The British Choral Institute

About

The British Choral Institute was established in 1993. Since its inception it has organised an International Youth Choral Festival and five major International Choral Summer Schools: in 1994 in Hertfordshire jointly with the American Choral Music Institute; in 1996 at Roedean School, Brighton in July/August 1997 and in April 2001 at Corsica Hall, Seaford, East Sussex. In addition, it has been responsible for organising a number of successful day or weekend choral workshop sessions, some jointly with the Association of British Choral Directors, in venues throughout the country.

For the past seven years the British Choral Institute has linked up with West Dean College in Chichester to present ‘Choral Singing for Enjoyment’ weekends or days on various themes, including African Music, French Choral Music, the Music of John Rutter and English and European Choral Classics and in 2002 to present its 5th International Choral Summer School.

The British Choral Institute has offered a number of study scholarships in association with the British Council to many young choir conductors from various African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and South Africa, to study in England. Its international work has also included organising concert and study tours to the UK for choirs and orchestras from Denmark, Hungary, USA, Israel and Australia.

In May 2003 the British Choral Institute worked in association with the Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival to present a choral spectacular over 5 days involving 45 choirs from 10 countries.

Annually for the past 11 years, the British Choral Institute has put on weekend courses in the beautiful village of Alfriston in East Sussex when participants have studied such works as: “Carmina Burana” (Carl Orff), “The Dream of Gerontius” (Elgar), “A Child of our Time” (Tippett), “The War Requiem” (Britten), “Belshazzar’s Feast” (Walton), “B Minor Mass” and “St. Matthew Passion” (Bach), “Requiem” (Verdi) and “Israel in Egypt” (Handel). The chosen works this year are Mendelssohn’s “Hymn of Praise” (Lobgesang) and the “Messa di Gloria” by Puccini.