NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Hitchin, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, 2012/09/19 - Recording's Star Leads Singing Day - A piece of music mentioned by the heroes in the controversial hit novel Fifty Shades of Grey features at a Singing Day held by Benslow Music at the Parish Church of St Mary on 20 October.

The piece is Spem in alium, a spectacular work also known as the 40-part motet. It was written by the English composer Thomas Tallis, who worked for King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary I, and Queen Elizabeth I during some of the most politically turbulent years of the sixteenth century, and demands no less than eight choirs. The recording that the hero in the novel listens to is the best-selling one in which The Tallis Scholars are directed by Peter Phillips. Phillips himself will be in Hitchin to lead the day.

Said Stephen Pettitt, Benslow Music’s Director of Music: “Havng admired his recording of the piece for a long time, I’m thrilled that Peter is coming to Hitchin to lead this extraordinary event. Already we’ve attracted about 120 singers who are all eagerly learning their parts for this wonderful, uplifting work. But we have room for plenty more, and would especially welcome a few more tenors and basses. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with a world-famous choral director who has made the piece his own”

Anyone who has some choral singing experience and is interested in taking part should contact Benslow Music on 01462 459446 or send an email to info[.]benslowmusic.org. The cost is £24, but full time students (all ages) can enrol free of charge. As singers need to be allocated their parts and to familiarise themselves with the music before the event, advance reservation is essential. The day begins at 10 am and ends not after 3.30 pm, with a break of an hour for lunch.

Contact: Vicky Carlton or Stephen Pettitt

Agency / Source: Benslow Music

Availability: All Regions (Including Int'l)

Traffic Booster: [/] Quick NewswireToday Visibility Checker

Distribution / Indexing: [+]