MELISMA was formed in 2004 by Derryman Geoffrey Moore, a former choral scholar at St Catharine’s, Cambridge. Among its number are some of the most sought-after choral singers in Northern Ireland.
Melisma has given concerts and taken part in services throughout Northern Ireland and beyond. Notable triumphs have included a weekend of services at Ripon Cathedral in August 2006 and leading a choral workshop with Sir David Willcocks in Hillsborough in September, which was followed by a gala dinner at the Reform Club in Belfast, after which Melisma provided the after-dinner cabaret. In December 2006 Melisma delighted audiences with a pair of highly successful Christmas concerts in St Anne’s Cathedral and St George’s Church, Belfast.
In 2007 Melisma took part, alongside soloists from the Ulster Orchestra, in a series of chamber recitals for BBC Radio Ulster, followed by a critically acclaimed summer concert in St George’s. Melisma next headed south to Dublin in August for a lunchtime recital in St Patrick's cathedral and a pair of services there and then in October the group gave a recital in St Columb's Cathedral in Derry/Londonderry with the celebrated organist Barry Rose. December 2007 was a busy month with a much acclaimed appearance on "Sing Carols" for BBC 1 NI and BBC Radio Ulster and a packed Christmas concert in St George's. In March 2008 Melisma was invited to take part in the Northern Ireland First Minister's St Patrick's Day concert at Stormont, and this year the choir has also been heard in Winchester and Salisbury cathedrals. This year Melisma has sung at Gloucester Cathedral and taken part in two sell-out Eclection concerts at the Waterfront and Ulster Halls, and in June the group travelled to New York for services and concerts in Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue, Trinity Church Wall Street and St John the Divine.
Melisma is delighted to be able to call upon the services of Jonny Roberts and founder Geoffrey Moore who deputise in the basses, Anne Houston who sings both soprano and alto as required, tenor Jack Kinkead and Richard Campbell who Melisma's official accompanist.
“This is a choir to look out for. Hear them whenever you get the chance, and hope also that they do decide to make a recording so you can hear the best of choral singing and repertoire whenever you like."
BELFAST NEWSLETTER, 5 JUNE 2007