PRESS RELEASE - Thursday, 26th May, 2011
TOP TV NAMES HEAD FOR BATH!
Two of the UK’s best known TV celebrity singers, Lee Mead and Rhydian Roberts will be appearing in Bath over the coming months. Under the title TV Favourites the concerts are promoted by Bath’s own music man, Grenville Jones.
They will appear at the Bath Forum in Southgate where Grenville has staged hugely successful sell-out shows with artistes like Katherine Jenkins, Hayley Westenra, Alfie Boe and Aled Jones in the past.
Lee Mead was performing in The Phantom of the Opera when he auditioned for the BBC series Any Dream Will Do to play Joseph. He won the role of Joseph nine weeks later. Bookings for Joseph for the first three months sold out and the producers extended the show's run by a year.
Lee Mead will be in Bath on Saturday November 5th and Rhydian Roberts will be the star on a Christmas show on Saturday December 10th.
The album followed and achieved double gold status.
Lee Mead returned to the West End in 2010 taking on the role of Fiyero in the musical Wicked, however on his ‘day’s off’ he focused on pursuing a solo singing career which saw him touring around Britain. This culminated in 2010 with a highly successful evening at the London Coliseum in December.
Earlier this year he performed live on BBC1 to millions at Twickenham Stadium during the England 6 Nations Rugby and is looking forward to touring in Japan later in 2011.
This will be his first visit to Bath for what is sure to be a sell-out show. The concert will also feature a host of new numbers from the popular Bath Male Choir as well as the award winning Bristol Musical Youth.
Rhydian Roberts is a classically trained Welsh singer who first came to the public's attention through his spellbinding performances on X Factor. His first album, entitled 'Rhydian', went double platinum and his second, 'O Fortuna', was nominated in the Classical BRITS for Best Album of the Year 2010.
His repertoire draws on every genre and style; the high energy pop & rock of 'Go West' and 'Somebody To Love'; the heart-stirring musical theatre of 'Somewhere' and 'The Impossible Dream'; the classical purity of 'Benedictus' and 'Adiemus' to the very Welsh 'Myfanwy' and 'Yma O Hyd'.
He has become known for the power and sensitivity of his voice, for passion which captivates and for performances so exhilarating they leave his audience entranced. He is one of the most exciting live stage performers in the World.
He comes from a background in Wales where he was surrounded by choirs and choral music. The Bath Chorus and fabulous Stockingtops will give the show some local vocal sparkle.
Says Grenville:
“Lee and Rhydian Roberts have massive reputations as live stage performers. Both these concerts will be absolutely fantastic nights to remember. They will promoted across the West of England and will bring hundreds to the city to enjoy the very best of popular music.”
Tickets for all the Forum Shows are now on sale at Bath Box Office 01225 463362 or see www.grenvillejones.biz
ENDS
PLEASE NOTE : Rhydian Roberts must be promoted as Rhydian Roberts and not just Rhydian – thank you. Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 0777 828 2934.
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TOP TV NAMES HEAD FOR BATH!
Two of the UK’s best known TV celebrity singers, Lee Mead and Rhydian Roberts will be appearing in Bath over the coming months. Under the title TV Favourites the concerts are promoted by Bath’s own music man, Grenville Jones.
They will appear at the Bath Forum in Southgate where Grenville has staged hugely successful sell-out shows with artistes like Katherine Jenkins, Hayley Westenra, Alfie Boe and Aled Jones in the past.
Lee Mead was performing in The Phantom of the Opera when he auditioned for the BBC series Any Dream Will Do to play Joseph. He won the role of Joseph nine weeks later. Bookings for Joseph for the first three months sold out and the producers extended the show's run by a year.
Lee Mead will be in Bath on Saturday November 5th and Rhydian Roberts will be the star on a Christmas show on Saturday December 10th.
The album followed and achieved double gold status.
Lee Mead returned to the West End in 2010 taking on the role of Fiyero in the musical Wicked, however on his ‘day’s off’ he focused on pursuing a solo singing career which saw him touring around Britain. This culminated in 2010 with a highly successful evening at the London Coliseum in December.
Earlier this year he performed live on BBC1 to millions at Twickenham Stadium during the England 6 Nations Rugby and is looking forward to touring in Japan later in 2011.
This will be his first visit to Bath for what is sure to be a sell-out show. The concert will also feature a host of new numbers from the popular Bath Male Choir as well as the award winning Bristol Musical Youth.
Rhydian Roberts is a classically trained Welsh singer who first came to the public's attention through his spellbinding performances on X Factor. His first album, entitled 'Rhydian', went double platinum and his second, 'O Fortuna', was nominated in the Classical BRITS for Best Album of the Year 2010.
His repertoire draws on every genre and style; the high energy pop & rock of 'Go West' and 'Somebody To Love'; the heart-stirring musical theatre of 'Somewhere' and 'The Impossible Dream'; the classical purity of 'Benedictus' and 'Adiemus' to the very Welsh 'Myfanwy' and 'Yma O Hyd'.
He has become known for the power and sensitivity of his voice, for passion which captivates and for performances so exhilarating they leave his audience entranced. He is one of the most exciting live stage performers in the World.
He comes from a background in Wales where he was surrounded by choirs and choral music. The Bath Chorus and fabulous Stockingtops will give the show some local vocal sparkle.
Says Grenville:
“Lee and Rhydian Roberts have massive reputations as live stage performers. Both these concerts will be absolutely fantastic nights to remember. They will promoted across the West of England and will bring hundreds to the city to enjoy the very best of popular music.”
Tickets for all the Forum Shows are now on sale at Bath Box Office 01225 463362 or see www.grenvillejones.biz
ENDS
PLEASE NOTE : Rhydian Roberts must be promoted as Rhydian Roberts and not just Rhydian – thank you. Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 0777 828 2934.
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PRESS RELEASE
May 2011
NEW DEVIZES GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR STARTING ON JUNE 3rd
One of the West’s best known choir leaders is starting a new choir for everyone in Devizes next month.
The driving passion of Grenville Jones is to get people of all ages singing, to enable them to make friends, enjoy themselves and have fun through music.
He has appeared on TV and Radio across the World through his leadership of the Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir, and also as founder of the Golden-Oldies charity, not to mention his many other musical projects and celebrity concerts.
The Devizes Good Afternoon Choir starts with a come and find out session from 2 -4pm at St Andrew’s Church Long Street on Friday June 3. It will then run every Friday at that time from the following week, June 10.
Grenville Jones started a Bath Good Afternoon Choir in May 2009. There are no auditions and it hah had to close its books with 100 members.
Through his friendships with British choral directors and his many contacts in the Choir world, he saw the need for more Choirs who meet during the day.
In his words Grenville says
“There are many senior people who still love to sing, but the thought of attending evening rehearsals on cold winter evenings and then having to drive home late at night was stopping them from enjoying their hobby.”
The Bath Good Afternoon Choir has people of all ages and Devizes will follow the same popular style with the repertoire crossing all genres from musical theatre to modern hits.
Grenville Jones has a world wide reputation as a musician. For the last 2 years he has bought his choirs to sing at the popular Devizes Lions Spring Serenade concerts. Each one has sold out.
His work with the Golden-Oldies Charity has been recognized on a number of occasions. He was acknowledged as the Bath Mayor’s Citizen of the Year in 2008 and also that year in the Bath Chronicle as “Bath Man of the Year”; for the following two years he was runner-up to that award.
Sir Cliff Richard is the Patron of Goldies.
Grenville was one of ten people across the UK shortlisted for the ‘ITV/Daily Mirror Community Person of the Year’ award in 2009 and one of five recognized in The Times Newspaper in 2010, an award sponsored by the Gramophone magazine for ‘Community Choir Leader of the Year’. He is a judge of the Song for Bath competitions at the end of June.
His music groups include Bath Male Choir, THE Bath Chorus, the Good Afternoon Choir a new youth choir project, CHOIRSKOOL, the Welcome Choir, the Norland College Choir and his all-girl Stockingtops group as well as his CHOIR one.
He is a Council member of the Association of British Choral Directors.
He spends some of his time in Europe working on a 2 year major EU contract linked with singing and how it can improve the lives of the elderly and isolated in our communities in the years ahead. He is the only UK member of the consortium. Others include the renowned Fraunhofer Institute in Germany and the Austrian Technology Board.
Everyone is welcome to go to the opening sessions of the Devizes Good Afternoon Choir. For more details see www.grenvillejones.biz
ENDS
Grenville Jones 0777 828 2934 or email jonesgrenville@aol.com
May 2011
NEW DEVIZES GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR STARTING ON JUNE 3rd
One of the West’s best known choir leaders is starting a new choir for everyone in Devizes next month.
The driving passion of Grenville Jones is to get people of all ages singing, to enable them to make friends, enjoy themselves and have fun through music.
He has appeared on TV and Radio across the World through his leadership of the Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir, and also as founder of the Golden-Oldies charity, not to mention his many other musical projects and celebrity concerts.
The Devizes Good Afternoon Choir starts with a come and find out session from 2 -4pm at St Andrew’s Church Long Street on Friday June 3. It will then run every Friday at that time from the following week, June 10.
Grenville Jones started a Bath Good Afternoon Choir in May 2009. There are no auditions and it hah had to close its books with 100 members.
Through his friendships with British choral directors and his many contacts in the Choir world, he saw the need for more Choirs who meet during the day.
In his words Grenville says
“There are many senior people who still love to sing, but the thought of attending evening rehearsals on cold winter evenings and then having to drive home late at night was stopping them from enjoying their hobby.”
The Bath Good Afternoon Choir has people of all ages and Devizes will follow the same popular style with the repertoire crossing all genres from musical theatre to modern hits.
Grenville Jones has a world wide reputation as a musician. For the last 2 years he has bought his choirs to sing at the popular Devizes Lions Spring Serenade concerts. Each one has sold out.
His work with the Golden-Oldies Charity has been recognized on a number of occasions. He was acknowledged as the Bath Mayor’s Citizen of the Year in 2008 and also that year in the Bath Chronicle as “Bath Man of the Year”; for the following two years he was runner-up to that award.
Sir Cliff Richard is the Patron of Goldies.
Grenville was one of ten people across the UK shortlisted for the ‘ITV/Daily Mirror Community Person of the Year’ award in 2009 and one of five recognized in The Times Newspaper in 2010, an award sponsored by the Gramophone magazine for ‘Community Choir Leader of the Year’. He is a judge of the Song for Bath competitions at the end of June.
His music groups include Bath Male Choir, THE Bath Chorus, the Good Afternoon Choir a new youth choir project, CHOIRSKOOL, the Welcome Choir, the Norland College Choir and his all-girl Stockingtops group as well as his CHOIR one.
He is a Council member of the Association of British Choral Directors.
He spends some of his time in Europe working on a 2 year major EU contract linked with singing and how it can improve the lives of the elderly and isolated in our communities in the years ahead. He is the only UK member of the consortium. Others include the renowned Fraunhofer Institute in Germany and the Austrian Technology Board.
Everyone is welcome to go to the opening sessions of the Devizes Good Afternoon Choir. For more details see www.grenvillejones.biz
ENDS
Grenville Jones 0777 828 2934 or email jonesgrenville@aol.com
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Get singing with choirskool!
A new youth choir project, for boys and girls aged 8-16 years will be started by Grenville Jones in June. It will launch in Bath with an open night on Tuesday June 21 and an invitation to parents and young people to go along and find out more.
CHOIRSkool will be on Tuesday nights from 4-6pm at St Bart’s Church in Oldfield Park.
The CHOIRSkool year will be divided into four 12 week terms.
Grenville already leads a number of highly successful music projects in the area including the mixed-voice Bath Chorus, the Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir, the Stockingtops and Good Afternoon Choirs in both Bath and Devizes.
He is also the founder of the Golden-Oldies Charity which brings music and singing to hundreds of elderly folk across the west each week. Goldies, as it has become known, has attracted world-wide media coverage. Sir Cliff Richard is the Goldies Patron.
Grenville explains the background to his new project.
“Parents as well as grandparents have been asking me for a long time if I would consider starting a choir for children and young people.
“CHOIRSkool will be for everyone. There will be no auditions. I want to give boys and girls the chance to learn all about harmony singing as well as rhythm.
“There is a huge interest in singing and CHOIRSkool will be all about having fun through music. It will give young people from 8-16 the chance to learn to sing all types of music from glee to gospel and pop to praise.
“Some of the many talented young local musicians will be working with me. The accent will be learning at a pace to suit all and there will be concerts and events right from the start.
“Singing can be enjoyed by all age groups. I know that all too well through my work with all my other groups.
“Our open night on Tuesday June 21 from 4pm- 6pm is an opportunity for everyone to come along and find out why CHOIRSkool is going to be different!“
Grenville Jones also conducts the Norland College student choir, which has been invited to sing at the Mayor-Making ceremony in Bath Abbey on Saturday June 4. Find out more about all of his projects on www.grenvillejones.biz
Ends
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Get singing with choirskool!
A new youth choir project, for boys and girls aged 8-16 years will be started by Grenville Jones in June. It will launch in Bath with an open night on Tuesday June 21 and an invitation to parents and young people to go along and find out more.
CHOIRSkool will be on Tuesday nights from 4-6pm at St Bart’s Church in Oldfield Park.
The CHOIRSkool year will be divided into four 12 week terms.
Grenville already leads a number of highly successful music projects in the area including the mixed-voice Bath Chorus, the Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir, the Stockingtops and Good Afternoon Choirs in both Bath and Devizes.
He is also the founder of the Golden-Oldies Charity which brings music and singing to hundreds of elderly folk across the west each week. Goldies, as it has become known, has attracted world-wide media coverage. Sir Cliff Richard is the Goldies Patron.
Grenville explains the background to his new project.
“Parents as well as grandparents have been asking me for a long time if I would consider starting a choir for children and young people.
“CHOIRSkool will be for everyone. There will be no auditions. I want to give boys and girls the chance to learn all about harmony singing as well as rhythm.
“There is a huge interest in singing and CHOIRSkool will be all about having fun through music. It will give young people from 8-16 the chance to learn to sing all types of music from glee to gospel and pop to praise.
“Some of the many talented young local musicians will be working with me. The accent will be learning at a pace to suit all and there will be concerts and events right from the start.
“Singing can be enjoyed by all age groups. I know that all too well through my work with all my other groups.
“Our open night on Tuesday June 21 from 4pm- 6pm is an opportunity for everyone to come along and find out why CHOIRSkool is going to be different!“
Grenville Jones also conducts the Norland College student choir, which has been invited to sing at the Mayor-Making ceremony in Bath Abbey on Saturday June 4. Find out more about all of his projects on www.grenvillejones.biz
Ends
PRESS RELEASE
December 30th, 2010
For the third consecutive year Golden-Oldies founder Grenville Jones has featured in the Bath Chronicle "People of the Year" awards.
The newspaper which celebrated its own 250th anniversary this year, lists a host of categories with Olympic Gold medallist Amy Williams named as Woman of the Year alongside Bath businessman Andrew Brownsword, Bath Man of the Year.
Grenville won Bath Man of the Year two years ago for his work in starting the Golden-Oldies charity. He was named as a runner-up last year and is listed as a runner-up again this year. The Chronicle says;
Grenville Jones - You can't keep a good man down and this year he has continued his one-man campaign to teach the city to sing. Just as importantly his Time after Time initiative to bring young and old together through the power of music earned him well-deserved credit throughout the community.
The Time after Time project is also named as Event of the Year ahead of runner-up The British Transplant Games which took place in Bath in 2010 and the hugely successful community production of Ben Hur at the Theatre Royal. Writing about Time after Time, the Chronicle says;
"Time after Time bought smiles and laughter to the faces of hundreds of elderly and young people."
ends
PRESS RELEASE
November 2010
ONE of the UK’s top young Gospel groups will be on stage in Bath this Christmas. Following their success on the BBC’s Last Choir Standing, ACM Gospel Choir have toured with Russell Watson and last year released a hit Christmas CD.
They will be guests of Bath music man, Grenville Jones at the Bath Forum on Saturday December 11, starting at 7.30pm. This annual show has featured such names as Hayley Westenra and Katherine Jenkins in past years and always attracts a capacity audience.
The ACM Gospel Choir is a musical collective of some of the most talented singers, songwriters and performers in the UK today. With a great blend of voices from different genres, different continents across the world and different ages the ‘New Gospel’ sound that they have created is unique. The choir was formed in 2005 by Mark De-Lisser.
Mark and Grenville struck up a friendship when Bath Male Choir also appeared on Last Choir Standing. Says Grenville:
“He is a multi-talented musician and ACM are fantastic on stage. December 11th will be another sparkling evening at the Bath Forum.”
Also appearing will be Grenville’s all-girl singing group the fabulous Stockingtops.
They will be on stage in Milsom Street, Bath on Thursday November 18th for the Cities BIG Christmas light switch-on by the Duchess of Cornwall.
Also appearing at the Forum on December 11th will be rising star 17 year old Tom Corbishley. Tom lives at Trowbridge and attends Bath College. Grenville saw him at a Zenith Youth Theatre production in 2009 and since that time Tom has performed as a soloist at a number of Grenville’s concerts.
He recently won the Best Actor Rose Bowl award for the second consecutive year following his lead role in Zenith’s production of Dracula, earlier this year.
Also appearing will be The Bath Chorus conducted by Grenville Jones. The Chorus now numbers over 100 singers, many being young music students who are based in the city. They performed at a packed Wells Cathedral earlier this year supporting Help for Heroes and will be singing in Bath Abbey on December 8th, a concert organised by the National Osteoporosis Society.
This promises to be an evening packed with popular Christmas melodies and with appearances also from the Good Afternoon Choir and Grenville’s new Wednesday evening mixed voice Choir which already has over 70 members.
Tickets from Bath Box Office priced £10, £15 and £20 on 01225 463362.
ENDS
For press enquiries please call Grenville on 07778 282934
PRESS RELEASE
October 2010
Grenville Jones's new non-audition choir will hold its first open night for interested singers at the main hall at Culverhay School on Wednesday October 20th from 7.30pm.
Since announcing his new music project Grenville has been inundated with emails and calls from people keen to learn more. Grenville's new choir, yet to find a name, will sing a range of music from folk songs to modern pieces.
"The accent will be on enjoyment," he says.
"Singing to so popular here in the UK and I have been amazed at the response" adds Grenville and I look forward to meeting everyone at Culverhay School on Wednesday Oct 20th.
"It is a good venue and easy to access from Midsomer Norton and Keynsham with no parking problems, just come along if you would like to find out more."
See www.grenvillejones.biz
Grenville is the founder of the Golden-Oldies Charity which now brings music to hundreds of elderly people across the West region. He is also working on a major 2 year EU study of how technology can bring music and exercise into the homes of isolated people.
He conducts the famous Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir, the 90 strong Bath Chorus, an auditioned mixed choir, the all-girl Fabulous Stockingtops and the Norland College Choir.
He also leads the Bath Good Afternoon Choir, is patron of the Cornish Community Choirs association and is a council member of the Association of British Choral Conductors.
Ends
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, August 16, 2010
Bath music man Grenville Jones is calling open house for anyone who fancies joining a choir. Grenville is best known for his famous Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir but he leads a number of other groups. He is also planning a brand new no audition fun for all evening choir in the Autumn.
Leaflets and flyers will be going out across the city inviting singers to open rehearsals at St Bart’s Church in Oldfield Park through September and October, “Come and try,” is the message.
Emma Rushe is one of the young singers in THE Bath Chorus. She went for an audition when Grenville started his new mixed voice choir after parting company with The Silver Ring Choir in January 2009. Says Emma:
“I used to really enjoy singing at music college and when a friend told me about Grenville starting a new mixed voice choir in Bath I decided to go along and audition. The choir is very friendly and of a great standard with over 90 singers. We have performed at the opening night of the Bath Christmas switch on with Nicolas Cage as well as in Wells Cathedral and Bath Abbey.
“There have been concerts with Hayley Westenra and Aled Jones at the Bath Forum. And we have some big dates coming up including two major Charity concerts and our show with ACM on December 11th.“
John Roch sings with Bath Male Choir www.bathmalechoir.org. He says:
“I am one of the relatively new members. I used to sing but Bath Male Choir is different. The music is great and when we perform at concerts the experience is brilliant. If you love to sing then don’t be put off by the word 'Choir', come along to one of our Open Nights www.grenvillejones.biz/open-nights.html and give it a try. You won’t regret it.”
John’s wife Hilary is a member of Grenville’s 50 strong Stockingtops group. They are singing at Wiltshire Music Centre on September 25th with Bath Male Choir.
Another choir started by Grenville is the Bath Thursday Good Afternoon Choir which is taken by Francis Faux who works with Grenville. It is for everyone, no auditions, just join and enjoy singing in the daytime! Russell Eagles is a member. This is what Russell has to say...
“I joined the choir when it was started by Grenville in May last year. I have no singing background although I was a music student many years ago. I have always nurtured a feeling to be involved in the world of music.
“The music we sing is lively and modern. Francis Faux is our inspirational conductor and Grenville officiates when Francis is absent. If you want an uplifting, enjoyable afternoon and be part of a happy family away from all your troubles then come and join us.”
And the new singing group? Grenville explains;
“People keep asking me if they could join an evening choir which doesn’t have the pressure of auditions so that is the next project!“
Full details can be found on www.grenvillejones.biz singing is one of the most popular hobbies in the UK, now is your chance to give it a try.
ENDS
Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 0777 828 2934 or 01761 472468 office or email jonesgrenville@aol.com
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A UNIQUE new singing project starts tomorrow afternoon (Thursday May 7th) in Bath.
Bath Choir leader Grenville Jones knows first hand about the huge interest in singing. The BBC's Last Choir Standing had a major affect on the resurgence and his Bath Male Choir hit top five on the 2008 programme; a remarkable achievement for a group who only formed in 2007.
Grenville’s next project will tune up in Bath tomorrow (Thursday May 7th). The Good Afternoon Choir will be just that, an open Choir with no auditions for retired and unemployed people. Everyone will be welcome with the accent on harmony singing and, in Grenville’s words:
“Everything from Alleluia to Abba!”
He is also the founder of a charity called Golden-Oldies, which has attracted worldwide attention. ”Goldies”, as it has become affectionally known, provides fun rock and roll singing sessions in community homes for isolated and lonely people and is having a profound effect on people’s lives. In 16 months it has progressed from 5 weekly singing sessions in Bath to over 50 across the west of England.
The Good Afternoon Choir project in Bath will link in with Bath Spa University, which has a strong reputation for music excellence. Young music degree students will be given the opportunity to act as trainee conductors of the Good Afternoon Choirs.
An X-Factor-type audition will take place in May to pick the two students who will work with the choir for the next 12 months. This will conclude with a concert in Bath with each student conducting one half of the performance.
The first meeting of the choir is at the United Reformed Church, Argyle Street Bath from 2 – 4pm on Thursday May 7th. Everyone is welcome.
Have a good afternoon and sing with the Good Afternoon Choir.
www.goodafternoonchoir.org
Ends
For more information please contact Grenville or Nikki on 01761 472468 or visit www.goodafternoonchoir.org
Photo call Thursday May 7th
2pm - 4pm, United Reformed Church, Bath
Have a “good afternoon” with the Good Afternoon Choir
MORE and more people are joining choirs and taking up singing as a hobby. There are rock choirs, work choirs and community choirs, but sadly, many older people whose choir has been the centre of their social life for years have to face the fact that as their voices age, the choir they love just may not want them anymore.
A new singing project in Bath could change all that.
Bath Choir leader Grenville Jones knows first hand about the huge new interest in singing. The BBC's Last Choir Standing had a major affect on the resurgence of interest in singing and his own Bath Male Choir achieved top five status on the 2008 programme; a remarkable achievement for a group of men who only formed in 2007.
Many of the members had no previous choir experience yet Bath Male Choir, now with over 90 members, is in huge demand for concerts across the UK.
Grenville is also the founder of a charity called Golden-Oldies, which has attracted worldwide attention. ”Goldies”, as it has become affectionally known, provides fun rock and roll singing sessions in community homes for isolated and lonely people and is having a profound effect on people’s lives. In 16 months it has progressed from 5 weekly singing sessions in Bath to over 50 across the west of England.
Grenville’s next project will start in Bath next Thursday (May 7th). The Good Afternoon Choir will be just that, an open Choir with no auditions for retired and unemployed people. Everyone will be welcome with the accent on harmony singing and, in Grenville’s words:
“Everything from Alleluia to Abba!”
He explains:
“I have conducted many choirs and have been faced with the unpleasant task of re-auditioning older choir members, an experience shared by fellow conductors across the UK. Many elderly choir members have belonged to their choir for most of their life. It has become the bedrock of their social world, their friendships and in many cases the way they enjoy holidays through singing tours abroad. Then they are told that their voice is not good enough any more, a devastating thing to hear.
“In Latvia there are a series of retirement choirs which singers move on to when they reach 70. Then there is no unpleasantness or bad feeling involved. The Good Afternoon Choir in Bath is a pilot and I hope the concept will take off across the whole of the United Kingdom.
“People will be able to travel to their choir rehearsal during the daytime, making use of free bus passes. They will not have to be concerned about dark nights and evening parking charges, and they will be home in time to enjoy the 6 o’clock news. But this will not be an inferior group musically, it will be group of singers who work to achieve a high standard and entertain its audiences.
“Another unique aspect of the Good Afternoon Choirs will be singing in five-part harmony. As well as the traditional soprano, alto, tenor and bass lines, we will introduce the opportunity to simply sing the melody line. This means that anyone who has no previous singing experience can sing the tune to their heart’s content. There will also be social trips and opportunities to meet up with other Good Afternoon Choirs.”
Uniquely, The Good Afternoon Choir project in Bath will link in with the Bath Spa University, which has a strong reputation for music excellence. Young music degree students will be given the opportunity to act as trainee conductors of the Good Afternoon Choirs.
An X-Factor-type audition will take place in May to pick the two students who will work with the choir for the next 12 months. This will conclude with a concert in Bath with each student conducting one half of the performance.
The first meeting of the choir is at the United Reformed Church, Argyle Street Bath from 2 – 4pm on Thursday May 7th. Everyone is welcome.
Have a good afternoon and sing with the Good Afternoon Choir.
www.goodafternoonchoir.org
Ends.
For more information please contact Grenville or Nikki on 01761 472468 or visit www.goodafternoonchoir.org
LAST October, Bath choir leader Grenville Jones was guest of Aled Jones on his Sunday evening Radio 3 Programme, The Choir.
Aled quizzed Grenville about his growing reputation to get people of all ages singing, especially with his now famous 90 voice Bath Male Choir which hit the headlines on the BBC’s Last Choir Standing, and the Golden-Oldies charity he started in 2007 which gets hundreds of elderly rocking, rolling and smiling each week across the West of England.
This week Grenville has announced his latest project, a unique new series of afternoon choirs for retired people who still love to sing.
The Good Afternoon Choir is for everyone and will start on Thursday afternoons in Bath from 2-00pm to 4-15pm at the United Reformed Church in Argyle Street. The music will be fun and varied, everything from folk songs to ABBA!
Grenville explains:
“ From my many years conducting choirs I know that there are thousands of people of more mature years who still love to sing. Many belong to existing choirs who dread the time when the re-audition process kicks in. They are concerned that their voice has aged and that they will not be accepted any more in a choir they have belonged to for years.
“The Good Afternoon Choirs are for them, no more evening driving and parking, no auditions and a choir singing FIVE part harmony to a high standard of musicianship. Reading music is not important, if members have sung in a choir before they can be in the soprano, alto, bass or tenor section. If singing in harmony is something you have never attempted, men or ladies, then it's the fifth line, the melody section and the tune that you will sing.
“ The choirs will be led by young conductors linking with local University music degree students and the music will be set in a range that suits older voices. The emphasis will be on fun, making friends and singing together.
“ We are starting in Bath on May 7th in the city centre so retired people who live outside of Bath can use their bus passes and the Park and Ride service and be home in time for the 6 o'clock news! The Bath Good Afternoon Choir will work towards performing in concerts, with the first one being on August 22nd THIS year in the Bath Forum. There will also be social events and other trips to look forward to. “
Grenville plans to introduce afternoon choirs across the UK in the month’s ahead working with fellow members of the Association of Choral Directors.
