w20192
| Title | Chosen Few, The |
| Contributors |
Derek Ball (composer) Maurice Harmon (author) |
| Composition date | 2015 |
| Duration (mins) | 140 |
| Category | vocal ensemble |
| Instrumentation | C-T 3 C-A Bar / S Bar B Electroacoustic Sound Pf |
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| Key signature | |
| First line | |
| First performed | |
| Notes | |
| Programme Note | In mid-20th century Ireland a young boy tries to deal with the constraints of a religious secondary education. He has enjoyed the freedom of life in the countryside where he roamed fields, woods and shore. Now he is restricted, has to be careful how he behaves and speaks, cannot have any close friends, is urged to forget the life he knew, including his parents. He is being trained for the priesthood. Torn between duty and nature, he ecentually comes to a decision. The leading role was written for Mark Chambers, currenty living in Donegal, who has both counter tenor and tenor voices. Principle Soloists: The Boy - Counter Tenor who is also a Tenor Schoolboy 1, doubling as The Girl - Contralto Schoolboy 2 - Contralto Schoolboy 3 - Contralto Priest 1 (Spiritual Director) - Baritone Supporting Roles: Boy's Mother - Soprano Priest 2 (History Teacher), doubling as Boy's Father - Baritone Priest 3 (Latin Teacher), doubling as Disembodied Voice in Act 1 Scene 3 - Bass 2 non-singing Schoolboys Instrumentation: Electroacoustic Sound - a continuous series of cued sound files Live Piano - one piano, two players (used in the last scene only) |
This work is associated with the following collection items:
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