Concerts & Workshops

Welcome to our 2007/2008 concert season!

We are celebrating the finest traditions of choral music by beginning and ending with two of the greatest names in Renaissance sacred polyphony: Palestrina and Victoria. You can hear Palestrina alongside Scotland’s own vivid contemporary voice, James MacMillan, in the first of two programmes which launch new CDs. We go right back to the middle ages for the other CD launch with some magical Irish music in praise of their Patron Saint, Patrick – who needs Guinness when you can be intoxicated by the sweet singing of Canty accompanied by Bill Taylor on the harp?

Previous events by year.

2007-8

Singing for Scotland …
… and getting Scotland singing!

Whether you come to hear us sing music from the 15th or the 21st century, we can guarantee that it is all of the very highest quality and placed in creative, imaginative programmes that will set each work off to the very best advantage. Each programme features our finest singers, combining in various groups to inspire and uplift you with their committed, passionate performances. Maybe they’ll make you want to ‘do-it-yourself’? - you can do just that in one of our workshops or community choirs. To get involved, just give us a call direct. You can also phone or email with questions or requests for information.

For regular updates about workshops, concerts, touring, recording and news of group discounts, join our free mailing list by submitting the form on this website.

Paisley Choral Festival

An Evening with Hildegard of Bingen

Canty performs ‘An Evening with Hildegard of Bingen’ in the lovely Gothic surroundings of
St James’s Church – Friday 26 October, 2007

Carver & Tallis

Cappella Nova sings Carver’s Coronation Mass for 10-voices ‘Dum Sacrum mysterium’ and the great 40-part motet by Thomas Tallis ‘Spem in alium’ in Paisley Abbey – Saturday 3 November, 2007

Unmissable!

Community Choir

You can enjoy a workshop on Hildegard’s music and join a choir specially created for the Canty performance. No audition and no experience required! You can download information and a form from the festival website.

Strathclyde Motets

Missa Brevis (James MacMillan)
Strathclyde Motets (MacMillan)
Missa Confitebor tibi Domine (Palestrina)

Hear sixteen voices combine in glorious music of the past and present. James MacMillan, celebrated world-wide as Scotland’s leading composer, wrote his youthful Missa Brevis, here given its first complete public performance, at the beginning of his career. You can hear it alongside some of his most recent choral works: the dramatic and mystical Strathclyde Motets. A masterwork of renaissance polyphony, Palestrina’s 8-part Mass Confitebor tibi Domine, completes the programme. There will also be a selection of MacMillan’s more accessible pieces for audience participation – see the workshop page for information about ‘doing it yourself’!

These performances mark the launch of our new disc of James MacMillan premieres: Tenebrae (Linn CKD 301)

Carols by Candlelight

Cappella Nova's classic, cherished annual festive event returns with a fresh programme of seasonal music, from medieval carols to close-harmony Christmas favourites. We’ve selected the finest repertoire, new and old, so that you can enjoy the very musical essence of the festive season, and this year’s programme also includes the world premiere of Scotland at Night by Tom Cunningham – a delightful setting of specially written poems by Alexander McCall Smith (celebrated author of The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novels).

There’ll be mulled wine and mince pies on sale, as usual, and you can join in with the audience carols and this year’s ‘silly competition’. Best of all, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to marvel at the dazzling virtuosity of our special guests: St Petersburg Baroque Brass Quintet.

St Patrick’s Praises

Canty (the female voices of Cappella Nova)
William Taylor (medieval wire-strung clarsach)

St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, was kidnapped from Scotland by Irish pirates, and from that unpromising beginning grew a saint and teacher whose infuence resonates across the world today. Canty sings a beautiful collection of 15th century Irish plainchant for the Feast Day of St Patrick (17th March), accompanied by the virtuoso improvising medieval clarsach player William Taylor, opening a window onto the sound-world of the Celtic lands in the middle-ages. There’ll also be the world premiere of a setting of St Patrick’s Breastplate by Michael McGlynn.

This tour marks the launch of Canty’s latest CD, the second in their medieval Irish series. Vol. 1, Flame of Ireland, has been highly praised:

With the participation of The Scottish Plainsong Choir (Perth, Edinburgh & Glasgow), The Cathedral Voices (Aberdeen), The Balliol Consort (Dumfries) and a specially formed community choir (Armagh).

Viva Victoria!

Missa Laetatus sum
Motets and Polyphonic Hymns.

A feast of great works from one of the finest Renaissance composers, Tomas Luis de Victoria, this programme is built around the rich, vivid and joyful 12-part Mass Laetatus sum in which three groups of voices intertwine in wonderful, magical sonorities. Victoria’s rarely heard and beautifully crafted Latin hymn settings, alternating plainchant with exquisitely shapely polyphony, and a selection of his best-loved motets will form the framework of the programme – a celebration of architecture in music.

Music of the Mystics
Presented in association with the University of Strathclyde Music Society as part of the West End Festival

Canty (the female voices of Cappella Nova)
William Taylor (medieval wire-strung clarsach)

A chill-out selection of medieval and modern music including Hildegard of Bingen, Gregorian Chant, Celtic traditional, and modern works written for Canty by Edward McGuire, Ivan Moody, Rebecca Rowe, Sheena Phillips, James McCarthy and Peter McGarr.

Workshops & Community Choir Sessions

Our popular workshops are fun, friendly and open to all, located in central, easily accessed venues (directions are sent with tickets).

It is essential to book your place in advance!

Singing the music of James MacMillan

A unique opportunity to sing some of James MacMillan’s accessible pieces for church choir – easy to sing yet truly 'MacMillan'!

Participants will also be able to help lead the audience participation moments in the Strathclyde Motets concerts in November. There’s no experience required and all are welcome.

Festive Family Singing Days

All ages, from Primary 1 upwards, will be welcome at these workshops designed to get the whole family singing together – no-one will be left out and there’ll be facilities for younger children and a break for a packed lunch. A team of familiar faces from Cappella Nova will introduce a selection of seasonal music, preparing you for a great singing Christmas!

Vocal Work-Out Sessions

When it comes to singing do you feel like 'a stranger in Paradise'? If so, this session may be for you! This is an opportunity for participants at all levels to develop their singing. We will lead you in warm-ups and games to help you release your voice and, even more importantly, enjoy it! Based on our highly popular previous sessions, there will be an opportunity for ‘one-to-one’ surgery meetings with Cappella Nova singers. We’ll be using the big, beautiful Borodin melodies from the musical Kismet, to give everyone a really great, pleasurable sing.

Scottish Plainsong Choir

Our immensely popular and very special community choir will re-form again this season for a number of rehearsal/workshop sessions in early 2008 to prepare for participation in the St Patrick’s Praises events in March. This mixed choir includes singers of all types and levels of experience from all over Scotland, and is open to all.

Sessions in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth leading to inclusion in performances in March.