CHOIRfest 2016
Saturday 9th April
Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre
The house music faded and the beautiful solo voice singing the opening refrain from Now We are Met started the show. Two refrains later, the alto voice was joined by more and more voices, building into a harmony of all the 130 voices from the 6 choirs in the Choirfest in the famous Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre. The show started on a high and kept the audience there all evening.
When the opening applause died away, the curtains opened to Nick Conrad who introduced, hosted and took part in the evening: 2 hours of a wonderful mix of vocal music from across the spectrum.
Cromer Gospel Choir, led by Thompson Zulu, were first on stage opening the concert with their energetic versions of 3 gospel songs before engaging with the other choirs and the audience in their fourth number, These Thousand Hills. Maggi Warren then took the baton, taking the Cliftonville Singers, through songs from the musicals before Ro Curtis and the New Sheringham Singers closed the first half with an eclectic mix of songs with a twist, finishing with all the choirs and the audience joining in with the popular Da doo ron ron.
The newly formed Rockit Choir led by Emma Dale, in their first public performance, started the second half, entertaining the audience with their ballads before Nick Conrad treated the audience to a solo (accompanied by Jan Ashton on the piano) performance of Joyce the Librarian. Teresa Verney and the Sing for Joy choir followed with another varied choice of songs, folk, musicals, African and a gospel number, Train to Glory, for their joint piece.
To round up the evening, Vocality, led by Tony Knight (who organised the evening for Coast Arts, who sponsored the show) sang a beautiful mix of songs from traditional to reggae. The audience were left asking for more.
The idea of the CHOIRfest was to celebrate the breadth of local singing around Cromer, to bring vocal music to a wider audience, to inspire, to applaud and to entertain. Mission well and truly accomplished.
The Cliftonville Singers were founded in the mid-90s as an offshoot of the Cromer and Sheringham Operatic and Dramatic Society to whom they are still affiliated. They take their name from the Cliftonville Hotel in Cromer where they rehearsed in the early days.
The Cliftonville Singers are a mixed voice chamber choir and sing a wide variety of music from Bach to Bacharach,
Madrigals to Musicals.
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Future Programme
Sunday July 10th @ 3pm in St Martin’s Church in Overstrand.
The programme will consist of choir songs by e.g. Whittaker, Finzi, Stanford, Morley and Gibbons and Jerome Kern and will include compositions by Jan Ashton and Maggi Warren. There will be solos for flute and organ and items from Carl Jenkins’ Choral Suite from the Armed Man.
The Cromer Gospel Choir is an open, fun and friendly choir. Starting last Easter with a group of 10 the choir is 1 year old with around 30 singers of all ages and abilities. The Cromer Gospel Choir meets every Tuesday with an aim to learn new songs, have fun and eat cake!
For more information search on Facebook: Cromer Gospel Choir.
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The New Sheringham Singers is a ladies choir, founded in 1985 as the Tuesday Singers. It prides itself in being a
friendly, welcoming group where an audition isn’t necessary but a love of singing is! Their repertoire is diverse, ranging from madrigals to movies and everything in between.
The New Sheringham Singers rehearse and perform at The Lighthouse in Sheringham.
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Future Programme
Sun. 17 April 3pm English Country Garden – a musical stroll through the flora & fauna of a country garden! With Helen Orsborne – soprano; at the Lighthouse, Sheringham
Sun 24th July 3pm Showstoppers! A selection of well loved favourites from stage & screen.With Charles Chambers – piano at The Lighthouse, Sheringham Tickets £6 on the door or Bertram Watts, Sheringham.
The Rockit Choir is a mixed vocal ensemble in Cromer. The repertoire is wide and very varied, with the majority of material being learnt by ear. The choir generally sings in two parts, although other harmonies have been known to creep in!
Most of the Rockit members are new to group singing (some new to singing); this concert will be the first time the choir has performed to an audience. The aims of the Rockit Choir are to enjoy singing in a relaxed atmosphere, meet new people and have fun.
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Sing for Joy! is a Community Choir with singers meeting in Cromer and Sheringham. It is an open access group
for which there are no auditions and everyone is made welcome, no matter if you really think that you can’t sing.
Everything is taught by ear in a friendly and relaxed manner, and the prime aim is to have fun. Sing for Joy! sing
wonderful harmony songs from around the world and, just because it is fun, Sing for Joy! have one concert a year.
email:
web: teresaverney.weebly.com
Future Programme
Concert at St Peters in Sheringham on July 2nd at 6.30pm.
Singing the Harmonies a day workshop using some simple songs to explore how harmony touches us and makes us feel so good. Upper Sheringham Village Hall Sunday 22nd May 11am-4pm
Vocality is a vocal ensemble of 11 voices, based in Cromer, created 5 years ago from experienced singers who mainly live in North Norfolk. Vocality love singing a wide range of unaccompanied vocal music from classical to popular including pieces arranged specially for this group.
Vocality has a busy and varied programme performing in concerts, church services and weddings and is always pleased to support fund raising activities.
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Future Programme
14 May 7:30pm Concert in St Catherine’s Church, Ludham
12 June Evensong St James’ Church, Southrepps
19 June 4:00pm Tea Concert in Binham Priory
8 October 7:30pm Concert St Botolph’s Church, Trunch