Southam Melody Makers held a very successful concert at St James Church, Southam on Saturday 16th March. Guest performers included the Ukaladies, North Leamington Wind Band and the Windmill Singers.
Also a number of soloists entertained a packed audience, including Evie Howe, Hannah McCubbin, Jayne Dalley-Hewer, and Pam Miller read her own very amusing poems!
All of the above joined in a rousing finale – Can You Feel The Love Tonight.
The concert raised over £2,000 for Cancer Research UK.
In 2025 Village Voices will be raising funds for the charity Warwickshire Vision.
During 2024 the choir raised £4,300 for the local charity New Chapters.
In 2023 the choir raised £4,325 for Rufus’ Friends’ Fund and £336 for Myton Hospice.
On Thursday 21st December 2023 Village Voices sang at a festive evening of joyous carols in the beautiful Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, Guy’s Cliffe.
The audience joined the choir in classic Christmas tunes and listened to haunting new ones, some not heard before.
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.
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?
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.
Ukrainian Prayer – John Rutter
Harbour – Anna Tabbush
Fields of Gold – G.M. Sumner arr. Roger Emerson
On Tuesday evening 18th July North Leamington School held a very successful summer concert where their students’ performances ranged from soloists playing flute, piano, euphonium and singing to rock bands, pop choir, steel pans and their wind band.
The finale involved Village Voices performing with the school’s pop choir and wind band to give a great rendition of You Will Be Found from the musical ‘Dear Evan Hanson’ and the popular track Don’t Stop Believing.
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.
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.
At King’s High School Hall, Warwick
Warwickshire Youth Choirs held their Summer Singing Celebration to round off a fantastic year of singing success!
They were joined by two local choirs: Village Voices and Two Castles Male Voice Choir, also the Cheshire Fire Choir (seen on Gareth Malone’s Sing While You Work) for a very enjoyable evening celebrating singing.
Thanks to all who took part in The Great Local Night Out. I think I can safely say that we all had a very enjoyable evening. Thanks, Kieron and Roger, for conducting and accompanying us.
Village Voices & Audience: Roll the Old Chariot Along