Click ‘Watch on YouTube’ to open the Course Launch session in YouTube and access the Live Chat
Join Choir of the Earth from Monday 20 January 2025 to learn, sing, and record Joseph Haydn's Harmoniemesse (‘Harmony Mass’), led by our marvellous Musical Director Ben England.
This exciting online course follows on from our popular Nelson Mass course in 2024 and is part of our ongoing series exploring Haydn’s Six Late Masses, offering participants the opportunity to delve into one of the greatest treasures of classical choral music.
The Music
Joseph Haydn, composer of the Harmoniemesse
Joseph Haydn, often referred to as the "Father of the Symphony," was equally revered for his contributions to choral music, particularly his late Mass settings. These works, composed during the last decade of his life, reflect the culmination of Haydn’s skill, blending masterful orchestration with deeply expressive sacred texts.
Composed in 1802 for the Esterházy court, the Harmoniemesse stands out for its rich orchestral textures, as a result of Haydn’s prominent use of Harmoniemusik in the work - a term that referred to the wind ensembles popular in late 18th-century Austria. Written for flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, and horns, the work has a distinctive and colourful sound that sets it apart from Haydn's earlier works.
The Course
Join us for our course launch session on YouTube on Monday 20 January 2025 at 17:00 GMT which is open to everyone. This live session will be hosted by our talented and enthusiastic Musical Director, Ben, who will introduce this powerful work, exploring the piece’s historical and musical significance, and outline our approach to the course. You will also hear the rehearsal tracks recorded especially for us by professional vocal ensemble Fieri Consort and organist Richard Gowers.
From there, you'll be guided through each choral movement in detailed rehearsals, using top teaching tools and techniques, ensuring that singers of all abilities can participate and enjoy singing this extraordinary work. These include our ‘voice part louder’ rehearsal tracks, on-screen scores and in-depth, expert teaching.
By participating in this course, you will have access to all of our live rehearsals, amazing resources and the opportunity to record and submit your voice to become part of our global choral performance. No expensive or complicated technology is required - all you need is a pair of headphones and device that allows you to record your voice, such as a smartphone.
Dates and Timings
This course will begin on 20 January 2025 and end on 20 March 2025, with a mid-term break from 14-23 February inclusive.
We hold a full choir rehearsal each Monday at 17:00 UK time and hour-long sectional rehearsals on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 17:00 UK time, and Thursdays at 19:00 and 20:00 UK time. We rotate these slots so that sopranos, altos, tenors and basses have a different time from week-to-week, meaning even if you have other commitments on certain days, you can still attend some live rehearsals. If you can’t make it live at all, don’t worry - all of our rehearsals are recorded so you can enjoy them ‘as live’ .
FREE Month for New Members
Don’t miss the chance to explore one of Haydn’s masterpieces with singers from around the world! To take part, simply become a member of Choir of the Earth! New members can get their first month free with the promo code WELCOME1 or sign up for an annual membership to save 10%!
Membership includes access to our live course, an ever-growing library of previous courses, exclusive members-only events, and much more.