Category: past-events

On Saturday 20th July 7.30pm at Dale Street Methodist Church, Leamington CV32 5HL Village Voices presented a concert to a packed audience in aid of the local charity New Chapters, which included:

Movements from Zimbe! – Alexander L’Estrange,
Adiemus – Karl Jenkins,
Sing Gently – Eric Whitacre,
Greater Love – Ireland,
Locus Iste – Bruckner,
Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton,
Something Inside So Strong – Labi Siffre.

As Alexander L’Estrange turns 50, Karl Jenkins turns 80, and Anton Bruckner would have been 200, Village Voices celebrated some of their fabulous music with space for celebration and reflection.

We also remembered the 110th anniversary of the start of WWI and the 80th anniversary of D-Day with John Ireland’s music setting the words ‘Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’.

Concert Programme

We invited the audience to bathe in the beautiful sounds of Eric Whitacre’s Sing Gently and finished the concert back in Africa with Labi Siffre’s empowering Something Inside So Strong.

Those attending were also captivated by the amazingly talented brothers: Edouard Scherer on alto saxophone and Martin Scherer on Euphonium, who added an extra musical dimension to the evening.

Very many thanks to our musical director, Kieron Howe and accompanist, Roger Haygreen, for making the evening such a resounding success.

Also many thanks to all those behind the scenes, including those who prepared the raffle prizes and sold tickets; provided the delicious refreshments and the catering team; and those who moved all the furniture before and after the concert.

Not forgetting those who organised the concert and created and distributed the publicity material.

Finally, many thanks to Dale Street Methodist Church for allowing us to use their lovely venue.

Below are some recordings from the concert:

This is Home by Sophia Efthimiou

Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton arr. Roger Emerson

Something Inside So Strong by Labi Siffre arr. Jonathan Wikeley

Siyahamba & Freedom is Coming Traditional arr. Alexander L’Estrange

Sing Gently by Eric Whitacre

Roses of Picardy lyrics by Fred E. Weatherley music Haydn Wood arr. Peter Irvine

Greater Love Hath No Man by John Ireland

Locus Iste by Anthon Bruckner

Adiemus by Karl Kenkins

I will Sing with the Spirit by John Rutter

 

At the start of our choir session on Thursday evening 16th May, Irene, who had requested we support the local charity Rufus’ Friends’ Fund in 2023, presented a cheque for £4,325 on behalf of the choir to representatives of the charity.

 

Village Voices and guests held a ‘Spring Sing’ Concert on Saturday 23rd March at 7.30pm St Nicholas Church, Radford Semele, which raised £1,125 in aid of the local charity New Chapters.

The packed audience was entertained by a variety of popular songs – old and newish – and enjoyed listening to the wonderful soloists Abby Taylor and Eva Hope, plus a rare public appearance of the Front Room Attic Band, with special guest Peter Wimpenny on banjo and saxophone. Please click on the link below for the full programme details.

Concert Programme

Very many thanks to our musical director, Kieron Howe and accompanist, Roger Haygreen, for making the evening such a resounding success.

Also many thanks for all those behind the scenes, including those who prepared the raffle prizes and sold tickets; Top Nosh for providing the delicious refreshments and the catering team; and those who moved all the furniture before and after the concert.

Not forgetting those who organised the concert and created and distributed the publicity material.

Finally, many thanks to St Nicholas Church for allowing us to use their lovely venue.

We have one video from the concert, Kiss from a Rose:

 

Below are some audio recordings of the concert:

Village Voices

Wind Beneath My Wings by Harry Henley & Jeff Soilbar Arr. Roger Emerson

When I’m 64 by John Lennon & Paul McCartney

Kiss from a Rose by Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel Arr. Timothy Allen

Can You Feel the Love Tonight Music Elton John, Lyrics Tim Rice Arr. Keith Christopher

 

Front Room Attic Band & Village Voices

Wagon Wheel by Bob Dylan & Ketch Secor of the Old Crow Medicine Show

Slow Train by Hans Theessink

Singing The Blues by Melvin Endsley

 

Village Voices

Sloop John B Traditional Bahamas folksong Arr. Gwyn Arch

Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen Arr. Roger Emerson

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle

Believer by Daniel Reynolds, Daniel Sermon, Benjamin McKee, Daniel Platzman, Justin Tranter, Mattias Larsson & Robon Fredricksson Arr. Mark Brymer

 

The Choir + Peter Wimpenny on Sax, Roger Haygreen on piano, Ian Moore on Bass Guitar & Nigel Hulme on Drums

Rock Around the Clock by Mac C Freedman & Jimmy De Knight Arr. Geoff Funk

 

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:

Perspice Christicola unknown c.1250

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.

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.