Hallelujah! Choir of the Earth brings UK and Ireland Messiah Tour to Manchester
On Friday 24 February 2023, Choir of the Earth will bring its popular UK and Ireland Messiah Tour to Manchester, and is inviting “absolutely everybody” to come and sing choruses from Handel’s famous oratorio at the RNCM Concert Hall.
Choir of the Earth is a global choir that has welcomed around 10,000 singers through its virtual doors since it was formed in March 2020 at the height of the pandemic.
Then known as the Self-Isolation Choir, they hit international headlines when frustrated singers around the world signed up to learn and record Handel’s full ‘Messiah’ from home - a task that Musical Director Ben England BEM originally advised Founder Mark Strachan BEM was “mad”.
But record it they did, and have gone on to provide over 70 more online choral courses, although Messiah continues to hold a special place in the Choir’s hearts, as it does for so many singers.
As society has returned to a semblance of normality, many members have returned to their in-person singing groups. However, Choir of the Earth has continued to thrive, with around 700 regular members still rehearsing up to five times a week online and calling themselves a “global choral family”.
The Messiah Tour marks the Choir’s foray into in-person events, as well as the first time that many of its members have met in person. Choristers of the Earth are keen to invite absolutely everybody in the areas around the events to come and sing with them and experience the Choir of the Earth magic first-hand.
One Member explains her experience at her first Messiah Tour event:
We have so much fun at our online rehearsals and concerts, and it was amazing how well that translated to an in-person event. Even if you haven’t sung with Choir of the Earth before – or even heard of us – you will have a brilliant time! Ben, the COTE team and the other singers are all so friendly and encouraging, you’ll become an instant Chorister of the Earth the second you walk through the door. Don’t miss out – it’s amazing music, great value for money and incredible fun. I’ve already booked two more!
Singers at the come and sing Messiah Tour event in St Gabriel’s Church Pimlico, London on 22 October 2022. Photo Credit: Choir of the Earth
📹 Singers tell us about their experiences at Choir of the Earth’s first Messiah Tour event in London on 22 October
Singers will also be able to meet George Frideric Handel himself, who is touring with the Choir!
Founder, Mark Strachan BEM, is excited to introduce Mr Handel to the singers of Manchester and the surrounding area, saying:
George Friderick Handel addressing Choir of the Earth's Messiah Tour audience in London on 22 October 2022. Photo Credit: Andrea Liu.
Messiah remains the most popular choral work ever written and we are thrilled that Handel himself will be with us to see how we perform. Our Messiah Tour events are open to absolutely everybody, so do come and sing with us!
Musical Director Ben England BEM adds:
I am so looking forward to rehearsing some of these superb choruses with the singers in workshops throughout the day, and then we’ll perform them together in an early evening concert. It will be great fun and I hope Manchester will come along to sing this marvellous music with us.
The Choir is delighted the event will also give young local musicians an opportunity to perform in front of a supportive and welcoming audience. Ben Attfield, a recent graduate from Manchester University, will be the pianist and organist, whilst current RNCM student Andrew Farrow will play trumpet. It is also hoped that additional RNCM students may perform some of Messiah’s solo movements at the concert.
Full price tickets cost £25 and student tickets cost only £5. The Choir would prefer attendees to book in advance on its website, but tickets are also available at the door and card payment facilities will be available on the day. Singers will also have full use of RNCM’s Café Bar to buy refreshments throughout the day.
Friends and family of those participating will be welcome to attend the concert performance from 4pm free of charge, on a first-come-first-served basis.
To find out more and book your place, please visit: https://choiroftheearth.com/messiah-tour
Notes to editors:
Choir of the Earth’s Founder Mark Strachan BEM and/or its charismatic Musical Director Ben England BEM would welcome the opportunity to discuss the event in advance or on the day. Please email Head of Communications, Nikki Chilton, to arrange.
Choir of the Earth began life as The Self-Isolation Choir, which was founded in March 2020 as a response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Its rebranding from as Choir of the Earth in 2021 reflects how the choir has grown and matured from a pandemic phenomenon to an established choir, leading the way with digital singing innovation and climate-friendly music-making.
The come and sing Messiah Tour is the Choir’s first venture into live events, with successful events having already taken place in London on 22 October, Bath on 26 November, Cardiff on 10 December 2022 and the Isle of Wight on 14 January 2023, and a further five events planned for 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Edinburgh, Norwich, Dublin and Belfast.
Further information about the Choir’s current, future and previous projects is available at choiroftheearth.com, or follow us on social media: