The William Byrd Singers music library is currently generously afforded a temporary home with one of our members, as its former accommodation became unexpectedly unavailable. If you know of a suitable home for a large collection of music, please let us know!
Its current custodian is bass Rob Kerr, who took over from John Handley in the summer of 2019.
The library is an immense privilege to take charge of -- not least because it contains many rare manuscripts of works either written for or commissioned by the William Byrd Singers. Foremost among these are the many pieces written, edited, or arranged by our founder Stephen Wilkinson. In addition to pieces such as Dover Beach, Three Elegies, and Betjeman’s Bells, the library is also home to commissions from composers such as Elizabeth Maconchy, and, as befits the choir's name, a substantial array of early music from the likes of Gesualdo, Gabrieli, and Monteverdi. Plus, of course, many pieces by William Byrd himself. Not to be sniffed at!
— Rob Kerr, Librarian, Feb 2020
Keeping the library up to date is now much easier as everything is online. The master record is the source of truth for library operations, made possible by a final stock check and marrying of various sources by John Handley assisted by Colin and Alison Bates. The library can be searched (alongside the libraries of many other choral groups and music organisations) via MakingMusic's Music Bank resource, If you spot something you would like to hire, you can hire via the Request feature on MakingMusic's site, or by sending us a request! We will be only too happy to assist.
Hiring and charges
-
£0.30 per copy per month for shorter works like part songs (e.g. MacMillan's O Radiant Dawn)
-
£0.50 per copy per month for more substantial works of between 7 to 10 minutes (e.g. Howells's Take Him, Earth, For Cherishing);
-
£1.00 per copy per month for longer works (e.g Vierne's Messe Solennelle, or Howells's Requiem);
plus postage and packing in all cases.
Note that we do not charge for part months, which for practical purposes is anything two weeks and under.
Before borrowing anything, make sure you have acquainted yourself with the conditions of hire for library materials.
Browse the catalogue
The MakingMusic Resource Bank is limited to showing only whether sheet music or programme notes exist for a given work if the querent is not logged in as a member, non-members cannot see who might be able to provide those resources. Nor can they see how many copies of sheet music might be available.
Because of this, we provide the listings below, showing if we hold a work, which edition, forces, and crucially, how many copies. If you find something you wish to hire, please send us a request!
