Banbury Choral last performed ‘The Armed Man’ in March 2004 under the baton of Sue Freestone. This incredible piece of contemporary composition by Karl Jenkins is both haunting and dramatic with sections that will transport the audience to another place. The 'Benedictus', 'Agnus Dei' and 'Sanctus' are examples of Karl Jenkins ability to bring true emotion to this Mass for Peace. He dedicated this Mass to the Kosovo conflict and first performed it in 2000 at the Royal Albert Hall.
The choir will also be performing two other pieces: Haydn 'Te Deum' and Elgar 'Give unto the Lord' which will cover a period of almost 200 years from 1800 through to 1999. The Te Deum was written by Haydn to celebrate the arrival of Lord Nelson to the Imperial Palace of Vienna. Elgar wrote his piece for St Paul's Cathedral in April 1914 for the Festival of the Sons of the Clergy.
The choir will be under the baton of their MD Julian Harris and accompanied by their Deputy MD & Accompanist, Jonathan Kingston.