282:. This choir, known as 'The Wireless Chorus', was thereafter established as a full-time professional choir. In 1927, the BBC created an octet named 'The Wireless Singers', drawn from members of the Wireless Chorus, for performances where fewer singers were required. Guest conductors of both groups during these early years included
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as general chorus master in 1934, the group was renamed the BBC Singers, and divided into two octets, known as
Singers A and Singers B, one specialising in less standard repertoire including Renaissance polyphony and madrigals, the other in light music and revue numbers. Singers A were typically paid
454:
was a guest-conductor of the choir in
January 2017. In May 2017, the BBC announced her appointment as the choir's next chief conductor, the first woman to hold the post, with effect from July 2018. In April 2022, the BBC announced the extension of Jeannin's contract as chief conductor of the BBC
470:
On 7 March 2023, the BBC announced its decision to close the choir later in the year as part of its "new strategy" for classical music. Following public reactions in protest at this announcement, the BBC reversed this decision on 24 March. In
February 2024, the BBC announced a new partnership
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took over the choir. He re-organised the professional contingent, scrapping the A–B division in favour of a single force of 28 voices, which was renamed the BBC Chorus. Following the appointment of John Poole as chorus master in 1972, the choir reverted to its previous name, the BBC Singers.
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In 2002, Edward Cowie became the BBC Singers' first
Associate Composer, with the functions of composing new works each year for performance by the choir, and participating in workshops with young composers from schools, universities and music colleges.
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in London. The only full-time professional
British choir, the BBC Singers feature in live concerts, radio transmissions, recordings and education workshops. The choir often performs alongside other BBC Performing Groups, such as the
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had been curtailed to one appearance per week by the early 1990s, after the Rev. David Winter (head of BBC religious broadcasting from 1982 to 1989) judged that its sound was "too clinical" for worship. The appointment of
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During the Second World War, the choir was forced to relocate several times from its base in Maida Vale, briefly taking up residence in
Bristol, Bangor and Bedford. In 1945, the choir gave the premiere of
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313:ÂŁ1 per week more than Singers B. In 1939, Woodgate described the operation and function of the various BBC choirs, including the professional choir, in an interview with
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Foundation for future sustainability of the BBC Singers. In July 2024, the BBC announced the appointment of
Jonathan Manners as director of the BBC Singers.
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was the next to fill this position, in 2004. Gabriel
Jackson took the post in 2010. Subsequent composers-in-association with the BBC Singers have included
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as Guest
Conductor in 1991 introduced a new focus and approach to early music. The BBC Singers now work regularly with early music specialists, including
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The BBC Singers perform with leading international orchestras and conductors. The choir has appeared by invitation at national events such as the
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is the current principal guest conductor of the choir. David Hill was the most recent conductor from 2007 to 2017.
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The choir continued to broadcast regularly on BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4, but its long-established participation in
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Over its history, the BBC Singers has performed and commissioned more than a hundred new works. These include
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Singers through 2026, along with the appointments of Owain Park as principal guest conductor,
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During the middle years of the twentieth century, the choir premiered major works by
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G, H. (July 1939). "The B.B.C. Choral
Society: Interview with Leslie Woodgate".
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In 1931, the Wireless Chorus was invited to perform at the Festival of the
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1102:"New strategy for Classical Music prioritises Quality, Agility and Impact"
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A Shepherd's Carol & Chorale: Our Father Whose Creative Will
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898:– James Morgan (conductor) 2005, Catalogue No. Albany TROY736
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809:, (conductor) 2007, Catalogue No. Signum Classics SIGCD100
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in Westminster Abbey. Former members of the group include
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as Chorus Master. He formed a choir for a performance of
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1191:"Jonathan Manners appointed Director of the BBC Singers"
891:(conductor) 2005, Catalogue No. Signum Classics SIGCD067
727:(conductor) 2008, Catalogue No. Signum Classics SIGCD144
841:(conductor) 2007 Catalogue No. Signum Classics SIGCD092
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885:
One Star, At Last – A selection of carols of our time
305:, the first time this event had been held in Britain.
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began a lifelong association with the choir in 1964.
210:. Its origins can be traced to 1924. One of the six
1171:(Press release). BBC Media Centre. 15 February 2024
1151:"BBC suspends proposed closure of the BBC Singers"
1074:
1022:Woodgate, Leslie. 'In the Best Choral Tradition',
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1077:"BBC Singers announce new creative appointments"
1193:(Press release). BBC Media Centre. 16 July 2024
1104:(Press release). BBC Media Centre. 7 March 2023
1051:"Sofi Jeannin - Chief Conductor from July 2018"
827:(conductor) 2007, Catalogue No. Metier msv28501
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795:(conductor) 2007, Catalogue No. Chandos 10442
861:(conductor) 2007, Catalogue No. TELARC 80680
303:International Society for Contemporary Music
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1432:1924 establishments in the United Kingdom
745:(conductor) 2008, Catalogue No. NMC D137
959:"The BBC Singers: 90 years young today"
411:Woodgate died in 1961. That same year,
349:. In England, the choir it worked with
214:, the BBC Singers are based at the BBC
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1217:Historical Dictionary of British Radio
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777:(conductor) 2007, Catalogue No. LNT127
1417:Classical music in the United Kingdom
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1245:AllMusic.com page on the BBC Singers
1075:Florence Lockheart (29 April 2022).
479:Choir directors and chief conductors
694:– First broadcast 16 September 1994
601:Select list of commissioned works:
244:funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales
13:
1427:Musical groups established in 1924
881:(conductor) 2005, Chandos 10280(2)
684:– First broadcast 24 December 1944
633:– First broadcast 23 December 1990
622:– First broadcast 24 December 1944
467:each as an artist-in-association.
16:British professional chamber choir
14:
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1026:, Issue 1130, 25th May 1945, p. 5
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1053:(Press release). BBC. 9 May 2017
653:– First broadcast 4 January 1989
471:between the BBC Singers and the
459:as composer-in-association, and
223:, and is a regular guest at the
1315:BBC National Orchestra of Wales
1310:BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
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673:– First broadcast 5 August 1966
643:– First broadcast 24 April 1994
237:St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge
1149:Savage, Mark (24 March 2023).
1123:Imogen Tilden (7 March 2023).
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928:Ellie Iorizzo (9 March 2023).
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663:– First broadcast 18 July 1987
612:– First broadcast 2 March 1986
1:
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1371:BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra
1361:BBC Northern Dance Orchestra
1356:BBC Midlands Radio Orchestra
1230:BBC Singers official website
753:The Excursions of Mr Broucek
229:St Giles-without-Cripplegate
7:
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735:The Welcome Arrival of Rain
631:Apple-Basket: Apple-Blossom
436:) and Robert Hollingworth (
68:The Wireless Singers (1927)
10:
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1281:BBC Orchestras and Singers
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909:BBC Orchestras and Singers
661:For the Time Being: Advent
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202:is a professional British
65:The Wireless Chorus (1924)
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270:In 1924, the BBC engaged
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1081:Classical Music Magazine
19:Not to be confused with
1235:BBC Singers discography
1040:(1992), p. 26 and p. 62
875:City of London Sinfonia
707:and Roderick Williams.
546:The Morning of the Year
233:St John's, Smith Square
53:BBC Singers logo (2009)
1437:Albany Records artists
1305:BBC Symphony Orchestra
855:BBC Symphony Orchestra
825:Odaline de la Martinez
775:Odaline de la Martinez
757:BBC Symphony Orchestra
739:BBC Symphony Orchestra
671:Veni, Creator Spiritus
564:Richard Rodney Bennett
221:BBC Symphony Orchestra
1376:BBC Variety Orchestra
1295:BBC Concert Orchestra
957:(24 September 2014).
850:Ariane et Barbe-bleue
610:A Winter Walk at Noon
558:(1934), and works by
212:BBC Performing Groups
169:BBC Performing Groups
627:Peter Maxwell Davies
572:Peter Maxwell Davies
96:1924 (100 years ago)
1381:BBC Dance Orchestra
1366:BBC Revue Orchestra
1346:BBC Radio Orchestra
1330:BBC Symphony Chorus
1038:The Radio Companion
894:Alexander Levine –
785:Francesca di Rimini
781:Sergei Rachmaninoff
390:Sir Michael Tippett
343:Wilhelm Furtwängler
339:Herbert von Karajan
327:'s wartime cantata
21:BBC Symphony Chorus
767:Elizabeth Maconchy
711:Select discography
536:Commissioned works
355:Sir Thomas Beecham
335:Broadcasting House
308:On appointment of
260:Harry Christophers
216:Maida Vale Studios
206:, employed by the
145:Maida Vale Studios
135:Maida Vale Studios
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991:(1157): 493–495.
985:The Musical Times
813:Brian Ferneyhough
793:Gianandrea Noseda
486:Stanford Robinson
457:Roderick Williams
421:The Daily Service
402:Karol Szymanowski
316:The Musical Times
292:Arnold Schoenberg
272:Stanford Robinson
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165:Associated groups
71:BBC Chorus (1961)
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682:The Weeping Babe
616:Benjamin Britten
560:Michael Berkeley
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367:Third Programme
363:Igor Stravinsky
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1129:The Guardian
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117:Sofi Jeannin
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1325:BBC Singers
1175:16 February
1134:16 February
1108:16 February
1024:Radio Times
955:Tom Service
731:Judith Weir
705:Judith Weir
568:John Casken
524:(2007–2017)
518:(1995–2007)
512:(1989–1995)
506:(1972–1989)
500:(1961–1972)
494:(1934–1961)
488:(1924–1932)
438:I Fagiolini
200:BBC Singers
159:BBC Radio 3
151:Affiliation
59:Former name
35:BBC Singers
1401:Categories
1386:BBC Chorus
915:References
845:Paul Dukas
803:Man I Sing
725:David Hill
692:Sea Nymphs
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