My first blog post of the summer term comes in the middle of what could be described as the perfect Italian tour - visiting some of the most stunning European cities, singing to marvellous audiences, and managing to indulge in some extremely fine food and wine on the way (not too much wine, of course. "La voce" and all that...)Anyhow, the Spring has arrived in all its glory, which (sadly) also includes hayfever, but we're well in control and very much enjoying the sunshine - along with singing of the Springtime, verdant pastures, nymphs and shepherds in our Trionfo di Dori programmes (have you bought the album yet? It's really rather good, even if I do say so myself). Today we find ourselves in the Eternal City - not Sheffield (also built on seven hills) but in fact Rome, the ancient capital of the Empire and site to some of the most well-known historical monuments on earth. As I sipped my cappuccino atop our hotel, gazing across to the majestic dome of St Peter's Cathedral, I felt that all was well with the world. That is, until we started on one of life's most frustrating and yet rewarding pursuits: a King's Singers Programme Meeting! Many of you ask how we decide what to sing in any given concert. Well, it's a long process. We take into account the type of venue (church, hall, outside, indoors, etc) and any wishes of the promoter (is there a festival theme?) and look at repertoire that's being sung around the date in question - in order to keep continuity and prevent our having to sing 300 pieces in 10 days. Then, if we can, we'll use a programme that we're trying to promote ourselves. It might be related to an album project or simply be on a theme of our choosing that we feel best represents the breadth of KS repertoire. Often there can be various too-ings and fro-ings before the programme is finally agreed, but because we do it as a group EVERYONE feels invested in the artistic decisions and we each walk on stage knowing we've been a part of deciding what we're about to sing. It can take time, but we'd urge all other groups out there to consider this model when creating programmes. There is real value in inclusivity when making artistic decisions, and we hope you like the results when you're able to come to our live concerts.
My first blog post of the summer term comes in the middle of what could be described as the perfect Italian tour - visiting some of the most stunning European cities, singing to marvellous audiences, and managing to indulge in some extremely fine food and wine on the way (not too much wine, of course. "La voce" and all that...)Anyhow, the Spring has arrived in all its glory, which (sadly) also includes hayfever, but we're well in control and very much enjoying the sunshine - along with singing of the Springtime, verdant pastures, nymphs and shepherds in our Trionfo di Dori programmes (have you bought the album yet? It's really rather good, even if I do say so myself). Today we find ourselves in the Eternal City - not Sheffield (also built on seven hills) but in fact Rome, the ancient capital of the Empire and site to some of the most well-known historical monuments on earth. As I sipped my cappuccino atop our hotel, gazing across to the majestic dome of St Peter's Cathedral, I felt that all was well with the world. That is, until we started on one of life's most frustrating and yet rewarding pursuits: a King's Singers Programme Meeting! Many of you ask how we decide what to sing in any given concert. Well, it's a long process. We take into account the type of venue (church, hall, outside, indoors, etc) and any wishes of the promoter (is there a festival theme?) and look at repertoire that's being sung around the date in question - in order to keep continuity and prevent our having to sing 300 pieces in 10 days. Then, if we can, we'll use a programme that we're trying to promote ourselves. It might be related to an album project or simply be on a theme of our choosing that we feel best represents the breadth of KS repertoire. Often there can be various too-ings and fro-ings before the programme is finally agreed, but because we do it as a group EVERYONE feels invested in the artistic decisions and we each walk on stage knowing we've been a part of deciding what we're about to sing. It can take time, but we'd urge all other groups out there to consider this model when creating programmes. There is real value in inclusivity when making artistic decisions, and we hope you like the results when you're able to come to our live concerts.
My first blog post of the summer term comes in the middle of what could be described as the perfect Italian tour - visiting some of the most stunning European cities, singing to marvellous audiences, and managing to indulge in some extremely fine food and wine on the way (not too much wine, of course. "La voce" and all that...)Anyhow, the Spring has arrived in all its glory, which (sadly) also includes hayfever, but we're well in control and very much enjoying the sunshine - along with singing of the Springtime, verdant pastures, nymphs and shepherds in our Trionfo di Dori programmes (have you bought the album yet? It's really rather good, even if I do say so myself). Today we find ourselves in the Eternal City - not Sheffield (also built on seven hills) but in fact Rome, the ancient capital of the Empire and site to some of the most well-known historical monuments on earth. As I sipped my cappuccino atop our hotel, gazing across to the majestic dome of St Peter's Cathedral, I felt that all was well with the world. That is, until we started on one of life's most frustrating and yet rewarding pursuits: a King's Singers Programme Meeting! Many of you ask how we decide what to sing in any given concert. Well, it's a long process. We take into account the type of venue (church, hall, outside, indoors, etc) and any wishes of the promoter (is there a festival theme?) and look at repertoire that's being sung around the date in question - in order to keep continuity and prevent our having to sing 300 pieces in 10 days. Then, if we can, we'll use a programme that we're trying to promote ourselves. It might be related to an album project or simply be on a theme of our choosing that we feel best represents the breadth of KS repertoire. Often there can be various too-ings and fro-ings before the programme is finally agreed, but because we do it as a group EVERYONE feels invested in the artistic decisions and we each walk on stage knowing we've been a part of deciding what we're about to sing. It can take time, but we'd urge all other groups out there to consider this model when creating programmes. There is real value in inclusivity when making artistic decisions, and we hope you like the results when you're able to come to our live concerts.
My first blog post of the summer term comes in the middle of what could be described as the perfect Italian tour - visiting some of the most stunning European cities, singing to marvellous audiences, and managing to indulge in some extremely fine food and wine on the way (not too much wine, of course. "La voce" and all that...)Anyhow, the Spring has arrived in all its glory, which (sadly) also includes hayfever, but we're well in control and very much enjoying the sunshine - along with singing of the Springtime, verdant pastures, nymphs and shepherds in our Trionfo di Dori programmes (have you bought the album yet? It's really rather good, even if I do say so myself). Today we find ourselves in the Eternal City - not Sheffield (also built on seven hills) but in fact Rome, the ancient capital of the Empire and site to some of the most well-known historical monuments on earth. As I sipped my cappuccino atop our hotel, gazing across to the majestic dome of St Peter's Cathedral, I felt that all was well with the world. That is, until we started on one of life's most frustrating and yet rewarding pursuits: a King's Singers Programme Meeting! Many of you ask how we decide what to sing in any given concert. Well, it's a long process. We take into account the type of venue (church, hall, outside, indoors, etc) and any wishes of the promoter (is there a festival theme?) and look at repertoire that's being sung around the date in question - in order to keep continuity and prevent our having to sing 300 pieces in 10 days. Then, if we can, we'll use a programme that we're trying to promote ourselves. It might be related to an album project or simply be on a theme of our choosing that we feel best represents the breadth of KS repertoire. Often there can be various too-ings and fro-ings before the programme is finally agreed, but because we do it as a group EVERYONE feels invested in the artistic decisions and we each walk on stage knowing we've been a part of deciding what we're about to sing. It can take time, but we'd urge all other groups out there to consider this model when creating programmes. There is real value in inclusivity when making artistic decisions, and we hope you like the results when you're able to come to our live concerts.
My first blog post of the summer term comes in the middle of what could be described as the perfect Italian tour - visiting some of the most stunning European cities, singing to marvellous audiences, and managing to indulge in some extremely fine food and wine on the way (not too much wine, of course. "La voce" and all that...)Anyhow, the Spring has arrived in all its glory, which (sadly) also includes hayfever, but we're well in control and very much enjoying the sunshine - along with singing of the Springtime, verdant pastures, nymphs and shepherds in our Trionfo di Dori programmes (have you bought the album yet? It's really rather good, even if I do say so myself). Today we find ourselves in the Eternal City - not Sheffield (also built on seven hills) but in fact Rome, the ancient capital of the Empire and site to some of the most well-known historical monuments on earth. As I sipped my cappuccino atop our hotel, gazing across to the majestic dome of St Peter's Cathedral, I felt that all was well with the world. That is, until we started on one of life's most frustrating and yet rewarding pursuits: a King's Singers Programme Meeting! Many of you ask how we decide what to sing in any given concert. Well, it's a long process. We take into account the type of venue (church, hall, outside, indoors, etc) and any wishes of the promoter (is there a festival theme?) and look at repertoire that's being sung around the date in question - in order to keep continuity and prevent our having to sing 300 pieces in 10 days. Then, if we can, we'll use a programme that we're trying to promote ourselves. It might be related to an album project or simply be on a theme of our choosing that we feel best represents the breadth of KS repertoire. Often there can be various too-ings and fro-ings before the programme is finally agreed, but because we do it as a group EVERYONE feels invested in the artistic decisions and we each walk on stage knowing we've been a part of deciding what we're about to sing. It can take time, but we'd urge all other groups out there to consider this model when creating programmes. There is real value in inclusivity when making artistic decisions, and we hope you like the results when you're able to come to our live concerts.
My first blog post of the summer term comes in the middle of what could be described as the perfect Italian tour - visiting some of the most stunning European cities, singing to marvellous audiences, and managing to indulge in some extremely fine food and wine on the way (not too much wine, of course. "La voce" and all that...)Anyhow, the Spring has arrived in all its glory, which (sadly) also includes hayfever, but we're well in control and very much enjoying the sunshine - along with singing of the Springtime, verdant pastures, nymphs and shepherds in our Trionfo di Dori programmes (have you bought the album yet? It's really rather good, even if I do say so myself). Today we find ourselves in the Eternal City - not Sheffield (also built on seven hills) but in fact Rome, the ancient capital of the Empire and site to some of the most well-known historical monuments on earth. As I sipped my cappuccino atop our hotel, gazing across to the majestic dome of St Peter's Cathedral, I felt that all was well with the world. That is, until we started on one of life's most frustrating and yet rewarding pursuits: a King's Singers Programme Meeting! Many of you ask how we decide what to sing in any given concert. Well, it's a long process. We take into account the type of venue (church, hall, outside, indoors, etc) and any wishes of the promoter (is there a festival theme?) and look at repertoire that's being sung around the date in question - in order to keep continuity and prevent our having to sing 300 pieces in 10 days. Then, if we can, we'll use a programme that we're trying to promote ourselves. It might be related to an album project or simply be on a theme of our choosing that we feel best represents the breadth of KS repertoire. Often there can be various too-ings and fro-ings before the programme is finally agreed, but because we do it as a group EVERYONE feels invested in the artistic decisions and we each walk on stage knowing we've been a part of deciding what we're about to sing. It can take time, but we'd urge all other groups out there to consider this model when creating programmes. There is real value in inclusivity when making artistic decisions, and we hope you like the results when you're able to come to our live concerts.
My first blog post of the summer term comes in the middle of what could be described as the perfect Italian tour - visiting some of the most stunning European cities, singing to marvellous audiences, and managing to indulge in some extremely fine food and wine on the way (not too much wine, of course. "La voce" and all that...)Anyhow, the Spring has arrived in all its glory, which (sadly) also includes hayfever, but we're well in control and very much enjoying the sunshine - along with singing of the Springtime, verdant pastures, nymphs and shepherds in our Trionfo di Dori programmes (have you bought the album yet? It's really rather good, even if I do say so myself). Today we find ourselves in the Eternal City - not Sheffield (also built on seven hills) but in fact Rome, the ancient capital of the Empire and site to some of the most well-known historical monuments on earth. As I sipped my cappuccino atop our hotel, gazing across to the majestic dome of St Peter's Cathedral, I felt that all was well with the world. That is, until we started on one of life's most frustrating and yet rewarding pursuits: a King's Singers Programme Meeting! Many of you ask how we decide what to sing in any given concert. Well, it's a long process. We take into account the type of venue (church, hall, outside, indoors, etc) and any wishes of the promoter (is there a festival theme?) and look at repertoire that's being sung around the date in question - in order to keep continuity and prevent our having to sing 300 pieces in 10 days. Then, if we can, we'll use a programme that we're trying to promote ourselves. It might be related to an album project or simply be on a theme of our choosing that we feel best represents the breadth of KS repertoire. Often there can be various too-ings and fro-ings before the programme is finally agreed, but because we do it as a group EVERYONE feels invested in the artistic decisions and we each walk on stage knowing we've been a part of deciding what we're about to sing. It can take time, but we'd urge all other groups out there to consider this model when creating programmes. There is real value in inclusivity when making artistic decisions, and we hope you like the results when you're able to come to our live concerts.
