Birdland

A musical drama for soloists, unison voices, SATB chorus, and instrumental ensemble

Vocal score

Forces or Category: Soloists, unison voices, SATB chorus, & instrumental ensemble

Orchestration: fl, 2cl, hn, tpt, tenor tbn, perc (2 players), bass guitar, pno

Story and texts by Charles Bennett
A variety of solo roles, also featuring spoken narration
Eminently singable melodies and a characterful orchestration
Rehearsal pack with photocopiable unison part and lyrics
Access to companion website with downloadable audio rehearsal tracks as part of the rehearsal pack

Birdland

A musical drama for soloists, unison voices, SATB chorus, and instrumental ensemble

Vocal score

Description

This engaging musical drama follows the quest of Pip the Sparrow to be accepted into the Dawn Chorus. Along the way Pip meets characters like the Doc Rock Peacocks, who promise to transform the sparrow into a star, and the troubled residents of The Bewilderness. With the help of two friendly owls, Pip meets singing sensation Shamira the Golden Nightingale and discovers a great secret, causing the sparrow to at last understand the power of having a song that is completely their own. As well as the rich variety of solo roles, which feature spoken narration, the work provides great dramatic potential for the unison and mixed choruses, who play an integral role in the storytelling. The memorable, eminently singable melodies are complimented by a characterful orchestration, for 10-part instrumental ensemble, with Chilcott drawing on a broad range of musical styles. Exploring themes of identity, inclusivity, and self-belief, this heart-warming work is a testament to the unifying, healing power of music.

Birdland

A musical drama for soloists, unison voices, SATB chorus, and instrumental ensemble

Vocal score

Bob Chilcott

Composer Information

Bob Chilcott (b.1955)

Bob Chilcott has become one of the world's most widely performed composers and arrangers of choral music. His compositional output reflects his wide taste in music styles and his commitment to writing music that is both singable and communicative. He has been involved in choral music most of his life he was a chorister and then a choral scholar in the choir of King's College, Cambridge, and was a member of the British vocal group The King's Singers for whom he made a number of popular arrangements of well-known songs from all genres. As well as being a full-time composer he is also a highly acclaimed choral conductor. He has been privileged to conduct many choirs all over the world. He is Principal Guest Conductor of The BBC Singers and in 2019 he was appointed Principal Conductor of Birmingham University Singers. His music has been widely recorded by many choirs and groups including The King's Singers, Tenebrae, and The BBC Singers.

Bob Chilcott's website