130th Anniversary Anthem performed at Bristol Cathedral

Published: 28 Jun 2012   updated: 02 Jul 2012

Bristol based composer, William Goodchild, has written an Anthem for Redland High School to commemorate the School's 130^th anniversary.

The work entitled 'Ye of Day' sets words from Chaucer's 'The Legend of Good Women' to a piece of music especially written by William Goodchild for the all female Chamber Choir. The School's Chamber Choir are an ensemble of experienced young singers between the ages of 13 and 18. They have had an extremely busy year which has seen them competing in the finals of a national choir competition at the Barbican, as well as performing at Bristol's own Colston Hall.

William Goodchild said, "I was very pleased to be approached by Redland High to compose an Anthem to celebrate the 130^th anniversary. It was a challenge to work with Chaucer's words at times but with a little light editing I was able to put together an Anthem that everyone is very happy with and that represents the core values of the School. Chaucer's words focus on the daisy or 'days - eye' in Middle English, the symbol of the School. I also did a translation for the girls from the Middle English used by Chaucer so that they could understand the full meaning. It is a really inspiring text and we are all looking forward to the first live performance at Bristol Cathedral later this month".

There are over 20 girls in the Chamber Choir, directed by Steve Daykin, Director of Music at the School.

Steve Daykin said, " The girls have really risen to the challenge of performing this piece of music and have spent hours rehearsing after School and in their breaks. They have spent a great deal of rehearsal time preparing for the first performance. It is an honour to give the premiere of a work by such an esteemed local composer and the girls and we are very much looking forward to performing it in the grand acoustics of Bristol Cathedral".

The performance was at 2pm on Friday 29 June at Bristol Cathedral. To hear the Anthem and interviews with our Headmistress, some of the girls in the Choir and the composer please click on the following links.