Two virtual Choirs celebrate Turing the Codebreaker

Newcastle Choral Society and nationally acclaimed Hertfordshire Chorus were to stage a blockbuster concert on Sunday 3rd May 2020 in Sage One. It was to feature Ralph Vaughan Williams stirring 'A Sea Symphony' and James McCarthy's 'Codebreaker' detailing the life of Alan Turing, a man who existed in a time when homosexuality was a crime and for which he was sentenced to chemical castration in 1952! In recognition of the injustice done to him, Turing received a posthumous pardon in 2013.
Covid 19 brought everything to a grinding halt last month but Musical Director of Newcastle Choral Society Mark Anyan presented the two choirs with the challenge of singing parts of Codebreaker as a virtual performance to be released at the exact time that the concert would have been held. 3pm Sunday 3rd May.
With the blessing of the composer and publisher (Stainer and Bell Ltd, stainer.co.uk/...) and aided by modern technology, the singers worked in isolation at home, armed with headphones and scores. This is the result.

[@suzybishop7188]

Well done everyone.....so looking forward to singing with you all in May 2021.

[@tonythomson6840]

Well done everyone. A very impressive production.

[@kirstenwolff4059]

Excellent production by an excellent team! Good job!

[@sandradavison2615]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Very well put together and the singing was excellent.

[@colinmccarthy652]

Beautifully edited production, wonderful music. A great advertisement for 16th May 2021 Concert.

[@davidcrowe1808]

Congratulations, production team. Proud to be part of the project.

[@judithreed1786]

An absolutely wonderful and moving production , a great example of people working together.

[@joehush6182]

A big well done, lovely to listen to and watch.

[@janettelittle3374]

Fantastic to be part of this and sincere thanks to all involved in producing a performance to be proud of, despite the difficulties of 'Lockdown.

[@jennietapster3760]

Billiant enjoyed it Missing choir terribly See you soon hopefully xxx

[@alisonbeaney4015]

Absolutely brilliant! Well done to all. Very proud of our city and our choir.

[@edithpetrie2390]

Absolutely wonderful.

[@charmianmarshall8599]

Remember to look out for Part 2 of our Turing celebration Friday 8.5.20 at 3pm

[@janbartlett3208]

Very inspiring! Jan (Nava)