Knowledge (XXG)

Parliament Choir

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591: 570: 36: 551: 202: 295: 610: 590: 278:. These parliamentarians were often unable to attend rehearsals because of voting commitments and the late hours of parliamentary business. Over discussed the issue with Filkin who proposed establishing a choir in Parliament to address the issue. Over then set up a choir in the 313:, which gives it around £60,000 or £65,000 to maintain the choir every year. The choir's internal relationship with Parliament was changed in 2017, after it had to cancel a concert when it was unexpectedly dissolved as part of the 434:
are not required to join the choir; anyone who wishes to join may do so. However, there is a membership fee ranging from £60 to £120 depending on members' salaries. Membership is cross-party and its members have included
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or works in the Palace of Westminster; membership is open to all parliamentary staff including police and security personnel, caterers and transcribers for
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within Parliament. As such, the choir could only rehearse when Parliament was in session. Since its early years, it has been sponsored by
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The Parliament Choir, also known as the UK Parliament Choir and the Choir of the UK Parliament, was founded in December 2000 by composer
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during rehearsals, returning to rehearse shortly after the vote had concluded. The choir performed for the first time in December 2000.
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The following notable individuals have also been members of the Parliament Choir but have never served as MPs or Lords.
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The following Lords or former Lords have been members of the Parliament Choir at some point during their careers.
469: 361: 314: 1053: 282:, the Parliament Choir, which enabled parliamentarians to attend votes at short notice with the sounding of the 619: 629:
The following MPs or former MPs have been members of the Parliament Choir at some point during their careers.
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Since its founding, the choir has upheld a policy of keeping its membership open to anyone who has a
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serves as the choir's resident orchestra; the orchestra was also founded by Simon Over in 2002.
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and parliamentarians from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, including senior
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Committee, Great Britain: Parliament: Merits of Statutory Instruments (7 June 2005).
698: 653: 419: 409: 389: 334: 283: 88: 728: 663: 633: 615: 381: 373: 365: 129: 119: 41: 392:. The choir also has a music team which includes Simon Over as music director and 713: 703: 668: 638: 596: 575: 114: 733: 708: 688: 678: 556: 298: 255: 231: 104: 78: 360:
which is led by a chair and also includes three vice-chairs and a treasurer.
1307: 326: 431: 322: 310: 179: 414: 1362: 1139: 787: 191: 847:"Parliament Choir/Southbank Sinfonia, Westminster Cathedral, London" 293: 223: 27: 430:(MPs) have also invited their constituents to join the choir. 756:
Performing History: Approaches to History Across Musicology
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directing the Parliament Choir during a performance in 2009
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whose members included serving parliamentarians in the
1283:"Sacred Music and St Stephen's: Listening to Ludford" 305:The Parliament Choir was initially organised as an 185: 171: 161: 151: 141: 110: 100: 84: 74: 59: 49: 21: 238:in December 2000, it is made up of members of the 1228:"Political Harmony: Inside the Parliament Choir" 1198:"THE PARLIAMENT CHOIR: Charity number: 1085042" 418:, as well as to journalists with access to the 348:The Parliament Choir is legally organised as a 1140:"The Parliament Choir: Harmony in Westminster" 500:Genista McIntosh, Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall 8: 984:"Harmony in the House: the Parliament Choir" 505:Wilf Stevenson, Baron Stevenson of Balmacara 345:since 2021) who serve as its co-presidents. 1089:"Behind the scenes at the Parliament Choir" 561:Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 525:Patricia Hollis, Baroness Hollis of Heigham 515:William Wallace, Baron Wallace of Saltaire 396:as choirmaster and composer in residence. 200: 34: 18: 1383:2000 establishments in the United Kingdom 380:is the treasurer. Other trustees include 1202:Charity Commission for England and Wales 759:. Academic Studies Press. p. 138. 745: 510:Martin Thomas, Baron Thomas of Gresford 465:Robin Bridgeman, 3rd Viscount Bridgeman 1251: 1249: 1222: 1220: 1218: 1192: 1190: 1164: 1162: 1160: 1082: 1080: 1078: 1076: 1074: 1047: 1045: 1043: 1041: 1017:. The Stationery Office. p. 15. 485:Sue Hayman, Baroness Hayman of Ullock 386:Sue Hayman, Baroness Hayman of Ullock 343:John McFall, Baron McFall of Alcluith 7: 1006: 1004: 977: 975: 973: 971: 969: 967: 965: 912: 910: 908: 906: 904: 902: 900: 873: 871: 869: 867: 845:Dunnett, Roderic (3 December 2004). 840: 838: 836: 810: 808: 1232:Classical Music: BBC Music Magazine 535:Paul Strasburger, Baron Strasburger 40:The Parliament Choir performing at 1054:"All parties in political harmony" 982:Dawson, Sally (22 December 2021). 753:November, Nancy (25 August 2020). 480:Simon Arthur, 4th Baron Glenarthur 460:Alastair Bruce, 5th Baron Aberdare 339:Lord Speaker of the House of Lords 246:and staff who work at Parliament. 16:United Kingdom parliamentary choir 14: 1087:Fisher, Neil (15 November 2011). 917:Mead, Rebecca (4 November 2019). 1378:Parliament of the United Kingdom 1287:St Stephen's Chapel, Westminster 608: 589: 568: 549: 520:Joan Walmsley, Baroness Walmsley 495:David Lea, Baron Lea of Crondall 228:Parliament of the United Kingdom 1340:. August 2024. Private Passions 1308:"BBC Radio 3: Private Passions" 878:Sweeting, Adam (5 April 2012). 601:Speaker of the House of Commons 331:Speaker of the House of Commons 530:Jean Corston, Baroness Corston 1: 1014:5th Report of Session 2005-06 792:X (formerly known as Twitter) 475:Geoffrey Filkin, Baron Filkin 307:all-party parliamentary group 260:Geoffrey Filkin, Baron Filkin 236:Geoffrey Filkin, Baron Filkin 1281:Cooper, John (7 July 2017). 1052:Hurst, Greg (4 March 2005). 816:"About the Parliament Choir" 490:Judith Jolly, Baroness Jolly 378:Judith Jolly, Baroness Jolly 354:company limited by guarantee 166:Chapel of St Mary Undercroft 1113:Ball, James (31 May 2013). 364:is the chair of the choir. 1404: 220:Choir of the UK Parliament 55:Choir of the UK Parliament 788:"The UK Parliament Choir" 470:Mike German, Baron German 362:Mike German, Baron German 315:dissolution of Parliament 199: 33: 26: 1363:Parliament Choir website 944:"The Full Works Concert" 620:First Secretary of Wales 580:Leader of the Opposition 325:of Parliament under the 1334:"Programme Information" 988:PoliticsHome: The House 302: 428:Members of Parliament 376:are the vice-chairs. 356:. It is managed by a 319:2017 general election 297: 280:Palace of Westminster 156:Palace of Westminster 1144:The Parliament Choir 424:government ministers 337:since 2019) and the 258:with the support of 234:with the support of 214:, also known as the 1170:"Board of Trustees" 216:UK Parliament Choir 53:UK Parliament Choir 1257:"Parliamentarians" 410:parliamentary pass 398:Southbank Sinfonia 350:registered charity 303: 176:Southbank Sinfonia 1024:978-0-10-485046-6 950:. 21 January 2024 766:978-1-64469-446-6 358:board of trustees 268:Westminster Abbey 262:. Over had run a 208: 207: 1395: 1350: 1349: 1347: 1345: 1330: 1324: 1323: 1321: 1319: 1304: 1298: 1297: 1295: 1293: 1278: 1272: 1271: 1269: 1267: 1261:Parliament Choir 1253: 1244: 1243: 1241: 1239: 1224: 1213: 1212: 1210: 1208: 1194: 1185: 1184: 1182: 1180: 1174:Parliament Choir 1166: 1155: 1154: 1152: 1150: 1136: 1130: 1129: 1127: 1125: 1110: 1104: 1103: 1101: 1099: 1084: 1069: 1068: 1066: 1064: 1058:The Sunday Times 1049: 1036: 1035: 1033: 1031: 1008: 999: 998: 996: 994: 979: 960: 959: 957: 955: 940: 934: 933: 931: 929: 914: 895: 894: 892: 890: 875: 862: 861: 859: 857: 842: 831: 830: 828: 826: 820:Parliament Choir 812: 803: 802: 800: 798: 784: 778: 777: 775: 773: 750: 684:Caroline Spelman 674:Fiona Mactaggart 612: 593: 572: 553: 445:Liberal Democrat 394:Nicholas O'Neill 272:House of Commons 240:House of Commons 212:Parliament Choir 204: 195: 194: 192:Official website 146:Nicholas O'Neill 70: 68: 38: 22:Parliament Choir 19: 1403: 1402: 1398: 1397: 1396: 1394: 1393: 1392: 1368: 1367: 1359: 1354: 1353: 1343: 1341: 1332: 1331: 1327: 1317: 1315: 1306: 1305: 1301: 1291: 1289: 1280: 1279: 1275: 1265: 1263: 1255: 1254: 1247: 1237: 1235: 1226: 1225: 1216: 1206: 1204: 1196: 1195: 1188: 1178: 1176: 1168: 1167: 1158: 1148: 1146: 1138: 1137: 1133: 1123: 1121: 1112: 1111: 1107: 1097: 1095: 1086: 1085: 1072: 1062: 1060: 1051: 1050: 1039: 1029: 1027: 1025: 1010: 1009: 1002: 992: 990: 981: 980: 963: 953: 951: 942: 941: 937: 927: 925: 916: 915: 898: 888: 886: 877: 876: 865: 855: 853: 851:The Independent 844: 843: 834: 824: 822: 814: 813: 806: 796: 794: 786: 785: 781: 771: 769: 767: 752: 751: 747: 742: 722: 659:David Lidington 627: 626: 625: 624: 623: 613: 605: 604: 594: 585: 584: 583: 573: 565: 564: 554: 543: 453: 406: 323:autonomous body 321:. It is now an 292: 252: 190: 189: 178: 162:Rehearsal space 133: 128: 123: 118: 92: 66: 64: 54: 45: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1401: 1399: 1391: 1390: 1388:British choirs 1385: 1380: 1370: 1369: 1366: 1365: 1358: 1357:External links 1355: 1352: 1351: 1325: 1299: 1273: 1245: 1234:. 13 July 2016 1214: 1186: 1156: 1131: 1105: 1070: 1037: 1023: 1000: 961: 935: 923:The New Yorker 896: 863: 832: 804: 779: 765: 744: 743: 741: 738: 737: 736: 731: 721: 718: 717: 716: 711: 706: 701: 696: 694:Robert Jackson 691: 686: 681: 676: 671: 666: 661: 656: 651: 646: 644:Bernard Jenkin 641: 636: 614: 607: 606: 595: 588: 587: 586: 574: 567: 566: 555: 548: 547: 546: 545: 544: 542: 539: 538: 537: 532: 527: 522: 517: 512: 507: 502: 497: 492: 487: 482: 477: 472: 467: 462: 452: 449: 405: 402: 370:Bernard Jenkin 291: 288: 276:House of Lords 264:choral society 251: 248: 244:House of Lords 206: 205: 197: 196: 187: 183: 182: 173: 169: 168: 163: 159: 158: 153: 149: 148: 143: 139: 138: 125:Bernard Jenkin 112: 108: 107: 102: 101:Music director 98: 97: 86: 82: 81: 76: 72: 71: 61: 57: 56: 51: 47: 46: 39: 31: 30: 24: 23: 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1400: 1389: 1386: 1384: 1381: 1379: 1376: 1375: 1373: 1364: 1361: 1360: 1356: 1339: 1335: 1329: 1326: 1314:. 31 May 2015 1313: 1309: 1303: 1300: 1288: 1284: 1277: 1274: 1262: 1258: 1252: 1250: 1246: 1233: 1229: 1223: 1221: 1219: 1215: 1203: 1199: 1193: 1191: 1187: 1175: 1171: 1165: 1163: 1161: 1157: 1145: 1141: 1135: 1132: 1120: 1116: 1109: 1106: 1094: 1090: 1083: 1081: 1079: 1077: 1075: 1071: 1059: 1055: 1048: 1046: 1044: 1042: 1038: 1026: 1020: 1016: 1015: 1007: 1005: 1001: 989: 985: 978: 976: 974: 972: 970: 968: 966: 962: 949: 945: 939: 936: 924: 920: 913: 911: 909: 907: 905: 903: 901: 897: 885: 884:The Telegraph 881: 874: 872: 870: 868: 864: 852: 848: 841: 839: 837: 833: 821: 817: 811: 809: 805: 793: 789: 783: 780: 768: 762: 758: 757: 749: 746: 739: 735: 732: 730: 727: 726: 725: 719: 715: 712: 710: 707: 705: 702: 700: 699:Sarah Teather 697: 695: 692: 690: 687: 685: 682: 680: 677: 675: 672: 670: 667: 665: 662: 660: 657: 655: 654:Jeremy Lefroy 652: 650: 649:Helen Jackson 647: 645: 642: 640: 637: 635: 632: 631: 630: 621: 617: 611: 602: 598: 592: 581: 577: 571: 562: 558: 552: 540: 536: 533: 531: 528: 526: 523: 521: 518: 516: 513: 511: 508: 506: 503: 501: 498: 496: 493: 491: 488: 486: 483: 481: 478: 476: 473: 471: 468: 466: 463: 461: 458: 457: 456: 450: 448: 447:politicians. 446: 442: 438: 433: 429: 425: 421: 420:press gallery 417: 416: 411: 403: 401: 399: 395: 391: 390:Michael Prisk 387: 383: 379: 375: 371: 367: 363: 359: 355: 351: 346: 344: 340: 336: 335:Lindsay Hoyle 332: 328: 324: 320: 317:for the snap 316: 312: 308: 300: 296: 289: 287: 285: 284:division bell 281: 277: 273: 269: 265: 261: 257: 249: 247: 245: 241: 237: 233: 230:. 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Retrieved 755: 748: 729:David Leakey 723: 664:Mary Macleod 634:Alun Michael 628: 616:Alun Michael 454: 437:Conservative 413: 407: 382:Oliver Heald 374:Mary Macleod 366:Hugh Merrill 347: 304: 290:Organisation 253: 219: 215: 211: 209: 152:Headquarters 135:Judith Jolly 132:(vice-chair) 130:Mary Macleod 127:(vice-chair) 122:(vice-chair) 120:Hugh Merrill 96:(since 2021) 91:(since 2019) 42:York Minster 1312:BBC Radio 3 714:John Bercow 704:Ed Miliband 669:David Madel 639:David Lammy 622:(1999–2000) 603:(2009–2019) 597:John Bercow 582:(2010–2015) 576:Ed Miliband 563:(2010–2015) 172:Affiliation 142:Choirmaster 137:(treasurer) 115:Mike German 94:John McFall 1372:Categories 948:Classic FM 740:References 734:Alan Moses 709:Nick Clegg 689:Alan Beith 679:Mark Prisk 557:Nick Clegg 404:Membership 299:Simon Over 256:Simon Over 232:Simon Over 111:Leadership 105:Simon Over 79:Simon Over 1093:The Times 432:Auditions 327:patronage 222:, is the 85:President 1344:3 August 1318:3 August 1292:3 August 311:BT Group 274:and the 250:Founding 242:and the 218:and the 180:BT Group 1266:14 June 1124:14 June 1098:14 June 415:Hansard 329:of the 226:of the 186:Website 117:(chair) 75:Founder 65: ( 60:Founded 44:in 2009 1238:9 June 1207:9 June 1179:9 June 1149:9 June 1063:9 June 1030:9 June 1021:  993:9 June 954:9 June 928:9 June 889:9 June 856:9 June 825:9 June 797:9 June 772:8 June 763:  720:Others 441:Labour 352:and a 451:Lords 224:choir 28:Choir 1346:2024 1320:2024 1294:2024 1268:2024 1240:2024 1209:2024 1181:2024 1151:2024 1126:2024 1100:2024 1065:2024 1032:2024 1019:ISBN 995:2024 956:2024 930:2024 891:2024 858:2024 827:2024 799:2024 774:2024 761:ISBN 443:and 388:and 372:and 210:The 67:2000 63:2000 1338:BBC 541:MPs 266:at 1374:: 1336:. 1310:. 1285:. 1259:. 1248:^ 1230:. 1217:^ 1200:. 1189:^ 1172:. 1159:^ 1142:. 1117:. 1091:. 1073:^ 1056:. 1040:^ 1003:^ 986:. 964:^ 946:. 921:. 899:^ 882:. 866:^ 849:. 835:^ 818:. 807:^ 790:. 618:, 599:, 578:, 559:, 439:, 426:. 384:, 368:, 1348:. 1322:. 1296:. 1270:. 1242:. 1211:. 1183:. 1153:. 1128:. 1102:. 1067:. 1034:. 997:. 958:. 932:. 893:. 860:. 829:. 801:. 776:. 341:( 333:( 69:)

Index

Choir

York Minster
Simon Over
Lindsay Hoyle
John McFall
Simon Over
Mike German
Hugh Merrill
Bernard Jenkin
Mary Macleod
Judith Jolly
Nicholas O'Neill
Palace of Westminster
Chapel of St Mary Undercroft
Southbank Sinfonia
BT Group
Official website
Logo of Parliament Choir
choir
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Simon Over
Geoffrey Filkin, Baron Filkin
House of Commons
House of Lords
Simon Over
Geoffrey Filkin, Baron Filkin
choral society
Westminster Abbey
House of Commons

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