OAKHAVEN HOSPICE PRESS RELEASEOctober 2007 Voices for Hospices Now firmly established as an important source of revenue for Oakhaven Hospice, the "Voices" concert on Saturday October 6th in St Thomas' Church Lymington, proved yet again to be a most popular community event. Voices for Hospices had small beginnings when in 1994 a group of singers joined forces with a choir in Salisbury Cathedral to perform Messiah and raise funds for our new hospice. Then a three yearly event, we staged our first concert in Lymington in 1997. It has proved such a successful fundraiser both nationally and internationally that it is now Biennial and we have not missed a single slot ! We have a loyal and talented core of local singers who have devoted many hours of practice at home and at rehearsal. The programme opened this year with a group of charming German love poems, Brahm's Neue Liebeslieder, arranged in strict waltz tempo, some of the songs are for full choir, others for solo singers. There was a selection which included two for the choir, and a tantalizing taster from each of the soloists. Accompanied by two pianists, Jo Corbin and Helen Woodgates, the soprano Viki Hart, the counter-tenor Christopher Ainslie and the baritone Philip Tebb gave confident assured performances. The first half concluded with Geoprge Hamilton's Valse Brillante, a virtuoso marimba solo played with great style and flair by Ben Woodgates, accompanied by Helen Woodgates. The main work of the evening was Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, performed as a version with two piano's and percussion. Two grand piano's, a battery of percussion instruments and tympani left little room for a choir of seventy to fit in the chancel area and between the choir pews. From the moment they stood and the familiar drum beat of the opening chorus "O fortuna" ( Wheel of Fortune) resounded in the church we knew we were in for a treat. The collection of twelfth century poems gathers a momentum of its own. There is no chance to falter as the wheel continues to turn, sometimes at frightening speed. Singing in Latin, the choir achieved a fantastic performance, a real tribute to the hard work of everyone involved. Baritone Philip Tebb first solo "Omnia sol temperat" showed his brilliant range of touch and tone - every word perfectly delivered, even in the quietest dynamic. Christopher Ainslie gave a performance of "Olim lacus colueram" the famous roasted swan, a truly medieval theme. Viki Hart had total control of her high register solo, her delivery of a top range note in "Dulcissime" was truly magnificent. The most exciting contribution to the night's performance was from a group of girls from Priestland's School, trained by Michael Goldthorpe. Traditionally off stage, they sang from the gallery with a confident clear tone. Pianists Jo Corbin and Helen Woodgates high quality of playing lifted the performance into a professional league. The excitement generated by such a large percussion group was immense. The concert was conducted by Michael Goldthorpe, his first Voices for Hospices, this programme required many hours of planning and preparation by Michael. Concert organiser Daphne Johnson thanked St Thomas Church, Peter Salisbury and all the church officers for their help and support, the singers, performers and particularly Michael Goldthorpe for proving once again that the tradition of choral singers is alive and well, secure for the future and the next "Voices Concert". Notes for Editors: Oakhaven Hospice supports not only at the Hospice but also out in the community. Our services are always free of charge. We support over 120 patients weekly and our Community Team make 2,500 home visits and telephone contacts each year. Our Bereavement team makes in excess of 1,600 contacts with the community every year while the Day Hospice has more than 1,200 attendances by patients annually. Press & PR enquiries about this event and Oakhaven Hospice to Jayne Ashley. Telephone 01590 688697 |