Hallelujah! Choir of the Earth brings UK and Ireland Messiah Tour to Norwich
On Saturday 25 March 2023, Choir of the Earth will bring its popular UK & Ireland Messiah Tour to Norwich. The international Choir is usually based exclusively online but will welcome singers from near and far to come and sing choruses from Handel’s Messiah at St Peter Mancroft Church.
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 60 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 settled back into ‘normality’ after the pandemic, 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. Just this month, they were shortlisted as one of 5 finalists in the Britain’s Top Choirs™ choral competition - the only online choir and only international choir to do so.
The Messiah Tour marks the Choir’s foray into in-person events, and the first time many members of this “choral family” have met in person. Its Members are keen to invite local singers 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 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.
Singers at the come and sing Messiah Tour event at RNCM in Manchester in February 2023. 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 Norfolk, 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 Norwich will come along to sing this marvellous music with us.
The Choir is also delighted to welcome local organist Jonathan Stamp as its accompanist for the day..
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.
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. The event will finish at approximately 5.30pm to allow attendees to use the last park and ride bus service of the day.
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, Bath, Cardiff, the Isle of Wight, Newcastle upon Tyne and Edinburgh, with the last two events planned in Dublin on 13 April and Belfast on 15 April 2023.
Further information about the Choir’s current, future and previous projects is available at choiroftheearth.com, or follow us on social media: