Bristol Georgian Choir - Borjghali

The Bristol Georgian Choir is a mixed chorus for adults, learning, singing and performing three part harmony folk songs and sacred chants from the Republic of Georgia.

The choir began it's life in Bristol in 2004 and has been performing to delighted audiences in locations in and around Bristol such as Ashton Court Festival, the Watershed Theatre, the Venn Festival, Harbourside Festival, in Bristol University's Wills Memorial Building as part of the University’s Arts Based Educational Research Conference and the annual Georgian Studies Day. The choir performed last year at the Rudolf Steiner House Regents Park, as part of the Chveneburebi Festival. At a recent concerts, members of the audience commented:

"Spellbinding - I didn't want the concert to end."

"Fantastic concert and a wonderful sound - you sounded like real Georgians!"

"Wonderful music - exceptional voices"

"the singing was really inspiring, so amazing to get that un-English 'throaty' sound"

The choir was invited to attend the Chveneburebi Festival in Tbilisi and Borjomi in October 2010! This was our first experience of singing in Georgia as a choir. We were humbled by thte famous Georgian hospitality and at how enthusiastically the Georgian audiences received us. Our performances in Tbilisi included the Fifth Symposium on Polyphony in Tbilisi. This visit marks a new phase in the choir's life as an established UK choir dedicated to singing, performing and promoting Georgian music and cultural ties between the UK and Georgia, Bristol and Tbilisi.

Information for prospective members

For those who love the haunting and evocative harmonies of Georgia and the Balkans this is an opportunity to learn a repertoire of fantastic songs towards performing. Members of the Bristol Choir have the option of joining Singing Mountain Choir that shares repertoire and a number of its members. Singing Mountain meets on weekends around the country and has one main tour per year.

• New members are welcome to join us at the beginning of the Winter and Spring terms.
    We meet on Mondays for two hours a week, three terms a year, each term being ten weeks long. For venues and times see Calendar of Events).
    The songs are taught by ear, so you don’t need to read music.
    While we do not hold auditions, you will need to have an ability to sing, a basic ability to control your voice, an awareness of pitch and an interest in Georgian polyphony.
   
• You will also need a commitment to learning lots of strange words and unfamiliar melody lines!
    Openness to exploring your vocal range and tone and an openness to express yourself through the voice and movement is a distinct advantage. 
   
• For new members there are regular ‘catch up’ days or weekends where new members can learn and sing songs in our existing repertoire.

About Georgian Polyphony

The Republic of Georgia is a small country of 4 million people, at the cross roads of East and West. It is home to a treasure trove of three part harmony songs, many of which have their roots in ancient and even pre-Christian times. The music is varied as each region, often cut off by mountains, developed its own particular songs, variations and styles of singing. There are dance songs, lullabies, work songs, travelling songs, and lyrical love songs, telling stories of people’s loves, joys and hardships. There is also a rich tradition of Georgian sacred music. Songs are often accompanied by dances and are sung at a supra - a traditional ceremonial feast that features eloquent toasts and singing.

Click here for information about Singing Mountain Choir