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This evening’s concert is performed in memory of our much loved choir member, Lisa Somers
Some sing with their voices. Others sing with their lungs. The sweetest tunes are sung by those who sing with their hearts.
Sunday 17 March 2024 at 8pm
Holy Sepulchre, Holborn Viaduct
Victoria Park Singers conducted by Charles MacDougall
Charis Hanning pianist
There will be a retiring collection in aid of the work of St Joseph’s Hospice which provides high quality, specialist palliative care and support to people in the local community who have a life-limiting illness.
Please ensure your phone and any other electronic devices are switched to silent. Enjoy the concert!
Three Native American Chants Traditional arr. Charles MacDougall
Ya Basta! Val Regan
To the Hills and the Vales Henry Purcell (from Dido and Aeneas)
Sing the Earth Kim André Arnesen
Here’s to Life Music by Artie Butler, lyrics by Phyllis Molinary
Performed by Michael Hyatt
Baby Can I Hold You Tracy Chapman
Performed by Michael Hyatt and Antony Berou
Bring me little water, Sylvie
Performed by Spring Nutz
Follow the Heron Karine Ann Polwart, arr. Baz Chapman
Wide Open Spaces Sarah Quartel
Africa Paich and Porcaro, arr. Emerson
Victoria Park Singers
Victoria Park Singers is a 100-strong community choir founded by Hannah Brine in 2013. Charles MacDougall was appointed conductor in 2023. We are proud to have a no audition policy, yet are not afraid to tackle ambitious new choral works as well as music from the pop, gospel, folk and jazz genres. We have performed across London, including at the Union Chapel, Southbank Centre, St John at Hackney, Rich Mix and the the Museum of Childhood and since forming we have raised around £20,000 for charity. Ladies from our choir were lucky enough to perform as the opening act for the 2017 Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall with Gary Barlow & the cast of his musical The Girls, having performed the previous November at the Royal Variety Show. Choir members have also recently been spotted performing in the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall this summer (Prom 66: In the Name of the Earth) and on BT Sport, being ‘conducted’ by football legend Gary Lineker. In 2020 we graced the Barbican stage, together with the LSO orchestra and a massed choir to perform Andre Thomas’ Symphonic Gospel Spirit. Our summer term starts on Wednesday 17th April and new members are welcome.
Charles MacDougall
Charles MacDougall, known equally for his singing and his transformative work with choirs and singers, was appointed director of Victoria Park Singers in 2023.
A former member of internationally-acclaimed vocal ensemble VOCES8, he now sings for a number of other ensembles, including Gabrieli Consort and Players, London Voices (appearing on numerous film soundtracks) and London Early Opera (including as a soloist on their releases Handel at Vauxhall, Vol.1 & 2, Signum Classics), as well as undertaking solo engagements internationally.
An accomplished choral conductor and vocal coach, he is Chorus Director for Gabrieli ROAR, Vocal Ensembles Coach and Tutor in Vocal Studies at Junior Trinity (Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance) and directs 3 choirs in London. Recent directing highlights include conducting the world premieres of both Errollyn Wallen’s MAP: Songs For Children Everywhere for Britten-Pears Arts in Hull and Snape Maltings, and David Bruce’s Songs of Home for the 25th anniversary of The Voices Foundation at St John’s Smith Square. He is extremely active as a workshop leader, presenting sessions for the BBC Singers, UK Choir Festival, Association of British Choral Directors, LSO and Stay At Home Choir.
As an educator, he was part of the team that received the Music and Drama Education Award for Excellence in Primary/Early Years 2018 and he helped devise and deliver the daily Virtual Sing for children on lockdown in 2020. In 2021 he wrote the first volume of Inside Singing, a choral resource for primary school choir leaders, shortlisted for Outstanding Music Education Resource in the Music and Drama Education Awards 2023.
A fierce advocate for the importance of music and music education, he is the Choral Director of Voices Foundation, an Ambassador for Britten-Pears Arts, a Trustee of IntoOpera, and a Director and Trustee of the Choral Foundation, Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace.
Charis Hanning pianist
With family roots in Vancouver and Hong Kong, pianist Charis Hanning made London her home after arriving there as a naive student in 2009 with little more than her Canadian hoodie and keep-cup. Her sense of adventure is ever-present, making her a versatile, creative and spirited artist.
Experienced in solo, accompaniment and chamber music, Charis loves most of all to collaborate with others. She is a founding member of the Jacquin Trio, and has worked with instrumentalists and singers from around the world in places such as Fundación Juan March and Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. She has also combined with singers at the Aldeburgh English Song Project and Vancouver International Song Institute. Currently she very much enjoys working with students at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, as their Junior Fellow accompanist.
Charis has given solo performances in the UK including at Purcell Room and St Martin-in-the-Fields, and also in Canada, Hong Kong, Italy and India. Among her solo awards are the McCallum Prize at the Royal Overseas League Keyboard Competition, the Belle Shenkman Award and the John & Jean Redcliffe-Maud Prize at RCM.
Beyond her concert schedule, Charis takes great delight in inspiring music-lovers and music-novices alike. She coaches chamber groups and gives masterclasses for young musicians, is staff pianist at Trinity Laban’s Junior Department, mentors artists for Live Music Now, leads creative workshops and gives teacher-trainings.
Charis received her MMus with distinction from RCM and her BMus from the University of British Columbia.
Acknowledgements
A huge thanks to all the singers involved in tonight’s concert for their hard work. An especially big thank you goes to the team of volunteers from the choir who have helped make this event possible.
Thanks to the staff at Holy Sepulchre and our rehearsal venue, Lauriston School, and to you, our lovely audience, for supporting us.
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