Page 11 - We'll Sing Coverage Book

The society, which boasts an international reputation, wanted to create something
new that would remember departed friends but also provide hope for choral singers
throughout the UK.

So it has enlisted Poet Laureate, Mr Armitage, a proud son of Huddersfield, who
asked each member of the choral society to send him one word which summed up
their experience of lockdown.
From this list of words he created two sets of lyrics – We’ll Sing and The Song
Thrush and the Mountain Ash.

The society also commissioned two acclaimed composers – Cheryl Frances-Hoad
and Daniel Kidane – to set the lyrics to music.

Acclaimed composer Daniel Kidane (Image: Kaupo Kikkas)

Both spent time with Mr Armitage to explore the best way of interpreting his words
and the result is moving and beguiling.

These new works capture not only the chilling impact of the pandemic but also the
society’s determination to overcome it.

Huddersfield Choral Society has commissioned Century Films to create two
bespoke music videos of We’ll Sing and The Song Thrush and the Mountain Ash .
This week members began to rehearse in groups of 15, in accordance with current
government guidelines, led by the society's choral director, Gregory Batsleer.

Century Films will piece it all together to create two videos of each work that will
receive their world premiere on 28 November at 7.30pm.

Founded in 1836, Huddersfield Choral Society is one of the longest-running choral
societies in the UK, performing regularly for broadcasts on BBC radio and television,
as well as a long history of pioneering recordings.
It is a backbone of the community providing friendship, social interaction and
improved physical and mental wellbeing though the act of communal singing.