Ad Solem
Ad Solem
The Choir:
Ad Solem, the University of Manchester Chamber Choir, has been in existence for over 20 years, and is made up of the best singers from in and around the University of Manchester. Consisting of between 22-26 members, we re-audition every year, and while we are primarily an a capella choir, we also offer the opportunity to perform with a number of other student and professional ensembles. Being one of the only student-run, university-based choirs in Manchester, the choir showcases some of the best young singers in Manchester. We put on numerous concerts and perform at functions throughout the year, both within MUMS and also independently. Past conductors include founder Greg Beardsell, Marcus Farnsworth, and Matthew Hamilton.
The choir is equally at home performing new works or renaissance polyphony. In recent years the choir has performed a world premiere in the Bridgewater Hall with the Halle Orchestra, as well as Beethoven’s 9th symphony in Liverpool with the Liverpool Mozart Orchestra and Mozart’s Requiem with the University of Manchester Chamber Orchestra. These are in addition to the a cappella music which forms the basis of not only our termly concerts in the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama, but also other concerts around the North West. Recently these have included Victoria’s Requiem, excerpts from Rachmaninov’s Vespers, and works by Whitacre, Britten, Lauridsen, Rutter, and Bruckner.
The choir also tours regularly, having recently visited Poland and Amsterdam. Venues included the Oudekerk in Amsterdam and Krakow Philharmonic Concert Hall. We are currently planning our 2012 tour to Estonia, and are looking forward to performing in such exciting venues as Tallinn Town Hall, St John’s Church, and Tallinn Academy of Music. This choir has also broadcast for BBC radio and television, and has recorded a number of CDs. Our two most recent CDs, Christmas and 20th Century Choral Music from the British Isles, are available from the manager (see below).
This year, the choir is looking forward to performing challenging works by composers such as Francis Poulenc, James MacMillan, Morton Feldman and Olivier Messiaen. The choir will also be performing excerpts from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, as part of the MUMS festive concert in December. As well as events like this, there will be a number of outside concerts – watch this space!
Conductor:
David Young was appointed as musical director of Ad Solem in June 2011, after founding his own student group, The Medlock Singers, in October 2010, whom he conducted in various a cappella programmes throughout the last year. In July 2011, he was appointed as Choral Director at the Holy Name Catholic Church, Manchester, where he directs the choir for Sunday mass every week. The musical diet is broad, but with a particular focus on Renaissance Polyphony and other music of the Oratorian tradition. He was also recently appointed as Chorus Master for Silk Opera, where he will be helping to produce Puccinni’s ‘Tosca’ in late October. He has achieved all of this before starting the second year of his degree in Music at the University of Manchester, where he is looking forward to delving into a broad spectrum of music. David is also a keen singer, having recently finished a year as one of the inaugural Stanhill Choral Scholars at Blackburn Cathedral, as well as maintaining close working relationships with Manchester Cathedral Choir, Manchester Chamber Choir and various other ensembles in the city. He has a particular passion for new music, especially the choral music of the Baltics, as well as a broad spectrum of other contemporary and orchestral music.
Contact Details:
For any enquiries about singing with us, booking the choir, purchasing CDs or anything else, contact Charlotte Trepess, the choir manager, at:
adsolem@mumusicsociety.co.uk
The Choir:
Ad Solem, the University of Manchester Chamber Choir, has been in existence for over 20 years, and is made up of the best singers from in and around the University of Manchester. Consisting of between 22-26 members, we re-audition every year, and while we are primarily an a capella choir, we also offer the opportunity to perform with a number of other student and professional ensembles. Being one of the only student-run, university-based choirs in Manchester, the choir showcases some of the best young singers in Manchester. We put on numerous concerts and perform at functions throughout the year, both within MUMS and also independently. Past conductors include founder Greg Beardsell, Marcus Farnsworth, and Matthew Hamilton.
The choir is equally at home performing new works or renaissance polyphony. In recent years the choir has performed a world premiere in the Bridgewater Hall with the Halle Orchestra, as well as Beethoven’s 9th symphony in Liverpool with the Liverpool Mozart Orchestra and Mozart’s Requiem with the University of Manchester Chamber Orchestra. These are in addition to the a cappella music which forms the basis of not only our termly concerts in the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama, but also other concerts around the North West. Recently these have included Victoria’s Requiem, excerpts from Rachmaninov’s Vespers, and works by Whitacre, Britten, Lauridsen, Rutter, and Bruckner.
The choir also tours regularly, having recently visited Poland and Amsterdam. Venues included the Oudekerk in Amsterdam and Krakow Philharmonic Concert Hall. We are currently planning our 2012 tour to Estonia, and are looking forward to performing in such exciting venues as Tallinn Town Hall, St John’s Church, and Tallinn Academy of Music. This choir has also broadcast for BBC radio and television, and has recorded a number of CDs. Our two most recent CDs, Christmas and 20th Century Choral Music from the British Isles, are available from the manager (see below).
This year, the choir is looking forward to performing challenging works by composers such as Francis Poulenc, James MacMillan, Morton Feldman and Olivier Messiaen. The choir will also be performing excerpts from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, as part of the MUMS festive concert in December. As well as events like this, there will be a number of outside concerts – watch this space!
Conductor:
David Young was appointed as musical director of Ad Solem in June 2011, after founding his own student group, The Medlock Singers, in October 2010, whom he conducted in various a cappella programmes throughout the last year. In July 2011, he was appointed as Choral Director at the Holy Name Catholic Church, Manchester, where he directs the choir for Sunday mass every week. The musical diet is broad, but with a particular focus on Renaissance Polyphony and other music of the Oratorian tradition. He was also recently appointed as Chorus Master for Silk Opera, where he will be helping to produce Puccinni’s ‘Tosca’ in late October. He has achieved all of this before starting the second year of his degree in Music at the University of Manchester, where he is looking forward to delving into a broad spectrum of music. David is also a keen singer, having recently finished a year as one of the inaugural Stanhill Choral Scholars at Blackburn Cathedral, as well as maintaining close working relationships with Manchester Cathedral Choir, Manchester Chamber Choir and various other ensembles in the city. He has a particular passion for new music, especially the choral music of the Baltics, as well as a broad spectrum of other contemporary and orchestral music.
Contact Details:
For any enquiries about singing with us, booking the choir, purchasing CDs or anything else, contact Charlotte Trepess, the choir manager, at:
adsolem@mumusicsociety.co.uk
