an extensive repertoire, comprising sacred and secular choral works from the fields of both classical and contemporary music, and has been honoured to premiere several pieces.

Director of Music and accompanist Mark Smith studied piano and organ at Trinity College of Music, London and worked as an accompanist in London and the South East before moving to Cornwall in 2011. He now works as an accompanist in the West Devon/East Cornwall area and also as a freelance gardener. When not sat at a piano in front of a choir or up to his elbows in brambles, Mark enjoys growing organic veggies, foraging, reading, walking and, of course … playing the piano.

Programme Details

Drake’s Drum (Andrew Wilson)
I Love My Love (Gustav Holst)
Hear My Prayer (Henry Purcell)
Wild Mountain Thyme (arr. Benjamin David Knoedler)
Stars (Ēriks Ešenvalds)
Cantate Domino (Mark Hayes)
Pro Alios Curantibus (Howard Goodall)
Ave Verum (Hugh Walkington)
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (arr. Kirby Shaw)
Sally Gardens (John Rutter)

Fields of Gold (Sting, arr. Roger Emerson)
Sing Gently (Eric Whitacre)
Ave Maria (Javier Busto)
Homeward Bound (Marta Keen, arr. Jay Althouse)