V o c a l H i g h
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V o c a l H i g h -
C u r r e n t N e w s … 2 0 2 4
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R e c e n t N e w s...
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Vocal High help to raise
£700+ for charities
VH headlined at the 'FIVE: LIVE!' event in Pershore on 19 October, organised by Chris & Paula to raise money for Pershore Community Cupboard and Pershore Welcomes Refugees. Feel Good Chorus, Sing For Health, Pete and Jen from 'Kings of the Quarter Mile' also performed - as well as a solo spot by Chris and a couple of songs by Paula.
A feast of music!
Vocal High gave our first 'local' performances of exciting new arrangements by C & P -
2 Electric Light Orchestra numbers, one Kate Bush song, and a raft of other sonic delights which saw their first outing in London when we gigged with Chaps Choir back in June... Feedback from Saturday's audience was immense!
These songs will reappear in our 'Winter Warmer' concert on Dec 6th, along with even more new numbers.... Get your tickets now!
Great photos below by Max Nutbeem (with a couple by Chris!)
A feast of music!
Vocal High gave our first 'local' performances of exciting new arrangements by C & P -
2 Electric Light Orchestra numbers, one Kate Bush song, and a raft of other sonic delights which saw their first outing in London when we gigged with Chaps Choir back in June... Feedback from Saturday's audience was immense!
These songs will reappear in our 'Winter Warmer' concert on Dec 6th, along with even more new numbers.... Get your tickets now!
Great photos below by Max Nutbeem (with a couple by Chris!)
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O l d e r N e w s …
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New CD - 'Polished Unit' - on sale at the gig...
Limited edition! Only 15 copies left....!
Once they're gone, they're gone...
E v e n O l d e r N e w s …
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To Have and To Hold...
another VH wedding!
posted 30 June 2023
Vocal High were invited to sing at the wedding of (our very own) Charlotte and Damien, a lovely couple who tied the knot at The Fleece, Bretforton, yesterday...
The day was another beautiful one, again in every way - the weather, the happy couple, the location and of course the wonderful sound of Vocal High...
A beautiful way to round off our summer term of music.
Huzzah!
The day was another beautiful one, again in every way - the weather, the happy couple, the location and of course the wonderful sound of Vocal High...
A beautiful way to round off our summer term of music.
Huzzah!
VOCAL HIGH in CONCERT -
REFUGEE WEEK - 17TH JUNE 2023
To Have and To Hold...
a VH wedding
posted 15 June 2023
The Ladies of Vocal High were invited to sing at the wedding of Charlotte and Peter, a lovely couple who tied the knot at All Saints in Evesham last Saturday.
The morning was a beautiful one in every sense - the weather, the event itself and of course the mellifluous and magical music of Vocal High... who received much well-deserved praise from those in attendance!
I wasn't the only one with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat... (soppy old me!)
The Event was rounded off with excellent refreshments at the Orto Lounge afterwards.
Huzzah!
The morning was a beautiful one in every sense - the weather, the event itself and of course the mellifluous and magical music of Vocal High... who received much well-deserved praise from those in attendance!
I wasn't the only one with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat... (soppy old me!)
The Event was rounded off with excellent refreshments at the Orto Lounge afterwards.
Huzzah!
Vocal High and Chaps Choir -
a weekend of song and shenanigans...
posted 29 May 2023
Much fun and frolicking was had on the w/e of 12-13-14 May, when Chaps Choir from London, under the direction of Spooky-man and all-round Goodfella Dominic Stichbury, teamed up with Vocal High for concerts around these parts.
Friday night was spent in concert at Pershore Abbey; Saturday morning in the Chapter House at Worcs Cathedral, and flashmobbing in Cathedral Square; Saturday evening in concert at St Swithuns in Worcester (with after-show pub session at the King Charles); and breakfast with Morris at The Fleece in Bretforton on Sunday. Much fun and frolicking indeed!
Friday night was spent in concert at Pershore Abbey; Saturday morning in the Chapter House at Worcs Cathedral, and flashmobbing in Cathedral Square; Saturday evening in concert at St Swithuns in Worcester (with after-show pub session at the King Charles); and breakfast with Morris at The Fleece in Bretforton on Sunday. Much fun and frolicking indeed!
B&W photos by Max Nutbeem - check out his work at https://www.instagram.com/m_nutbeem/?hl=en
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16 April 2023. The new album is recorded!
Yesterday was spent at Vada Studios, laying down the 12 tracks for our forthcoming album... and it sounds great!
A day of good vibes and uplifting energy. Big thanks to Matt, Sam and George at Vada - and, of course, to VOCAL HIGH - and our wonderful MD Paula! - for making the process so pleasurable...
The album will be on sale at our weekend of gigs in May - have you got your tickets yet??
Term dates - Spring 2023
w/b 9 Jan to w/b 13th Feb (6 weeks)
w/b 27th Feb to w/b 27th March (5 weeks)
Recording day at VADA Studios - April 15th
VH in concert with Chaps Choir -
Pershore Abbey, Friday 12th May 2023
St Swithun's Church, Worcs, Saturday 13th May 2023
N e w s
f r o m l a s t y e a r . . .
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Tickets for Pershore Abbey concert - from Eventbrite -
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Tickets for Hallow concert - from Eventbrite -
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O l d e r N e w s …
This photo: pub sing at The Star, Pershore - 26 April 2022
Next concerts: 8th & 22nd July 2022 !
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Click here for Hallow tickets -
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Click here for Evesham tickets -
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Supported by 'Evesham Vale Welcomes Refugees', Vocal High are delighted to be doing their fifth fundraiser concert in support of those who have been forced to flee their countries to escape conflict and find safety in our communities.
Our recent sell-out concerts in Pershore Abbey, Stanbrook Abbey and Hallow have raised well over £11,000 in support of the amazing work done in Ukraine by RefugEase and The British Red Cross. This unique and enterprising, 40-strong gaggle of wonderful singing humans will entertain you with beautiful, joyous and uplifting songs from many vocal genres and traditions.
"Vocal High's reliably well-crafted and professionally delivered performances will leave you feeling moved and uplifted - everyone should have this experience at least once a month!'"
Vocal High will be joined by the talents of Rouzbeh Parsa, a master Kamancheh player from Iran (traditional Persian upright violin). Rouzbeh will join with the talents of our very own Chris Long to create another unique piano and kamancheh improvisation. Their recent second album of previous improvisations is available here -
chrislong3.bandcamp.com/album/-? fbclid=IwAR2DocO0RIjGimsGHI2RGGETpHC7gyhofXuyPaRJbOxcVTlRb-z2gLdwmn8
Tickets for this event are free in order to offer this event to refugees and their host families - a collection will be taken at the event to cover costs and in support of the work done by Evesham Vale Welcomes Refugees.
Singing for Ukraine - the story...
updated by Chris on 27 May
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Circlesinging / Improvisation workshop with Guillermo Rozenthuler - 13 March
This was an amazing and inspiring day of spontaneous music-making. A joyous celebration of the power of song, and the power of trust and teamwork. Guillermo led a group of 13 in a morning session of improvisation games, and the massed voices of VH plus guests in the afternoon for a series of spontaneous compositions, 3 of which can be heard here -
Find out more about Guillermo and his work here - www.guillermorozenthuler.com
Vocal High Concert 1 for Ukraine (4th March)
sold out in 48 hours and raised £4716 for International Red Cross charity
Pershore Abbey have generously invited us to do a second concert, in order to help us maximise the amount of money we can raise in support of Ukraine.
As before, Vocal High will be joined by Excelsa Voces, and both ensembles will present a new programme of music.
CONCERT No. 2 is now SOLD OUT
Thanks to EVERYONE who has bought a ticket or made a donation to this project - your response has been amazing.
As before, Vocal High will be joined by Excelsa Voces, and both ensembles will present a new programme of music.
CONCERT No. 2 is now SOLD OUT
Thanks to EVERYONE who has bought a ticket or made a donation to this project - your response has been amazing.
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Concert # 1 - Review
A packed Pershore Abbey rang to the sound of voices raised in song last Friday, as Vocal High and Excelsa Voces presented their concert for Ukraine.
Starting with the Ukrainian national anthem, sung as a solo by tenor Ian Grist and then joined in a wordless chorus by the rest of Vocal High, the concert took us on a rollercoaster ride through a diverse range of music, performed with commendable energy, focus, sensitivity and commitment. The choirs sang in a total of 9 languages, with songs from Sweden, Norway, Georgia, Greece and Corsica rubbing shoulders with their own arrangements of music by Joni Mitchell, Elbow and others. The programme was a cleverly and sensitively selected mix of music that kept things light and entertaining, whilst also being powerful music to reflect to.
Vocal High and Excelsa Voces are run by Pershore musicians Paula Evans and Chris Long. Paula directed Vocal High at the concert, as well as singing solo and with her quintet Excelsa Voces - whose performance of 'When The Earth Stands Still' by. Don Macdonald held the audience spellbound. Paula's solo performance of a chant by Hildegard of Bingen, in the near-darkness and the beautiful acoustic of the Abbey, was spine-tingling.
Chris Long, pianist and co-director for both choirs, featured as piano soloist in sections of Ola Gjeilo's mesmerising 'Ubi Caritas'; and he guided the audience through the evening, introducing and relaying information about the stories of the various pieces of music. Other members of the choir also featured as instrumentalists and soloists - the whole evening was a stunning, seamless and professionally delivered experience.
The concert raised over £4,500 for the Red Cross and Choose Love charities. Paula and Chris said: 'We had the idea for the concert on Sunday morning; we cleared it with Claire (Lording, Vicar of Pershore Abbey) that afternoon, and by 9 the next morning people were queueing outside 'Blue' for tickets. The concert more or less sold out in 2 days. We've been overwhelmed by the response of everybody, to this call for financial aid for Ukraine. A massive thankyou to the Abbey team for their support with this hugely important cause. The Abbey have very kindly offered us a second concert opportunity on Friday 25th March, so we'll be back for another night of music - but a different programme of music, just as diverse as the first one - so if you enjoyed Friday night, don't miss the 25th!'
Videos and photos from Friday's concert can be found on Vocal High's website - www.vocalhigh.com - where you can also get tickets for the second concert (these can also be purchased at 'Blue' on Broad Street, Pershore). Tickets are already selling fast so acting sooner rather than later is advised.
Starting with the Ukrainian national anthem, sung as a solo by tenor Ian Grist and then joined in a wordless chorus by the rest of Vocal High, the concert took us on a rollercoaster ride through a diverse range of music, performed with commendable energy, focus, sensitivity and commitment. The choirs sang in a total of 9 languages, with songs from Sweden, Norway, Georgia, Greece and Corsica rubbing shoulders with their own arrangements of music by Joni Mitchell, Elbow and others. The programme was a cleverly and sensitively selected mix of music that kept things light and entertaining, whilst also being powerful music to reflect to.
Vocal High and Excelsa Voces are run by Pershore musicians Paula Evans and Chris Long. Paula directed Vocal High at the concert, as well as singing solo and with her quintet Excelsa Voces - whose performance of 'When The Earth Stands Still' by. Don Macdonald held the audience spellbound. Paula's solo performance of a chant by Hildegard of Bingen, in the near-darkness and the beautiful acoustic of the Abbey, was spine-tingling.
Chris Long, pianist and co-director for both choirs, featured as piano soloist in sections of Ola Gjeilo's mesmerising 'Ubi Caritas'; and he guided the audience through the evening, introducing and relaying information about the stories of the various pieces of music. Other members of the choir also featured as instrumentalists and soloists - the whole evening was a stunning, seamless and professionally delivered experience.
The concert raised over £4,500 for the Red Cross and Choose Love charities. Paula and Chris said: 'We had the idea for the concert on Sunday morning; we cleared it with Claire (Lording, Vicar of Pershore Abbey) that afternoon, and by 9 the next morning people were queueing outside 'Blue' for tickets. The concert more or less sold out in 2 days. We've been overwhelmed by the response of everybody, to this call for financial aid for Ukraine. A massive thankyou to the Abbey team for their support with this hugely important cause. The Abbey have very kindly offered us a second concert opportunity on Friday 25th March, so we'll be back for another night of music - but a different programme of music, just as diverse as the first one - so if you enjoyed Friday night, don't miss the 25th!'
Videos and photos from Friday's concert can be found on Vocal High's website - www.vocalhigh.com - where you can also get tickets for the second concert (these can also be purchased at 'Blue' on Broad Street, Pershore). Tickets are already selling fast so acting sooner rather than later is advised.
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Also performing are
EXCELSA VOCES
EV performances have been described as 'ethereal', 'utterly superb' and 'beyond beautiful'...
This quintet of singers, led by soprano Paula Evans, perform music from the medieval period & our own age - contemporary composers including Eric Whitacre, Ola Gjeilo, Morten Lauridsen, Meredith Monk, Gavin Bryars...
Fans of Excelsa Voces will remember their world premiere performances of PIE JESU by Robert Fripp and Andrew Keeling, at Tewkesbury Abbey and the Edinburgh Festival; and their sellout concerts at Pershore Abbey in 2016 & 2017 - 'Towards The Within' 1 & 2 - in support of the Friends of Pershore Hospital.
See the 'Your MD's: Paula & Chris' page on this website for more information...
‘An evening of extraordinary beauty, I urge you not to miss it’ (Gloucester Echo)
Pictures of Excelsa Voces -
O l d e r N e w s …
10th Dec - Fantastic night of music - our Winter Warmer - at Theatrebarn in Bretforton!
More photos on the 'Performances' page...
More photos on the 'Performances' page...
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Other concert dates for 2021:
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Saturday May 22nd - 7pm @ The Fleece, Bretforton Saturday July 17th - Summer Concert - 7pm @ Pershore Saturday July 24th - 3 Choirs Festival - 12.30pm @ Bandstand, Worcester Cathedral Friday October 15th - Richmond Wood Norton 7.30pm |
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July 5th & 12th 2021 - Stanbrook workshops
Paula led evening workshops at Stanbrook Abbey on 2 consecutive Mondays - one for the men of Vocal High, and one for the ladies... fantastic acoustics were explored, and fantastic sounds were made!
June 19th 2021 - Circlesinging workshop
with Guillermo Rozenthuler
Another fab day was had with Guille at St Clements School, Worcester - a morning of small-group improvising, - very cathartic! - and an afternoon of beautiful large-group Circlesinging.
We're looking forward to a London-based performance with Guille in 2022!
We're looking forward to a London-based performance with Guille in 2022!
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March 2021: 'HOPE IS BEFORE US!'
... and to celebrate, here's our new video -
our arrangement of this fantastic song by Lady Maisery!
our arrangement of this fantastic song by Lady Maisery!
O l d e r N e w s . . .
'WINTER WARMER 2020'
At last... a real, live concert!
Saturday 19th December 4 pm
A little different this year... broadcast live from THE SHED,
the concert was enjoyed by a socially-distanced audience as well as an online one.
Here's a link to footage of the final number... the whole concert can be viewed by following the link on this excerpt.
the concert was enjoyed by a socially-distanced audience as well as an online one.
Here's a link to footage of the final number... the whole concert can be viewed by following the link on this excerpt.
The 'LOCKDOWN BREAKOUT" - Saturday 21st November
A fab time (and lots of gin) was had, in our Zoom 'social event'... the idea was to provide a platform for VH members to showcase their individual talents and interests - and what an array of skills were presented... from (unaccompanied and accompanied) self-penned ballads, to solo piano, viola and guitar performances, to poetry recitations, arts, crafts, and archaeological slideshows...
What a talented bunch you all are!
What a talented bunch you all are!
SINGING IN THE SHED!
Throughout September and October, and up to the recent Lockdown, Vocal High have been able to sing together in a socially-distanced fashion thanks to 'The Shed'. We've also been able to run several 'Sing In the Shed' sessions for all-comers from any choir or none, for which feedback has been fantastic. See 'Workshops' page of this website...
And below are 2 videos of Vocal High in song, in The Shed...
And below are 2 videos of Vocal High in song, in The Shed...
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O L D E R N E W S . . .
Before we break for August...
It's been great to get back together again in recent rehearsals (socially-distanced, of course!). Zooming will never replace the thrill of singing together for real - although it's been a great way to maintain choir morale and development.
A curious few months, but very productive - our repertoire has gained a good few new arrangements! Trying them out for real recently has been fab. Our next concert is going to be a stonker...
Here's a glimpse of recent al fresco singing - one of our older numbers.
See you all in September!
'TREASURE'
here's our arrangement of the 'Detectorists' theme
[ 16th May 2020 ]
VOCAL HIGH 'VIRTUAL CHOIR' GOES VIRAL! (sorry!)
[ 2nd April ]
To keep our spirits high, we've been making a couple of vids, because the 'Zoom' platform just cries out for it, really... Tuesday's rehearsal brought forth 'Elegia', and Wednesday's gave us 'Dirt On my Boots' - enjoy!
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CORONAVIRUS AIN'T GONNA KEEP US DOWN!
[ 24th March ]
As a result of the 'Lockdown', we had our first online 'Zoom' rehearsal tonight - and yes, there was a certain amount of chaos and hilarity - and what better reason do we need?? "2 sessions a week should see us right", as the song says... By the time we get past all this, and put on our 'The Return of Vocal High' comeback concert, we will be thoroughly rehearsed!
NEXT CONCERT - 21st MARCH, St. PAULS, WORCESTER
POSTPONED UNTIL...
Circlesinging - Vocal workshop, 7 March 2020
An inspiring time was had by all at our workshop on 7th March, led by the amazing Guilliame Rozenthuler. Improvisation and spontaneous composition - powerful stuff! More information and a video from the event can be found on the 'Workshops' page of this website...
Here's a little look back over 2019 - an audio medley (thanks Nige!) from our Winter gig at the Fleece Inn, with a whole load of photos... Enjoy!
Dec 2019: Winter Warmer: Hot stuff indeed!
Our winter gig at The Fleece on 29th November was a night to remember... stonking performances throughout and a lovely audience too. Not content with that, we followed it up with a lunchtime performance at Malvern Theatres last Saturday (7th Dec)... Photos can be seen on the 'performances' page.
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July 2019 Concerts: one helluva weekend...!
We had a blast in July, in a weekend of 3 very different concerts: our Summer Concert in the Baptist Church in Pershore on Friday night; an 'informal' performance (do we actually do 'formal' performances?) in the amazing acoustic of Worcester Cathedral on Saturday pm; and then the amazing experience that was being the opening act for the fabulous SPOOKY MEN'S CHORALE from Australia, on Saturday evening.
After delivering our blisteringly energetic set (see photos on the 'Performances' page of this website) , and after enjoying the Spookies gig from the best seats in the house (upstairs), Vocal High joined the Spooks onstage for the final number. And that wasn't the end of it - great fun was had in the pub round the corner, singing Georgian songs and choons of various shades and hues - a glimpse can be seen below. Check out the Spooks here: spookymen.com/
After delivering our blisteringly energetic set (see photos on the 'Performances' page of this website) , and after enjoying the Spookies gig from the best seats in the house (upstairs), Vocal High joined the Spooks onstage for the final number. And that wasn't the end of it - great fun was had in the pub round the corner, singing Georgian songs and choons of various shades and hues - a glimpse can be seen below. Check out the Spooks here: spookymen.com/
SING IN THE SPRING!
- at The Fleece Inn, Bretforton
Saturday 13th April 2019
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Fun times were had at this years Singing Weekend, when Vocal High performed in the Barn - it was a truly 'Global Jukebox' mix, with a nod to Henry Purcell and Jamie Liddell... We also hosted a short workshop for the campers and sang a selection of music next door, in the beautiful gardens of Bretforton Manor - which is where this picture was taken...
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"AMAZING SOUNDS, ASTOUNDING MUSIC" - In The Round III
Workshop at The Chapter House, Worcester Cathedral March 9th 2019
A great time was had, and some powerful singing sung, at this workshop for members of Vocal High plus 'friends'. Some truly inspiring improvisation, and a great impromptu performance afterwards! An extra bit of singing in the Lady Chapel too - there's a link below to a snippett of the Georgian song 'Tsmidao Gmerto'.
A Real Barn Stormer! 2nd Dec 2018
The 'Winter Warmer' on Friday night (30th Nov) was fantastic - a sold-out Barn at The Fleece were treated to an evening of diverse song from the Bristish Isles, South Africa, Georgia and beyond... Plus an audience with Boris The Boar! See the photos on the 'Performance'; page on this website!
"Winter Is a-Cumin' In..." Nov 2018
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It's that time of the year again and we're limbering up for our final seasonal performance, at The Fleece. This term has been an eventful one - saying 'Hello' to some lovely new members, and a sad 'Farewell' to others (equally lovely, btw!)... also - making inroads into exciting new repertoire, the further development of 'the Men's Group' (provisionally going by the name of 'The Dog's Scallops'), and a fab day at the 'UK Choir Festival' in October. At this event, we had the opportunity to learn some Gospel harmonies, some cracking African songs, and present a couple of our own numbers too... So - maybe you saw and heard us at the 'Turning On Of The Lights' in Worcester on Thursday 22nd? We were onstage singing to 1500 people in Cathedral Square, for BBC Hereford & Worcester. Amongst other things, we accompanied 'The Pavarotti of Worcester' Luke Swatman in his rendition of Schubert's 'Mille Cherubini'. Our unmissable 'Winter Warmer' concert is on Friday 30th November, at the wonderful Fleece Inn, Bretforton. This event is nearly sold out, so we are very excited! Reddens Laudes Domino! |
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Summer Concerts went with a swing! July 2018
Our 2 'end-of-term' performances' were a great success - lovely audiences and a real showcase for our ever-expanding repertoire - AND a platform for our ever-expanding 'Men's Department'! Any Negative Trumpoid Vibrations (on 13th July) were certainly dispersed by the upbeat company of VH! See 'Performances' page for photos.
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'Sing In The Spring' performance at The Fleece, Bretforton
Saturday 7th April - a cracking time was had by all when we sang at the Barn - a first airing for 'Rocky Road' and 'Spanish Ladies', as well as 'Huacnapachap' - all of which were delievered with passion and enthusiasm. The performance was followed by complementary liquid refreshement courtesy of Nigel (the landlord), and then more singing, this time alfresco, in which some old favourites were dusted down and delivered heartily, to the delight of the assembled listeners. Well done Vocal High for your amazing energy and commitment to your music!!
Worcester Competitive Arts Festival are treated to a Distinction level performance from VH
St. Patrick's Day (17th March) saw VH make an appearance at The Royal Grammar School in Worcester, singing in the Adult Choirs Class - a '10 minute window' in which we treated the assembled hordes to lively renditions of 'Hammond Song' and 'Colour My World'. While singing competitions are not really our thing, we thought we'd seize the opportunity to get VH out and onstage, and to get some feedback about our singing... and didn't we do well! Joint 2nd place and graded as 'Distinction'. The event was followed by an adjournment to the Coach & Horses to raise a glass to the Saint, to celebrate VH's success and also the success of Mandy who is now a fully qualified teacher - Wahey!
VH get Seal of Approval from 'Fistful of Spookies'
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'A great night was had when Vocal High headed over to The Fleece at Bretforton to hear A Fistful of Spookies (the UK division' of The Spooky Men's Chorale) on 23rd Feb. The Spookies performance was as fun and as moving as usual - but the after-gig singing in the bar was a blast too! The Spookies joined us for a fine bunch of tunes and they were pleasantly surprised to find that we know a Georgian song and a few other eclectic numbers as well... some lively renditions ('Tsimdao Gmerto' etc) followed!
An email from the Spookies the next morning - "That was a night and a half at The Fleece. Thanks for being a huge and luminous part of it. What a smashing gang you've got there!" Well thankyou, Adrian - we think so too! |
Pre-gig VH gaggle in The Barn at The Fleece
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Voice Workshop - 'In The Round 2' - Chapter House, Worcester Cathedral - Feb 10th 2018
"Cracking workshop proving that you are never too old to learn or to have fun... Vocal High is absolutely the best therapy going" - Thanks for the glowing feedback!
December gigs 2017
'On A Winter's Night' - what a stonking concert we gave on 16th December. A large and very appreciative audience were treated to our diverse and eclectic programme of song. Well done to everyone involved, Happy Birthday to Malcolm, and a big THANKYOU to the choir for the presents - we love you! Our final gig of the year will be this Friday - a private function at Sixways Stadium, at the Worcester Warriors v. London Irish game - wow!!
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November 2017
Rehearsals for our Winter concert (16th December) are coming along nicely, and we continue to pick up new members as we go - welcome to one and all! It is particularly rewarding to see our bass / tenor section growing - we now boast 9 men amongst a membership of c.40- singers - not at all bad when we consider that we started the choir last only last March, with a membershp of... 7!
We've also been asked to sing at a fundraiser for Amnesty International, outside Asda in Pershore on Saturday 9th December (11 am). We'll be dusting down some of last terms repertoire ('Riverman', 'Sailor's Alphabet' etc) alongside more seasonal repertoire... come and check us out!
We've also been asked to sing at a fundraiser for Amnesty International, outside Asda in Pershore on Saturday 9th December (11 am). We'll be dusting down some of last terms repertoire ('Riverman', 'Sailor's Alphabet' etc) alongside more seasonal repertoire... come and check us out!
August & September 2017
VH's next performance will be at 2pm on Monday 28th August, at the Plum Festival in Pershore (see 'Performances' page on this website).
The new term begins on Tuesday 5th September / Wednesday 6th, and we can't wait to share the new repertoire with you! It looks like we may well have some new members coming along too.... Yahooo!
The new term begins on Tuesday 5th September / Wednesday 6th, and we can't wait to share the new repertoire with you! It looks like we may well have some new members coming along too.... Yahooo!
Preparations for March concert? Well underway!
[March 2017]
Vocal High have been invited to sing in a concert at St Martins & St Peters, Worcester on 25 March 2017. The concert, organised by The Elgar School of Music - for whom Chris teaches piano - will feature various Worcester-based choirs and VH will sing 3-4 songs. We have in mind a multi-lingual programme, featuring our Zulu Wedding Song, our Georgian song and perhaps our Greek song too...!
Here are a couple of rehearsal pics.... tonight (1st March), the Worcester group - taking a (well-earned) breather during 'Hamba Lulu' -
Here are a couple of rehearsal pics.... tonight (1st March), the Worcester group - taking a (well-earned) breather during 'Hamba Lulu' -
and the Pershore gang - in Pershore Abbey (7 Feb) - working on our Georgian song 'Tsmidao Gmerto'...
December 2016: 'On A Winter's Night....'
This Pershore & Worcester-based vocal ensemble began singing at Easter 2016, and since then it has grown in size and ambition. Vocal High have already performed twice at the Malvern Three Counties Showground (June and September), as well as onstage at Croome Court in the July 2016 Riversfest for massed voices organised by Paula and Chris. In December 2016 they will present their first concert ‘at home’ in Pershore, featuring a seasonal mix of material – a ‘handful of Christmas’ (some of the less usual repertoire) plus some traditional English song, music from other continents, a dark winter ghost story in song… and maybe a bit of David Bowie & Stevie Wonder ‘mashed up’ and stirred in for good measure! Vocal High will be leaving the "Carol concerts" to other choirs, instead serving up a more eclectic diet for your musical tastebuds… Tickets available from 'Blue' (in Broad Street, Pershore) or by email – [email protected].
VOCAL HIGH WORKSHOP - 'Singing In The Round'
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Chris & Paula led a well-attended Vocal High workshop on Saturday 5th November in the beautiful Chapter House at Worcester Cathedral.
Around 30 singers enjoyed the opportunity to explore singing together in this beautiful space, with its unique acoustic. Through exploring a range of pieces - from 17thC counterpoint (by Orlando Gibbons) to traditional Hebridean song and beyond - the workshop focused on building confidence & independence with sightreading & harmony-singing; as well as developing awareness of breathing & listening and exploring some aspects of modal tonality. 
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The singers were also invited to explore the acoustic through improvisation, creating a hypnotic 'soundbath' in the very reverberant space. The workshop concluded with an impromptu performance by Paula, with Rebecca Hughes & Alice Garratt (pictured above) - collectively 'Excelsa Voces' - singing 2 pieces by British composer Gavin Bryars. The 'Benedicamus' & 'Credo' were composed by Bryars to form part of 'The Worcester LadyMass', an extended composition created mostly from the Medieval 'Worcester Fragments'. To our knowledge this music has never been performed in its 'home town' - time to set that record straight!
Chris has led several workshops in the Chapter House over the years, introducing groups of Level 3 Popular Music students to the power of the voice in unusual acoustics; he & Paula have plans to host further Vocal High workshops there. Watch this space!
Chris has led several workshops in the Chapter House over the years, introducing groups of Level 3 Popular Music students to the power of the voice in unusual acoustics; he & Paula have plans to host further Vocal High workshops there. Watch this space!
Vocal High at Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre
.... at 2.30 on Sunday 27th November. A great time was had by all!
In rehearsal -
In performance! -
Older news...
Vocal High to perform as part of '1000 voices' at RIVERSFEST, 1st JULY! Watch this promo video
Debut Performance - Vocal High - Pershore & Worcester groups join forces for The Three Counties Show! [June 2016]
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The two Vocal High! groups met for the first time on Wednesday for final preparations for Saturday's debut. The potential of the massed voices (c.40!) was very apparent - and really exciting! The premiere of Chris's 'mashup' of David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Matt Monro etc promises to be a show-stealer - as does the epic version of Toto's 'Africa'...
It's a 2pm kickoff at Malvern - don't miss this historic moment! Photo: Some of Vocal High, after tonight's mammoth sing... |
Chris's new 'Capability Brown' song - a National Trust commission - in rehearsal for RIVERSFEST!
[May 2016]
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Paula leads Rivers Academy choir to victory in the Worcester Competitive Arts festival! [March 2016]
"The Rivers Academy felt the warm glow of success last Saturday at the Worcester Competitive Arts Festival. The combined choirs of children from Heronswood, Cutnall Green, Great Witley and St. Clements - all schools within the Academy – were led to victory at the event, held at the Royal Grammar School, under the direction of the Academy’s newly appointed Director of Music, Paula Evans. Winning the ‘Under 10’s Choir’ category and achieving a distinction for their performance, the Rivers Academy Choir fought off excellent competition from the Kings Hawford Senior Choir who also sang their two pieces to great effect. Hilary Webster, Adjudicator, remarked of the winners "This choir really make me smile - I haven’t seen so many smiles at 10am on a Saturday for a long time!" The children’s energy, growing technique and 'sense of joy in singing' were commended.
The way that the Rivers Multi Academy Trust (MAT) works was explained by Kate Brunt, the Executive Principle: "The Trust was set up in October 2014 and is a group of 4 schools who work closely together to improve outcomes for both staff and pupils in this new school-led system of improvement. It has given all our children and staff opportunities they wouldn’t have experienced had we stayed as single schools. Achieving so highly at this musical festival, having had very little rehearsal time as a group, shows just how talented our pupils are". |
The Musical Director Paula Evans said "Winning this competition is an exciting start to the new developments for singing and music in the Academy". A major forthcoming project that Ms Evans is leading is ‘RiversFest’, a 1-day festival of singing to be held in July at Croome Court, a National Trust property near Pershore. The event will celebrate the work of Capability Brown through song and performance poetry. Over 1000 children from across the Academy, plus local choirs and other musicians, will participate in the event, all coming together at the end to perform a specially-commissioned song by composer Chris Long".
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Paula's voice features as the eerie 'ghost soprano' in this stunning new short animation film by The Brothers McLeod. These Bafta-Award winning film makers will be showing the film at festivals throughout summer 2016. A trailer for the film can be seen here: https://vimeo.com/155863453. It premieres this weekend at the FLATPACK FESTIVAL in Birmingham!
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