We currently perform a varied and vibrant repertoire of between thirty and forty pieces. Our concerts cater for all tastes and all occasions. Over the past 27 years, the choir has sung everything
from classical to popular, early to contemporary, traditional ballads, spirituals and folk music, as well as many Christmas favourites.
Large scale works for upper voice choirs are quite rare; however, the choir performed arrangements of choral works such as Faure's
Requiem and Vivaldi's
Gloria, and works especially for this voice medium such as Benjamin Britten's
Ceremony
of Carols. Arrangements of existing music have also been made for the choir by Philip, accompanist Val Hetherington and director of
Nova Cantica, Douglas Cook.
The choir is never afraid of a challenge, and future projects include the colourful
Psalms for Dancing, by Douglas Coombes, and the
Meditative Adiemus, by Karl Jenkins.
Philip Wood was born in 1972 near Leeds. He is a composer and
teacher, currently living and working in Cumbria. He studied
Music and Drama in Northampton, gaining an Honours degree in
1993.
In 1997, he was awarded a Master of Music degree, and in
2003 a PhD after studies with Professors Philip Wilby and Julian Rushton, at
Leeds University.
During the early part of his career, Philip received much encouragement from Sir Malcolm Arnold, and as a result, does much work for the Arnold Society.
As a composer, he has received many commissions for orchestral, chamber, instrumental and choral works. Whilst much of his work is designed for amateur performers, there are several pieces
written for professional musicians including String Quartet No. 3 (Sorrel Quartet), String Trio (Leopold String Trio), Piano Trio (Lorca Trio), Concertino for Recorder and String Quartet (John Turner and the Manchester Camerata), Aria, Recitative and Rondo
(James Bowman CBE) and Four Bagatelles (Martin Roscoe), which have also been used as examination pieces at the
RNCM. Philip has also had workshop performances with the Allegri and Maggini String Quartets.
He has had several works recorded for commercial release, including the above Concertino, and a setting of
Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal for baritone and piano. A disc of his chamber music is being planned for later in the year.
Philip's music is published by
Da Capo Music Ltd.,
Canasg Choral Publishing and Peacock Press. His current projects include some orchestral dances, pieces for piano solo, and a large work for SATB, brass and percussion.
