The Glasgow School of Art choir
is delighted to announce that Creative Scotland has awarded part-funding to
enable it to commission Sir James MacMillan, CBE, to compose a new choral work which
will be premiered by the ensemble at the re-opening of the Mackintosh Building.
is delighted to announce that Creative Scotland has awarded part-funding to
enable it to commission Sir James MacMillan, CBE, to compose a new choral work which
will be premiered by the ensemble at the re-opening of the Mackintosh Building.
|
| GSA Choir Musical Director, Jamie Sansbury, with Sir James MacMillan in the Mackintosh Building |
Creative Scotland has awarded
National Lottery funding of £4,000 which, together with support from The
Glasgow School of Art, will allow the choir to proceed with the project.
National Lottery funding of £4,000 which, together with support from The
Glasgow School of Art, will allow the choir to proceed with the project.
“Sir James MacMillan is internationally recognised as one of the
foremost composers of today,” says Musical Director, Jamie Sansbury. “We wanted to mark the re-opening of the Mackintosh
Building in a very special way and what better way to celebrate the re-opening
of a creative masterpiece than with the World Premiere of a work by such an
eminent composer? We are thrilled that Creative Scotland has recognised the
cultural significance of this project.”
foremost composers of today,” says Musical Director, Jamie Sansbury. “We wanted to mark the re-opening of the Mackintosh
Building in a very special way and what better way to celebrate the re-opening
of a creative masterpiece than with the World Premiere of a work by such an
eminent composer? We are thrilled that Creative Scotland has recognised the
cultural significance of this project.”
“People are thrilled and perhaps a bit surprised
when they hear that Glasgow Art School has a choir of seriousness and
commitment, but it only shows that culture is fluid, and that lovers of art can
embrace interdisciplinary inspiration,” says Sir James MacMiIlan CBE. “Jamie Sansbury is a gifted and
motivational young choral director and he inspires admiration and resolve from
his choristers. I have been impressed with the sounds his choir make and am
delighted that they have asked me to write for them. I’m proud that the new
piece will mark the reopening of this important building. This is a
project of hope and determination to overcome the disaster which befell
the school in 2014.”
when they hear that Glasgow Art School has a choir of seriousness and
commitment, but it only shows that culture is fluid, and that lovers of art can
embrace interdisciplinary inspiration,” says Sir James MacMiIlan CBE. “Jamie Sansbury is a gifted and
motivational young choral director and he inspires admiration and resolve from
his choristers. I have been impressed with the sounds his choir make and am
delighted that they have asked me to write for them. I’m proud that the new
piece will mark the reopening of this important building. This is a
project of hope and determination to overcome the disaster which befell
the school in 2014.”
“We are incredibly proud of the GSA choir,” says GSA Director,
Professor Tom Inns. “Their performance of
the commission from Ken Johnston and Liz Lochhead was one of the highlights of
the opening of the Reid Building in 2014. We are delighted that Creative
Scotland has now supported their commission from Sir James MacMillan for the
re-opening of the Mackintosh Building.”
Professor Tom Inns. “Their performance of
the commission from Ken Johnston and Liz Lochhead was one of the highlights of
the opening of the Reid Building in 2014. We are delighted that Creative
Scotland has now supported their commission from Sir James MacMillan for the
re-opening of the Mackintosh Building.”
Ian Smith, Head of Music,
Creative Scotland said: “The project takes the text from the words of former
GSA Director, Fra Newbery, whose vision brought the genius of Charles Rennie
Mackintosh to design the Mackintosh Building, and brings them to this
contemporary setting to music commissioned from Sir James MacMillan, one of
Scotland’s most iconic composers. Creative Scotland is proud to support this
new work and this performance by the GSA Choir.”
Creative Scotland said: “The project takes the text from the words of former
GSA Director, Fra Newbery, whose vision brought the genius of Charles Rennie
Mackintosh to design the Mackintosh Building, and brings them to this
contemporary setting to music commissioned from Sir James MacMillan, one of
Scotland’s most iconic composers. Creative Scotland is proud to support this
new work and this performance by the GSA Choir.”
Lyrics for the commission have
been taken from a poem written by Francis (Fra) Henry Newbery which is held in
the archives of The Glasgow School of Art and permission for its use has very
kindly been granted by his family and estate. Fra Newbery was the Director of
the School from 1885 – 1917, and was instrumental in both the commissioning of
the Mackintosh Building and the appointment of Charles Rennie Mackintosh as its
designer.
been taken from a poem written by Francis (Fra) Henry Newbery which is held in
the archives of The Glasgow School of Art and permission for its use has very
kindly been granted by his family and estate. Fra Newbery was the Director of
the School from 1885 – 1917, and was instrumental in both the commissioning of
the Mackintosh Building and the appointment of Charles Rennie Mackintosh as its
designer.
Further information on the GSA choir visit www.gsachoir.com
Ends
Notes for Editors
The Mackintosh Building was part damaged by fire
in May 2014. Work to restore the Charles Rennie Mackintosh masterpiece is now
underway.For further
information on the Mackintosh Building contact:
in May 2014. Work to restore the Charles Rennie Mackintosh masterpiece is now
underway.For further
information on the Mackintosh Building contact:
Lesley Booth,
0779 941 4474
The piece will be published and distributed by
Boosey & Hawkes.
Boosey & Hawkes.
For further
information on Sir James MacMillan contact:
information on Sir James MacMillan contact:
Ines Correia
· The GSA Choir
The Glasgow School
of Art Choir was formed in January 2012 by Jamie Sansbury, at that time a third year architecture
student, to provide somewhere for people at the GSA to come together and perform. The ensemble has
quickly gained a reputation for outstanding musical discipline and is committed
to expanding its repertoire and the musicianship of its members. The choir is non-auditioned
and comprises 65 members who are past and present staff and students of the
School.
of Art Choir was formed in January 2012 by Jamie Sansbury, at that time a third year architecture
student, to provide somewhere for people at the GSA to come together and perform. The ensemble has
quickly gained a reputation for outstanding musical discipline and is committed
to expanding its repertoire and the musicianship of its members. The choir is non-auditioned
and comprises 65 members who are past and present staff and students of the
School.
In addition to performances
twice a year, as part of The Glasgow School of Art
Concerts Series, the choir has performed at numerous other GSA events
– including Sauchieholiday, Degree Show 2012 and numerous Burns Suppers – as well as the EAIE 2015 Conference, and the opening
and closing events of the ELIA 2014 Conference as part
of a joint choir alongside students from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
twice a year, as part of The Glasgow School of Art
Concerts Series, the choir has performed at numerous other GSA events
– including Sauchieholiday, Degree Show 2012 and numerous Burns Suppers – as well as the EAIE 2015 Conference, and the opening
and closing events of the ELIA 2014 Conference as part
of a joint choir alongside students from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
In April 2014 the
choir performed the World Premiere of “Making It New” at the official opening of the Reid Building at
the GSA. The piece was commissioned by the choir especially
for the event, with funding from Creative Scotland
and The Glasgow School of Art. The piece was composed by Ken Johnston with
lyrics by Scots Makar, Liz Lochhead.
choir performed the World Premiere of “Making It New” at the official opening of the Reid Building at
the GSA. The piece was commissioned by the choir especially
for the event, with funding from Creative Scotland
and The Glasgow School of Art. The piece was composed by Ken Johnston with
lyrics by Scots Makar, Liz Lochhead.
The choir has also
recorded the backing-vocals for Glasgow-based, singer-songwriter, Raymond Meade’s album, ‘Whydolise?’, performing on the
final track, ‘Shine a Light on Me’. The album was released in 2015.
recorded the backing-vocals for Glasgow-based, singer-songwriter, Raymond Meade’s album, ‘Whydolise?’, performing on the
final track, ‘Shine a Light on Me’. The album was released in 2015.
· Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and
creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who
lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work
in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by
helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We
distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National
Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who
lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work
in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by
helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We
distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National
Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland