City of Bristol Choir: The Open Fund for Organisations
Raise a Voice – A Rebellious Songbook for Our Time
Raise a Voice: A Rebellious Songbook for Our Time will include 10 innovative songs and choral pieces for youth and adult choirs by composer Toby Young and writer Jennifer Thorp. Conducted by David Ogden, the work will be premiered in Clifton Cathedral, Bristol by City of Bristol Choir and Bristol Youth Choir on 12th November 2021 to coincide with the COP26 Climate Change conference. There are exciting plans to link with City of Glasgow Choir and Glasgow Youth Choir with joint recordings and simultaneous performances. A virtual recording of the title song Raise a Voice sung by Bristol Youth Choir can be viewed here.
Bristol, known for its environmental activism and championing of the natural world, is the perfect place to launch this innovative project. Its many musical and educational opportunities will spread from Bristol to choirs, schools and musicians in the UK and abroad from Autumn 2021 onwards.
Toby Young is an award-winning composer and songwriter whose work explores the boundaries between pop and classical music, with influences ranging from plainchant to electronic dance music.
Founded in 1991, City of Bristol Choir is an accomplished choir of 100 auditioned adult singers. Conducted by David Ogden they have a wide repertoire and a solid reputation for engaging and powerful performances, many in collaboration with young people’s choirs, primarily Bristol Youth Choir.
Bristol Youth Choir is made up of 120 singers aged from 8-18 from across Bristol. They are the choirs in residence at Bristol Beacon concert hall.