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The choir had a productive and enjoyable day workshop at Hade Edge Band Room where we learnt two new pieces of music and improved our performance of some pieces previously learnt. As usual we worked hard but had some fun too.
Our Christmas Concert with Lindley Junior School Choir at Lindley Methodist Church was a great success. Lindley JS Choir, as always, were marvellous. Vocal Expressions sang well and the addition of handbells added plenty of variety to a wide range of Christmas music which was enjoyed by a very appreciative audience.The money raised by the concert and raffle was donated to the choir’s charity of the year - Huddersfield Mission.
“ I haven’t played this since I was little !”, was the comment most frequently heard at this traditional Beetle Drive and Pie and Pea supper in support of Huddersfield Mission ( VE’s charity of the year). There was much laughter, frantic dice throwing and changing of seats as everyone entered into the spirit of the evening. Tickets sales and a raffle raised a wonderful £556.92 which was presented to Paul from the Mission, along a large selection of much needed new socks and underwear donated by members of the choir.
On Thursday June 27th Vocal Expressions were visited the Radius Opera Company for an amazing workshop. Radius Opera will performing ‘The Fire of Olympus” (written by Tim Benjamin) with brilliant live singers, powerful music, and a recorded chorus of the voices of 1000 volunteers, in 8 theatres in the North of England this autumn. https://radiusopera.org
VE were lucky enough to be some of those voices. Michael Jones (who will perform the role of Hephaestus and has a wonderful voice) guided us through various exciting choruses and demonstrated lots of little things to do to improve our singing that really work. A fantastic, fun evening
On Saturday June 15th we performed our first concert with Kate as MD and guests LB Brass at The Huddersfield Mission. The concert was varied and entertaining and the choir sang well. We particularly enjoyed performing one of our new pieces, ‘Alice’ by Sarah Quartel, (based on the story of Alice in Wonderland). As well as providing wonderful accompaniment as usual, Lloyd really entered into the spirit of the piece and made a very convincing Mad Hatter!
Throughout 2018 we raised funds at our concerts and other events for our chosen charity of the year, Yorkshire Air Ambulance. We were please to be able to donate a total of £1517.78 to this very worthwhile cause.
The choir is very happy to welcome to its new Musical Director, Kate Shipway. We look forward to the next stage in our musical journey under her leadership.
On January 3rd 2019 Vocal Expressions held a farewell dinner at Meltham Golf Club to say goodbye to our much loved MD Robert Webb, and his very supportive wife, Jenny. Robert was with Vocal Expressions for 6 years and under his leadership the choir developed enormously.During that time he worked enthusiastically with the choir to improve its sound and our singing technique, and introduced us to lots of excellent new music that we have really enjoyed learning and performing. Robert expected high standards of the choir and worked us hard, but always made rehearsal fun. He will be really missed, but we are all looking forward to building on what he has taught us and to a fresh approach and new challenges.
Vocal Expressions performed beautifully to bring their audience at Holy trinity Church in Holmfirth an afternoon of Christmas magic. Their guest, Simeon Wood provided even more enjoyable musical entertainment with his skilful flute (and walking stick!) playing, to further enhance a wonderful afternoon. Sadly this was the Choir’s final performance with their well-regarded MD , Robert Webb. Fittingly Robert’s first concert with Vocal Expressions was in the same venue 6 years ago when he sang a solo with the Choir as he did at this concert.
