BBC Radio Norfolk Choir Of The Year Viva Voce Singers Celebrates 20 Years With Anniversary Concert

Online, November 17, 2011 (Newswire.com) - BBC Radio Norfolk Choir of the Year Viva Voce Singers
celebrates 20 years with anniversary concert

Triple celebration for Norwich choir

Norwich chamber choir Viva Voce Singers is holding a concert at St Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich, on Saturday 19 November at 7.30pm to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The choir was formed in 1991 under the name Norfolk Pro Musica. Past members of the choir have been invited to join the festivities.

The concert also celebrates Viva Voce Singers' recent award as joint winner of the BBC Radio Norfolk Choir of the Year 2011 competition.

Commenting on the choir's winning performance, chief judge Peter Wilson, chief executive, Norwich Theatre Royal, said the singing was "technically absolutely flawless and really invigorating to listen to."

The concert programme features music which is well-loved by choral singers, and has been chosen to celebrate the joy of choral singing.

Included in the concert is Benjamin Britten's Hymn to St Cecilia, a musical setting of the poem by WH Auden and ode to the patron saint of musicians. The concert takes place three days before St Cecilia's Day, the 22nd November.

The first half of the concert features music by 16th century composers including Gabrieli and Palestrina, representing a golden age for European choral music. It also features anthems including Ave Verum and the aptly named Sing Joyfully by William Byrd, considered by many to be the greatest and best loved of English choral composers.

The second half features the moving Songs of Farewell by Hubert Parry, one of the finest Romantic a cappella works for choirs.

Tickets for the concert cost £10 (£6 concessions) and can be bought in advance from St George's music shop, Norwich, tel: 01603 626414, or on the door.

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About Viva Voce Singers

Viva Voce Singers is a Norwich-based chamber choir of around 20 singers and winner of the BBC Radio Norfolk Choir of the Year 2011. Its members range in age from their 20s to their 70s, and come from all around the county.

The choir's repertoire is extensive and varied, but specialises in Renaissance and contemporary music. It gives around five concerts a year and also helps to raise money for local charities. The choir, has, to date, raised over £20,000.

www.vivavocesingersnorwich.org.uk

About BBC Radio Norfolk Choir of the Year 2011

Viva Voce Singers and Catton Community Choir took the prize of Choir of the Year jointly, in the contest run by BBC Radio Norfolk.

The eight finalists in the competition were judged by Peter Wilson, chief executive officer of Norwich Theatre Royal, the Venerable Jan McFarlane, Archdeacon of Norwich, and BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Helen McDermott. The winners were announced on air during the Emma Philpotts Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Norfolk on Sunday 23 October 2011.

Viva Voce Singers will perform at the Emergency Services Carol Service at Norwich Cathedral on 5 December as part of the prize.

For further information please contact (not for publication)
Emma Woolfenden
secretary, Viva Voce Singers
07796 958196
[email protected]