Charities Supported

Each year choir members select one or more charities to benefit from funds raised at our concerts.

Over the past 9 years we have raised over £20,000 in support of a number of local charities.

In 2024 the choir will be raising funds for the local charity New Chapters.

Our chosen charity for 2023 was Rufus’ Friends’ Fund and the choir raised a total of £4,325 for the Fund during the year.

In 2021 and 2022 Village Voices fundraised for Evelyn’s Gift Charity.

The choir also supported in 2022 the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK, Action for Children & Myton Hospice.

Our chosen charity for 2019-2020 was The Friendship Project for children.

In 2018 the choir raised funds for the Helping Hands Community Project.

The funds raised from our concerts in 2017 supported 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts and Bloodwise.

Christmas Concert 2023

On Saturday evening the 16th December 2023 at St. Nicholas Church, Warwick, Village Voices with Southam Melody Makers held their ‘Ding Dong Merrily’ Christmas Concert in support of the charity Rufus’ Friends’ Fund. £1,800 was raised for the charity, including Southam Melody Makers generous contribution.

The packed audience enjoyed a varied programme of well-known and not so well-known Christmas music, including pieces by the talented young violinist Kateryna Pratsovyta.

Kateryna also joined Elena Mitsuk and Kieron Howe as soloists singing the beautiful traditional Ukrainian Carol, V Vyfleyemi Novyna (There is News in Bethlehem), arranged by Kieron.

The audience also joined Southam Melody Makers and Village Voices in singing some traditional Christmas songs.

Very many thanks to Kieron Howe, musical director of Village Voices, for making the evening such a special occasion, as did Helen Pugh, accompanying the choir and similarly, Julie Edwards director and accompanist of Southam Melody Makers.

The evening also included some readings by members from both choirs.

Christmas Concert Programme

Also many thanks to all who helped behind the scenes, including those who moved all the furniture into place, who prepared the raffle prizes and sold tickets, who generously provided food and drink for refreshments and those who served them up and cleared away. Not forgetting all those who organised the concert and provided publicity material.

Below are YouTube links to a number of videos recorded during the concert by Southam Melody Makers:

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The Lamb, Ding Dong Merrily & A Winter’s Tale The Lamb John Taverner words by William Blake, Ding Dong Merrily words George Ratcliff Woodward music Jehan Tabourot arr. Peter Hunt & A Winter’s Tale Mike Batt & Tim Rice

V Vyfleyemi Novyna There is News in Bethlehem trad. arr. Kieron Howe

Mary Did You Know? arr. Roger Emerson words and music by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene

We Wish You a Merry Christmas trad. arr. Alexander L’Estrange

And finally some audio recordings of the concert:

The Lamb

Ding Dong Merrily

Winter’s Tale

V Vyfleyemi Novyna

Mary Did You Know?

University Brass Society Christmas Concert

The University of Warwick Brass Society and Village Voices presented: A Christmas Concert at Saint Nicholas Church in Kenilworth, on Saturday evening 9th December 2023.

The audience enjoyed and participated in a wonderful evening of festive songs with minced pies and mulled wine.

£366 was donated, from the proceeds of the concert, to Myton Hospice in memory of Colin Sullivan.

15th July 2023

On Saturday evening the 15th July at St Paul’s Church, Friars St, Warwick, Village Voices presented Summer at St. Paul’s; a programme of varied choral music spanning the last 400 years and across the globe.

The choir was delighted to welcome Edward Button from the King’s Singers, who sang Eternal Source of Light Divine, accompanied by David Pugh on trumpet.

Concert Programme

Other soloists included the very talented young flautist, Sophie Robertson, plus choir members Linda Hemming and Viv Hadley accompanied on piano by Julie Edwards. Also Julia Lea accompanying herself on guitar.

Very many thanks to Kieron Howe, the choir’s musical director, and pianist Helen Pugh, who accompanied the choir, for making the evening so joyful and successful.

Over £1,000 was raised for the choir’s chosen charity for 2023, Rufus’ Friends’ Fund.

Below is a selection of recordings from the concert:

Village Voices sing, with Sophie Roberts on flute, Early One Morning Traditional arr. Alexander L’Estrange

Village Voices sing Ave Verum Corpus from Gradualia by William Byrd

The choir sings Weeping by Dan Heymann arr. Alexander L’Estrange

Village Voices sing Wanting Memories by Ysaye M. Barnwell

Followed by Ah, Poor Bird and Rose, Rose Traditional

Ukrainian Prayer by John Rutter

Click to see Videos of Ukrainian Prayer, Harbour and Fields of Gold.

25th March 2023

On Saturday 25th March Village Voices with North Leamington School Wind Band presented a concert of Music Stage and Screen at All Saints’ Church, Warwick.

 

 

The packed audience delighted in a fun-filled evening of music and entertainment with talented young soloists – Sophie Bull and Evie Howe. Plus the choir’s own Colin Sullivan accompanied by Peter Wimpenny on clarinet.

 

 

Concert Programme

 

Kieron Howe, the musical director of both the band and the choir, and Roger Haygreen, the choir’s accompanist since 2010, together with Julie Edwards, did a wonderful job in making the concert such an enjoyable event.

From funds raised during the evening, Village Voices donated £1,500 to the local charity Rufus’ Friends’ Fund.

Below is a selection of audio recordings from the concert:

 

Village Voices sing Moon River by Johnny Mercer & Henry Mancini arr. K Bellman

 

North Leamington School Wind Band  plays music from the Pirates of the Caribbean by Klaus Badelt arr. Michael Sweeney

 

Colin Sullivan sings If I Were a Rich Man from Fiddler on the Roof by Sheldon Harnick & Jerry Bock. Accompanied by Peter Wimpenny on clarinet and Roger Haygreen on piano

 

Village Voices, accompanied by North Leamington School Wind Band, sing Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (from Nabucco) by Giuseppe Verdi

 

Sophie Bull sings Requiem from Dear Evan Hansen by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

 

Sophie Bull, accompanied by North Leamington School Wind Band & Village Voices, sings You Will be Found by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul arr. Mac Huff

 

Village Voices sing Now is the Month of Maying by Thomas Morley

 

Followed by I Wan’na Be Like You from Walt Disney’s The Jungle Book   arr. Mac Huff

 

Village Voices sing The Seal Lullaby. Rudyard Kipling’s words set to music by Eric Whitacre

 

And Love Changes Everything. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart arr. Ed Lojeski

 

Village Voices Christmas Concert 2022

Village Voices & Cubbington Silver Band held a joyous Christmas Celebration Concert on Saturday evening 3rd December at St. Nicholas Church, Warwick in support of the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK and Myton Hospice.

The church was absolutely packed and the concert included ‘Walking in the Air’ – a trombone solo by Lilia Clifford and ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ – a clarinet solo by Peter Wimpenny. Plus, a number of readings by individual members of the choir.

 

Christmas Concert Programme

During the evening the Cubbington Silver Band played the National Anthem of Ukraine, and the choir sang a traditional Ukrainian carol, Boh Predivcnyj Narodivsja, especially for our guests – a number of Ukrainian refugees living locally.

Kieron Howe, the musical director of both the band and the choir, and Roger Haygreen, the choir’s accompanist, did a wonderful job in making the evening such an enjoyable occasion.

From funds raised at the concert, Village Voices donated £500 to each of the charities it has been supporting in 2022: British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK. The Cubbington Silver Band making its own donation to Myton Hospice.

Below are some audio recordings from the concert:

Village Voices singing Torches by John Joubert

Village Voices singing Angels’ Carol by John Rutter

Cubbington Silver Band playing Everlasting Light by Martin Cordner

Village Voices singing O Christmas Tree arranged by Alexander L’Estrange

Cubbington Silver Band playing Schneewaltzer by Thomas Koschat arranged by Goff Richards

Village Voices singing Gaudete! Traditional

CSB playing Stop the Cavalry by Jona Lewis arranged by Derek Broadbent and

Fairytale of New York by Jem Finer & Shae McGowan arranged by Jock McKenzie

Village Voices singing Boh Predivcnyj Narodivsja, a traditional Ukrainian carol

CSB playing the Ukrainian National Anthem by Mikhailo Verbytsky arranged by Kieron Howe

Village Voices Choir ‘A Summer of Song’

On Sunday afternoon 17th July 2022 the choir held a very enjoyable and varied concert at Northgate Methodist Church in Warwick, which raised £450 for Evelyn’s Gift.

 

The concert programme included:

First Half Second Half
Mingulay Boat Song The Ash Grove
Shenandoah Early One Morning
Skye Boat Song A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
Londonderry Air The Long Day Closes
Grace The Rhythm of Life
The Sloop John B The Way You Look Tonight

 

A number of choir members sang solos including Claire Darlington, Viv Hadley and Amanda Lewis. Trevor Barr and Kevin Sumner led the audience and choir in singing ‘The Lighthouse’ by Lin Marsh, and Trevor played an improvised piano piece. Peter Wimpenny played the clarinet as part of the choir’s rendition of ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’.

A December to Remember Christmas 2021

On Sunday 5th December 2021 the choir held a very successful Christmas Concert for family and friends at Northgate Methodist Church in Warwick.

 

The total raised for Evelyn’s Gift was £731.50, including donations raised from the sale of items during the term, proceeds from ticket sales & raffle and retiring collection.

Friendship Project for Children Donation

The choir has not been able to hold any concerts in 2020 or raise funds from these for charity. However, individual members have donated the magnificent sum of £400, which we provided to The Friendship Project for Children in October 2020. This brings the choir’s total donation to the Friendship Project to £1,750.

12th December 2019

Singing at the Guild Chapel, Stratford-upon-Avon. Readings and Carols in support of Springfield Mind. Followed by refreshments in Stratford Town Hall.

Village Voices Christmas Gloria

On Saturday 7th December at 7.30pm Village Voices presented its Christmas Gloria Charity Concert at All Saints Church 29 Vicarage Field, Warwick CV34 5NJ in aid of The Friendship Project for Children.

Village Voices were joined by Soloists Belinda Morley, Olivia Griffiths and members of Leamington Sinfonia for a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria, followed by traditional carols.

Musical Director Trevor Barr and accompanist Roger Haygreen.

The sell-out concert was the most ambitious and successful presented by the choir to date and raised £1,350 for The Friendship Project for Children.

 

Londonderry Trip April 2019

Friday 12th to Monday 15th April a number of the choir visited Londonderry. During their stay they were joined by Thornhill Chamber Choir and Colmcille Ladies Choir in concert on Saturday 13th April at the First Derry Presbyterian Church where £820 was raised in aid of The Western Health and Social Care Trust.

The choir also attended and sang at the First Derry Presbyterian Church Service on Sunday 14th April officiated by the Reverend David Latimer the church minister.

We are so grateful that David McGuckin, the superb church organist, was able to accompany the choirs and congregation, on piano and organ, at both the concert and Sunday service.

The visit to Derry was masterminded by our musical director, Trevor Barr; and during our stay he introduced us the architecture, history and culture of his home city, as well as finding time to rehearse and conduct the choir. Our grateful thanks go to Trevor and all who helped to organise our very successful and enjoyable time in Northern Ireland.

 

 

More photos can be viewed on the members’ social events page

 

Spring Concert April 2019

On Saturday 6th April Village Voices combined with the Coventry Male Voice Choir presented a concert at Dale Street Methodist Church, Leamington Spa which raised over £1,300 for the Royal National Lifeboat Association.
 
Village Voices directed by Trevor Barr with Roger Haygreen accompanist. We were delighted to be joined by two very special guests:

Ellie Aitchison – Violinist

Imogen Parsley – Soprano

 

13 December 2018

Singing at the Guild Chapel, Stratford upon Avon. Readings and Carols in support of Springfield Mind. Followed by refreshments in Stratford Town Hall.

Baubles and Bows 2018

Our main Christmas Concert “Baubles and Bows” on Saturday 1st December 2018 at Warwick Methodist Church raised £1,300 for the Helping Hands Community Project. The concert was directed by Trevor Barr with Julie Edwards accompanist. The choir was delighted to be joined by some very special guests, accompanied on piano by Trevor Barr:

Belinda Morley – Mezzo Soprano

Terry Street – Alto Saxophone


 

2nd Warwick Sea Scouts

2nd Warwick Sea Scouts2nd Warwick Sea Scouts was one of two charities supported by Village Voices in 2017. It has 160 members who come from Warwick, Leamington and the surrounding area. The Group is committed to providing equal opportunities in scouting for girls, who make up 50% of their number, consisting of Beavers (6 – 8 years), Cubs (8 – 10), Scouts (10 – 14) and Explorers (14 – 18 years).

They are recognised by the Admiralty for their proficiency in water based skills, leadership, training and provision of a full range of scouting activities plus sailing, canoeing, rowing etc. They also carry out community service and support local charities.

Demand to join is high, they have over 100 on their waiting list. They want to train new leaders and provide extra training for existing leaders so they can open another Beaver section and Cubs section and enlarge their Scout and Explorer sections.

On 8th February 2018, cheques for £1,250 were presented to Nick George for the Sea Scouts – the sum raised at our Christmas concert.

2nd Warwick Sea Scouts receiving their cheques

For more about 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts see their website, on Facebook or Twitter.

Bloodwise

BloodwiseSandra Hayward (Soprano) proposed the Heart of England Branch of Bloodwise, which is a charity dedicated to fighting all forms of blood cancer, as a charity supported by Village Voices in 2017. Her good friend, Anne Oliver, is the chair of the Heart of England Branch of Bloodwise. Anne and her husband, Jack, lost their younger daughter, Sophie, to Leukaemia about 20 years ago when Sophie was just 7 years old. Since then, Anne has worked tirelessly to support the Leukaemia Research Fund which later became known as Bloodwise, they are a small group of local voluntary supporters whose lives have been touched by blood cancer. They operate mainly in Leamington, Kenilworth, Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon, holding street collections and fund raising events.

Village Voices raised £1750 for Bloodwise at its concert in June 2017 at Northgate Methodist Church. Sandra Hayward & Claire Darlington present the cheque to Anne Oliver for Bloodwise.
Bloodwise Cheque July 2017

See more about Bloodwise on their website.

7 December 2017

Singing at Guild Chapel, Stratford upon Avon. Readings and Carols in support of Springfield Mind This was following by refreshments in Stratford Town Hall.

 

17 December 2016

Deck the Halls, Village Voices Christmas Charity Concert, took place at The Dale Street Methodist Church, Leamington Spa on Saturday 17th December 2016. It was in support of the Salvation Army Way Ahead Project.

28 October 2016

Guild Chapel in Stratford for the Springfield Mind charity. This was for a small group of singers from the choir to sing Christmas Carols with readings from supporters of the charity.

21 May 2016

Musicals & More. The choir performed a concert to a packed house at St Nicholas Church, Warwick, in aid of the Salvation Army ‘Way Ahead’ project.

18 December 2015

Village Voices were invited by Springfield Mind to sing at The Guild Chapel on the corner of Chapel Lane and Church Street, Stratford upon Avon.

12 December 2015

A sell-out Christmas Cracker Concert at St Nicholas Church in aid of Springfield Mind. Village Voices Choir members were joined by Omnium Gatherum, who have sung at a number of concerts locally. Like Village Voices their aim is to enjoy the music first and to share the efforts of their practice from time to time with an audience.

6 June 2015

Songs for a Summer Evening in aid of Springfield Mind in Stratford on Avon.

28 March 2015

The choir performed a concert ‘Spring into Song’ at St Nicholas Church, Warwick in aid of Springfield Mind.

6 December 2014

‘Stuff the Turkey’, a Christmas Concert at St Nicolas Church, Warwick in aid of South Warwickshire Heart failure, Education and cardiac Rehabilitation Trust (SW HEART). Village Voices were joined by the Coventry Male Voice Choir.

24 October 2014

A concert at St Margaret’s Church Whitnash in aid of the Whitnash Charitable Trust.

14 December 2013

The choir joined other local music groups at Warwick DC Chairman, Richard Davies, Christmas concert at Leamington Town Hall in aid of Dogs for the Disabled, the Heart of England Community Foundation and the Royal Regiment Of Fusiliers Aid Society.

13 July 2013

A concert Songs for a Summer Evening at St Nicholas, Warwick in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society. Village Voices presented a new repertoire and many old favourites.

8 December 2012

‘Baubles & Berries’. A Seasonal Concert at St Nicholas Church, Warwick. We shared the event with The Spa Strummers ukulele band and supporting The Leamington Homeless Action Project.

1 December 2012

Warwick District Council Chairman’s Christmas Charity Concert at Leamington Town Hall in aid of Castel Froma (incorporating the Helen Ley Care Centre) and Myton Hospice.

19 May 2012

A concert to raise fund towards St John the Baptist Church, Wappenbury.

11 May 2012

‘Frolic’; a concert at Long Itchington Church helped to raise £400 towards church restoration.

24 March 2012

Songs and music with a ‘Watery’ theme were the basis of a concert in support of Water Aid at St Nicholas Church Warwick.

27 November 2011

The choir entertained Christmas shoppers on the steps of Leamington Town Hall in support of the ‘Save the Children’ fund fund who organised a craft fair in the Town Hall. The event raised £5,000 for the charity.

2 July 2011

On a pleasant summers day the Skellingthorpe Choir from Lincoln enjoyed a guided tour round Leamington. After a joint rehearsal and refreshments, the two choirs joined forces to entertain the audience in Weston-under-Wetherley Village Hall. Proceeds from the concert go to the Warwickshire Northamptonshire Air Amulance.

11 June 2011

Our concert on 11 June at Galanos House, Southam, the Royal British Legion Poppy Home for ex-service people and their dependents, raised £570 towards the Galanos House Amenities Fund which enables residents to have trips out and short holidays.

23 December 2010

The choir helped liven the pre-Christmas spirit at the ‘Cricketers’ pub in Archery Road, Warwick and collected money for Myton Hospice and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.

30 October 2010

The Choir sang at Cubbington Village Hall and helped to raise £600 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.