Introduction by Christian Wilson,
Keble Director of Music:
Keble Choir are delighted to have the opportunity to sing in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, where we present a stylistically varied programme of music reflecting on our own Chapel’s musical tradition as well as the wider English choral tradition in a ‘whistle-stop’ tour through the ages, with masterpieces of the renaissance and baroque, along with romantic and 20th century works from across Europe.
At St John’s Cathedral in Hong Kong, we sing a Lenten Choral Evensong service with plaintive music to match the season, including Alan Gray’s expansive Canticle setting for double choir. The service will be followed by a short recital juxtaposing music from different European choral traditions to draw on the broadest gamut of style and emotion.
Each of our recital programmes leads from the music of the 16th century (William Cornysh, who taught Henry VIII to compose) through the music of the great Henry Purcell towards the centrepiece of the programme: J S Bach’s celebrated and exquisitely plaintive funeral motet ‘Komm, Jesu Komm’, a piece composed during the early part of Bach’s career in Leipzig, and widely regarded as amongst his greatest works. The second half of the programme features 19th and 20th century romantic greats such as Brahms, Reger, Holst, and Vaughan Williams, leading to the jazz-like harmonies of Poulenc and Duruflé towards the uplifting and rhythmically charged music of living composer Jonathan Dove in a piece that has become popular with the greatest choirs across the world: ‘Seek him that maketh the seven stars’.
We are looking forward to collaborating with a local school in Macau, and then to performing at the imposing Victoria Hall in Singapore. In addition to the main concerts, the Choir will be attending and performing at the Alumni Receptions hosted by the Warden, in both Hong Kong and Singapore.
Details of the performances and events and how to book are listed below.
Saturday 22 March – HONG KONG
6pm – 8pm
The China Club
Keble Alumni Reception – an opportunity to catch up on College news, meet the Warden – Dr Sir Mike Jacobs, Director of Development – Jenny Tudge, the Director of Music – Christian Wilson, and members of the College Choir.
Drinks and canapés will be served from 6pm and the Choir will provide some entertainment.
Alumni are welcome to book (with one guest) to attend free of charge. Please use the booking link HERE to register your interest.
Space at the venue is limited so please book early to avoid disappointment!
Sunday 23 March – HONG KONG
5pm – 6.45pm
St John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central Hong Kong
Choral Evensong and a Recital with Keble College Choir and Director of Music Christian Wilson
Admission is free of charge. Keble alumni are encouraged to confirm their attendance in advance via the booking link HERE.
Monday 24 March – MACAU
8pm – 9pm
Saint Joseph’s Seminary and Church, Macau
Keble Choir performs a ‘Meditation to Music’
The performance will also include a special collaboration with a local children’s choir.
Admission is free of charge. Keble alumni are encouraged to confirm their attendance in advance via the booking link HERE.
Tuesday 25 March – SINGAPORE
6.30pm – 9pm
Bar-A-Thym Restaurant, 18 Gemmill Lane, Singapore 069255
Keble Alumni Reception – an opportunity to catch up on College news, meet the Warden – Dr Sir Mike Jacobs, Director of Development – Jenny Tudge, the Director of Music – Christian Wilson, and members of the College Choir.
Drinks and canapés will be served from 6.30pm and the Choir will provide some entertainment.
Alumni are welcome to book (with one guest) to attend free of charge. Please use the booking link HERE to register your interest.
Space at the venue is limited so please book early to avoid disappointment!
Wednesday 26 March – SINGAPORE
7.30pm
Victoria Hall, 11 Empress Place #01-02, Singapore 179558
Keble College Choir Concert. Director of Music Christian Wilson.
There is a small charge for admission to the concert to cover costs. Given the scale of the venue the Concert is open to members of the Oxbridge Society and the general public.
Alumni and friends can book tickets HERE.
Pre-Concert Reception (Keble alumni and friends only)
Before the Concert, from 6pm, there will be a private drinks reception for Keble Alumni and their guests only, in the Concert Hall Suite. This is free of charge, but we need to know in advance that you are attending. Once you have secured your Concert tickets, please use the booking link HERE to register your interest.
See all Events