Voces8

Wikipedia:

VOCES8 is an international award-winning a cappella octet from the United Kingdom.

History

Formed in 2005, Voces8 has a diverse repertoire ranging from early English and European Renaissance choral works to their own arrangements.

The group has recorded 8 albums: Choral Tapestry (2011); The Bach Motets (2010); Aces High (2010); Evensong (2008); From Gibbons to Gershwin (2007); Blessings (2006); and Snowed In (2006). The most recent recordings are on the Signum label.

VOCES8 is the flagship ensemble of Voces Cantabiles Music, a music foundation based in South East England. Other ensembles in this organisation include Voces Cantabiles. This youth choir won seven awards at the 2005 International Choral Grand Prix held in Gorizia, Italy, and other prizes one year later at competitions in Slovenia and Spain. Voces Cantabiles, conducted by Barnaby Smith, has released an album of previously unrecorded music by the Renaissance composer, Robert Parsons, on Naxos.

VOCES8 performs in concert internationally, and won 1st prize and the audience vote for Best Act at the challenging International Choral Competition in Gorizia, Italy, 2005. In 2006 Voces8 won two first prizes at the international choral competition in Tolosa, Spain.

The group has appeared on the BBC and performed on television and radio in Germany, Belgium, Austria, Slovenia, France, Spain and Italy. Forthcoming international tours in 2010-11 include the USA, China, France, Germany, Israel, Sweden, Spain and Italy. VOCES8 has also recorded live for Deutschland Radio Kultur whilst on tour in 2007, as well as for Radio France Musique. In 2012 the ensemble will appear on the BBC series Songs of Praise.

Voces8 members:

Education work

As part of the charitable foundation, Voces Cantabiles Music, VOCES8 works with 25,000 young people each year. The foundation runs creative music education projects with schools and communities across the UK, and internationally in France, the US and Sweden. Education partners include:

Past members

VOCES8 turned professional in 2007. The current line up of VOCES8 contains five of these original members. Past members include:

Critical reaction

Radio 3's CD Review, on Saturday 30 January 2010, described the VOCES8 release, Aces High, as 'two parts Kings Singers, three parts Swingle [Singers], a dash of Bobby McFerrin and California sunshine...Fans of close harmony ought to hear this.'

"The UK a cappella group is the vocal cream that floats to the top this summer" Timeout Beijing

"Rich sounds of beautifully blended voices intertwining in pristine velvety textures. The a cappella group Voces8 offers more: an impressive stage presence with imaginative theatricality and a well balanced programme" - Malcolm Miller,Classical Music Daily www.mvdaily.com, May 2006

"To hear Voces8 is an aural experience for their crisp intonation, sensitive attention to phrasing and the ability to produce a sound that spans the entire range of vocal colour." - David sonin, Ham and High, July 2006

"Four stars. If you like a good warble but "popera" makes you sick, this mix of carols, classical and jazz from the award-winning octet will be a balm to the ears. Trad holiday fare without an ounce of cheese, its haunting renditions of Gabriel's Message, and Ben Folds' The Luckiest are great, but the title track, which reimagines the Miss Marple theme tune as a camp cautionary tale, is the bonkers cherry on top." - Louise Jackman, Evensong album review, thelondonpaper, December 2008