Encourage young singers, says Brian Kay
The choral conductor and co-founder of the King’s Singers, Brian Kay, now a Vice President of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), has written of the importance of encouraging young singers in the Church.
In the September edition of Church Music Quarterly (published by the RSCM) he writes, “Young singers are the future of choral music in the service of the Church and they must be encouraged at all times, not only to give of their best, but to enjoy for themselves the unique rewards which comes from being part of such a wonderful tradition.”
In the article “A life enriched by church music” Brian Kay recalls that everything that has happened in his professional life stems from the day in October 1962 when [the then Director of Music] David Willcocks awarded him a Choral Scholarship to King’s College, Cambridge. While recalling much of his conducting career, Brian reveals that he’s returned to sharing organ-playing duties at his home church in the Oxfordshire village where he lives. “And so it’s now back to psalms, hymns, canticles and trying to co-ordinate hands and feet after many years away from the organ stool!”
As a Vice-President, Brian Kay has had a glimpse of the RSCM’s work around the world. He says he was honoured to conduct representatives of affiliated RSCM choirs at the 80th anniversary service in St Paul’s Cathedral on Easter Monday this year.
In his view it is vital that we give every encouragement to singers who are our future. “It was particularly good to see assembled there so many young singers, who gave up their bank holiday to savour the experience of singing in such a glorious building.”
He also writes of the pleasure in being able to meet delegates at the annual conference of the RSCM in New Zealand, which he describes as “a lively organisation”. He continues, “Sir David Willcocks was there at the same time! Whenever I see the man who started everything for me, I am once again inspired to give of my best.”
Church Music Quarterly is distributed to affiliated churches, schools, organisations, individual members and Friends of the RSCM. The September edition of Church Music Quarterly also includes
- The history of the RSCM from the 50s to the 80s
- An interview with the composer James Macmillan
- Hints on organising choir rehearsals
- News of a new CD from the RSCM Millennium Youth Choir produced by composer, John Rutter
- A look at choir schools in the twenty-first century
Ends
1 September 2007
Notes for Editors
A photograph of Brian Kay can be downloaded from the picture gallery on the RSCM website. We also have a picture of Brian Kay at the organ of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge taken during student days in 1966.
The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), which is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its foundation this year, is an educational charity and promotes the best use of music in worship, church life, and the wider community. The RSCM also publishes music and training resources, and organises courses, short workshops and activities. With over 8,500 affiliates, members and friends in over 40 countries it is an international network, supported by over 750 volunteers and small team of staff based throughout the UK. For further information about the RSCM, go to the website www.rscm.com.
PDFs of RSCM news releases are generally available here (go to "News Releases").
Photographs for media use are available from the Media & Picture Gallery (go to "RSCM picture gallery").
For further enquiries contact:
Stuart Robinson:
RSCM Media Relations Organiser
srobinson@rscm.com
T: 01492 556378 / 07831 827701
or
Heather Bamber
RSCM Marketing & Communications Administrator
E:
hbamber@rscm.com
T: 01722 424847 or 07786 331364