JAM unites Scotland’s premier university choirs for the first time.
In October JAM returns to Scotland after an absence of five years, as part of its 10th birthday celebrations with a trio of concerts in St. Andrews, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. A joint choir of approximately 90 students – made up of the Edinburgh University Chamber Choir, the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir and the University of St. Andrews Chapel Choir will be joined by Glasgow-based Thistle Brass and St. Andrews-based organist, Tom Wilkinson, conducted by Michael Bawtree.
In a series of firsts, the programme will include the world premiere performances of Paul Mealor’s Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal – commissioned by JAM, the Scottish premieres of Tarik O’Regan’s The Night’s Untruth (JAM commission 2010) and Gabriel Jackson’s The Spacious Firmament – parts 1 & 2 (commissioned by JAM in 2008). It will also be the first time that these three choirs have sung together and the first time that JAM has worked with Michael Bawtree, Thistle Brass and Tom Wilkinson.
In this extraordinary year for JAM, Paul Mealor’s commission (one of four in 2010) brings full circle the Trust’s philosophy of enabling and supporting talented composers. In 2002 & 2003 Paul successfully surmitted music to JAM as part of the Trust’s annual Call for Music. Commissioning Mealor several years later, as an established composer, is an appropriate way to celebrate JAM’s anniversary.
CONCERT PROGRAMME
James MacMillan – A New Song
– Exsultet
– Gaudeamus in loci pace
Tarik O’Regan – The Night’s Untruth (JAM commission 2010)
Gabriel Jackson – The Spacious Firmament 1 & 2 (JAM commission 2008)
Paul Mealor – Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal (JAM commission 2010)
PERFORMERS
Edinburgh University Chamber Choir
University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir
University of St. Andrews Chapel Choir
Thistle Brass
Tom Wilkinson, organ
Michael Bawtree, conductor
Thursday 28th October – Holy Trinity Church, St. Andrews, 8pm
Friday 29th October – Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh, 8pm
Sunday 31st October – St. Machar Cathedral, Aberdeen, 2.30pm
Tickets: £12 – £5
Box Office: 0800 988 7984 or www.jamconcert.org