Voces8 become Ardingly's Musicians in Residence

Peter Green was delighted to announce today that VOCES8, Britain's foremost young a cappella group, has accepted an initial two-year Residency at Ardingly starting this September. The international award-winning octet has performed in the last two Music@Ardingly concert seasons, inspiring an enthusiastic following in the College and local area. VOCES8's sell-out performance last autumn was preceded by a wonderful day's workshop for our own choirs and those from local Prep and Primary schools. There will be another Choral Day and concert on October 7th.

Founded by ex-choristers of Westminster Abbey, VOCES8 has a repertoire that spans 500 years and three continents and this dynamic young group has won prizes around the world for their ‘exquisite singing' of jazz, sacred and secular music. Notable London appearances include the Royal Festival Hall, the Wigmore Hall and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The group broadcasts regularly on international television and radio, including live recordings for Deutschland Radio Kultur and Radio France Musique. VOCES8 has produced several albums – from Evensong to the most recent release, Aces High, a scintillating collection of unique interpretations of jazz and pop favourites and theme tunes from the legendary James Bond movies.

As part of the Residency, VOCES8 will amongst other things give concerts and hold workshop days, hold specialist music master classes for students, introduce a training programme for students to develop workshop leading skills, and develop a programme of work with other schools to forge and strengthen links with the College.

Ardingly College is truly delighted to welcome this inspiring group of young musicians and we hope the following reviews will give you an idea of what a special addition VOCES8 will be to our thriving musical community.

'The slickest of the lot... two parts King's Singers, three parts Swingle Singers, a dash of Bobby McFerrinn and California sunshine... fans of a cappella ought to hear this, not just for the singing but the production values and Jim Clements audacious arrangements'.
Andrew McGregor CD Review BBC Radio 3
 
“Be it Choral, Vocal Jazz, Pop, Classical Spiritual or whatever genre you'd care to put them in, Voces8 is one of the best a cappella groups we've ever heard. Buy 'Evensong,' turn the volume up or put on some fine headphones, and enjoy!”
John Neal  www.singers.com