City of Birmingham Choir: Equinox Cultures in Harmony
Release date: 2nd March 2012
Worcestershire Trio Tune Up For Cultural Olympiad Concert
Three Worcestershire musicians are preparing for a once in a lifetime celebration of West
Midlands cultural heritage with 350 singers and three percussion groups performing in Symphony
Hall Birmingham on Saturday 17th March. This innovative concert, ‘Equinox: Cultures in Harmony’
will involve groups reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the West Midlands – West and East
European, Indian, Chinese, African Caribbean and Arabic. The event is so significant that it has
been recognised nationally by the award of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad Inspire Mark.
The climax of the concert will be the world premiere of ‘Koinonia’, a ground breaking composition
in which all of the singers and percussionists will combine in a unique celebration of
communication between diverse cultures. Koinonia has been written by Christopher Long Head
of Music at Saint Augustine’s Catholic High School in Redditch. He is also the co coordinator of
the Worcestershire Arts Education song writing project ‘Music and Lyrics’.
Koinonia will be conducted by Adrian Lucas who was Master of the Choristers at Worcester
Cathedral from 1996 to 2011. He now runs his own specialist studio company based in
Worcester, Acclaim Productions, which will be making a professional multi channel CD recording
of the concert. Details can be obtained from Adrian at info@acclaimproductions.co.uk.
The Equinox Project was conceived by Malvern resident Martin Willis who is also directing the
whole event. Martin was a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral, a choral scholar at Clare College
Cambridge and now sings with the Hills Singers and the City of Birmingham Choir.
‘I would like to thank all of the singers and musicians who have taken part in this project for giving
me the opportunity to experience such a variety of passionate music making. I have felt
overwhelmingly inspired and privileged to have been part of such a unique event.’
Christopher Long (Composer)
‘Conducting Koinonia will be one of the most challenging and exciting projects that I have ever
undertaken. Challenging in that no-one has ever tried before to bring together six different
musical cultures in one piece. Exciting because the enthusiasm and commitment of the
participants will ensure a truly memorable evening’ Adrian Lucas (Conductor)
‘Singing and percussion are the oldest forms of music making and can be heard in every culture
throughout the world. However performed, singing communicates emotions that are universally
understood, bringing peoples together. Equinox aims to capture this magic.’ Martin Willis
(Equinox Project Director)
Further information:
There will be pre-concert talk hosted by the Royal Society for the Arts in Symphony Hall @ 6.15
on the 17th of March when Christopher Long and Martin Willis will discuss the composition.
The concert is supported by the Arts Council and has been awarded the London 2012 Cultural
Olympiad Inspire Mark.
Notes to Editors: For further information and images of the choirs and performers involved visit
www.citychoir.org.uk/equinox/press Martin Willis can be contacted at
dalley.willis@btinternet.com or 01684 891520 Also www.facebook.com/EquinoxConcert
ENDS