Bedford School hosted a wonderful day of Choral Singing yesterday, culminating in the Bedford Choral Cup Competition.  Esteemed composer and choral conductor, Bob Chilcott was the guest for the day and led two one-hour workshops with all visiting choirs. Mr Chilcott introduced the prep school choirs to some of his own compositions, 'Morning', 'Spring', 'Night' and 'Winter'. The choirs were given outstanding tuition throughout the day, and it was inspiring to work with such a world-renowned musician. 

The afternoon competition was an opportunity for all the school choirs to share their singing with a large audience in the beautiful surroundings of Bedford School's 'Great Hall'.  Bax Consort sang the Japanese Children's Song 'Hotaru Koi' and Irving Berlin's 'Puttin' on the Ritz'.  Bax Consort were honoured to be crowned as the winners and were proud to receive their trophy and medals from Mr Chilcott. 

A week earlier, Bax Consort were privileged to sing on the stage of the Birmingham Symphony Hall at the Barnardo's National Choral Competition.  The children, who are in Years 6-8, sang their repertoire with huge passion and dazzled with their choreography!  Watch them in action in the clip below.

Bax Consort is a section of more experience singers in our larger, audition-only Bax Choir which takes part in competitions and performs at special school services as well as concerts.  The children rehearse up to three times a week under the expert leadership of our Head of Choral music, Lucy Joy Morris. 

Ms Morris studied music at Queens’ College, Cambridge where she sang with Trinity College Choir. She has conducted the National Youth Choir of Great Britain Boys’ Choir since January 2018 and was recently appointed Principal Conductor for the National Boys’ Choir from 2020-2023. She is also a guest conductor for the NYCGB Chamber Choir and section coach for the National Youth Choirs of Scotland.