Voces8, styled VOCES8, is an a cappella octet from England. They have appeared internationally and made recordings of classical music, jazz, pop, and their own arrangements. Recent recordings are for Decca Classics and under their own label, Voces8 Records. Educational efforts are run by the Voces8 Foundation.
Voces8 | |
|---|---|
 Voces8 in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | England |
| Genres | A cappella music |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | voces8.com |
History
editVOCES8 is a British vocal ensemble originally founded in 2003,[1] and regrouped in 2005,[2] by brothers Paul and Barnaby Smith, both former choristers of Westminster Abbey.[3][4] For most of its history, the ensemble has contained two sopranos, two countertenors, two tenors, a baritone and a bass.[1] By 2018, one of the countertenors had been replaced by a female alto.
The ensemble has a diverse repertoire including early English and European Renaissance music, traditional folk song, classic jazz, pop and their own arrangements.[5] They have appeared internationally, touring especially in Europe, Asia and North America.[6][2]
VOCES8 has commissioned new works from composers including Ēriks Ešenvalds, Ola Gjeilo, Jonathan Dove, Jocelyn Hagen, Ken Burton, Roderick Williams, Alexander Levine, Roxanna Panufnik, Mårten Jansson, Ben Parry and Christopher Tin. Jim Clements is their arranger-in-residence.[6]
The octet won the Limelight International Artist of the Year: People's Choice award at the 2021 Limelight Awards.[7]
Their 2022 tour programme was called Stardust, after a composition commissioned from Taylor Scott Davis.[8]
Members
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (September 2024) |
Current
edit- Andrea Haines – First soprano (2008–present)
- Kori Miller - First soprano (sub) (2024)
- MaryRuth Miller, Ailsa Campbell and Kori Miller – Second soprano (sub) (2024–present). Eleonora Poignant will join the ensemble as second soprano in 2025.[9]
- Katie Jeffries-Harris – First alto (2018–present)
- Barnaby Smith – Second alto/countertenor & Artistic Director (2005–present)
- Blake Morgan – First tenor (2016–present)
- Euan Williamson – Second tenor (2019–present)
- Chris Moore – Baritone (2018–present)
- Dominic Carver – Bass (2022–present)
Former
edit- Rachel Major – First soprano (2005–2008)
- Catherine Backhouse – Second soprano (2005–2009)
- Emily Dickens – Second soprano (2009–2017)
- Eleonore Cockerham – Second soprano (2017–2021)
- Molly Noon – Second soprano (2021–2024)
- Daniel Keating-Roberts – 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 Mingay Smith – Second tenor (2009–2013)
- Sam Dressel – Second tenor (2013–2019)
- Paul Smith – Baritone & Founder (2005–2016)
- Rob Clark – Baritone (2016–2018)
- Simon Whiteley – Bass (2005)
- Greg Hallam – Bass (2006)
- Dingle Yandell – Bass (2006–2015)[10]
- Jonathan Pacey – Bass (2015-2022)
Timeline
edit
Lineup
edit| Period | First Soprano | Second Soprano | First Alto/Countertenor | Second Alto/Countertenor | First Tenor | Second Tenor | Baritone | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006 | Rachel Major | Catherine Backhouse | Daniel Keating-Roberts | Barnaby Smith | Charles MacDougall | Thomas Elwin | Paul Smith | Simon Whiteley |
| 2006–2007 | Robin Bailey | Greg Hallam | ||||||
| 2007–2008 | Chris Wardle | Dingle Yandell | ||||||
| 2008–2009 | Andrea Haines | |||||||
| 2009–2012 | Emily Dickens | Robert Smith | ||||||
| 2012–2013 | Oliver Vincent | |||||||
| 2013–2015 | Sam Dressel | |||||||
| 2015–2016 | Jonathan Pacey | |||||||
| 2016–2017 | Blake Morgan | Rob Clark | ||||||
| 2017–2018 | Eleonore Cockerham | |||||||
| 2018–2019 | Katie Jeffries-Harris | Chris Moore | ||||||
| 2019–2021 | Euan Williamson | |||||||
| 2021–2022 | Molly Noon | |||||||
| 2022–present | Dominic Carver |
VOCES8 Foundation
editThe VOCES8 Foundation (formerly VCM Foundation) is a UK-registered charity, set up by VOCES8 founder members Paul and Barnaby Smith in 2006 to develop the ensemble's music education and outreach programmes.[11] Awarded a Classic FM (UK) Public Choice Award at the 2020 Music & Drama Education Awards,[12] the charity works across choral and small vocal ensemble performance and education and is based at the VOCES8 Centre at St Anne and St Agnes Church in the City of London.
Performance
editFoundation artists perform around 200 concerts each year, including through online/livestreaming.[13]
Education
editFoundation artists reach up to 40,000 people a year in regular workshops and masterclasses with Music Hubs, schools and community groups. In 2015 the ensemble launched the VOCES8 Scholars Programme which provides training in performing, recording and workshop leading for 20 young singers with an interest in choral singing in the UK and USA.[14]
In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic they launched the VOCES8 Digital Academy featuring tutorials, exercises, learning and performing tracks and videos.[15]
Discography
editThe group has recorded with Decca, Signum, and their own Voces8 Records label. As part of their 15th anniversary celebrations in 2020, the group released their project After Silence,[16] composed of four digital EPs.[17]
Albums
edit- Aces High (2010, Signum)[18][17]
- Bach's Motets, with the Senesino Players (2010)[4]
- Brahms, Bruckner, Reger (2011)
- In the Beginning (2012)
- Christmas (2012, Signum)[1]
- A Choral Tapestry (2012, Signum)[18]
- Where I Sleep (2014, Decca)[19]
- Eventide (2014, Decca)[19]
- Lux (2015, Decca)[19]
- Winter (2016, Decca)[2][19]
- Equinox (2018)[20]
- Enchanted Isle (2019)[21]
- After Silence (2020, Voces8 Records)[22]
- Infinity (2021, Decca)[21]
- Nightfall (2024)
EPs
edit- Voces8 EP (2019)
Collaborations
edit- A Capella Collection (2012, Signum) – with other groups, marking 15 years of Signum Records[18]
- Choral Collection (2012, Signum) – same[18]
- Early Music Collection (2012, Signum) – same[18]
- A Purcell Collection (2014, Signum) – by Voces8 and Les Inventions[18]
- Psalms (2015, Signum) – works by Benedetto Marcello, Voces8 and Les Inventions[18]
- Ola Gjeilo (2018, Decca) – works by Ola Gjeilo and Voces8[19]
- Home Is (2018) – by Jacob Collier and Voces8[23]
- Requiem Novum (2022) – by Mårten Jansson, Voces8, Apollo5, and the Philharmonia Orchestra[24]
- The Lost Birds (2022) – by Christopher Tin, Voces8 and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra[25]
- Home (2023) – with Eric Whitacre
- Seven Psalms (2023) - with Paul Simon
Music books
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Quinn, John (November 2012). "Voces8. Christmas". musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ a b c Riley, Malcolm (December 2016). "Voces8: Winter". Gramophone. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "What sweeter music: Online broadcast for Abbey Christmas concert". Westminster Abbey. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ a b Dixon, Gavin (November 2012). "Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) / Motets". musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "Voces8 / Group / History". www.singers.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Voces 8". Hyperion Records. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ Paget, Clive (23 November 2021). "VOCES8 (Limelight International Artist of the Year: People's Choice)". Limelight. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ "OÖ. Stiftskonzerte prunkten mit Vokalem und Instrumentalem". Salzburger Nachrichten. APA. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
- ^ "Eleonora Poignant". voces8.com. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ Haines, Andrea (May 2020). "Andrea's Archives: The First Forage". YouTube. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ Seymour, Claire (July 2019). "The VOCES8 Foundation is launched at St Anne & St Agnes". Opera Today. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "VOCES8 Foundation wins at the Music & Drama Education Awards". Ikon Arts | Edition Peters. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Performance". VOCES8 Foundation. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "VOCES8 Scholars". VOCES8 Foundation. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Learn from the masters of sacred music". Aleteia.org. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "After Silence". Voces8. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Classic FM". classicfm.com. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Voces8 / Group / History". Signum Records. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Voces8 / Recent releases". Decca Records. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ Manheim, James. "Equinox Review". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
- ^ a b "VOCES8". www.deccaclassics.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
- ^ Seymour, Claire. "After Silence: VOCES8". operatoday.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
- ^ Webb, Dan (1 December 2018). "Review: Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 1". Sungenre. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ "Mårten Jansson - Requiem Novum". VOCES8. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- ^ "Christopher Tin - The Lost Birds". christophertin.com. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
External links
edit
- Literature by and about Voces8 in the German National Library catalogue
- Official website
- Voces8 Foundation (official website)
- Voces8 (Vocal Ensemble) Bach cantatas website 2019
- Robert Hugill: Voces8 / Lux planethugill.com May 2015