Sing like a Byrd with The Gesualdo Six!
Choir of the Earth has today launched a major new collaboration with The Gesualdo Six, centred on William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. The seven-week online choral course officially began on Monday 5 January 2026 and singers around the world are invited to take part.
Owain Park, Director of The Gesualdo Six, introduces the collaboration with Choir of the Earth
Singers will learn, sing and record Byrd's Mass for Five Voices as part of a major new Choir of the Earth course, created in collaboration with one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles. The Gesualdo Six are internationally renowned for both their stunning recording of the work, and their acclaimed immersive concert, Secret Byrd.
This course will be led by Choir of the Earth’s knowledgeable and charismatic Musical Director, Ben England. Alongside detailed, line-by-line teaching supported by the Choir’s unique rehearsal resources, the course integrates vocal technique, music theory and musical and historical context, enriched by specialist insight from members of The Gesualdo Six.
Guy James, Countertenor, explains The Gesualdo Six's connection to Byrd's Mass For Five Voices
Simon Grant (Baritone), Alasdair Austin (Countertenor), Josh Cooter (Tenor) and Joseph Wicks (Tenor) from The Gesualdo Six talk about the Byrd Mass for Five Voices collaboration with Choir of the Earth
This is an ambitious and exciting course, packed with beautiful music and outstanding resources. Each week includes a full choir rehearsal and sectional rehearsals for every voice part, supported by guide tracks and a score prepared especially for this project by The Gesualdo Six, alongside the many other benefits of Choir of the Earth membership. You can even learn, sing and record as many voice parts as you like!
At only £34 per month, this is an exceptional opportunity to explore one of the great works of the Renaissance in depth, supported by expert teaching and world-class musicianship!
The recording of the course launch session is publicly available and explains exactly what this special collaboration has to offer:
Watch the course launch session from Monday 5 January 2026
Singers are welcome to sign up at any point throughout the course - you can access recordings of the rehearsals you might have missed to date, plus all of the other fantastic resources.