About the Chorale
Founded by Donald Hunt in 1980, and first known as the Donald Hunt Singers, the Elgar Chorale has established itself as one of the leading specialist choirs in the West Midlands.
With a repertoire extending from early music to popular modern arrangements, the Chorale, throughout its existence, has featured English music, particularly the choral songs of Elgar. Its recording of the composer's complete works in this genre elicited wide critical acclaim when first issued in 1989 and is still considered by many to be the definitive recording of these miniature masterpieces.
Other recordings have included a rare collection of English partsongs and music by Howells, Finzi and Herbert Sumsion, who wrote In Exile for the choir in 1981. Among the first performances featured by the choir is the brilliant suite of choral songs by Richard Rodney Bennett, Sea Change. Howard Blake - well-known for his score for The Snowman - composed Songs of Truth and Glory for the Chorale, which premiered at the Three Choirs Festival in 2005.
British premieres of works by American composers include Te Deum by Ned Rorem and Missa Brevis by Leonard Bernstein.
The choir has featured at several Worcester Three Choirs Festivals from 1981 to the present day, has given concerts in many parts of the country as well as abroad, and has broadcast frequently. In 1986, the choir won prizes at the prestigious Arezzo Festival in Italy.
In recent years, the Chorale has undertaken a series of concerts with instrumentalists, presenting familiar choral works in a stylistic manner with smaller forces.
The Chorale is based at the Elgar School of Music in Worcester, where its conductor is the Principal.
The choir is available for weddings and other engagements. For fees and bookings, please contact the secretary.