This event has passed.
A unique free live event with 650 singers, to celebrate Bristol’s 650th birthday and the coronation of King Charles III – Sing for the King! Everyone is welcome and we’d love for YOU to take part…
1.30pm – Singers meet to rehearse in the Cathedral
3pm – Live performance
We’ve teamed up with our friends at Bristol Cathedral for this special tribute to King Charles III, and Bristol’s historic 650th anniversary.
We have now reached our target of 650 singers, and we are sorry that there is no more space at Bristol Cathedral. If you wish to take part in the event, you are welcome to join us at St George’s for the satellite event with the same timings, or perhaps you might like to watch the event online.
Key Info for Singers
- You will need to stand throughout the rehearsal and the event so please wear comfortable shoes!
- Please don’t bring large bags or coats, you will need to keep your personal belongings with you during the rehearsal and the event.
- Please note, Sing for the King will be filmed. We will send you the link to the film afterwards (it will also be sent to King Charles III with our civic best wishes!)
- If you can’t stand throughout the event, or need to bring a large bag, please go to St George’s Bristol instead of the Cathedral. We’re hosting a livestream and Sing for the King satellite event in our Main Hall, with the same timings as those at the Cathedral, and would love to welcome you.
- We are closing registrations for singers on Sunday 23 April at 5pm.
- Bringing friends and family to watch? Audience members can just turn up on the day but please note there is limited seating and they will be asked to stand.
- If you are a member of a choir who’s been invited to perform pieces other than Zadok the Priest on the day, your choir leader/organiser will be in touch with you separately.
- Please make sure your phone is switched to airplane mode during the event (not just silent) as its signal may interfere with the livestream. Thank you.
Running Order for the Performances
3pm start, with welcome from Mrs Peaches Golding, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Bristol and Samir Savant, CEO at St George’s, Bristol who has orchestrated this event.
Handel’s Coronation Anthem – Zadok the Priest, conducted by Ben England and accompanied by the City of Bristol Brass Band
The mountains shall bring peace written for the King by Joanna Forbes L’Estrange sung by the Fitzhardinge Consort
Handel’s Coronation Anthem – Let thy hand be strengthened, conducted by John Davenport, sung by Arnos Vocale, the Fitzhardinge Consort and members of the cathedral choir and consort
Handel’s Coronation Anthem – The King Shall Rejoice conducted by John Davenport, sung by Thornbury Choral Society, the Fitzhardinge Consort and members of the cathedral choir and consort
Handel’s Coronation Anthem – My Heart is inditing conducted by Peter Wagstaff, sung by the Fitzhardinge Consort
Organ accompaniment by Mark Lee, Master of the Choristers and Cathedral Organist and Paul Walton, Assistant Cathedral Organist.
Repeat of Zadok the Priest
4pm – event ends
FAQs
What are the timings?
Monday 1 May at Bristol Cathedral & St George’s Bristol
1.30 – 2.30pm rehearsal
3 – 4pm event
What shall I wear?
There’s no particular dress code for the performance, but if you’re attending with others from the same choir, you may wish to wear your choir’s colours for when you usually perform. Otherwise, it’s smart/casual. As this event will be filmed (and may even make the news!), you will want to look your best!
Do I need a score? Shall I mark it up?
Please use this link to the score to prepare. If you have your own score, that will also be fine. Please sing the part you are used to singing or have prepared, including when there are occasional splits.
When they are optional dotted rhythms e.g. bar 3 of the second movement: ‘And all the people rejoic’d’ we will do these e.g. not as straight quavers. We are not doing any trills e.g. bar 20 of third movement: ‘God save the King’.
You may wish to bring a black folder to hold your music, but this is not obligatory. Please remember to bring a pencil for any markings on the day.
How do I rehearse?
28 April, 6pm – Soprano Teaching Join Here
28 April, 7.15pm – Alto Teaching Join Here
29 April, 6pm – Tenor Teaching Join Here
29 April, 7.15pm – Bass Teaching Join Here
Where shall I stand in the Cathedral?
Please see our downloadable and printable Cathedral map here:
What about access requirements?
Please find access information for Bristol Cathedral on their website here and the full access guide can also be found here
Information on access to St George’s can be found on our website here
Please note that level access to the Cathedral toilets (including the accessible toilet) involves going around the outside of the Cathedral.
What happens after?
Immediately after the performance, you might wish to reward yourself with a refreshing hot drink and a slice of delicious cake at the café at St George’s Café Bar which will remain open until 5pm.
When can I see the film of the event?
We will send you a link to a video of the performance after we have edited it, hopefully in the week after.
I love singing! What else can I get involved in?
This event kicks off St George’s 2023 Festival of Voice, with plenty of other choral and vocal events going on which you might want to attend.
We hope to recruit a massed choir of 650 to come together and sing the classic coronation anthem, Handel’s Zadok the Priest. Various choirs from across Bristol and the South West are already committed to this project, and we’d love you to join us – maybe you’re part of a choir, or maybe you just love singing, everyone is welcome.
There will also be a special performance by the Fitzhardinge Consort of the brand new Sing for the King anthem, The Mountains Shall Bring Peace written especially for King Charles III by Joanna Forbes L’Estrange.
This event will be filmed and sent to King Charles III with our civic greetings.
For any individuals, groups or choirs who are interested in taking part, please register your interest by emailing festivalofvoice@stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
“I am delighted to be working with our friends at Bristol Cathedral and with choirs across Bristol and the wider South West region on this massive choral tribute to the new King. Please join us.” – Samir Savant, Chief Executive, St George’s Bristol
