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Voces8

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Voces8
Voces8 in 2019
Background information
OriginEngland
GenresA cappella music
Years active2005 (2005)–present
Labels
Websitevoces8.com

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.

History

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VOCES8 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contained two sopranos, two countertenors, two tenors, a baritone and a bass.[1] By 2018, one of the countertenors had been replaced by a female alto.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 program was called Stardust, after a composition commissioned from Taylor Scott Davis.[8]

Members

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Current

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  • Andrea Haines – First soprano (2008–present)
  • [vacant]  – Second soprano (2024–present)
  • 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

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  • 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 [Wikidata] – Baritone & Founder (2005–2016)
  • Rob Clark – Baritone (2016–2018)
  • Simon Whiteley – Bass (2005)
  • Greg Hallam – Bass (2006)
  • Dingle Yandell – Bass (2006–2015)[9]
  • Jonathan Pacey – Bass (2015-2022)

Timeline

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Lineup

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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

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The 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.[10] Awarded a Classic FM (UK) Public Choice Award at the 2020 Music & Drama Education Awards,[11] 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

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Foundation artists perform around 200 concerts each year, including through online/livestreaming.[12]

Education

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Foundation 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.[13]

In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic they launched the VOCES8 Digital Academy featuring tutorials, exercises, learning and performing tracks and videos.[14]

Discography

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The 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,[15] composed of four digital EPs.[16]

Albums

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  • Aces High (2010, Signum)[17][16]
  • 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)[17]
  • Where I Sleep (2014, Decca)[18]
  • Eventide (2014, Decca)[18]
  • Lux (2015, Decca)[18]
  • Winter (2016, Decca)[2][18]
  • Equinox (2018)[19]
  • Enchanted Isle (2019)[20]
  • After Silence (2020, Voces8 Records)[21]
  • Infinity (2021, Decca)[20]

EPs

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  • Voces8 EP (2019)

Collaborations

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Music books

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  • A Cappella Songbook (2012, paperback) ISMN 9790577001784
  • A Cappella Songbook 2 (2018, paperback) ISMN 9790577007779

References

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  1. ^ a b c Quinn, John (November 2012). "Voces8. Christmas". musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Riley, Malcolm (December 2016). "Voces8: Winter". Gramophone. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  3. ^ "What sweeter music: Online broadcast for Abbey Christmas concert". Westminster Abbey. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b Dixon, Gavin (November 2012). "Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) / Motets". musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Voces8 / Group / History". www.singers.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Voces 8". Hyperion Records. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  7. ^ Paget, Clive (23 November 2021). "VOCES8 (Limelight International Artist of the Year: People's Choice)". Limelight. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  8. ^ "OÖ. Stiftskonzerte prunkten mit Vokalem und Instrumentalem". Salzburger Nachrichten. APA. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  9. ^ Haines, Andrea (May 2020). "Andrea's Archives: The First Forage". YouTube. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  10. ^ Seymour, Claire (July 2019). "The VOCES8 Foundation is launched at St Anne & St Agnes". Opera Today. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  11. ^ "VOCES8 Foundation wins at the Music & Drama Education Awards". Ikon Arts | Edition Peters. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Performance". VOCES8 Foundation. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  13. ^ "VOCES8 Scholars". VOCES8 Foundation. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Learn from the masters of sacred music". Aleteia.org. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  15. ^ "After Silence". Voces8. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Classic FM". classicfm.com. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g "Voces8 / Group / History". Signum Records. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  18. ^ a b c d e "Voces8 / Recent releases". Decca Records. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  19. ^ Manheim, James. "Equinox Review". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  20. ^ a b "VOCES8". www.deccaclassics.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  21. ^ Seymour, Claire. "After Silence: VOCES8". operatoday.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  22. ^ Webb, Dan (1 December 2018). "Review: Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 1". Sungenre. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  23. ^ "Mårten Jansson - Requiem Novum". VOCES8. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  24. ^ "Christopher Tin - The Lost Birds". christophertin.com. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
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