Voces8
VOCES8 are an a cappella octet from the United Kingdom.
History
Formed in 2005, VOCES8 has a diverse repertoire ranging from early English and European Renaissance choral works to their own arrangements.
The group is signed to the Decca Classics label. The first Decca album is 'Eventide' which released in February 2014.[1] Prior to the recording contract with Decca, the ensemble recorded seven albums:"A Purcell Collection" (2013) "Christmas" (2012); Choral Tapestry (2011); The Bach Motets (2010); Aces High (2010); Evensong (2008); From Gibbons to Gershwin (2007). The most recent recordings are on the Signum label.
In recent seasons VOCES8 has performed at venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Cite de la Musique Paris, Tokyo Opera City, National Concert Hall Taipei, National Centre for the Performing Arts Beijing, Shanghai Concert Hall, Tel Aviv Opera House and Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall. Highlights of the 2014/2015 season include performances at Bozar Brussels, Lund Festival, Berliner Dom, Hamburg Laeiszhalle, Canterbury Festival, 3 Choirs Festival, Moscow International House of Music, the ACDA National Convention in Salt Lake City, return visits to Tokyo Opera City, Wigmore Hall, Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall, La Folle Journée France, and a debut tour of Canada.
Artistic collaborations have included the Philharmonia Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, period ensemble Les Inventions, violinist Hugo Ticciati and cellist Matthew Sharp. In the 2015/16 season, the group's composer in residence is Ola Gjeilo, alongside Jim Clements as principle music arranger. Previous commissions were from Roxanna Panufnik, Alexander Levine, Alec Roth, Ben Parry, and Thomas Hewitt Jones.[2]
Voces8 members:
- Andrea Haines (1. soprano)
- Emily Dickens (2. soprano)
- Chris Wardle (1. counter-tenor)
- Barnaby Smith (2. counter-tenor)
- Blake Morgan (1. tenor)
- Sam Dressel (2. tenor)
- Rob Clark (baritone)
- Jonathan Pacey (bass)
Education work
Education partners in the UK include:
- Ardingly College
- Bradfield College
- Bedford School
- Grey Coat Hospital Foundation
- Rugby School
- Woodbridge School
- St Benedict's, Ealing
- The John Lyon School
- Hackney Learning Trust
- Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service (THAMES)
- Surrey Arts
- Slough Music Service
- Concordia Foundation
- INECC Mission Voix Lorraine
- SWICCO
VOCES8 has received support from Arts Council England, the Musicians Benevolent Fund and the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
Past members
VOCES8 turned professional in 2007. The current line up of VOCES8 contains two of these original members. Past members include:
- Rachel Major, soprano
- Catherine Backhouse, soprano
- Robin Bailey, tenor
- Charles MacDougall, tenor
- Robert Smith, tenor
- Dingle Yandell, bass
- Oliver Vincent, tenor
- Paul Smith, baritone