How can the experience of music help us learn more about what it means to be human? This is the question Gillian explores with Joe Fort in this episode of the GoHealth podcast.
Joe is a conductor and a musicologist based in London. He has been the director of Music at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge since 2021, where he conducts a professional choir in the weekly services
He is the director of the chapel choir and lecturer in music at King's College, London. His performances indeed with that choir have been recognised, and I quote as 'English choral singing as at his best, he has released multiple recordings, most recently these include work with the Britten Sinfonia, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Hanover Band. He goes all over the world, conducting, recently appearing in the Festival de Mexico, White Nights Festival in St Petersburg and the Montreal Organ Festival. His training - he holds a PhD in music from Harvard University and his academic interests focus on 18th century music and dance.
- Joe outlines his many roles in the world of music and his journey to being a full time musician.
- Joe describes and explains the process of conducting music and how it can become a more emotional experience over and above a technical one.
- Music is in everyone! Music as a vehicle in worship.
- ‘He [sic] who sings, prays twice’ Saint Augustine – music transports people towards the divine.
- How music connects ourselves with ourselves.
- Faure’s Requiem – the healing power of music
- How music helps us to live in the world as it actually is right now.
- Joe describes the brilliant Stroke Oddessys project he has been involved with.
- Joe goes into the detail of the exciting ECLAS funded project at St. Paul’s Knightbridge researching the relationship between music in liturgy and wellbeing.
- Joe gives his one bit of advice for flourishing.
