Latest News

2010 Christmas Concert

The ever-popular Verse And Chorus annual Christmas concert will take place this year at St. Robert's Church, Pannal, at 3.00p.m. on Saturday 18th December.  In a departure from normal practice, we have gone for an afternoon performance, in the hope that it will attract people who are not keen on going out in the evening in winter as well as those whose evenings in the lead-up to Christmas are already booked up.  The concert will consist of the usual blend of popular Christmas favourites along with some less familiar but attractive carols and something for the audience to join in as well.  Admission is on the door, price £6.00 (accompanied children under 16 free) and includes seasonal refreshments.

Summer Concert

The annual Verse And Chorus summer concert took place at St. Robert's Church, Pannal on Wednesday 30th June. 

The following review was received by the choir:

Those residents of Pannal and the surrounding area who were not at the Verse And Chorus summer concert at St. Robert’s Church last Wednesday certainly missed a real treat.  Verse And Chorus is a youth choir of some fourteen singers, who are all clearly talented musicians in their own right.  They performed a versatile programme of eighteen songs ranging in style from composers such as Handel and Mozart through to contemporary classical composers Bob Chilcott, Marten Lauridsen and Philip Stopford, with a fair sprinkling of 20^th century popular and show songs, and also modern arrangements of traditional folk melodies.  The vast majority of these were sung from memory, and encompassed pieces sung in Latin, French and Italian as well as English.  This choir’s ability to switch between styles was admirable, and one was immediately struck by the infectious enthusiasm and enjoyment displayed in all performances, not to mention the attention to detail, wonderful blend of voices and beautiful musical phrasing brought out by the choir’s musical director David Darling, most ably supported by accompanist Sarah Paynes.  There were some really moving and spine-tingling moments which will remain in the memory for some time to come.  

One of the features of any Verse And Chorus concert is the opportunity afforded to the many excellent soloists from among the choir’s ranks to shine, and in this concert we were not to be disappointed.  Featuring on this occasion were pianist Leala David and flautist Hannah-Rose Williams, alongside vocalists Phoebe Worley, Harry Dow, Katie Kippax, Heather Kirk, Laura Whiteley, David Paynes, Eleanor Smith and Rebecca Paynes, a number of whom are already Grade 8 performers.  However special mention must be made of founder-member Emma Whiteley (the 2006 BBC Young Chorister Of The Year), in her final appearance as a regular member of the choir before moving on to university, whose evocative and poised rendition of the unaccompanied Irish folksong She Moved Through The Fair had the audience spellbound from beginning to end.  Judging on the evidence of this concert, the future of choral singing among young people is extremely bright, and one cannot wait for the choir’s next performance.

Verse And Chorus at Summer Concert 2010

2010-2011 Concert Programme 

Please refer to the Diary page for details of Verse And Chorus concerts in the new season.  If you would like to receive email reminders of any of our performances, please email your contact details to david@verseandchorus.co.uk

New Members 

The choir has a few places available for new members interested in joining.  Please fill in the form on the contact page, or email david@verseandchorus for further details.

Archive News!

2009-2010

Verse And Chorus Opens Child Dentistry Conference 

A first for the choir - singing at the opening ceremony of the 10th Congress of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry at the Harrogate International Centre.  Despite the early start on Friday 4th June, this was an occasion enjoyed by everyone.

Verse And Chorus Soloists Shine In New Festival

A number of soloists from Verse And Chorus took part in the first ever Harrogate Festival Of Song For Young Voices at Ashville College in February 2010, and achieved some stunning successes.  First prizes were won by Harry Dow, Ravi Patel, David Paynes, Rebecca Paynes, Ellie Smith and Hannah-Rose Williams, with Emma Whiteley and Phoebe Worley achieving runner-up awards.  The adjudicator was the internationally-renowned soprano Lynne Dawson, most famous for her performance of the Libera Me from Verdi's Requiem at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.  Miss Dawson commented, "I was delighted to be asked to adjudicate this first Harrogate Festival Of Song For Young Voices - the standard was astonishingly high.  It's very important that young people have the opportunity to perform in public;  it can help in all areas of their lives, with self-confidence, focus, self-esteem and posture.  I wish the Festival Of Song the very best of luck for the future."

At the end of the festival, Miss Dawson treated competitors and audience to an informative and engaging masterclass.

Christmas Concert 2009

The ever-popular Verse And Chorus annual Christmas Concert was a hugely successful joint event with the 5-part a-capella vocal group Quintessential at St. Mark's Church, Leeds Road, Harrogate   Those who braved the snow were treated to a programme of seasonal and other music, including a number of surprise items, and the concert finished with both groups combining forces to sing John Rutter's "Angels' Carol."  Watch this space for details about the Verse And Chorus summer concert.

RNLI Music In Midwinter Concert

Our concert programme for the new season began with the RNLI charity concert at S. Wilfrid's Church, Harrogate on Friday 20th November.  Verse And Chorus shared the platform with the Leeds-based SATB choir "Cantabile" and the Horn Quartet "Ad Hoc Horns".  The special acoustic at S. Wilfrid's Church contributed to a most enjoyable first performance of the season.

Verse And Chorus at S. Wilfrid's Church, Harrogate, November 2009

"New Songs Of Celebration".........Review

Having reviewed the CD issued by Verse and Chorus in 2006 ["All Aboard"], I had looked forward to hearing this their latest commercial recording and I was not disappointed.  In the interim these talented young singers have continued to give great pleasure to their audiences at both public concerts and private functions as well as maintaining their impressive record of achievement in major competitions.  At the Harrogate Competitive Festivals in both 2006 and 2007 Verse and Chorus was awarded the Choral Challenge, having been adjudged the best choir.  

One’s attention is immediately arrested by the sense of enjoyment which is conveyed in a wide selection of music.  The attractive sequence of choral items on their 2009 CD ranges from Dolly Parton’s  I will always love you (sung in Italian) to the well-known trio, Lift thine eyes, from Mendelssohn’s oratorio, Elijah.  There are also a number of pieces by such contemporary composers as Bob Chilcott, whose beautiful setting of Christina Rossetti’s poem, Midwinter, has already established itself as something of a modern classic.  The CD takes its title, New Songs of Celebration, from a specially commissioned piece by Philip Stopford, the current Director of Music at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, who is also represented by settings of All things bright and beautiful and King of Glory, King of Peace.  I was particularly pleased to hear again the carol, Madonna and Child, by one of my former teachers, Eric Thiman.

The fine blend of the voices and generally very good balance of the parts were notable features of the choir’s performance with the two men giving a commendable account of themselves despite the preponderance of sopranos and altos.  The soloists were all of a high standard, the experience and maturity of Emma Whiteley, the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year, enabling her to acquit herself with some distinction.  The single treble soloist, David Paynes, showed why he reached the final of the 2008 BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition.

The sensitive and supportive piano accompaniments of Sarah Paynes in the choral items and David Darling elsewhere were an essential element in the overall success of this delightful recording, nor should one omit to mention the mellifluous flute-playing of Keith Hawker in John Bell’s Take this Moment.  Everyone concerned is deserving of our thanks and congratulations.

                                                                                                            Harry Grindle, August 2009

CD Launch Party A Great Success!

Our latest CD "New Songs Of Celebration" was launched at a free concert in St. Robert's Church, Pannal on Friday 15th May at 7.30p.m. in front of a large and appreciative audience.   The concert also featured the world premiere of a new work "The Old Sow Took The Measles" by local composer Tim Knight www.timknightmusic.com  written for and dedicated to Verse And Chorus.  The choir was on top form in previewing a selection of tracks from the CD.  Many thanks to all the choir parents for providing such varied and delicious refreshments afterwards!

The CD comprises 21 tracks, and, in addition to many favourite choral pieces, features three solo pieces (including the evergreen "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square" from Emma Whiteley, BBC Young Chorister Of The Year 2006, two solos (including "Walking In The Air")  from David Paynes, runner-up inn the 2008 BBC Young Chorister competition, and solos from Alice Bainbridge, Ellie Smith, Rebecca Paynes and Jade Spilsbury.

To order your copy, or to make that special gift, please send an email to david@verseandchorus.co.uk 

2008-2009 Events

For our autumn concert in October this year we returned to Pannal to join with Kevin Paynes and the St Robert's Church choir.  

Our Christmas season began with the RNLI Music In Midwinter concert at St. Wilfrid's Church on Friday 5th December, and was followed by our own ever-popular Christmas concert on Friday 19th December at All Saints Church. Kirkby Overblow.  

We were disappointed that our Spring concert had to be cancelled at short notice, but the summer term proved especially active.  As well as launching our new CD in May, we sang at two weddings, at Weeton in June, having already led the singing at a Kirkby Overblow wedding in April, and the choir's annual Summer concert on Friday 3rd July took place place at All Saints Church, Ripley.

The weather was kind to us as we rounded off a most enjoyable year with a barbecue in July.

Harrogate Competitive Festival

Congratulations to all members of Verse And Chorus who sang so well in this year's Harrogate Festival.  First prizes were awarded to Emma Whiteley, Rebecca Paynes and Ravi Patel in the vocal trio class, Ravi Patel (boys' changed voice), Ellie Smith (years 10 and 11 vocal solo, and year 10 song from a show), and David Paynes (Northern Choristers' Championship).  Also worthy of mention are Jade Spilsbury and Rebecca Paynes (runners-up in vocal duet class), Bethany McKenzie-Shore and Heather Kirk (joint runners-up in the year 9 song from a show class), David Paynes (four second places) and Hannah-Rose Williams (3rd in vocal duet class).

David Paynes In BBC Young Chorister Final

Congratulations to David Paynes, who won through to the final of this year's BBC Radio 2 Young Choristers Of The Year Final.  David is one of only four boys from across the country, who competed for the coveted title at St. Paul's Cathedral, London on Friday 31st October.  The competition was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday 2nd November.  David performed the hymn "For The Fruits Of His Creation" to the tune East Acklam, and Philip Stopford's attractive new anthem "All Things Bright And Beautiful.  David sings in his local parish church choir at Pannal, just outside Harrogate, where his father is choirmaster, and was the fifth singer from Harrogate this decade to reach the Young Choristers final.  David can be heard singing "Walking In The Air" at the Verse And Chorus Christmas Concert at Kirkby Overblow on Friday 19th December.

Emma Whiteley CD Recording

Emma Whiteley's debut CD "Believe" is now out and available for a charity donation.   The CD comprises 14 of Emma's favourite songs, including Philip Stopford's Irish Blessing, which she sang for HRH Prince Charles last year.  For details, please see Emma's website, www.emmawhiteley.co.uk or email david@verseandchorus.co.uk 

Mendelssohn's Elijah

Verse And Chorus was delighted to be able to join with the Harrogate Choral Society for a performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah in the newly refurbished Royal Hall on Saturday 3rd May 2008 (7.30p.m.).  The concert was conducted by Andrew Padmore.  As well as celebrating the much-heralded reopening of the Royal Hall, the concert also marked the 60th anniversary of the first Harrogate Choral Society concert after its reformation - a performance of Elijah on 28th April, 1948.  According to one review of the concert "the young group Verse And Chorus sang the famous trio "Lift Thine Eyes" commendably from memory with well-balanced harmonies and excellent diction.  Despite their numbers they later blended perfectly with the adult choir."

Emma Whiteley Performs For Prince Charles

Emma Whiteley was honoured to be chosen to sing at the reopening of Harrogate's Royal Hall by HRH The Prince Of Wales on Tuesday 22nd January.  She sang Philip Stopford's "An Irish Blessing" and was then joined by William Dutton to perform Cesar Franck's Panis Angelicus, in the arrangement which they had previously sung on BBC Songs Of Praise.  Emma and William also appeared on the recent Songs Of Praise broadcast from St. Wilfrid's Church, Harrogate, when they sang a special arrangement of Bob Chilcott's "The Lord's My Shepherd."

Christmas Concert Première Performance

It was a real pleasure performing to a full church at Dacre Banks for our annual concert of Christmas Music.  The programme featured the first performance of a demanding new work "A Festive Alleluia", written specially for the choir by Sarah Cleveland, one of our singers, who is studying GCSE music at Harrogate Ladies College.  Other highlights included solos from Sophie Whiteley, Laura Whiteley, Alice Bainbridge, Ravi Patel, Bethany McKenzie-Shore, David Paynes and Emma Whiteley, as well as favourite carols and arrangements by Philip Stopford, Andrew Carter, John Rutter and Bob Chilcott.  The concert raised much needed and appreciated funds for Holy Trinity Church.

Bill Goss on National Television and Radio with The Choirboys

We are all very proud that one of our singers, Bill Goss, who starred in Benjamin Britten's The Turn Of The Screw in Belgium earlier this year, has made a number of television and radio appearances as one of The Choirboys, whose Christmas Album was released on 3rd December.  For further details of Bill's schedule, please see www.thechoirboys.org.uk and www.thechoirboys.co.uk.   

BBC Broadcasts

A select group of singers from Verse And Chorus led the singing live on the BBC Radio 4 Daily Service from Emmanuel Church, Didsbury on Monday 28th May.  Our repertoire comprised Philip Stopford's "Come Down, O Love Divine" and two hymns - "When God The Spirit Came" (to a tune by Edward Darling) and "O Thou Who Camest From Above" - which featured solo verses from Emma Whiteley and Alice Bainbridge.

We returned to Didsbury on Thursday 27th December for a second broadcast, which featured one of Bob Chilcott's newest pieces "The Marvellous Birth".

Verse And Chorus at Didsbury, May 2007 

If you missed Songs Of Praise on BBC1 (4th November), when Emma Whiteley was featured singing Panis Angelicus with William Dutton from St. John's Church, Knotty Ash, and Happiness along with Ken Dodd, have a look at www.Youtube.co.uk, where videos of both performances are available to watch.  You can also view Emma's broadcast from St. Wilfrid's Church, Harrogate in February at the same time!

On Thursday 21st June 2007, the BBC Sunday Half-hour programme came to St. Robert's Church, Pannal, where Emma Whiteley, BBC Young Chorister Of The Year, sings every Sunday, to record Emma in two solo pieces along with hymns and anthems from the combined choirs of St. Robert's Church and Verse And Chorus and an invited congregation.  The music was directed by Kevin Paynes and accompanied on the organ by David Darling.  

Emma has made the best of the fantastic opportunities open to her - two live broadcasts on Aled Jones' Radio 2 Sunday morning programme; singing Schubert's Ave Maria with Jose Carreras in the Royal Albert Hall; guest soloist at the Institute of Cancer Research's Gala Christmas Concert at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea; recordings for Radio 2's Sunday Half-Hour from Exeter Cathedral and the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool (as well as from Pannal); five live Radio 4 Daily Service broadcasts, a Radio 4 Sunday Service broadcast from Wesley's chapel in London; two Songs Of Praise recordings and solo rôles in Handel's Messiah and Vivaldi's Gloria locally.  

Emma Whiteley after winning the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister Of The Year Award, October 2006, and at the Institute of Cancer Research Christmas Concert, December 2006 

CD "All Aboard"

New Songs Of Celebration!

We presented our CD launch concert  last year to a full church at St. Mark's, Harrogate, where we also performed the world première of Philip Stopford's latest composition New Songs Of Celebration.  

Our CD All Aboard! available for sale.  It includes twenty-two tracks of  choral and vocal favourites, including Son Of Mary, the song which won Emma Whiteley the BBC Young Chorister Of The Year title, along with solo songs from Dennis Maher, Alice Bainbridge, Bill Goss (The Choirboys 2007) and Claudia Goss, and represents excellent value for money.  Email david@verseandchorus.co.uk to obtain your copy.

"ALL ABOARD!".........Review

With successive revisions of the school curriculum resulting in the increasing marginalisation of the Arts, it is reassuring to hear the results of an initiative which is attempting, with conspicuous success, to remedy this situation.  Founded in September 2002 to meet the needs of young singers of secondary school age keen to develop their choral skills, the membership of Verse and Chorus is drawn from various schools in Harrogate and the surrounding area. Under the direction of David Darling, the choir has made rapid progress, winning a number of important awards at major competitive festivals and giving concerts in various parts of the country. They have already made an appearance in Germany.

"All Aboard!", the choir's first CD, gives some idea of the range of its repertoire and the high standards which it is capable of achieving.  The thirty-nine singers display admirable competence in both sacred and secular music and the listener is immediately impressed by their obvious enthusiasm and commitment. They convey a real sense of the joy which they experience in their collective music-making with generally clear enunciation and very good blend and quality of tone.  Despite the preponderance of sopranos (20) and altos (12), the four young tenors and basses are almost always equal to the task of providing an adequate balance in the mixed-voice items!  On the whole, pitch is well maintained and the contrasting moods are realised effectively.  Particular mention must be made of the outstanding contributions made by the soloists who are all first-rate. Among these are Emma Whiteley, who won the prestigious BBC 2 Young Chorister Of The Year Award in 2006 [and Bill Goss, one of the 2007 The Choirboys].

First Verse and Chorus, a choir for children of primary school age was founded in September 2006 to give preliminary training to junior singers in preparation for entry into the senior choir in due course. The performances of First Verse and Chorus on this CD would suggest that this flourishing choral tradition has a bright future.

Congratulations to David Darling, his colleague Sarah Paynes and the singers on a splendid recording debut. We shall eagerly look forward to further releases.

Harry Grindle

1 November, 2007

Tracks included on the CD

1. Blue Moon    2. Be Thou My Vision    3. Ave Maria    4. Maria    5. Do You Hear What I Hear?    6. All Things Bright And Beautiful    7. I Am A Small Part Of The World    8. I Could Have Danced All Night    9. Down By The Riverside    10. Can You Hear Me?    11. Gaudete    12. The Spanish Main    13. God Is In Bethlehem    14. A Child Is Born In Bethlehem    15. Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man    16. A Bunch Of Thyme    17. Like A Rainbow    18. I Will Sing With The Spirit    19. Son Of Mary    20. Streets Of London    21. The Rose    22. Chattanooga Choo Choo

To order a copy, please fill in the form at the bottom of the page.

Verse And Chorus At National Festival

Both Verse And Chorus and First Verse And Chorus performed at the National Festival of Music For Youth at the Birmingham Conservatoire in July.  

At the Music For Youth National Choral Festival, Birmingham, July 2007 

Harrogate Festival Champion Choir - again!

In March 2007, Verse And Chorus won the prize for the best choir of the Harrogate Competitive Festival for the second year in succession, at the end of an excellent day's competition, which also saw the choir achieve two other first prizes and two runner-up places against good opposition.  The day started with First Verse And Chorus retaining the Primary Choirs trophy which the choir had won last year. 

First Verse And Chorus at Alzheimer's Society Christmas Party

Verse And Chorus CD Order Form

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