This Season's Programmes

The Songmen are commited to producing exciting and varied programmes and carefully devise a number of pre-conceived concert programmes that they perform each season. This season's programmes are below. Should you have a bespoke programme request please contact Ikon Arts Management here. Otherwise, to find out more you can download any of the programme info sheets.

Programme 1 - Sacred, Soul n' Swing
Programme 2 - Passion
Programme 3 - Midnight
Programme 4 - La Mort Et La Gloire

Programme 5 - The Lamentations of Jeremiah

Programme 6 - Choral Masterpieces
Programme 7 - Iuxta Crucem

Programme 8 - A Sacred Place

Sacred, Soul n' Swing

‘Sacred, Soul ‘n Swing’ covers such a wide variety of styles and themes; there is something in there for everyone to enjoy.

Showcasing group’s skill and influences the audience are taken on a journey starting in 16th century Europe with examples of fine sacred Renaissance polyphony contrasting with contemporary sacred works, on to beautiful folksong and spiritual arrangements both old and new and finally arriving in 1960s America for a series of cool soul and laid-back swing arrangements.

Download 'Sacred, Soul n' Swing' info sheet

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Passion

A thoughtful and moving exploration of the different meanings of passion, both sacred and human, through the ages.

The beginnings of the programme centre around Lent and the Passion of Christ. We examine the heart-ache of the people of Jerusalem as their beloved city’s walls are breached by Nebuchadnezzar and ultimately destroyed (Victoria’s Lamentations for Holy Saturday), and then move through several stages of thoughtful, deep and joyous love for God in various sacred works.

The second half of the programme heralds a people’s love for their country and home in Janequin’s ‘La Guerre’ and Sawyer’s beautiful composition based on the moving Betjeman poem ‘Inland Waterway’. Towards the end of the programme we finally rejoice in good old fashioned simple love between a boy and a girl with some classy jazz and pop arrangements.

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Midnight

This cool collection of jazz and pop songs is complimented with folk and spiritual favourites from the group’s lighter repertoire and will surely have you tapping your feet and wanting to dance.

It features many songs from the group’s CARA nominated album ‘Midnight’, as well as other favourites. You’ll be taken on a journey from folk and spirituals through 1920’s jazz, 1980’s soul and into the most current classic pop genre. Many of the arrangements in this programme are by members of the group and are only ever performed by The Songmen – you won’t hear them anywhere else! So put on your best suit and dancing shoes and enjoy.

Download 'Midnight' info sheet

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La Mort Et La Gloire

Early Renaissance Music of the French Masters

La Mort Et La Glorie - ‘Death and Glory’ is an homage to some of the most important music to have ever been written. These early Renaissance French masters led the way and created music that shaped music far beyond their lifetimes.

From Machaut to Janequin and everything in between, this programme of little performed ancient music will enlighten the listener in just how beautifully complex, yet simply perfect, music was in France in the years 1400 – 1600.

Download 'La Mort Et La Gloire' info sheet

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The Lamentations of Jeremiah

This programme is built around the beautiful and emotional Lamentations of Jeremiah for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday masterfully set by Tomás Luis de Victoria. Narrating the fall of Jerusalem, by Jeremiah in a cave outside the city as it is destroyed by foreign invaders; the Lamentations are a poignant human response to one of the most momentous occurrences in the bible. This is a new edition scholarly revised especially for The Songmen.

Supporting this epic work are three pieces by Cristóbal de Morales, Victoria’s contemporary, providing the audience with a well-rounded and stunning programme that celebrates all that is perfect about Spanish Renaissance music.

Download 'The Lamentations of Jeremiah' info sheet

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Choral Masterpieces

Some of the best loved and fabulous choral masterpieces ever written.

Coming soon..

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Iuxta Crucem

A meditation on the image of Mary at the cross.

Coming soon.

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A Sacred Place

Some of the best loved and fabulous sacred music in the canon.

'A Sacred Place' leads the listener by the hand through the different ages of religious music. Early renaissance masterpieces sit comfortably with some of the best known and effective contemporary works and this programme delights in its broad variety of styles which gives both the discerning listener something new with new commissions and editions and the newcomer something that will surely whet their appetite for sacred choral music further.

Many of the pieces included in ‘A Sacred Place’ feature on The Songmen’s sacred classical disc of the same name.

Coming soon.

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