This is an extraordinary choral piece created & performed by members of the Leaveners, the British Quaker arts fellowship. In the concert version it consists of dramatic readings of key portions of George Fox’s Journal interspersed with songs based on these same passages. It chronicles George Fox’s own personal spiritual journey from seeker to a central figure in the nascent Religious Society of Friends.
We are seeking Friends who would like to take part in a chorus to perform this piece for our annual sessions this August. The plan is to distribute the score to the chorus in plenty of time to learn the parts. Choral participants need to be able to read parts choral music but do not need to be expert singers.
John Sheldon, a choral leader and active member of the Leaveners, is offering to come to the U.S. & teach & lead us in this performance without compensation. John led a wonderful weekend choral workshop for New England Friends in November 2006 using the British Friends songbook, Sing in the Spirit, which he edited. He has also led choral workshops using these songs at FGC summer gatherings.
NEYM Sessions Planning Committee has invited us to perform this piece in part because it is a wonderful work, musically and spiritually. On the occasion of our 350th anniversary this performance will also provide us with the opportunity as a YM community to share a vivid glimpse into the experience of first generation Friends, the same generation that founded New England Yearly Meeting in 1661.
Rehearsals & performances
There will be 2 days of mandatory rehearsals just prior to annual sessions beginning Thursday evening, August 5. We will meet Thursday evening through Friday afternoon at Providence (RI) Meeting. There will be a brief performance at the Great Meetinghouse in Newport RI on Friday evening (August 6). We will have additional rehearsals Saturday morning and afternoon at Bryant University (where NEYM sessions are held). A final rehearsal will be held Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 9th) from about 3-5:30 with our full performance that evening.
Get Involved
If you are interested in taking part or know of someone in your meeting who might like to take part, please email Peter Blood-Patterson of Mt Toby Meeting at peter@quakersong.org or call 413 256-8596.
Ways to prepare in advance:
We will email out an Acrobat (.pdf) file of the entire score in early July as well as mp3 files of the choral pieces we will be performing together. If participants really need/want their score as a hard copy before coming to Providence, this can also be arranged.
updated June 24, 2011