The Quaker Festival Orchestra and Chorus (QFOC) were created in 1985, when we were brought together to perform a new oratorio called The Gates of Greenham, specially commissioned by a Quaker trust to celebrate International Youth Year. The work was written by Alec Davison (libretto) and Tony Biggin (music) and was quite a challenge to the performers. The choir of over 250 singers was gathered for a week of intensive rehearsals, held at a Quaker school, one week before the scheduled performance at the Royal Festival Hall in London. That was the first time that most of us had seen the score! The Royal Festival Hall had been booked after a fundraising effort to raise the money and the entire project was a leap of faith. We were rehearsed by John Hywel, our conductor, and by Tony Biggin himself. The learning process was intensive and we had long days of singing from morning until evening. Towards the end of the week, we were joined by the orchestra who had been rehearsing separately. Putting the work together, with the soloists in attendance, was a thrilling task. The performance was a success and extremely exciting for the performers, after such hard work. For many performers, the most moving aspect of the occasion was the 6 seconds of silence that the audience maintained after the last note was sung, before the applause began. This was in keeping with the Quaker tradition, but the audience was composed of many non-Quakers as well as those who came to support their friends and family on stage. The story of the Gates of Greenham was based upon the peace witness of the women's peace camp at Greenham air base, where US cruise missiles were based. In Britain, those who shared the concern for peace and nuclear disarmament were inspired by the actions and witness of those women who lived at the camp for so many years. Quakers historical concern for peace prompted us to share in the wish that the camp would succeed in making some impact on the defence authorities. The aim of the performance was therefore to celebrate the Greenham phenomenon and tell its story. The text is a mosaic of quotations and extracts from articles and conversations relating to the Greenham camp, including a few Quaker texts and Biblical quotes. The Gates of Greenham was performed three times in the UK and at least once in the Netherlands, where it was recorded for television. Following the success of this work, QFOC commissioned other large-scale choral works. The details of the performances in which I took part are listed below.

1985 - The Gates of Greenham. By Tony Biggin and Alec Davison. World premiere, Royal Festival Hall, London, Easter Monday, 8th April 1985. The Quaker Festival Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by John Hywel. Soloists: Anna Benedict (soprano) Susan Tyrell (alto) Wynford Evans (tenor) Henry Herford (baritone) Narrators: Sheila Hancock Barry Wilshire

1986 - The Gates of Greenham. By Tony Biggin and Alec Davison. City Hall, Sheffield, Easter Sunday, 30th March 1986. The Quaker Festival Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by John Hywel. Soloists: Myfanwy Roberts (soprano) Susan Tyrell (alto) Wynford Evans (tenor) Henry Herford (baritone) Narrators: Jill Wilshire Barry Wilshire

1987 - The Gates of Greenham. By Tony Biggin and Alec Davison. Free Trade Hall, Manchester, Sunday, 31st May 1987. The Manchester Camerata and Manchester Peace Choir, conducted by John Hywel. Soloists: Myfanwy Roberts (soprano) Susan Tyrell (alto) Wynford Evans (tenor) Peter Knapp (baritone) Narrators: Joanna David Tony Booth

1990 - Cry of the Earth. By Tony Biggin and Alec Davison. Royal Festival Hall, London, Easter Monday, 16th April 1990. The Quaker Festival Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by John Hywel. Soloists: Lisette Emmink (soprano) Hyacinth Nicholls (mezzo) Wynford Evans (tenor) Henry Herford (baritone) Narrators: Sita Ramamurthy Chris Barton

1996 - Embracing the Tiger. By Francis Grier and Sue Mayo. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Easter Monday, 8th April 1996. The Quaker Festival Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by John Hywel. Soloists: Patricia Rozario (soprano) Hyacinth Nicholls (mezzo) John Mark Ainsley(tenor) Henry Herford (baritone)

1985 - Recording of The Gates of Greenham. By Tony Biggin and Alec Davison. Recorded at CTS Studios, Wembley; mixed at Stiwdio Sain. Released in 1986 on Sain Records. The London Philharmonic Orchestra and The Quaker Festival Chorus, conducted by John Hywel. Soloists: Eiddwen Harrhy (soprano) Margaret Cable (mezzo) Wynford Evans (tenor) Henry Herford (baritone) Narrators: Sheila Hancock Barry Wilshire

Official site of Quaker music making; The Leaveners.