So sad to see a magnificent performance of possibly Byrd's greatest piece of writing being heard by so few in Chapel. Both Layton and the choir deserve much, much better.
On the bright side, it's had 750 views here in just two weeks! (And William Byrd, who made so much of his music in Catholic recusancy, would surely be happy and maybe even a little amused to see this piece of all pieces being sung openly at a Church of England service, at a college founded by Henry VIII)
It's part of life as a musician. I've experienced this on my side of the pond and per what I do. In 2009 for instance while stationed with the Combat Center Band in 29 Palms, CA we did a combined concert with members of the President's Own Marine Band, and I don't think there was more than ten people in the audience on base. If I recall correctly we were all quite cross (I'm trying to refrain from using USMC language); especially knowing that if we did the concert in Palm Springs there wouldn't have been enough space for all who would've attended. Happened again in 2019 while on tour with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, and there was a school that the contact swore would be packed, and again there were no more than ten in the audience. Most recently was a holiday concert last year with the 77th Army Band where we played for 5-6 people total; including my family who I brought along.
