Page 184 - FINAL_The Sixteen Coverage Book 40th Anniversary Year

Not only Harry Christophers and The Sixteen, but also groups such as Tenebrae and the Marian
Consort are programming early music with new music. Audiences for choral music are growing,
with singing increasingly recognised as enhancing wellbeing. 'It's marvellously exciting,' says
MacMillan, who, with O Bone Jesu, was The Sixteen's first commissioned composer. From that
starting point, their relationship has built up steadily, bearing much subsequent fruit, now
including the new symphony about to be unveiled.

He is similarly excited about the Festival picking up on All the Hills and Vales Along, with singers
from the National Youth Choir of Scotland being joined by Whitburn Brass Band. 'It's great this is
happening', he says, 'especially with these wonderful players and the singers of NYCoS, whose
international reputation is amazing.'
Aside from these formal concerts, MacMillan's music in his 60th birthday year is reaching
everywhere from the Sistine Chapel to the Royal Yacht Britannia and a very special Festival
service, featuring The Sixteen, at St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral.

RSNO, Usher Hall, 10 Aug, 7.45pm, £15–£48; Sir James MacMillan at Greyfriars Kirk, 16 Aug, 8pm,
£25; BBC SSO, Usher Hall, 17 Aug, 5pm, £10–£24; SCO, Usher Hall, 17 Aug, 8pm, £15–£48; Festival
Mass, St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral, 18 Aug, noon, free.

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