Posts Tagged ‘Libera’

When describing a choir or large group of individuals singing in unison, one usually pictures choir members dressed in white robes singing before a congregation in a house of worship, being universal in most religious faiths and denominations.

The 25 to 30 young male performers who make up Libera are in the age range of 7 to 16, and are often a white robed choir that sing in unison, but the normal assumptions and what you have pictured in your mind of the music they produce ends there.

Libera is a unique blend of choir music with a new age pop influence and easy listening classical vocals. Simply put, they are something special to behold and the music they produce will definitely surprise you.

Most of the young adult male singers age 7 to 16 are from the parish choir of St. Philip’s Church in Norbury London, performing under the direction of Robert Prizeman, who began his association as singer but later became the choir director in 1970 at age 18.

Libera has made concert appearances in the United Kingdom, United States, Korea and Japan, and a large number of BBC television, soundtrack, and radio recordings. In addition they have performed before 60,000 people in Yankee Stadium on April 20th 2008, during papal mass when Pope Benedict XVI made his first visit to the U.S.

The artist choir Libera is a non-profit group with many accomplishments including 16 albums having topped mainstream and classical album charts in many countries. They have had concert appearances in the United Kingdom, United States, Korea and Japan, and a large number of BBC television, soundtrack, and radio recordings. In addition they have performed before 60,000 people in Yankee Stadium on April 20th 2008, during papal mass when Pope Benedict XVI made his first visit to the U.S.

With such impressive accomplishments for the boys as young adults, I wonder how many of the boys will continue their individual music careers as New Age musicians upon reaching full adulthood. That would be great news to all New Age music fans!

The Libera album Free, released under the EMI Classics in 2004 has full flowing choral vocals and solos that do remind you of being part of a congregation at moments, yet there is something particularly special about this music group that I haven’t quite put my finger on.

One song titled Stay With Me is a song which may help shed some light onto the subject so that you too can discover this talented group of young artists. To me, Libera is a classic example of the many ways New Age music can be redefined when combining separate music genres into one soulful entity.  Stay With Me is one great song on the Free album and entire choir music collection from Libera.

To learn more about Libera and Robert Prizeman visit the official libera site.