And So It Goes

• Liste des chansons

The Priory Singers celebrated it's tenth anniversary in 2009. This recording represents a cross section of the music that has been at the heart of the choir's repertoire for the past ten years. The main objectives of the Choir were made clear from it's inception: to make high-quality music from an eclectic and innovative repertoire; a determination that continues to be shared today by all of the Choir's members. In the last twelve months alone, the Priory Singers have performed anthems by Sixteenth-Century composers, Purcell's Dido and Æneas, a programme of modern songs by the likes of Cole Porter, Michel Legrand and The Beatles, and a new setting of the Requiem mass by the Choir's Musical Director, Stephen Benavente. Recently, the Priory Singers have joined forces with the Welsh Baroque Orchestra to present very successful authentic performances of Messiah and Mozart's Requiem. The Priory Singers is a semi-professional choir based in Newport, South Wales, in the UK. The main objectives of the Choir were made clear from it's inception: to make high-quality music from an eclectic and innovative repertoire; a determination that continues to be shared today by all of the Choir's members. The twenty-four members of the Choir range from less-experienced younger singers to semi-professional and professional singers with vast choral and soloist experience. Our name is taken from Caerleon's Priory, where the Choir held their first rehearsals back in 1999. Since that time the Choir has earned a reputation as one of the most polished and versatile choirs in the principality. In the last twelve months alone, the Priory Singers have performed anthems by Sixteenth-Century composers, Purcell's Dido and Æneas, a programme of modern songs by the likes of Cole Porter, Billy Joel and The Beatles, and a new setting of the Requiem mass by the Choir's Musical Director, Stephen Benavente. Stephen Benavente Musical Director, The Priory Singers Born and educated in Newport of Spanish and Italian parents Stephen started playing the clarinet at an early age. During this time he was the youngest student to play in the Newport Youth Orchestra, and at thirteen, following success at the Bath Festival; he was invited to tour Germany with the Bath Youth Orchestra. During this time he studied clarinet with Frederick Johnson. In 1966 he gained a place at the Welsh College of Music and Drama where he pursued a full time performance course studying clarinet with Frank Kelleher. During this time Stephen was the principal clarinettist with National Youth Orchestra of Wales under Arthur Davison. He gave numerous solo and orchestral concerts, including two solo performances for national TV. After leaving college he was appointed as a woodwind tutor for West Glamorgan. This allowed him to continuing his performing career with the Neath Symphony Orchestra as principal clarinettist and as a soloist. After 30 years as head of Music and Performing Arts at Fairwater High school Stephen has widened his musical interests to include choral music and musical theatre. As a choral director he has worked with choirs of all types, ranging from small vocal ensembles to the 140 strong Gwent Festival Chorus which he formed in 1992. He was also Musical Director of the Gwent County Youth Choir for several years, during which time he regularly conducted at St David's Hall, Hereford and Worcester Cathedral and the Madeleine in Paris. Many of Stephen's past pupils have progressed through specialist colleges and conservatoires to follow successful careers as performers, composers and professors in Britain and abroad. Several members of the Priory Singers are past pupils of Fairwater High. As a conductor and chorus master Stephen has worked with major international musicians including Emma Kirkby, Gwyn Howell, Michael George, Bryn Terfel, Owain Arwel Hughes and Richard Armstrong. Stephen has also had success as a composer, having completed several full-scale musicals, and most recently, a setting of the requiem mass, premiered by the Priory Singers in 2007.