| Close Company | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Chichester, England |
| Genres | Classical Barbershop |
| Years active | 1993 – Present |
| Members | The Lay Vicars of Chichester Cathedral |
Close Company is the name used by the Lay Vicars of Chichester Cathedral when they sing the men's voices barbershop repertory made popular in the United Kingdom by the King's Singers. As well as being professional singers, most of them work everyday jobs. Every evening they are back in the cathedral with the choristers for Evensong at 5.30 pm. The Lay Vicar who has been in the Cathedral Choir for the longest is given the title OF Senior Lay Vicar.
Their duties with the Cathedral Choir also include singing concerts and making concerts in the UK and abroad, but they are perhaps best known for their performances at the annual Christmas Carols, having been part of that tradition since 1993 when they first stepped out in their white jackets.
Throughout the rest of the year, Close Company performs in a variety of venues and recent performances include an evening at the Alexandra Theatre, Bognor Regis, the Assembly Rooms in North Street, St John's College, West Dean College and the Tudor house of St Mary's House, Bramber. On the choir's 2005 tour of South Africa, Close Company had the honour of performing for Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Read more about this topic: Choir Of Chichester Cathedral
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