{TABLE} Rejoice in the Lamb...................... Britten Hymn to St Cecilia....................... Britten Gloria................................... Vivaldi {/TABLE} THE DIT Choral Society (DITCS) was formed last September for the students and staff of the Dublin Institute of Technology's various colleges. Its inaugural concert, last Wednesday night at Christ Church Cathedral, was conducted by the choral director of the DIT Conservatory of Music, Bernie Sherlock.
The DITCS's clean tone and accurate pitching were well sustained throughout the concert. The sound was dominated by the fresh tone of young voices, and this was especially effective in parts of Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb, in which the organ part was ably played by Edel Sludds.
It was also welcome in contrapuntal sections of Vivaldi's Gloria, where part-writing came across lucidly.
However the sound was also short on impact, on expressive range, and on sustained tone at low volume. A more emphatic approach to consonants, a stronger attack on entries and a more muscular style of phrasing would have helped. Every note and gesture must count!
Given the occasional broad crescendo and the generally good diction, I reckon that the vocal ability is there, and that these qualities can be fostered as the choir gains in experience.
Bernie Sherlock also conducted the DIT Adelaide Singers a much smaller group, which she has directed since 1995 in Britten's Hymn to St Cecilia. Their blend and wide dynamic range were suited to this polished piece.
But here, too, I would have welcomed a more vigorous attack, and more ample phrasing.
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