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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
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.
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
Members of Village Voices joined a number of local choirs, including Two Castles Male Voice Choir, in taking part in a Singathon at King’s High School, Warwick in aid of the charity Kissing It Better. A very colourful Ben Hamilton joined the Choir for ‘Love Changes Everything’. The day was a great success with many thanks to Keiron, Julie and Ed Button. Also thanks to Roger Buckle for the photos.
At 6.30 pm on Saturday 17th December 2022 at Guy’s Cliffe Centre Village Voices sang Carols in the Courtyard. It was a cold evening, but thoroughly enjoyed by all present.
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.
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
A Tribute Concert to Trevor Barr was held on 15th October 2022 at All Saints’ Emscote, Warwick. The Church was completely full and those present enjoyed the performances of a number of talented soloists and Village Voices Choir. All had benefitted from Trevor’s extraordinary ability to inspire and teach both individuals and singing groups. The occasion was a joyous celebration of Trevor’s life.
