Massed choirs at St Clement Danes perform Verdi's Dies Irae

At the end of the Spring Term, perhaps the most impressive music concert ever held at St Clement Danes took place, the finale of which involved a 200 strong ensemble performing Verdi's Dies Irae and provoking a standing ovation. Recordings of this and the Sixth Form Choir can be found at the end of this article.

The concert began with a range of ensembles and soloists, opening with the second orchestra and encompassing an eclectic range of composers from Elgar to Elton John! There were outstanding performances, many by Year 13s who were performing for the last time at the school. The Junior Choir provided a rousing close to the first half, with a superb rendition of 'Revolting Children' from the musical 'Matilda'.

This concert was a little different to the norm, as it closed with a performance which had been inspired by a workshop with the BBC Singers attended before Christmas. From this, a collaboration between Parmiters and St Clement Danes was born, with Miss Stevens and their Head of Music, Ms Bird, agreeing to stage a performance of Verdi's Dies Irae with a massed choir from both schools. In fact, last night saw members of the Tring Choral Society, the St Clement Danes adult choir, SCD's gospel choir and Parmiter's chamber choir joining the first orchestra to raise the roof of the Barbirolli Hall with a stirring finale. Describing the event, Miss Stevens expressed her pride in all those involved in the concert and her thanks to Hertfordshire Music Service who organised the BBC Singers workshop in the first place. 'It was a fantastic collaboration, giving the students involved the experience to hear the work performed with the sorts of forces involved when 200 musicians come together. I would imagine it is five minutes that they will not forget in a hurry!'

Please click below for recordings of the Dies Irae and the Sixth Form Choir singing 'Only in Sleep'.

Dies Irae - SCD with Tring Choral Society and Parmiter's Choir

Only in Sleep - SCD Sixth Form Choir

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