News

Gabrieli Roar is delighted to announce an award of £1m over the next five years from the Vinehill Trust.  This significant investment will play a pivotal role in supporting plans to expand our highly-acclaimed choral programme all over the country.

Gabrieli Roar combines both high-level musical ambition with a huge social heart. Described as “completely transformational” by many of those involved, we work with a diverse range of British school and youth choirs, often in challenging areas. Through the joy of large-scale choral singing, we connect many young people from all backgrounds to classical music and broader world of culture.  Founded by world-renowned conductor Paul McCreesh, Gabrieli Roar helps young singers to excel, to develop confidence in their abilities, and to enrich their lives through cultural engagement.

Paul McCreesh, Gabrieli Roar Founder and Artistic Director says..

“To be awarded this funding is a testament not just to the brilliance of our young people, but also honours their teachers, music directors and parents, as well as the trusts, foundations and individual supporters who have all championed Gabrieli Roar from its inception. We plan to introduce almost 30,000 young people into choral singing over the next five years; this generous grant will support many of our core costs and enable us to bring that aim into sharper focus;

Last Summer, 250 young singers from state schools all over the country took to the stage alongside the instrumentalists and singers from the Gabrieli Consort and Players to perform Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius at Ely Cathedral. The performance was the culmination of a residential course entitled “Angels and Devils” which prepared young singers to take part in such an emotive and challenging piece.  Following the performance, some of the more experienced Roar singers took part in a recording of the work at Fairfield Halls which will be released on Signum Classics on April 26th.

Gabrieli Roar will shortly be announcing a programme of activity for 24/25 including a Summer residential course, a performance of Verdi’s Requiem and a large tour of key UK cathedrals in November/December. This will feature over 5000 young people in music by Purcell, Handel and Haydn.

We are hugely grateful for the Vinehill Trust’s major investment, and acknowledge the kind support of the Leverhulme Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Philip King Charitable Trust, the Foyle Foundation and donations from many individuals.