Bristol Voices Choir, together with the Harlequin Singers and the choirs from Horfield CEVC Primary School and Waycroft Academy, perform on Tuesday 20th March at the prestigious St George’s Bristol concert venue.

The combined choirs have even commissioned a new piece from composer Peter Wilkinson, which they will première together during the concert. Entitled The Rights of Every Child, its lyrics are adapted from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Bristol Voices is part of the choral outreach of Bristol Cathedral, headed by the Canon Precentor Rev Wendy Wilby. Canon Wendy said: “It’s a great honour for Bristol Voices to be taking part in this wonderful concert in support of such a tremendously good cause. I hope the people of Bristol will turn out in force to support both UNICEF and all the choirs involved.”

The growing Bristol Voices Choir, which draws children aged 7-11 from across Bristol, will be performing A Whole New World, from Disney’s Aladdin. Its conductor, Jane English, said: “It’s a really exciting and rare opportunity for all the children to sing in such a big concert.”

In addition to Bristol Voices, the outreach programme involves direct work with primary schools: there are frequent visits to primary schools by the Choristers from the Cathedral Choir and, for example, Horfield CEVC Primary School has also recently taken part in the programme, singing at the cathedral at the beginning of December.
The concert at St George’s Bristol, entitled Small Voices, Many Choices, will be compèred by Bristol actor and magician, Peter Clifford. It will support children’s rights generally, with a particular focus on UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools programme.

Horfield CEVC Primary School’s children will perform songs including Jackie DeShannon’s 1968 hit, Put a Little Love in Your Heart, while the programme from the choir at Waycroft Academy in Stockwood includes Tomorrow, from the musical Annie. Both these primary schools are part of the UNICEF programme: Waycroft achieved Level 1 of the Rights Respecting Schools Award in 2011 and Horfield achieved the award this term.

The Harlequin Singers, a chamber choir, have been making music together under the leadership of Peter Wilkinson since 1991. They will sing four songs at the concert, ranging from Lennon & McCartney’s The Long & Winding Road to Ring-a-Ching, a Minstrel Song adapted by Aaron Copland.

Leading Bristol Primary school choirs from Waycroft Academy and Horfield CEVC Primary School join together with Harlequin Singers and Bristol Voices to celebrate in song. The combined choirs have commissioned a new work by Peter Wilkinson entitled Rights of Every Child and this will be the first performance of the songs. The theme of the concert is The Rights of the Child and the schools are proud to be part of the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools’ programme that aims to put the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child at the heart of a school’s planning, policies, practice and ethos.

The Harlequin Singers, well known in Bristol, are collaborating closely with the young singers and will also be performing some of their favourite pieces. This exciting evening will be compered by Peter Clifford. It promises to be full of energy, talent and excellent young music making and is not to be missed!

Tickets £5 from St George’s box office on 0845 40 24 001 or www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Running time: 75 minutes / no interval.

In aid of UNICEF, the world’s leading organisation protecting the rights of children and young people: unicef.org.uk

Come along to a Bristol Voices open rehearsal to see and hear what the choir is like!

Bristol Voices Choir will sing John Rutter’s moving Carol of the Children and the traditional favourite, Away in a Manger, sung to a beautiful, modern melody written by Yorkshire composer Alan Woods. The Bristol Voices boys and girls will also join with the Cathedral Choir and the large audience for other festive songs, ranging from Once in Royal David’s City to Jingle Bells.

As well as the Bristol Voices Choir’s contributions and the opportunities for everyone to join in favourite carols, Carols by Candlelight will feature 11 pieces of music sung by either the full Cathedral Choir or the Cathedral Choristers, together with seasonal organ music and a number of Christmas readings by actor Chris Torpy. The evening will be compèred by BBC Presenter David Harvey.

Tickets are £6 (concessions available) from Providence Music shop on 0117 927 6536

Primary school children are sharing centre-stage with Bristol Cathedral Choir at one of the city’s most popular Christmas events – the cathedral’s Carols by Candlelight concert.

Led by their new conductor, Jane English, the Bristol Voices Choir will sing John Rutter’s moving Carol of the Children and the traditional favourite, Away in a Manger, sung to a beautiful, modern melody written by Yorkshire composer Alan Woods.

The Bristol Voices boys and girls will also join with the Cathedral Choir and the large audience for other festive songs, ranging from Once in Royal David’s City to Jingle Bells. The concert takes place at 7.30pm on Friday 16th December.

“Jane has done a great job in building up the Bristol Voices Choir since she took over in September,” said the cathedral’s Canon Precentor, Rev Canon Wendy Wilby. “This is the first big public performance that many of the children will ever have taken part in, so it’s going to be an exciting day for them and their families. And what could be better than a first performance in the fantastic surroundings of a candlelit cathedral alongside the professional singers of the Cathedral Choir!”

Jane English, who is an enthusiastic teacher of singing, particularly for children, was herself a founder member of the National Youth Choir. She said: “Our aspiration is to get as many children from Bristol primary schools singing as possible. We’re keen to hear from anyone interested: there’s no audition – children can just come along to our Monday night practices and join in.”

She added: “I’m a member of the Cathedral’s congregation myself, so it will be fantastic to lead the Bristol Voices Choir at Carols by Candlelight as they sing on ‘home territory’.”

Bristol Voices is the choral outreach programme of Bristol Cathedral, in partnership with Bristol Cathedral Choir School. The Bristol Voices Choir meets on a Monday from 4.30-5.30pm at the school. It is open to primary school children from the age of eight. In addition, Bristol Voices runs the Chorister Outreach Programme, which involves a choral animateur working in schools to provide help and guidance and to train teachers.

As well as the Bristol Voices Choir’s contributions and the opportunities for everyone to join in favourite carols, Carols by Candlelight will feature 11 pieces of music sung by either the full Cathedral Choir or the Cathedral Choristers, together with seasonal organ music and a number of Christmas readings by actor Chris Torpy. The evening will be compèred by BBC Presenter David Harvey.

Bristol Voices Choir will also sing as part of the Henleaze Ladies’ Choir charity concert at 2pm on Thursday 15th December at St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze, in preparation for their performance in the cathedral the following evening.

Bristol Voices Choir will also sing as part of the Henleaze Ladies’ Choir charity concert at 2pm on Thursday 15th December at St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze, in preparation for their performance in the cathedral the following evening.

There is no charge for admission, but there will be a retiring collection in aid of the League of Friends of Southmead Hospital. Tea and mince pies will be served at the end of the programme.