News
Friends of the Vox Emerging Composers Recording
10th April 2025
Friends of the Vox has launched a fundraising campaign for the choir's first recording session, taking place at the VOCES8 Centre next month.
Vox Anima Chamber Choir have the honour of recording the three chosen entries from the charity's emerging Composers Call for Scores, as well as a fabulous new piece composed by the choir's Patron Cecilia McDowall.
If you are able to make a donation towards this fundraiser, as the choir continue their mission of presenting stunning new repertoire from today's choral composers, the the choir and the composers would be very grateful! This recording session represents another significant landmark in the story of Vox Anima Chamber Choir and they can't wait to share the recordings with you!
You can make a donation here.
Collaboration with Woldingham School
26th March 2025
Members of Vox Anima Chamber Choir joined the Woldingham School Junior and Senior Choirs, directed by Victoria Milnes, last night to support a moving performance of Cecilia McDowall's Everyday Wonders: The Girl from Aleppo. The performance followed an afternoon workshop two weeks before. Many thanks to the Director of Music, Richard Hammond-Hall, for inviting Vox Anima Chamber Choir to take part in this wonderful concert. The choir were warmly welcomed and blown away by the talent and energy showcased by the students.
Stabat Mater
16th February 2025
On Saturday 15th February, Vox Anima Chamber Choir brought a moment of emotional reflection to its audience, performing Kim André Arnesen’s Stabat Mater at St Luke’s Church in Tunbridge Wells. It was the first time the Choir had performed in this venue - at the kind invitation of Rev David Green - and the singers were made to feel extremely welcome by David and the church community.
The performance was nuanced, sensitive and moving. Here are a few words from audience members:
"We had no idea what to expect, but as soon as we heard your first notes we thought, Ah, this is going to be special!"
"We wish we had known about you sooner!"
"Absolutely sublime - I don't have any other words to describe it."
"It was quite incredible."
"How you sang that I don't know... It was totally beautiful!"
"Just wow - there are no words!"
"I was completely blown away. It was so emotional and so beautiful."
"We would happily sit for another hour and listen to it all over again - now!"
“I’m going home very emotional.”
"The blending in of your voices was amazing."
"It was absolutely beautiful."
The Stabat Mater was beautifully interspersed with tender interludes of Chopin’s Prelude in E Minor played by Richard Hammond-Hall, creating moments of peace which allowed the audience time to reflect upon the themes of the music.You can listen to recordings from the concert on our YouTube channel.
Friends of the Vox Emerging Composers 2024
3rd September 2024
It is going to be an absolute privilege for Vox Anima Chamber Choir to learn, perform and record three new pieces for treble voices, composed by the prize winners in the Emerging Composer Call for Scores 2024.
Friends of the Vox, in collaboration with Dan Forrest, has announced the winners selected from an incredible 100 compositions submitted by composers from 19 countries.
1st Prize: Anna Rocławska-Musiałczyk_composer (Poland) - O Oriens
2nd Prize: Molly Ijames(US) - Song of the Oak
3rd Prize: Christopher Ryan Roncales (Philippines) - Alleluia
Anna’s first-prize winning piece, O Oriens, will be premiered at the Friends of the Vox Upper Voices Festival in November 2024 at St. Peter’s, Eaton Square, London, with Charles MacDougall and Emily Dickens. The second and third prize winning pieces will be premiered by Vox Anima Chamber Choir in spring 2025, and all three prize-winning pieces will be recorded by Vox Anima Chamber Choir at the VOCES8 Centre in London, May 2025.
Honourable mentions were also given to Rachel DeVore Fogarty (New York, US); Joshua Bauder (Minnesota, US); and David Brewer (Texas, US).
Many congratulations to the three winning composers, to those who received honourable mentions, and to everyone who submitted their music for adjudication. It is fabulous to see that new music for treble voices is alive and well across the world.
Congratulations Becca and Alex
8th August 2024
The choir send lots of love and congratulations to Becca (Alto 1) and Alex who tied the knot yesterday. The choir were thrilled to have been invited to sing as part of the service and also happened to have a little surprise up their sleeve for Becca at the reception, singing an arrangement of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, specially commissioned for the occasion. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful couple. xx
Getting away for a weekend of singing and connection
10th July 2024
Vox Anima Chamber Choir finished the season with a fabulous concert at St Dunstan's Church, Cranbrook, celebrating the power of women's voices. The choir then retreated to the tranquil setting of Fraser's in Egerton for a weekend of music, connection, and creative exploration. The best music is created through a strong sense of community and the choir regularly take time outside of their normal rehearsal schedule to develop this side of the group.
The weekend began with a celebratory post-concert dinner, where choir members shared laughter and stories. Some light-hearted activities offered a fun way for members to learn more about one another.
Saturday morning started for some choir members opting for an invigorating countryside run, while others enjoyed a more leisurely start to the day. The group came together to reminisce about the many memorable moments they’ve shared since the choir's inception, reflecting on the deep friendships and invaluable lessons that have shaped their journey and developed the choir so far.
The afternoon was dedicated to what the choir does best—singing! The group delved into Kim André Arnesen's Stabat Mater which they will be performing in the upcoming months, as well as rehearsing pieces for Alto 1 Becca’s wedding.
The day concluded with a team BBQ. It was a time for laughter, music, and togetherness, embodying the spirit of the retreat!
Sunday provided the choir with a chance to look to the future, engaging in sessions about the direction of the group and exciting ideas for future projects. The retreat ended with the choir energised and united, ready to bring their ambitious ideas to life—something they look forward to sharing with their supporters in the months to come.
