Voces8

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Eventide
  UK 59 02/15/2014 (1 week)

Voces8 is an a cappella octet from Great Britain that performs internationally and has recorded classical, jazz, pop and its own arrangements - recently under its own label "Voces8 Records".

development

Voces8 is a British vocal ensemble that was formed in 2003 and regrouped in 2005 by brothers Paul and Barnaby Smith. At times the octet consisted of two sopranos, two countertenors, two tenors, a baritone and a bass, with one of the countertenors being replaced by a female alto by 2020. The Smith brothers were members of the Westminster Abbey Choir.

The ensemble's repertoire includes pieces from the early English and continental renaissance, traditional folk songs, classical jazz, pop and their own arrangements. In 2015 Voces8 played music by Claudio Monteverdi with four guest singers in a concert at Wigmore Hall in London . They have performed internationally and toured particularly in Europe, Asia and North America.

Voces8 has commissioned new works from composers including Ēriks Ešenvalds, Ola Gjeilo, Alexander Levine, Roxanna Panufnik and Ben Parry. Jim Clements is her arranger in residence.

Members

Current members

  • Andrea Haines - first soprano (since 2008)
  • Eleonore Cockerham - Second Soprano (since 2017)
  • Katie Jeffries-Harris - First Old (since 2018)
  • Barnaby Smith - Second Alto / Countertenor (since 2005)
  • Blake Morgan - First Tenor (since 2016)
  • Euan Williamson - Second Tenor (since 2019)
  • Chris Moore - baritone (since 2018)
  • Jonathan Pacey - bass (since 2015)

former members

  • Rachel Major - Principal Soprano (2005-2008)
  • Catherine Backhouse - second soprano (2005-2009)
  • Emily Dickens - Second Soprano (2009-2017)
  • Daniel Keating-Smith - first countertenor (2005-2007)
  • Chris Wardle - First Countertenor (2007-2018)
  • Charles MacDougall - first tenor (2005–2012)
  • Oliver Vincent - first tenor (2012-2016)
  • Thomas Elwin - second tenor (2005–2006)
  • Robin Bailey - second tenor (2006-2009)
  • Robert Smith - second tenor (2009-2013)
  • Sam Dressel - second tenor (2013-2019)
  • Paul Smith - baritone (2005-2016)
  • Rob Clark - baritone (2016-2018)
  • Simon Whiteley - bass (2005-2006)
  • Greg Hallam - bass (2006-2007)
  • Dingle Yandell - bass (2007-2015)

Recordings

Voces8 recorded with Decca, with Signum and their own Voces8 Records label. On the occasion of its 15th anniversary in 2020, the group is realizing a project called After Silence , which consists of four digital EPs.

  • Aces High (2010, Signum)
  • Bach's Motets (2010)
  • Brahms, Bruckner, Reger (2011)
  • In the Beginning (2012)
  • A Capella Songbook (2012, Paperback)
  • Christmas (2012, Signum)
  • A choir tapestry (2012, Signum)
  • Where I Sleep (2014, Decca)
  • Eventide (2014, Decca)
  • LUX (2015, Decca)
  • Winter (2016, Decca)
  • Equinox (2018)
  • A Cappella Songbook 2 (2018, Paperback)
  • VOCES8 EP (2019)
  • Enchanted Isle (2019)

Cooperations

  • A Capella Collection (2012, Signum) - together with other groups on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Signum Records
  • Choral Collection (2012, Signum) - together with other groups on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Signum Records
  • Early Music Collection (2012, Signum) - together with other groups on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Signum Records
  • A Purcell Collection (2014, Signum) - Voces8, Les Inventions
  • Psalms (2015, Signum) - compositions by Benedetto Marcello, Voces8 and Les Inventions
  • Ola Gjeilo (2018, Deccy) - compositions by Ola Gjeilo and Voces8
  • Home Is (2018) - by Jacob Collier and Voces8

Educational work

With the support of the Voces8 Foundation, Voces8 offers workshops and master classes in which up to 40,000 musicians take part each year. The group also awards eight choir scholarships to young singers every year. Amateur singers can work and perform with Voces8 at Milton Abbey Summer School, which is offered year after year. Eight other students are supported by the Voces8 USA Foundation. The ensemble is affiliated with Cambridge University and offers Masters courses in choral singing.

swell

  1. ↑ Voces8 in the UK charts

Web links