Mar
8
7:00 pm19:00

La voix humaine: Paula Sides and Sergey Rybin perform music by Poulenc

Soprano Paula Sides and pianist Sergey Rybin launch their vibrant new recording of works by the French 20th Century composer Francis Poulenc. The centrepiece of the album is Poulenc’s short solo opera La voix humaine (“The human voice”), based on the play of the same name by his friend Jean Cocteau. The one-act piece involves a solo singer in a single room with a telephone. The anonymous individual has been abandoned by her lover and reveals that she has attempted to commit suicide. The drama consists of her last conversation with her lover – an intense and sometimes disturbing monologue. Accompanying La voix humaine on the album is Poulenc’s song cycle Fiançailles pour rire (“Betrothals for laughs”), his 1939 setting of six poems from the collection of the same name by Louise de Vilmorin.

Born in the Deep South, Paula Sides grew up in the vibrant sound world of Gospel and Jazz. As a teenager, she was fatefully told by a teacher that she had 'classical chords' and was introduced to, and fell in love with, the world of Classical Music: developing a passion for opera and the stage, as well as for French Song; Poulenc and Faure, with its familiar jazz harmonies. She went on to be awarded the Gold Medal at the Royal College of Music, where she also performed Fiançailles pour rire by Poulenc for the first time at Cadogan Hall. Her operatic repertoire includes Cunegonde/Candide, Tsaritsa of Shemakha/Golden Cockerel, Thais/Thaïs, Mimi & Musetta/La Boheme, Lucrezia/Lucrezia Borgia, Giulietta/Un giorno di regno, Elettra/Idomeneo, Donna Anna/Don Giovanni. Off stage, Paula, will be found in the greenhouse in all weathers enjoying growing things.

Since completing his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London under the tutelage of Malcolm Martineau, Sergey Rybin has worked extensively for City of Birmingham Opera, English Touring Opera, Garsington Opera, Opera Holland Park and Grange Park Opera. He has been elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, London and joined the coaching staff of the Jette Parker Artists' Programme at the Royal Opera House. After working as chief repetiteur on the ROH production of Eugene Onegin, he joined the music staff team for Lucia di Lammermoor, Nabucco, The Nose, Les Contes d'Hoffmann and Der Rosenkavalier. Maintaining various coaching commitments throughout the year, Sergey has returned to Glyndebourne for Nozze di Figaro and travelled to La Monnaie in Brussels for Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades. Most recently he worked as the assistant conductor for Evelino Pidó on La Boheme at the ROH, conducted a nationwide tour of Giulio Cesare for English Touring Opera and assisted Paul Daniel on The Queen of Spades at Grange Festival later in the season.

Tonight's concert will feature a full recital of the two works, and will be filmed for future broadcast as part of the VOCES8 Foundation's 'LIVE From London' online concert series.

Tickets via link below £15.00 each

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Feb
15
7:00 pm19:00

Wishful Singing and The VOCES8 Scholars present Gregorian Treasures

The VOCES8 Foundation and Wishful Singing uncover the hidden beauty of Gregorian music for a global audience.

In March 2024, Wishful Singing and The VOCES8 Foundation will launch the online course Gregorian Treasures. Together with the young, talented professional singers who are part of The VOCES8 Scholars programme, the vocalists will embark on a corresponding Gregorian Treasures tour in April and June 2024, featuring concerts in the Netherlands, England, and France. Through this collaboration, the two organisations are reaching a worldwide audience for this unique ancient repertoire.

Join us on February 8th at The VOCES8 Centre for a pre-release presentation of some of the music from Gregorian Treasures. Alongside the original chant, the programme will also feature modern compositions inspired by the Gregorian heritage, including works such as Maurice Duruflé's 'Ubi Caritas' and Ola Gjeilo's 'Ave Generosa.' The unique interplay between the clear voices of Wishful Singing and the deep tones of The VOCES8 Scholars promises a mystical experience for music enthusiasts.

TIcketss : £10 buy on link below



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Feb
15
11:30 am11:30

Calling all Tenors

This is an unrivalled and exciting opportunity to perform an eclectic repertoire spanning more than 400 years – from renaissance polyphony to jazz and pop standards – to audiences around the world, and to be part of our close-knit family in the studio and on the road. For more information, please download the job pack and have a look at the job specification. We look forward to hearing from you!

We are seeking a tenor to join our ensemble from August 2024.

Deadline: 12pm GMT, 22nd March 2024

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Dec
6
6:00 pm18:00

Voices of Singapore Ladies Choir

Directed by Founder and Artistic Director Dr. Darius Lim, perform at The VOCES8 Centre

Formally founded in 2014 as VOCO Singapore Ladies Choir by Artistic Director Darius Lim, the choir is the first independent all-female choral ensemble in Singapore. Consisting of semi-professional singers, musicians, educators and passionate amateurs, the choir joined VOS Choral Society at its inception in 2019 and was since renamed VOS Ladies Choir (VSL). Their primary goal is to empower women in Singapore, with a mission to present a diverse range of choral music to a worldwide audience.

In June 2016, the choir embarked on their inaugural international European tour and was awarded the 2nd Prize in the Chamber Choir category of the 2016 Cracovia Cantans International Choir Competition in Krakow, Poland. More recently, the choir received the Gold award at the 2021 World Choir Festival.

This fall, VSL is set to return to Europe, commencing their tour in London and concluding in Bratislava for the International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music, where they will compete in two categories. In London, their concert performance will feature a diverse repertoire, including compositions by Artistic Director Darius Lim alongside international classics such as Cesar Carrillo's 'Ave Maria,' and Jose Elberdin's 'Cantate Domino'.

Free tickets must be reserved - click link below

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Nov
27
to 5 Jan

2024/25 VOCES8 Scholars Programme

Apply Now For 2024-25 Season. The VOCES8 scholars programme offers a unique training opportunity. Applications are now open to join us for our 2024 - 25 season. We welcome applications from singers of all voice types at the beginning of their professional careers. Applicants are not required to be UK or US based to be eligible.

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Nov
15
7:00 pm19:00

Daniela Mars: Reverence for the Moment

Harnessing the beautiful textures and timbres of low flutes, Daniela Mars's new album 'Reverence for the Moment' is a contemporary book of hours to reflect and connect through moments of pain, joy, grief and rebirth.

In tonight's concert, Daniela will perform some of the key tracks from the album, which will be released on the following Friday 17 November.

The performance will be filmed for future broadcast.

Daniela Mars, a Trevor James Flutes Artist, is a Brazilian flautist raised in Japan, South Korea, Brazil and England. She is an inspiring soloist, composer, educator, and social media persona, enjoying a rich artistic life driven by a love of nature and travel. From the deepest caves of Vietnam to the mountains and waterfalls of her homeland in Brazil, Daniela loves to make music with her flutes and be immersed and connected with the natural world.

Daniela has a particular interest in extended flute techniques and specialises in performances with the low flutes. As such, she is passionate about working with living composers to create and bring to life new repertoire for these beautiful instruments.

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Nov
14
7:00 pm19:00

Ralf Schnell: For Bunita Marcus

Pianist Ralf Schnell performs Morton Feldman's 1985 work 'For Bunita Marcus', previewing the release of his recording of the piece on the VOCES8 Records label on 24 November.

The concert will be filmed and recorded for future broadcast.

Ralf Schnell is a classical pianist and composer. He studied the piano, chamber music and contemporary music with Manfred Reichert (Ensemble Modern, Mannheim), Burkhard Schaeffer (Mainz) and Darryl Rosenberg (Boston).

Ralf Schnell’s favorite repertoire includes the works of Rachmaninov, Chopin and Brahms, and he is continuously searching to discover new modern or contemporary works. His recitals are always built around a theme that connects the entire program, rather than following the all-too-common recital scheme from Baroque to Classic to Romantic to Modern.

Besides performing his solo recital programs, Ralf focuses on his love for chamber music and especially the ‘Lied’ repertoire of Schubert, Brahms, and Strauss.

Ralf lives with his wife, the musicologist Dr. Dagmar Schnell, near Munich, Germany.

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Sep
22
7:00 pm19:00

"Rehearsal In Paris" and "The Timeless Rose"

The VOCES8 Centre welcomes an evening of classical music, visual story-telling and literature presented by Miami Chamber Music Society and Carducci String Quartet

Experience a captivating evening of artistic innovation with a double bill production featuring "The Timeless Rose" and "Rehearsal in Paris." This extraordinary event seamlessly weaves together the realms of music, literature, and film to offer a unique and immersive experience for the audience.

THE TIMELESS ROSE

Throughout various times, cultures and languages, the mystery of Rose, a reflection of our yearning for love, has endured, transcending both our primal fears and the trials of history. The pursuit of this symbolic legend versus our primal instincts fundamentally shapes our human identity.

REHEARSAL IN PARIS

"Rehearsal in Paris" transports the audience to a realm of pure imagination as it unravels an enchanting narrative. This innovative production invites the spectators to join a mesmerizing expedition to the heart of old Paris and presents a captivating meditation on the fleeting nature of dance. This unique fusion of art forms offers a reflection on the transience of beauty, evoking emotions that resonate long after the curtain falls.

See more information on ticket link below.

Tickets : £15

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Sep
14
8:00 pm20:00

Ringmasters And VOCES8 In Concert

World Champion barbershop quartet Ringmasters blend their awesome virtuosity with the infectious energy of pop music. Their vibrant music and live performances take you from barbershop classics, to Swedish choral music, through Simon and Garfunkel to the Beatles and Elvis Presley.

Following a sell-out joint performance with VOCES8 in Stockholm, the groups now perform together in London for the first time.

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Jul
3
to 29 Jul

Apollo5 New Album - Invocations

Apollo5’s forthcoming studio album, Invocations, was born out of the group’s desire to share fragments of their life stories with audiences, and to encourage listeners to discover their ‘life music’ too. Alongside long-term collaborator Fraser Wilson, Apollo5’s singers individually hand-picked songs and texts that have emotionally resonated with them over the course of their lives; the songs selected were then reworked by Fraser into brand new versions.

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Jun
11
7:00 pm19:00

Virtual Singalong with Eric Whitacre & VOCES8

Want to sing with us and Eric Whitacre? On June 11th we'll be doing a Virtual Singalong where we'll rehearse 'Sing Gently' together, and have time for a Q&A too.

AND if you pre-order our album 'Home' (out on April 14th), you'll get a ticket to this event for free! Wooo!"

Additionally, as part of your ticket, you’ll receive an exclusive download of the sheet music for ‘Sing Gently’ signed by Eric and VOCES8.

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May
29
to 7 Jul

Auditions Open: Our New Upper Voice Ensemble

VOCES8 & The VOCES8 Foundation are delighted to be announcing the formation of a brand new professional six-member upper voice ensemble. Based in the United States, the group will grow to be an active performing, recording, and community teaching ensemble.

Applications will be accepted through July 9, 2023.

Thank you for your interest!

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Apr
2
to 30 Apr

LIVE From London Easter 2023

What better way to contemplate new life and new beginnings than through the music of Bach? Synonymous with Easter but transcending belief, Bach’s music speaks of the hope of being human in a way no other does. Wrapped up with concert celebrations for two new album releases, Barnaby Smith ‘Bach’ and Apollo5 ‘Invocations’, VOCES8 and its Foundation Choir bring you Bach’s St John Passion from Cadogan Hall with the English Chamber Orchestra and Evangelist James Way. Alongside this, a clamoured for re-showing of its 5* The Times reviewed Bach B Minor Mass, filmed at St Bartholomew the Great with the Academy of Ancient Music, Carolyn Sampson, Iestyn Davies, Jeremy Budd and Matthew Brook – both under the baton of Barnaby Smith.

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Mar
5
to 12 May

VOCES8 Composition Competition 2023

We are excited to invite composers to enter the 2023 VOCES8 Composition Competition. We are looking for a new unaccompanied choral work which shows sensitivity in responding to words, a distinctive musical style and fluency in writing for unaccompanied voices.

Shortlisted entries will be judged anonymously by a panel including composers Jonathan Dove, Roxanna Panufnik and Christopher Tin, and members of VOCES8. The winning work will be premiered by VOCES8, recorded for a video release and published by VOCES8 Publishing. Shortlisted entrants will receive detailed feedback from the judges and we hope to offer the winner further opportunities for professional development and relationship with VOCES8.

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Davina Clarke and Mary Bevan: Sweet Stillness
Nov
11
6:30 pm18:30

Davina Clarke and Mary Bevan: Sweet Stillness

Davina Clarke and Mary Bevan: Sweet Stillness

Violinist Davina Clarke and Soprano Mary Bevan are joined by a superlative team of Baroque period players to celebrate the release of their joint album, 'Sweet Stillness'.

The evening will feature performances of works from the album by G.F Handel, including Violin Sonatas in G Minor (HWV 364a) and F Major (HWV 370), and his 9 German Arias (HWV 202-210).

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Milton Abbey Summer Festival
Jul
25
to 30 Jul

Milton Abbey Summer Festival

Join us for another week of superb music-making in the beautiful surroundings of Milton Abbey.

The VOCES8 Foundation presents vocal and orchestral programmes throughout the week in association with world-class visiting artists. The VOCES8 Summer School runs alongside the Festival, and this year the participants will prepare Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor to perform at the end of the week. See more here.

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University of Pretoria Camerata & VOCES8, Christ Church, Spitalfields
Jul
13
7:30 pm19:30

University of Pretoria Camerata & VOCES8, Christ Church, Spitalfields

To close the 2022 Spitalfields Music Festival, we’re joined by the much-loved British vocal ensemble VOCES8 and the TUKS Camerata, an outstanding student choir from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Taking the theme of hope, the evening will celebrate the joy of music, and of being together once more. See more here

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