Page 7 - We'll Sing Coverage Book

Huddersfield Choral Society refuses to remain silent. Whilst some brilliant work has been done
with singers at home, the Society is determined to find a way to sing together safely and continue
to make music. 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 fifteen, 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 which 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 with an international reputation, 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.

Simon Armitage commented, ‘It’s been a great pleasure to write songs for my local world-
famous choir! I wanted to try and catch some of the mood of lockdown in the lyrics, both the
difficulties people have gone through and the great resilience they’ve shown. The pandemic has
been devastating for the creative arts but especially hard on singers, with the world reduced to
whispers and masked mumblings. I didn’t just want to put words in their mouths, I wanted to put
air in their lungs and blood in their hearts!’

Gregory Batsleer, Choral Director, Huddersfield Choral Society commented, ‘Huddersfield
Choral Society is an amazing community and a huge part of the city’s cultural life. For the first
time in its 184-year history it has been silenced. The pandemic has brought to light how fragile
the music industry is and many have been found searching the soul of their existence. We were
devastated to lose two of our members to COVID and wanted to create something that provides
hope but also demonstrates the importance of embracing innovation. The lyrics Simon has
written are so poignant, made even more so as the members are the root of the inspiration.
Earlier this week we came together in small groups for the first time to start rehearsing. It is going
to be an emotional process and I can’t wait to share these beautiful two new works with music by
the brilliant Cheryl Frances-Hoad and Daniel Kidane.’

James Olley, President, Huddersfield Choral Society commented, ‘Amateur music making
has always played an important role in bringing communities together across Britain. Since
March that vital community and cultural experience has been silenced. Thousands of singers and
instrumentalists are currently denied the opportunity to come together. Many amateur ensembles
now face extinction. There will sadly be too many that never return. Community music-making is
essential for well-being and it is critical that we find ways to enable people to come together
again on a weekly basis, to share, comfort, lighten the darkness, and experience the empowering
and joyful effects of communal music making. Huddersfield Choral Society returned from its
silence this week with a very powerful response to the pandemic. I hope others will follow its lead
very soon.”

The world premiere will be performed on 28 November at 7.30pm and you can watch it
at wellsing.huddersfieldchoral.com