The Sixteen

I've been doing some rummaging around looking for information on the The Sixteen.  When a friend first mentioned this world-renowned choral group, I assumed there must be 4 basses, 4 tenors, 4 altos and 4 sopranos.  But that's not true.  Of course there are these four basic parts, but there is also a countertenor, a voice that is always rather surprising.  (A countertenor is a male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to that of a contralto, mezzo-soprano, or, less often, a soprano.)  Not only that, apparently there aren't even 16 members in The Sixteen, at least not consistently.  Many times exactly 16 members do sing.  However, at this link I counted 18 members, and here, only 11.  Because of this, some on the internet say it's a mystery why Harry Christophers — the founder and conductor — decided to name the group The Sixteen in the first place. 

According to Harry Christophers himself, however, he started The Sixteen about 32 years ago.  It was only a choir back then — made up of 16 singers — that sang 16-century Tudor music.  (So there's the number 16 — twice!)  Since it is Harry Christophers' goal to promote music not much heard anymore, The Sixteen (comprising both a choir and a period-instrument orchestra now) still sings music from the past, as well as modern day music.

In 2000, Harry Christophers began the "Choral Pilgrimage", a tour of English cathedrals, in a sense bringing the music of the pre-Reformation era back to the places for which it was originally written.  It was The Sixteen’s contribution to the millennium celebrations. Because the first Choral Pilgrimage was a success, subsequent annual pilgrimages were arranged, each with a specific theme.  The 2011 Choral Pilgrimage is entitled "Hail, Mother of the Redeemer" and focuses on the music of Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611).

But, The Sixteen also tours throughout Europe, Japan, Australia and the Americas.  I would love to know when they're coming here!

One interesting bit of news I came across is The Sixteen Photo Contest, where the group calls out for photo submissions of anything 16.  In fact, it seems there's a contest going on right now, if you care to submit a photo or two for consideration.  All pictures must be received by November 7, 2011.  The two photos below are examples being displayed, to prime the pump, so to speak.




  
It must be truly wonderful being part of such a group.  (BTW, auditions are being held next in January/February 2012.)  Here they are singing Verbum caro factum est.  Just listen to the sopranos soar and then come back to earth.  Beautiful!  Hear all the parts move singly and yet together, swelling and diminishing, pressing in against each other and then backing out, but always sliding perfectly into place.  I love singing in groups where all the parts are so closely intertwined, so wholly tuned in to each other, so perfectly in pitch.  I think heaven must be like that, plus oh so much more.