Anyone can join internationally renowned Norfolk choir and sing in Norwich Cathedral

The latest call is out for anyone who would like to sing with an internationally renowned Norfolk choir.

The Voice Project Choir are recruiting singers for their winter concert. Absolutely anyone over 16 is welcome to join, there are no auditions and all rehearsals are conducted in such a way that no previous experience of singing or music is required. ‘All you need is enthusiasm’ said co-director Jonathan Baker.

Anyone who thinks they may be interested can attend a no obligation taster session on 11 October 2016 after which weekly rehearsals begin on 18 October, leading to a large-scale concert in Norwich Cathedral. ‘A taster session is a perfect way to test if this may be for you’ commented Jon’s co-Director Sian Croose ‘everyone is in the same boat, just trying out something new with no stress or expectations – but I have to say most seem to love it and decide to commit to the full project there and then!’

The concert, on Saturday 21 January 2017 will be their first full performance at Norwich Cathedral since 2013. It will feature new music composed by Helen Chadwick (who has been commissioned by the likes of the Royal Opera House, English Touring Opera the BBC, Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre), Orlando Gough, acknowledged as one of the UK’s most important composers and the Voice Project’s own Jonathan Baker. The modern music will accompany words by Emily Dickinson, 13th Century Sufi poet Rumi and English Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

The project will offer participants the opportunity to sing under the expert guidance of Voice Project Directors Sian Croose and Jon Baker who have run the project since 2008. ‘It’s a great way to sing your way through the winter!’ added Jon.

Sian explained ‘Singing in the brilliant acoustics of the Cathedral is always special and with this piece, at the deepest point of hibernation of the winter, we hope to create a dream-like piece of music that will transport the singers and the audience to a different place. Mid January can seem the darkest part of the year following the glitz and gaiety of Christmas. We will be working with our fantastic team of artists to create a piece that is going to fill the Cathedral with seasonal light and sound.

One of the special characteristics of the Voice Project’s work is their original approach to animating the buildings they perform in with music and light, taking a familiar place and encouraging us to experience it differently.

The January concert, which has yet to be titled, will also feature guest musicians and solo singers. It is the first part of the choir’s exciting new project ‘The Arms of Sleep‘. Between October 2016 and January 2018 a sequence of pieces will be created for the choir, exploring themes of sleeping and waking. As well as commissioning composers and poets, Jon and Sian will be working with sleep scientists and designers to create world–class choral theatre in inspiring surroundings. This will involve performances for the Norfolk & Norwich Festival next May and site specific performances at festivals around the country in 2018.

The Voice Project were People’s Choice Award winners at the 2013 and 2014 Norfolk Arts Awards, and are currently nominees for 2016. They have taken their unique vision of what a community choir can be to international jazz festivals in mainland Europe, appeared on prime time French TV and had one of their London concerts broadcast on BBC Radio 3. It is now one of the best known choirs in the East of England, having given many hundreds of singers the opportunity to take part in unique creative performances of high quality new vocal music. Jon & Sian also run vocal workshops designed to build confidence and encourage participants to explore a wide variety of uplifting and inspiring music.

For more information on the taster session or to book visit www.voiceproject.co.uk or contact [email protected]

The Voice Project currently have a crowdfunding appeal to help raise money towards the Arms of Sleep project, full details are at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-voice-project-1

Tuesday 11th October 7.30pm

The Voice Project Choir Taster session

No obligation taster session to try your hand (and voice). Everyone welcome, no experience or special ability needed.
Friends Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane, Norwich NR2 1EW 01603 624854
www.voiceproject.co.uk