Month: May 2016
Practice makes perfect
It’s always a challenge to learn a complex piece of music – especially if you don’t read music. South Devon Choir is a community choir and a recent survey of members revealed that 25% of members read music very little. Nonetheless, you don’t have to read music to be able to sing very complex music – ears are the key. Hearing the music as others sing it, listening to the piano and practice, practice, practice are what enables the singer to learn.
Here South Devon Choir practice the Sanctus from the Verdi Requiem with the passionate John Hobbs, their Musical Director. Each part (SATB) is split in two – so there are 8 parts singing. Timing is complex, the music intricate. With plenty of time to go until the actual performance members of the Choir concentrate on learning the unfamiliar notes and timing.
The performance itself will feature over 200 voices as South Devon Choir combines with choirs from North Devon and Cornwall to form the Coast to Coast Choir in an epic staging of the Requiem in the Assembly Rooms, Torquay Town Hall, Torquay – on 2nd July 2016 and again in Barnstaple Pannier Market on 3rd July. Accompanying them will be the Festival Orchestra and professional soloists Cheryl Brendish, Heloise West, David Webb and Darren Jeffery. Tickets are available from Visitor Centres in Torquay, Paignton and Newton Abbot, on our website (click here for tickets) or you can buy them on our Facebook page.
Why Sally sings
Our lovely chairperson, Sally Laird, is a singing addict and she attends lots of choral workshops and signs up for other one-off choir performances. She explains, in what follows, how she feels about singing and why it is so good for her and for other people.
“What a totally stunning experience it was to sing Britten’s incredible War Requiem to a full Exeter Cathedral recently. Worth every minute of committed rehearsal from all the musical forces gathered there. And of course what can one say about Marion Wood who led us all so wonderfully. Sadly her last concert with the Exeter Music Group. My goodness how we will all miss her calm, knowledgeable, witty, entertaining, charming, intelligent leadership and conducting. Exhausted afterwards but occasions like that are very good for the soul, even if the knees etc ache a bit!
Through singing in concerts like this virtually all my life I feel I’ve made a whole lot of new friends – in every voice part!
Which is why – for all the above reasons – I should like to recommend to anyone glancing at this website and wondering about joining a choir- don’t hesitate! It can change your life.
I believe belonging to one choir sort of opens the door to knowing about opportunities to do mind-blowing things in other choirs and leads to life enhancement and enrichment and as I’ve already suggested…having the chance to get to know lovely people with similar interests and sharing experiences with them.”
Sally
SOUTH DEVON CHOIR 