Shared Voices

Welcome to Shared Voices, updated 19th March 2009

Shared Voices is a group of singers from Suffolk and Essex who have sung together since before 1997 in a series of monthly voice workshops. We sing songs from around the world from the Balkans to Africa, by way of America and other parts of the globe.

All the songs are learned by heart so you do not need to read music to enjoy yourself. We have a group of inspiring tutors and everyone has a lot of fun. All ages welcome so come and join us and find the voice you knew you had.

As well as Shared Voices, there are other regular local singing events. See the Diary for dates and more details below.

Where do the events happen?

Shared Voices Saturday workshops are usually held at these places:

the Community Hall in Stutton, south of Alton Water in Suffolk. Postcode is IP9 2TA
the Ogilvie Hall, Lawford. Postcode is CO11 2JG.
or sometimes at the Venture Centre in Lawford, near Manningtree Essex

If you have a fast connection here is a large map but if you have a slow connection here is a smaller map with less to load.

The normal workshops usually last for two hours from 11am to 1pm with a break for drinks at 12. Check the Singing Diary for details of dates, times and locations.

Our workshops open about 30 minutes before the start time for tea/coffee etc. Please try to be on time!

How much does it cost?

Shared Voices charge: £6.00 for those who are working/have the means and £3.00 for those on benefits or basic state pension. Please make any cheques payable to SHARED VOICES. If we have longer workshops ( more than 2 hours ) we will probably need to charge more. Special events may have their own charges dependent on the leaders.

Singing Diary 2009

Here is our new Spring programme with lots of different tutors and a wide range of music.

When	What	Details
SAT 7th Mar	Shared Voices	11:00-13:00 Sarah Morgan - well known to us by now, but on her own this time, Stutton Community Hall. Doors open from 1030
SAT 4th Apr	Shared Voices	11:00-16:00Whole Day with Chris Rowbury, one of the most experienced teachers of our kind and leading light of the Natural Voice Network, well known for Beatles or ABBA workshops ( expect a mix of songs this time). Stutton Community Hall. Doors open from 1030
Sat 2nd May	Shared Voices	11:00-13:00 Ann Barrett, back again by popular demand. Stutton Community Hall. Doors open from 1030
Sat 16th May	Shared Voices	11:00-13:00 Helen Chadwick, one of our long term favourites. Expect some great songs and atmosphere! Stutton Community Hall. Doors open from 1030
Sat 6th June	Shared Voices	11:00-13:00 To be confirmed.
July	Shared Voices	11:00-13:00 To be confirmed.
August	No Shared Voices!	As usual we will be all taking a break in August, starting again in September.

Future Plans for rest of 2009

We hope to be soon arranging a whole day return visit by Helen Chadwick, possibly with a solo concert. We had a great time with her and an excellent turn out despite her need to be in Cambridge in the afternoon.

We also hear rumblings that Stephen Taberner will be back next year, so look forward to an exciting programme with the Spooky Men. Stephen did a men only workshop last time in Cambridge and it went down very well, something to try here too

How can I find out more?

For further details about Shared Voices, contact any of the following people:

Diana 01787 477795 ( hardingdiana@hotmail.com )
Joey 01473 211148
Clive 01473 611171 ( clivebarker1@btinternet.com )
Iris and Roger 01473 274636

Or you can Email Shared Voices but we make take a while to reply so please be patient!

Previous Songs for Concerts

We have learned a few songs to sing as part of any Concert with visiting artists. We have loaded a copy of the words onto a special Concert Words Page. Clive has produced a "practice CD" so with the CD plus the words we should all be able to learn the songs with greater ease.

Songs with Northern Harmony

You can have a listen to some of the music that was performed at the previous concert with Northern Harmony in 2005.

Shared Voices singing I've just seen a face, by Lennon and McCartney.
All of us together singing Cryin Holy, NH version of a traditional song.
All of us singing Chasm Lake, a shapenote song composed by Brendan Taaffe.
Northern Harmony on their own: Lord don't turn your child away, a Jubilee Quartet 1930's song.

Parts for "Ke Arona"

Thanks to Gitika and to Clive we now have the separate parts and the combined sound files for Ke Arona which is one of our songs that we have sung at our concerts. Here is Ke Arona all parts and here is the tenor part, the bass part, the alto part and not forgetting the soprano part.

Right click on the link and "save target as" should bring it down to you (couple of MB for each file).

Singing for Fun

The "Singing For Fun" group are based in Suffolk and have open singing sessions at Stutton (Primary) School every Thursday 7.30-9.15pm (during school terms).

Cost is £4.00 or £15.00 for 5 sessions. Ian Heywood (previous leader) has moved on to other things. Jennie, Fran and Clive will be leading the singing. Come and support these popular evenings of song.

Starts Thurs 4th Sept 7.30pm. Open to all.

Directions: drive under the Orwell bridge then follow signs towards Holbrook, drive through the Royal Hospital School site, past Alton Water on your right. At Stutton look for the Primary School. You have gone too far if you reach a right bend with a post office.

Adult Singing Groups in the Colchester area

No music reading skills needed, as songs are taught by ear, just the willingness to work towards singing in tune and in harmony with others. Beginners, improvers and more experienced singers all welcome. Very inclusive, no auditions - come along for a free ‘taster’ Occasional performance if desired.

Harmonic Voices, alternate Mondays 7.30-9.30pm, Charles Smith House, Ladbrook Drive Colchester. £20 per six-weeks.
Souterrain Singers, Thursday term-time 7.30-9.30pm, Castlegate Centre, Colchester. £50 per term (small conc. available on request for low/un-waged)
Sing From the Heart, 4th Monday in the month 7.30pm, East Mersea Village Hall Sept-April, East Mersea Church summer months. £3.50 per session including refreshments.
Ladies in Harmony, Tuesday afternoons, 2-3.30pm, Kingsland Church Hall, Lexden, Colchester. £21 per six-weeks.

For further details of the Colchester area events, tailor-made workshops for groups/organisations, or performance bookings, please contact: Angela Dennis MAHA BA (hons), Natural Voice Practitioner, T: 01206 504246 M: 07812 064550 E: sing.ang@ntlworld.com

Singing in Yoxford (Yox Vox)

Alternate Mondays in term time, led by Bridget Cousins and Helen Rolfe, in the Village Hall at Yoxford. Informal and open to all from 7:30pm until 9:30pm. The cost is £5 per event.

Bridget can be contacted for more information by email at bridget.cousins@btinternet.com or phone 01502 478178.

Links to Musical sites:

Local Musical Sites:

Suffolk Music
Music in Essex
Cambridge Music Events
Sound Sense