| Course launch | 31 March 2020 |
|---|---|
| Course Director | Ben England (Musical Director) |
About this course
Messiah at Home was the first ever project by The Self-Isolation Choir – the beginning of what would grow into Choir of the Earth. Conceived during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown, it united thousands of singers from around the world at a time when singing together in person was impossible.
Working entirely from his home in Bristol, Musical Director Ben England taught Handel’s Messiah voice part by voice part. Sopranos, altos, tenors and basses each had their own dedicated rehearsals, allowing every singer to focus on the detail and artistry of their part. Every rehearsal video was recorded by Ben in a single take during his period of isolation – an extraordinary effort that captured the spirit of connection through music.
The course offered exclusive access to rehearsal and performance materials, including full and sectional voice-part rehearsal videos, a unique orchestra-only version of Hallelujah; and inclusion in the complete concert recording. It was offered in association with Choraline.
Remarkably, none of the musicians, soloists or singers ever met in person during the project’s creation, but together they produced a complete performance of Handel’s Messiah. The project received widespread media attention, including coverage on BBC News, for its innovation and its message of hope through music, and the performance received international acclaim.
Concert performance: 31 May 2020
Musicians
The Self-Isolation Choir was accompanied by four exceptional soloists and The Self-Isolation Baroque Orchestra, each recording their parts from home:
SOLOISTS
Carolyn Sampson - Soprano
Jennifer Johnston - Mezzo Soprano
Alexander Sprague - Tenor
Ashley Riches - Bass
THE SELF-ISOLATION CHOIR BAROQUE ORCHESTRA
Rebekah Durston - Leader / Violin 1 / Violin 2
Emma Alter - Viola
Laurence Cummings - Harpsichord
Jonathan Manson - Cello
Carina Cosgrave - Double Bass
Alexandra Bellamy - Oboe 1 / Oboe 2
Karen Bainbridge - Bassoon
Ross Brown - Trumpet 1 / Trumpet 2
Tommy Foster - Timpani
David Goode and Ana England - Piano for choir guide tracks
Testimonials
Through the self isolation choir I feel I have become part of a global community which has supported me emotionally and spiritually and enabled me to have enormous fun.
~ ChristineYou have brought joy to thousands over the last few weeks and the concert was just wonderful. I am sure I was not the only one with tears in my eyes when the orchestra started up. I have felt privileged to be part of this ground breaking project.
~ RuthThere are of course advantages to singing alone in your kitchen. You can drink wine, try every part (I particularly enjoyed accompanying the T & B soloists), and you can miss entries and fluff high notes without causing concern, but still have that loving sense of community that comes with shared endeavour.
~ NigelThank you so very much Ben and all the team for enabling us to sing the Messiah together. I love this piece, and used to sing it with my beloved mum (now deceased). It’s a joy to be brushing it up, and then singing together. Ben, you took the rehearsal beautifully. I felt emotional at the end after singing the Hallelujah Chorus with all my heart.
~ MegI took part in my first rehearsal tonight. It was wonderful. Thank you Ben and everyone for this great opportunity. It was so so good to feel part of something (and something so beautiful) after feeling quite lonely at this very difficult time. I'm looking forward to the next few weeks now!
~ Debbie