Voces8
Encyclopedia
VOCES8 is an international award winning a cappella
octet
from the United Kingdom
. Formed in 2005, Voces8 has a diverse repertoire ranging from early English and European Renaissance
choral works, by e.g. Orlando Gibbons
to their own arrangements, written by Jim Clements, of jazz
and pop songs.
The group has recorded 8 CDs: "Choral Tapestry" (2011); The Bach Motets (2010); Aces High (2010); Evensong (2008); From Gibbons to Gershwin (2007); Blessings (2006); and Snowed In (2006). The most recent recordings are on the Signum label.
VOCES8 is the flagship ensemble of Voces Cantabiles Music, a music foundation based in South East England. Other ensembles in this organisation include Voces Cantabiles. This youth choir won seven awards at the 2005 International Choral Grand Prix held in Gorizia, Italy, and other prizes one year later at competitions in Slovenia and Spain. Voces Cantabiles, conducted by Barnaby Smith, has released a CD of previously unrecorded music by the Renaissance composer, Robert Parsons, on Naxos.
VOCES8 performs in concert internationally, and won 1st prize and the audience vote for Best Act at the challenging International Choral Competition in Gorizia
, Italy
, 2005. In 2006 Voces8 won two first prizes at the international choral competition in Tolosa, Spain.
The group has appeared on the BBC and performed on television and radio in Germany, Belgium, Austria, Slovenia, France, Spain and Italy. Forthcoming international tours in 2010-11 include the USA, China, France, Germany, Israel, Sweden, Spain and Italy. VOCES8 has also recorded live for Deutschland Radio Kultur whilst on tour in 2007, as well as for Radio France Musique. In 2012 the ensemble will appear on the BBC series Songs of Praise.
Voces8 members:
"The UK a cappella group is the vocal cream that floats to the top this summer" Timeout Beijing
"Rich sounds of beautifully blended voices intertwining in pristine velvety textures. The a cappella group Voces8 offers more: an impressive stage presence with imaginative theatricality and a well balanced programme" - Malcolm Miller,Classical Music Daily www.mvdaily.com, May 2006
"To hear Voces8 is an aural experience for their crisp intonation, sensitive attention to phrasing and the ability to produce a sound that spans the entire range of vocal colour." - David sonin
, Ham and High, July 2006
"Four stars. If you like a good warble but "popera" makes you sick, this mix of carols, classical and jazz from the award-winning octet will be a balm to the ears. Trad holiday fare without an ounce of cheese, its haunting renditions of Gabriel's Message, and Ben Folds
' The Luckiest are great, but the title track, which reimagines the Miss Marple theme tune as a camp cautionary tale, is the bonkers cherry on top." - Louise Jackman, Evensong album review, thelondonpaper, December 2008
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
octet
Octet (music)
In music, an octet is a musical ensemble consisting of eight instruments or voices, or a musical composition written for such an ensemble.-Octets in classical music:Octets in classical music are one of the largest groupings of chamber music...
from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Formed in 2005, Voces8 has a diverse repertoire ranging from early English and European Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
choral works, by e.g. Orlando Gibbons
Orlando Gibbons
Orlando Gibbons was an English composer, virginalist and organist of the late Tudor and early Jacobean periods...
to their own arrangements, written by Jim Clements, of jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and pop songs.
The group has recorded 8 CDs: "Choral Tapestry" (2011); The Bach Motets (2010); Aces High (2010); Evensong (2008); From Gibbons to Gershwin (2007); Blessings (2006); and Snowed In (2006). The most recent recordings are on the Signum label.
VOCES8 is the flagship ensemble of Voces Cantabiles Music, a music foundation based in South East England. Other ensembles in this organisation include Voces Cantabiles. This youth choir won seven awards at the 2005 International Choral Grand Prix held in Gorizia, Italy, and other prizes one year later at competitions in Slovenia and Spain. Voces Cantabiles, conducted by Barnaby Smith, has released a CD of previously unrecorded music by the Renaissance composer, Robert Parsons, on Naxos.
VOCES8 performs in concert internationally, and won 1st prize and the audience vote for Best Act at the challenging International Choral Competition in Gorizia
Gorizia
Gorizia is a town and comune in northeastern Italy, in the autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. It is located at the foot of the Julian Alps, bordering Slovenia. It is the capital of the Province of Gorizia, and it is a local center of tourism, industry, and commerce. Since 1947, a twin...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, 2005. In 2006 Voces8 won two first prizes at the international choral competition in Tolosa, Spain.
The group has appeared on the BBC and performed on television and radio in Germany, Belgium, Austria, Slovenia, France, Spain and Italy. Forthcoming international tours in 2010-11 include the USA, China, France, Germany, Israel, Sweden, Spain and Italy. VOCES8 has also recorded live for Deutschland Radio Kultur whilst on tour in 2007, as well as for Radio France Musique. In 2012 the ensemble will appear on the BBC series Songs of Praise.
Voces8 members:
- Emily Dickens (soprano)
- Andrea Haines (soprano)
- Chris Wardle (counter-tenor)
- Barnaby Smith (counter-tenor)
- Charles MacDougall (tenor)
- Robert Smith (tenor)
- Paul Smith (baritone)
- Dingle Yandell (bass)
Education work
As part of the charitable foundation, Voces Cantabiles Music, VOCES8 works with 25,000 young people each year. The foundation runs creative music education projects with schools and communities across the UK, and internationally in France, the US and Sweden. Education partners include:- INECC Mission Voix Lorraine
- SWICCO
- Ardingly College
- Bedford School
- Grey Coat Hospital FoundationGrey Coat HospitalThe Grey Coat Hospital is a Church of England comprehensive secondary school for girls in Westminster, London, England.-History:The school was founded on St. Andrew's Day in 1698. Eight members of the congregation of St. Margaret's, Westminster donated towards the founding of the school, initially...
- Concordia Foundation
- Slough Music Service
- Soundstorm
Past members
VOCES8 turned professional in 2007. The current line up of VOCES8 contains five of these original members. Past members include:- Rachel Major
- Catherine Backhouse
- Robin Bailey
Critical reaction
Radio 3's CD Review, on Saturday 30 January 2010, described the VOCES8 release, Aces High, as 'two parts Kings Singers, three parts Swingle [Singers], a dash of Bobby McFerrin and California sunshine...Fans of close harmony ought to hear this.'"The UK a cappella group is the vocal cream that floats to the top this summer" Timeout Beijing
"Rich sounds of beautifully blended voices intertwining in pristine velvety textures. The a cappella group Voces8 offers more: an impressive stage presence with imaginative theatricality and a well balanced programme" - Malcolm Miller,Classical Music Daily www.mvdaily.com, May 2006
"To hear Voces8 is an aural experience for their crisp intonation, sensitive attention to phrasing and the ability to produce a sound that spans the entire range of vocal colour." - David sonin
David Sonin
David Sonin was a music critic and arts journalist.He was born in Whitechapel, East London, in 1935, but his father Isidore moved his family to Australia shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. He was educated at a Jesuit primary and Sydney Grammar School, then read mathematics and...
, Ham and High, July 2006
"Four stars. If you like a good warble but "popera" makes you sick, this mix of carols, classical and jazz from the award-winning octet will be a balm to the ears. Trad holiday fare without an ounce of cheese, its haunting renditions of Gabriel's Message, and Ben Folds
Ben Folds
Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world...
' The Luckiest are great, but the title track, which reimagines the Miss Marple theme tune as a camp cautionary tale, is the bonkers cherry on top." - Louise Jackman, Evensong album review, thelondonpaper, December 2008