Groundbreaking choir seek singers for new Norfolk & Norwich Festival project
The Voice Project Choir have announced their new commission for the 2013 Norfolk & Norwich Festival – and are calling for participants to take part in the spectacular project.
The Voice Project: Ideas of Flight Taster Session
Friends Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane, Norwich NR2 1EW
Tuesday 19th February 2013 – 7.30pm £5
Friends Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane, Norwich NR2 1EW
01603 624854
www.voiceproject.co.uk
Ideas of Flight is an adventurous newly-commissioned choral song-cycle inspired by birds in flight. Inspired by a poetry project created by the RSPB it will feature poems by some of our most distinguished contemporary poets including Andrew Motion, Wendy Cope, Ruth Padel and Don Paterson, set for 100 voices by composers Barbara Thompson MBE, Orlando Gough, Karen Wimhurst and Jon Baker.
The choir is totally open access, there are no auditions and first timers are positively welcomed. The age range runs from 18 to 80 and the choir is created from beginners, experienced performers, and everything inbetween. Most people are far more musical than we think, and singing regularly in a group can really lift your spirits. Many join time and time again, extolling the relaxing and therapeutic values of singing in such uplifting surroundings.
One recent recruit said ‘I had never sung in a choir before, and was quite nervous about airing my voice in public … but Sian and Jon created such an incredibly supportive, fun, engaging, and non-judgmental atmosphere during weekly practice that any fears I had about being a novice faded rapidly away. The setting and choreography for the performance itself added to the excitement and reward of being part of the Voice Project. More please!’
The first person to sign up to join the choir is none other than Norfolk & Norwich Festival Director William Galinski himself who is keen to lead the way and discover the joys of song and singing.
There is a no commitment ‘taster’ evening at on Tuesday 19 February at 7.30pm at The Friends Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane. Prospective singers can just turn up on the night or get further information from www.voiceproject.co.uk or [email protected].
After the taster rehearsals will take place each Tuesday up to the concert in May.
Ideas of Flight will be performed on Saturday 11 May at Norwich Cathedral and negotiation are at an advanced stage to feature top international musicians to perform with the choir.
Poets who have already signed up for the project (with more expected) are Andrew Motion, Wendy Cope, Ruth Padel, Katrina Porteous, Don Paterson, Martin Figura, Jane Draycott, Maura Dooley, John Fuller and David Morley.
Previous works by The Voice Project Choir have gone on to be performed at The Queen Elizabeth Hall London, Sage Gateshead, and at Normandy’s ‘Jazz Sous Les Pommiers’ Festival. The choir has been featured on BBC 1, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3.
Last year’s Voice Project Choir Norfolk & Norwich Festival commission ‘Singing The City’ was shortlisted in the People’s Choice section of the Norfolk Arts Awards.
