Read about past 'News & Reviews'...
Sunday 27th December 2009
Chantage on BBC Radio 3
Following a recording session at BBC Maida Vale Studios earlier in the year, Chantage's recording of three commissioned works is broadcast on The Choir, with Aled Jones presenting. The prize for winning the Choir of the Year competition, in November 2006, was to have a new work commissioned by the BBC for the choir. After some discussion it was agreed that this could instead be divided amongst 3 composers, to write shorter works each, and so pieces were commissioned from Richard Allain, Gabriel Jackson and Sir John Tavener.
The broadcast was put out over the Christmas break in December 2009.
Chantage on BBC Radio 3
Following a recording session at BBC Maida Vale Studios earlier in the year, Chantage's recording of three commissioned works is broadcast on The Choir, with Aled Jones presenting. The prize for winning the Choir of the Year competition, in November 2006, was to have a new work commissioned by the BBC for the choir. After some discussion it was agreed that this could instead be divided amongst 3 composers, to write shorter works each, and so pieces were commissioned from Richard Allain, Gabriel Jackson and Sir John Tavener.
The broadcast was put out over the Christmas break in December 2009.
Tuesday 20th December 2009
Carol Service with the St Peter's Singers
Brought together by Director of Music, Will Fraser, the St Peter's Singers is an ad-hoc group that is formed for special services at St Peter's church in Vauxhaul.
James Davey was invited to conduct the choir, singing various carol anthems for the church's annual Carol Service.
Carol Service with the St Peter's Singers
Brought together by Director of Music, Will Fraser, the St Peter's Singers is an ad-hoc group that is formed for special services at St Peter's church in Vauxhaul.
James Davey was invited to conduct the choir, singing various carol anthems for the church's annual Carol Service.
Thursday 17th December 2009
CarolFest 2009
Aylesbury Festival Choir, formerly called the December Singers, performed at the annual CarolFest in the main square in Aylesbury Town Centre, to a large crowd of spectators and supporters. The gathered crowd were handed word-sheets and encouraged to sing along with the well known carols, being entertained in between songs by a local Radio DJ who compered the event.
CarolFest 2009
Aylesbury Festival Choir, formerly called the December Singers, performed at the annual CarolFest in the main square in Aylesbury Town Centre, to a large crowd of spectators and supporters. The gathered crowd were handed word-sheets and encouraged to sing along with the well known carols, being entertained in between songs by a local Radio DJ who compered the event.
Friday 15th December 2009
Angels sing at Christmas
Angels sing at Christmas
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The Guardian's Angels presented their annual Christmas Concert, this year at Clerkenwell's centrepiece church, St James.
In addition to the pieces form the choir, the programme included solo items as well as some smaller ensemble contributions. A highlight of the concert was a piano duet performed by Martin Prendergast (a Guardian employee and former accompanist of the Guardian's Angels) and Alan Rusbridger (Editor of the Guardian). A talented pianist, Alan Rusbridgers' contributions to Guardian's Angels concerts have become something of a tradition. The concert also included guests from Channel 4 TV, from where began the idea of starting a choir with Channel 4 staff. 
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Just a month or two earlier, this article about the Guardian's Angels was published in 'The Old Un's diary'
Thursday 10th December 2009
Carols For Everyone
Aylesbury Festival Choir performed their annual 'Carols for everyone' show at the Aylesbury Civic Centre, along with children from two local schools.
Children from Bedgrove Junior School performed in their school choir and handbell ringing group, and children from Turnfurlong Infant School delivered a nativity tableau whilst the choirs filled the background with the carol, Away in a manger.
Carols For Everyone
Aylesbury Festival Choir performed their annual 'Carols for everyone' show at the Aylesbury Civic Centre, along with children from two local schools.
Children from Bedgrove Junior School performed in their school choir and handbell ringing group, and children from Turnfurlong Infant School delivered a nativity tableau whilst the choirs filled the background with the carol, Away in a manger.
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Sunday 29th November 2009
Central Harmony & Bridge Quartet
Central Harmony, a community choir in Hounslow, joined forces with the Bridge Quartet this term to give several collaborative performances to local audiences. The programme included a version of Pachelbel's Canon in D, in which the Bridge Quartet played the original Canon on their strings, whilst the choir sung repeated sections of the Canon in the style of the Swingle Singers.
Central Harmony & Bridge Quartet
Central Harmony, a community choir in Hounslow, joined forces with the Bridge Quartet this term to give several collaborative performances to local audiences. The programme included a version of Pachelbel's Canon in D, in which the Bridge Quartet played the original Canon on their strings, whilst the choir sung repeated sections of the Canon in the style of the Swingle Singers.
Saturday 28th November 2009
Aylesbury Festival Choir perform Opera & Jazz
The Aylesbury Festival Choir performed a mixed programme of Opera and Jazz, in a programme that was not their usual style, but which was a great success.
Joss O'Kelly form the Bucks Herald reviewed the concert:
Aylesbury Festival Choir perform Opera & Jazz
The Aylesbury Festival Choir performed a mixed programme of Opera and Jazz, in a programme that was not their usual style, but which was a great success.
Joss O'Kelly form the Bucks Herald reviewed the concert:
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There was a full house at St Mary’s Church on Saturday November 28 for the first concert of Aylesbury Festival Choir’s new season.
The concert, billed as Opera and Jazz, included a delightful mixture of songs, although some did work better than others. The two least effective pieces were in the opera section: the Eugene Onegin excerpt was an odd choice that really only works in context, while the Toreador song from Carmen would have benefitted from being sung in the original French. That said, all of the choir’s numbers were very well sung, and the strength of their performance was all the more evident with a piano accompaniment. The piano was in the capable hands of Thelma King and her playing in such a wide variety of genres was impressive throughout. Under conductor James Davey, the choir continues on its upward momentum and the programme was a perfect showcase for their talents. The only really jazzy piece in the second part was Bob Chilcott’s extraordinary Little Jazz Mass. We also heard a fantastic Cole Porter medley and a rather jolly version of the American folk song Heavenly Aeroplane, which got a well deserved encore. The choral items were interspersed with a number of songs from a pair of fabulous singers. Soprano Diana Sharp sang Dido’s Lament, and tenor Nick Sales On the Street Where You Live, among others, while their duets ranged from Verdi’s Brindisi (complete with glasses of wine!) and Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm. There were also excerpts from Tippett’s Child of Our Time - a complete performance one day perhaps? Aylesbury Festival Choir are to be congratulated on a most enjoyable concert. - Joss O’Kelly, Bucks Herald |
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Saturday 7th November 2009
Chantage turns 10
Chantage celebrated turning 10 years old by putting on a celebratory concert at the Royal College of Music in the stunning Amarylis Concert Hall. The programme was entirely chosen by votes from the choir, who were given a list of all the repertoire that Chantage had performed during it's 10 year history.
Chantage turns 10
Chantage celebrated turning 10 years old by putting on a celebratory concert at the Royal College of Music in the stunning Amarylis Concert Hall. The programme was entirely chosen by votes from the choir, who were given a list of all the repertoire that Chantage had performed during it's 10 year history.
Sunday 16th - 23rd August 2009
Cranleigh Choral Week
Cranleigh Choral Week
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The Cranleight Choral week ran again this year, with several hundred singers flocking to join one of four chamber choirs that rehearse throughout the early part of the week, before focussing on a larger work for performance at the end of their course, with Jeffrey Wynn-Davies.
James Davey was a guest tutor for the course, co-leading two of the chamber choirs, and concluding with a performance in Cranleigh School's magnificent chapel on Thursday 20th August. "James, thank you so much for your involvement last week. |
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Sunday 26th July - 2nd August 2009
Canford Summer School of Music
James Davey returned to the Canford Summer School of Music for the second year, leading the Cappella Choir.
The Gallant Weaver, by James MacMillan, was the favourite piece of the week. Here's a short video recording (low quality and distorted balance of course) of MacMillan's piece from the stairwell of the Sherborne School Chapel - some say the best accoustic in the building - as a fond farewell to everyone until next year!
Canford Summer School of Music
James Davey returned to the Canford Summer School of Music for the second year, leading the Cappella Choir.
The Gallant Weaver, by James MacMillan, was the favourite piece of the week. Here's a short video recording (low quality and distorted balance of course) of MacMillan's piece from the stairwell of the Sherborne School Chapel - some say the best accoustic in the building - as a fond farewell to everyone until next year!
Thursday 14th May 2009
Guardian's Angels perform Faure Requiem
In support of the New Horizons Youth Centre, and following an internal choir recruitment project, the choir performed Faure's Requiem along with some other classical favourites. The concert was not entirely classical music, but moved significantly away from the choir's previous programme of pop and rock music.
Guardian's Angels perform Faure Requiem
In support of the New Horizons Youth Centre, and following an internal choir recruitment project, the choir performed Faure's Requiem along with some other classical favourites. The concert was not entirely classical music, but moved significantly away from the choir's previous programme of pop and rock music.
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Saturday 9th May 2009
ABCD and Making Music's 'The Big Sing'
The Association of British Choral Directors and Making Music joined forces to present 'The Big Sing' in Darlington, a day of singing and conductor training, tutored by James Davey and Paul Spicer.
James Davey began the day with a warm-up session and then lead conductor training sessions whilst Paul Spicer took the singers through Ralph Vaughan-Williams' challenging work, Toward the Unknown Region.
ABCD and Making Music's 'The Big Sing'
The Association of British Choral Directors and Making Music joined forces to present 'The Big Sing' in Darlington, a day of singing and conductor training, tutored by James Davey and Paul Spicer.
James Davey began the day with a warm-up session and then lead conductor training sessions whilst Paul Spicer took the singers through Ralph Vaughan-Williams' challenging work, Toward the Unknown Region.
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Saturday 25th April 2009
Aylesbury Festival Choir's 50th Anniversary Concert
To mark their 50th Anniversary since they were formed, the Aylesbury Festival Choir performed the full version of George Frederick Handel's Messiah. This was James Davey's first concert with the choir, having taken up the post of Musical Director in January 2009. It featured a top class line up of soloists and was accompanied by the Lawes Baroque Orchestra, a professional orchestra whose players work with Harry Christophers and the Sixteen.
The performance was recorded and is available for purchase from the choir, via their web site.
Aylesbury Festival Choir's 50th Anniversary Concert
To mark their 50th Anniversary since they were formed, the Aylesbury Festival Choir performed the full version of George Frederick Handel's Messiah. This was James Davey's first concert with the choir, having taken up the post of Musical Director in January 2009. It featured a top class line up of soloists and was accompanied by the Lawes Baroque Orchestra, a professional orchestra whose players work with Harry Christophers and the Sixteen.
The performance was recorded and is available for purchase from the choir, via their web site.
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Monday 6th April 2009
Chantage record McCartney for BBC Radio 2
As part of a BBC Radio 2 show called 'The Great British Songbook', a number of popular songs were being broadcast in various arrangements, to discuss what elements of a song made it worthy of being included in this collection.
Chantage recorded an arrangement of Sir Paul McCartney's song, Baby I'm Amazed, especially arranged for the recording by Richard Allain who assisted the Producer's from the sound booth.
Chantage record McCartney for BBC Radio 2
As part of a BBC Radio 2 show called 'The Great British Songbook', a number of popular songs were being broadcast in various arrangements, to discuss what elements of a song made it worthy of being included in this collection.
Chantage recorded an arrangement of Sir Paul McCartney's song, Baby I'm Amazed, especially arranged for the recording by Richard Allain who assisted the Producer's from the sound booth.
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Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th March 2009
The Fleet Singers perform with Les Grooms at the Barbican
The Fleet Singers perform with Les Grooms at the Barbican
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Just a few weeks after celebrating their first anniversary, the Fleet Singers headed to the Barbican Centre. In a flashmob style journey through the local streets around the Barbican Centre, Les Grooms performed an entertaining series of mischievous musical treats, to the surprise of passers-by, and the joy of a crowd of followers!
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At around the same time, Pam Gilby, Chairman of the choir and the driving force behind the running of the group, was nominated for, and received, an Unsung Hero award for her work in the community of the borough of Camden.
Wednesday 11th February 2009
Guardian's Angels perform at Westminster Cathedral Hall, London
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The Guardian's Angels is the staff choir of Guardian News and Media (GNM). Set up in 2002 with the aim of bringing music into the workplace, any member of staff can join the choir. There are no auditions - all that's required is enthusiasm, a love of music and a willingness to perform.
It seemed very appropriate therefore that the choir was invited to perform for the launch of Music in Offices' Office Choir of the Year Competition. The choir was spotted performing in a news feature on BBC London Tonight, in the run up to the launch event. GNM recently moved into new premises at Kings Place, where our new neighbours include the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the London Sinfonietta, many of whose office staff are now members of our choir. We are taken through our paces each week by our Musical Director, James Davey, who is also MD of Chantage (BBC Choir of the year 2006). Past performances have included the world premiere of Phil Cashian's "Opening of the House" with the London Sinfonietta at the King's Place Concert Hall. - Cathy Black, Guardian |
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Saturday 17th January 2009
Chantage record with Elbow, live from Abbey Road
Chantage were invited to record at Abbey Road Studios with indie band, Elbow, in a live performance/recording of their Mercury Music Prize winning album, The Seldom Seen Kid. The recording was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and then screened on the BBC's Red Button and online for seven days (Saturday 31 January to Saturday 7 February).
Chantage record with Elbow, live from Abbey Road
Chantage were invited to record at Abbey Road Studios with indie band, Elbow, in a live performance/recording of their Mercury Music Prize winning album, The Seldom Seen Kid. The recording was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and then screened on the BBC's Red Button and online for seven days (Saturday 31 January to Saturday 7 February).
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Elbow's lead singer, Guy Garvey, said: "The whole experience of playing in such a historic studio with an amazing orchestra and choir was one of the best things we have ever done as a band. There were plenty of moments where we had to take a deep breath so we didn't all start blubbing."
The clip below is of one of the tracks from the performance (which is available from Elbow's web site as a special edition CD/DVD box set - and is also on the inflight entertainment of Virgin Atlantic Airways) called One Day Like This Unfortunately James fell ill on the day of the performance, so the warm-up was lead by Felicity Hamilton. 
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Over 1 million views were recorded from people pressing their Red Button or going online to watch the unique performance Elbow gave with Chantage and the BBC Concert Orchestra, making it the most popular music session ever shown on the BBC's Red Button.
Lewis Carnie, Head of Programmes for Radio 2 and 6 Music said: "I'm delighted that so many Radio 2 listeners
accessed one of the finest live performances we have ever recorded for Radio 2." |
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