About Us
About Us
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Our beginnings
The choir started in 1992 as a Newbury College adult education class under the leadership of Ian Westley. It was originally a mixed voice choir.
The membership grew and the choir moved to a new, larger venue. After ten years, the last of the men left and it was decided to make this an upper voice choir, still singing in four parts - two soprano and two alto.
In 2008 we discovered Making Music - an organisation which supports voluntary music groups. We joined them, left Newbury College and became fully independent. Another choir at Caversham Adult Education Centre joined us, almost doubling our numbers, so we changed the choir’s name to Vivace Voices and moved our venue to St Catherine of Sienna Church in Tilehurst.
Our music
Under the experienced and skilled leadership of Ian we have become a very polished choir. We also have a small chamber group (a sub-set of the main choir) who rehearse for short sessions after the main rehearsal and who work on more challenging material.
We sing an eclectic range of songs ranging from sacred music, classical pieces and folk songs through to jazz standards, world music and songs from shows. But most of all ... we have fun. Wednesday afternoons would be very flat without our weekly trip to Vivace Voices.
We love to welcome new members to our happy community so, if you would like to know more about how to join, click here.
Our charity support
Here at Vivace Voices we are passionate about supporting small but mighty local charities. Every term we choose a charity and the end of term concert raises money for that charity both directly from ticket sales, the sale of raffle tickets and basket donations, and then also from our Just Giving page which changes each term to link directly to our chosen charity.
Over the last two years alone we have raised over £10,000 for charities. Our spring concert supported Launchpad who support those living with the realities of homelessness. We are thrilled to announce that the concert and dedicated Just Giving page took a combined grand total of £1491 to donate to this amazing local charity.
This term we are supporting Bridge For Young People. This inspirational local charity currently has four housing projects in West Berkshire providing a home and support to young people (aged 16-25) who are leaving care or who are homeless. Residents have typically experienced varying challenges during their childhood. BFYP provides them with a stable home, emotional support and practical help during this crucial time as they move into independence.
'The only thing better than singing is more singing'
Ella Fitzgerald
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