16/03/2026
Amy Beach and Hampton Choral Society!
Amy Beach (born1867 – 1944) was the first significant American female composer. She began composing the Mass when she was only 19. We have chosen this piece for our March concert, with organ accompaniment, to help promote the repertoire of Amy Beach and because it is the type of music we enjoy singing! (It is also part of the ArtsRichmond Festival celebrating female composers.)
Our MD, Emma Warren first suggested the music of Amy Beach, an unknown composer to us at the time, and after listening to it, we decided it was right for us!
It is a beautiful piece of choral music which we have loved rehearsing – it has only been performed a few times in this country but it is a joy to the ears of those who appreciate this type of music.
From the review of the May 2023 performance of the Mass, Roderick Dunnett states:-
“How one applauds choirs with the courage to promote repertoire that lies outside the norm”
“Let us hope that more choral societies (as a few do, commendably) pick up the baton and encompass rare repertoire of this sensational kind”
