Friends of the Vox Impact Report 2023-2024 by Friends of the Vox

FriendsoftheVoxisacharitycommittedtopromotingandencouragingcommunity throughthepowerofchoralmusiconalocal,national,andglobalstage.

WelcometothisfirstFriendsoftheVoxImpact Report!

Imustadmitthatuponreadingitforthefirst time,Ithought,"Gosh,wehavedoneallof that?!" anditturnsoutthatwehave Icouldn't beprouderoftheworkandinvestmentthatso manyhavemadetomakeourfirstfullyear (2024)suchanextraordinarysuccess!

Teameffortandpersonalinvestmentisatthe heartofthecharity'smission,anditiswhat inspiresmetowardrenewedenergyand creativity.Readingthestoriesinthisdocument andwitnessingthetransformativepowerof choralmusicinsomanylivesoverthepast yearremindsmethatoureffortsarenotonly worthwhilebutalsovitaltoourcommunity.

ItismysincerehopethatFriendsoftheVox continuestobeanorganisationthatis committedtothismantra,

"Ifwecandreamit,wecandoit."

Thankyouforallofthewaysthatyouare partneringwithustoturnbigdreamsinto transformativereality.

FriendsoftheVoxispassionateaboutthe powerofchoralmusictounitepeoplefromall walksoflifeandthatisexactlywhatwehave doneoverthelastyear.

Youwillseefromthisreportthatourworkhas supportedamateurgroupstosingintheir localarea,broughtnewpeopletogetherto makemusic,andsupportedprofessional musiciansintheirendeavours

Ourreachthisyearhasbeentrulyglobal,with thewinnersofourEmergingComposers initiativecomingfromPoland,theUSA,andthe Philippines!

Noneoftheworkwedowouldbepossible withoutthoseindividualsandbusinesseswho supportusfinancially,thosewhogivetheir timeforfree,andofcourse,whocometolisten tothemanyconcertswehavepromoted Iwishtothankyouallforyoursupportandlook forwardtomakingmoremusicalmemories together.

WelcomefromourArtistic

JamesMeaders

LauraCloke

WorkshopatSurbitonHighSchool

ArtisticAdvisor,JamesMeaders,leda workshopforstudentsatSurbitonHigh School,supportedbysingersfromVox AnimaChamberChoir.Together,they exploredEverydayWonders:TheGirlfrom Aleppoalongsideitscomposer,Cecilia McDowall.

WewerepleasedtosupportThe MancuniumConsort’sSummerTourinKent. LedbyHarryMobbs,whogrewupin Tonbridge,Kent,TheMancuniumConsortis anewanddynamicvocalensembleand welookforwardtoobservingand promotingitscontinuedgrowth. InRemembrance

ThecentralmissionofFriendsoftheVoxistopromoteandencouragecommunity throughthepowerofchoralmusiconalocal,national,andglobalstage.Assuch,we havebeendelightedtoworkonavarietyofeventsandcollaborationsthathaveour missionattheircore. Come&Sing

SingersfromVoxAnimaChamberChoir weredelightedtoworkwithstudentsfrom WealdofKentGrammarSchool,alongside StCeciliaWindSymphonyandthe1839 Consort,foraperformanceofKimAndré Arnesen'sStabatMaterinStAugustine’s Chapel,TonbridgeSchool.

InNovember,morethan100singers journeyedfromacrossthecountrytojoin usinSevenoaksforourFauréRequiem "ComeandSing".HostedbyArtisticAdvisor JamesMeaders’choirs-VoxPopuliand HurstGreenSingers-wehadaninspiring afternoonwiththisbelovedwork,which concludedwithaninformalperformance tofriendsandfamily.

Toseeout2024,weweredelightedtobringtogetherthechoirsofourArtisticAdvisor,James Meaders-HurstGreenSingers,VoxPopuli,andVoxAnimaChamberChoir-fora collaborativeconcertatPamojaHallinSevenoaks.

ConductedbyJamesMeaders,thecentrepieceoftheprogrammewasKarlJenkins’Gloria, performedbythemassedchoirof100intergenerationalsingers,professionalorchestra,and featuredsoloist,HannahPinney-Thomson.

ThisconcertalsofeaturedtheWorldPremiereofDanForrest’snewarrangementofAngels WeHaveHeardOnHighforUpperVoices,performedbyVoxAnimaChamberChoir.

ThiscollaborativeconcertwasmadepossiblebythegeneroussupportofTheD’OylyCarte CharitableTrust.Thegrantenabledustobringthisambitiousprojecttolife,andweare deeplyappreciativeofTheD’OylyCarte’songoingcommitmenttosupportingmusicandthe arts.Wearegratefultoeveryonewhoparticipatedandcontributedtomakingthisevening possible!

WewereexcitedtohostourinauguralUpperVoices FestivalinLondoninNovember,withinvitedsingers fromacrosstheUK.Participantstravelledfrom Birmingham,Bristol,andbeyond!Theworkshopday, highlightingmusicforuppervoicesandworksby femalecomposers,wasguidedbytheinimitable andinspiringCharlesMacDougallandEmily Dickens.

Repertoirefeaturedworksfromcomposersfrom aroundtheworldincludingSarahQuartel,Tracy Wong,KimAndréArnesen,EleanorDaley,and ElizabethPoston.

TheFestivalculminatedwithanevening performancebyallthesingers.Astandoutmoment oftheconcertforVoxAnimaChamberChoirwas theirWorldPremiereofOOriensbyEmerging Composers2024Winner,AnnaRocławskaMusiałczyk,markingasignificantmilestoneinthe choir’scommitmenttopromotingnewworks.

Theeventreceivedglowingfeedbackfrom participants,whopraisedtheengagingworkshops, warmatmosphere,andopportunitytoconnectwith fellowsingers.

Thiscelebrationofmusic,collaboration,and creativityisatestamenttothevibrancyofthe uppervoicescommunityandourdedicationto fosteringtalentandinnovation.Wearelooking forwardtoorganising moreeventslikethis!

“Itwasutterlyinspiring,both theworkshopforusas singers,andalsohearingVox AnimaChamberChoir,which thestudentswereblown awayby”

InJanuary2024,welaunchedourinauguralcompetitionforemergingcomposers,in collaborationwiththegeneroussupportoftheMusicofDanForrest Weinvitedcomposers ofanyagetosubmitanunpublishedworktoFriendsoftheVoxthatwasadjudicatedinthe summerbyJamesMeaders(FounderandArtisticDirector,VoxAnimaLondon)andDan Forrest(Composer).

Thetitle"EmergingComposers"waschosentoallowpotentialparticipantsto"self-select" enablingustoreachalargercross-sectionofthecomposerpopulation.

100 ENTRIES

FIRST PLACE

19 COUNTRIES

AnnaRocławska-Musiałczyk-Poland OOriens

Annaisacomposer,arranger,pianist,anda memberoftheArt’n’VoicesVocalEnsemble. Hermusicisevocativewhilstprovidingspace forintrospectionandreflection Shedismantles theboundariesoftheinaccessibilitycommonly associatedwithcontemporarymusic.Drawing onsourcesoftraditionalPolishmusic,her creativeinterestsliemainlyinchoral,chamber, andorchestralmusic Sheimproviseslivepiano musicforfilmsandisemployedatthe StanisławMoniuszkoAcademyofMusicin Gdansk,Poland.

Anna’swinningpiecetitledOOriensexplores theOOriensAntiphonthatistraditionallysung intheCatholicChurchonDecember21,the shortestdayoftheyear.Theantiphonrefersto GodastheRisingSunandexploresthemesof hopeandlighttransformingdarkness.

50 YEARAGE RANGE

SECOND PLACE

MollyIjames-Michigan,USA

SongoftheOak

Mollyisrecognisedforhermanycompositionsandarrangement invariouscatalogues,withaspotlightontheartistrywithinher pianoaccompaniments.Althoughherfavouritecompositional craftiswritingsacredchoralmusic,shealsoenjoyswritingconce choralsettings,instrumental,andpianocompositions,andjust recentlybeganacongregationalhymnsettingventuretoserve pianistsaroundtheglobeintheirweeklyworshipcontexts Sheis activeinherlocalchurchandservesasthemainaccompanist whowritesregularlyforworshipservices.

SongoftheOakisapoemwhichpersonifiesthelifeofanoldoak tree,chroniclingthepicturesofhumanhistorythathappened underitswatch.WhenMollycameacrosstheoriginalversion,she wasendearedtotheoldoakandsoughttopaintitsbeautiful biography.Withsomepoeticmodification,personalartistic investment,andanadditionalstanza,thispieceisitsstory.

THIRD PLACE

ChristopherRyanRoncales-ThePhilippines

Alleluia

Christopherisachoralconductor,arranger,andcomposer Heis analumnusandresidentarrangerofthePUPBagongHimigand thecurrentconductoroftheRTUGAAISingers.Heisamemberof theSingPhilippineYouthChoir4asacountertenor,underthe programoftheAndreaO.VeneracionSingPhilippinesFoundation, PhilippineMadrigalSingers,NationalCommissiononCultureand theArts,andtheCulturalCenterofthePhilippines.Hewon2nd placeintheVoxMusicaChoralComposition(2022),Rank2in TrebleCategoryofthePhilippineChoralDirectorsAssociation ChoralCompositionCompetition2022,andwasafeatured composerofMUZIKSEA

ChristopherwroteAlleluiaduringtheheightofastormasapieceto calmanddispelfear,withthemiddlesectionservingasaprayer forthoseaffectedandthosewholostlovedonesduringthestorm’s devastation

VoxAnimaChamberChoirisour auditionedUpperVoicesChoir, conductedbyArtisticAdvisor,James Meadersandaccompaniedby RichardHammond-Hall.

Thesingersrehearseweeklyand pridethemselvesoncommunicative performanceandongoinggrowth anddevelopmentasanensemble. Continuingtochampionmusicby livingcomposers,andspecifically femalecomposers,thechoiralso providesaplatformtopromote worksspecificallyforuppervoices.

Nov2023

“Whatdelightsme…” concertatStDunstan’s ChurchinCranbrook, featuringEveryday Wonders:TheGirlfrom AleppobyCecilia McDowall.

Jan2024

Educationalworkshop atSurbitonHighSchool withcomposerCecilia McDowall

Jul2024

“FlyHigher...”concertatSt Dunstan’sChurchand retreatweekendduring whichthechoirmembers reflectedontheyearand setgoalsforthenext season

Dec2024

Collaborativeconcert withHurstGreenSingers& VoxPopuli.

PerformanceoftheWorld PremiereofDanForrest’s newarrangementof AngelsWeHaveHeardOn HighforUpperVoices

2023-

2024

Dec2023

“VoicesoftheSeason” collaborativeconcert withVoxPopuliinSt Mary’sChurch,West Malling-featuring commissionInThe BleakMidwinterbyDan Forrest

May2024

Soprano2Victoria Soamescompletesthe Ultramarathon, fundraisingforFriends oftheVox

Nov2024

CollaborativeConcert withstudentsfromthe WealdofKent GrammarSchool,the 1838ConsortandSt CeciliaWindSymphony

Actedashostchoirfor FriendsoftheVox inauguralUpperVoices FestivalinLondon.

PerformedtheWorld PremiereofOOriensby FriendsoftheVox EmergingComposer’s winnerAnnaRoclawskaMusialczyk

FoundedinWestMallingin2017,VoxPopuliis ournon-auditionedSATBchoir,conducted byArtisticAdvisor,JamesMeaders. Vox Populiisanintergenerationalchoirandit promotesandperformsthemusicofliving composers.

In2023-2024VoxPopulihasperformedin3 concerts,withsomesingersalso participatinginaconcertatStJohn’sSmith Square,London.Repertoirehasfocusedon largerworksbycontemporarycomposers.

VoxPopulialsocollaboratedwithStMary’s Church,WestMalling,performingajoint concertwiththeirChurchChoir, Treblemakers(amusicgroupforchildren), andtheChoralScholars.

REPERTOIRE

DanForrest SilentNight

HeatherSorensen Requiem

KarlJenkinsGloria

MichaelJohnTrottaForaBreathofEcstasy

TaylorScottDavis Magnificat

Trad.arr.TaylorScottDavis OCome,O ComeEmmanuel

Trad.arr.TaylorScottDavis Joytothe World

“Musiciscoretome-havingsunginachoirfromthe

ageof7,thentakinga25yearhiatus,returningto singinghasrestoredapartofmyselfIhadnotrealised howmuchIhadbeenmissing.Singingwithother voices,blending,performing,bringsalevelofeuphoria andmindfulnessthatveryfewthingscanmatch.”

At our launch event at Mereworth Winery in Kent, Richard Hammond-Hall spoke about how working with Friends of the Vox has impacted him personally, as a professional musician, and further impacted the wider community, with a particular focus on young musicians.AhugethankyoutoRichardforsharinghis experience, and for allowing us to reproduce his speechbelow

“TherearethreewaysinwhichIworkwithFriendsoftheVoxasaprofessionalmusician, andhopefully,throughanexplanationofthese,Iwillbeabletohighlighttheimportant workthatFriendsoftheVoxisalreadydoingandthehugepotentialthisorganisationhas forfutureimpact.

Thefirstisinmyroleasanaccompanist.I’veworkedinLondon,asaprofessional accompanist,forovertenyears InthattimeIhavehadtheprivilegeofaccompanying choirsliveonBBCRadio3andworkingwithsomeofthecountry’sleadingchoral conductors.Withoutwishingtoexaggerateorsoundsycophantic,Icanhonestlysaythat JamesisthebestmusicianandteacherIhaveeverworkedwith.Ihaverecentlyjust completedmyaccounts,readyforthatdreadedJanuarydeadline,andIworkedoutthat inthelastfinancialyearIhavedrivennearly3000milesforFriendsoftheVox!Thatis becauseIknowthatineveryrehearsalandineveryconcertIwilllearnsomething,and thatIwillbecomeabettermusicianjustbybeingintheroom.Weareinawinery.Great musicians,likegreatwine,getbetterwithage.Weoftentalkaboutlate-BeethovenormidBrahms;wearesoblessedtobebenefitingfrommid-Meadershereinthisrandom,rural cornerofKent Jamie,wearetrulyblessedthatyouarrivedonourshores Iftheworkof FriendsoftheVoxmeansthatmorepeople,especiallyyoungpeople,haveaccesstothis remarkablemusicianthenthatisonlyagoodthing.

ThesecondisastheformerDirectorofMusicatStMary’s,WestMalling.FriendsoftheVox partnerwithStMary’stosupporttheirMusicScholarshipProgramme,providingthe scholarswithindividualvocaltuition,choralconductingmasterclassesandinspirational side-by-sideprojects Ineducation,goodchoralmusicisoftenassociatedwiththe independentsector.Thisisbecausedoingchoralmusicwelltakestimeandresources. WiththehelpofFriendsoftheVox,organisationslikeStMary’scanprovidelocalyoung peoplewiththetrainingandexperiencetheyneedtodevelopandthrive.Itmeansthe youngpeopletheyworkwithcanwalkthatlittlebittallerwhentheystepintouniversity choirauditions,knowingthattheirexperiencestandsupalongsidethosefromschoolslike Tonbridge,Sevenoaks,andKing’sRochester.Indeed,withthehelpofFriendsoftheVox,St Mary’smusicscholarshavegoneontogainchoralandorganscholarshipsatthe UniversityofCambridge,DurhamUniversity,ManchesterUniversity,andTrinityLaban ConservatoireofMusicinLondon.

The third way is as a music teacher at a school However good a school’s music departmentis,thebusynatureoftheschoolenvironmentmeansthatmusicmakingcan often be quite pragmatic, even at times superficial. The SLT might ask for a two minute songforanOpenMorning,anitemtoenrichPrizeGiving,orsomethingfortheChristmas Carol Service where we dutifully sing through The Holly and the Ivy. All of that is important, but music can go so much deeper Excellent, meaningful music-making, challenges and enables young people to develop their emotional literacy and provides them with an outlet through which to process and express their emotions. It helps them tomakesenseoftheworldaroundthemandunderstandtheirplaceinit.InJanuary,Vox Anima Chamber Choir will be coming to my school to deliver an afternoon’s side-bysideprojectexploringtheamazingworkbyCeciliaMcDowall,EverydayWonders:TheGirl from Aleppo. I am already seeing firsthand how this project is engaging, energising and inspiring 50 children from Year 5 - Year 13 The pupils are already starting to selforganise fundraising events for charities that support the child victims of war and to maketheworldabetterplace,andtheeventhasn’tevenhappenedyet!

Friends of the Vox provides the structure, the support and the platforms that empower schools to deliver ambitious, challenging musical projects that have real depth and lastingimpact.

I started by talking about my accounts; I actually met Jamie through my accountant. She wrote to me saying that a really interesting musician had just moved to the area and I should reach out I thought ‘oh, can I really be bothered?!’ but, as I hope you can tellfromeverythingIhavejustsaid,IamsogladIdid.

Iurgeyoualltogetonboard…butholdontight,you’reinforonehellofaride!”

RichardHammond-Hallisacritically-acclaimedand versatileaccompanist.Hehascollaboratedwithsomeof theUK’sleadingyoungsingersandinstrumentalistsand enjoysabusyscheduleasanexperiencedchoral accompanist.

RichardreadmusicatKing’sCollegeLondon,wherehe wasalsoorganscholar,graduatingwithfirst-class honoursin2013In2018hecompletedhisMMusinpiano accompanimentattheGuildhallSchoolofMusicand DramaHecontinuedhisstudiesattheGuildhallasan ArtistFellow.

RichardisnowDirectorofMusicatWoldinghamSchool, followingpostsatbothSurbitonHighSchool& WestminsterSchool

Weareenormouslygratefulforthesupportofthefollowingorganisations,sponsors, andfriendsofthecharity

ElizabethBloom

CathyandGeoffBooth

PeterBoulton

BrownbillsOptometrists

AnnandTerryCloke

JohnElliott

FierceContent

AntoniaandAndyGraham

HelpfulHomeMaintenance

MaryandTimMonckton

LouisePlatts

LesleyRowbotham

JohnShipstone

JudyShipstone

andnumerousanonymousdonors

OUR DEVELOPMENT TEAM

FriendsoftheVoxTeam

JamesMeaders,ArtisticAdvisor

HannahPinney,DevelopmentManager

FriendsoftheVoxTrustees

LauraCloke,Chair

CathyBooth,Secretary

RebeccaClifford

SimonFowler

AlexandraMeaders

AlongsideourcoreactivitiesrunningbothVoxPopuliandVoxAnimaChamberChoir, wehaveseveralexcitingprojectsandofcourseconcertsinthepipeline.

EmergingComposers2024-VoxAnimaChamberChoirRecordingProject VoxAnimaChamberChoirwillberecordingthethreewinningpiecesfromourEmerging Composers2024attheVOCES8Centre,LondoninMay2025

Come&SingChristmasCarols

LedbyVoxPopuliandVoxAnimaChamberChoir,thiseventwillprovideasubtletwistto thetraditionalninelessonsandcarols...Staytunedformoreinformation.

THANKYOU...

TheTrusteesoftheFriendsoftheVoxoweadebtofthankstotheir outgoingDevelopmentManagerHannahPinney-Thomson.Hannah hascreatedanoutstandingfoundationforthecharityuponwhich itsfuturecanbebuilt.WelookforwardtoournextDevelopment Managerintroducingthemselvestoyou