THE CATALOGUES
The two computer databases are catalogues in their own right, but
work in conjunction to create the most comprehensive catalgoue of choir recordings ever compiled.
DISCOGRAPHY CATALOGUE
Catalogues every known choir recording, whether in the collection
or not and is updated with all new releases; searchable by :
- Title of the recording with Release Date
- Choir
- Director of Music
- Types of Choir (Cathedral, Collegiate,
Treble Choir, etc)
- Recital Albums by a Solo Choristers
- Individual Record Companies
- Complete Discography Alphabetically by Choir
- DVDs, Videos, Articles and Books
The Discography shows the vocal compostion of each choir, the date
of any change or closure, together with other information.
MUSIC CATALOGUE
Catalogues each individual
work on every recording in the collection and is searchable by :
- Choir
- Director of Music
- Composer
- Title of Individual Work
- Category of Music (Anthem, Motet, Canticles,
etc)
- Name of Chorister - the Chorister Solo Index
CHORISTER SOLO INDEX
This unique feature of the Music Catalogue is something of which
I am particularly proud. The Chorister Solo Index is searchable by :
- Individual Choristers
- Choirs
Searching for a chorister by name will list every solo, irrespective
of length, which he has recorded.
Searching by a choir will list all their choristers, together with
the work, who have ever recorded a solo.
THE RECORDINGS
The Collection contains recordings on all formats :
- 78 rpm records
- Reel-to-reel tapes
- Cassette tapes
- LPs
- CDs
- Laserdiscs, Videos and DVDs
COMMERCIAL RECORDINGS : By much extensive research I have tracked down almost all commercial recordings - still more to discover, I'm
sure. New releases are added as they appear.
PRIVATE PRESSINGS : Commissioned by the choir themselves,using the services of small independent recording companies. For local use
only, so more difficult to track down - but a most important part of the collection.
PRIVATE RECORDINGS : Some real treasures are often to be found in private recordings, whether recorded live or from past radio broadcasts.
The collection contains many rare and unique recordings in all
the above categories. Some for joyous occasion, some sad beyond words but all part of our great choral heritage.
COMPILING THE DISCOGRAPHY : So many people have helped with recordings and information, it would be impossible to name them all and I express my
sincere and grateful thanks.
Directors of Music, past and present; Choir & Church
secretaries; Cathedral, Choral Foundation, Collegiate and Royal Peculiar archives; Current & Ex-choir
members; Choir parents; Clergy, current and retired; Schools & Colleges, including members of
staff, past and present; Record company catalogues, together with the record companies themselves, both
defunct and currently in operation; EMI Archives; National Sound Archives; RSCM Archives. Various
other collectors, enthusiasts and websites world wide.
TRANSCRIBING AND CARE OF THE RECORDINGS
78rpm records : Transcribed to
CD using a Rega 78 turntable.
LP records : All LPs have been
cleaned with the Moth Record Cleaning system, and are in the process of being transcribed to CD, with track
numbers, using a Rega Planar 3 turntable. The front cover of the LP is scanned, reduced and color printed to form the
cover of the CD transcription.
Reel-to-Reel tape : All
reel-to-reel tapes have been transcribed to CD using both Revox and Akai professional machines. Track numbers are inserted
into all CD transcriptions.
Cassette tapes : All cassette
tapes are transcribed to CD, with track numbers inserted and archived with the original cassette cover.
Videos : All videos have been
transcribed to DVD
NOTES ON THE RECORDINGS
An integral part of the collection are the notes on various recordings
in the collection.
They are a combination of historical information, anecdotes, points of interest and personal comments about the recordings.
