Village Harmony UK tour

Subject: RE: Village Harmony UK tour
From: Fay
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 06:19 PM

The Haworth one is only an hour and a half or so away, a long walk but if you had a car...

Subject: RE: Village Harmony UK tour
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 07:41 AM

Looks fantastic... wish they were performing somewhere closer to Sheffield!

Subject: RE: Village Harmony UK tour
From: MuddleC
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 07:52 PM

ummmmmmm thought provoking

Subject: RE: Village Harmony UK tour
From: Fay
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 03:32 PM

**refresh**

Subject: Village Harmony UK tour
From: Fay
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 06:23 PM

Hello,

A friend of mine is putting one of these concerts on so I thought I'd send it in in case anyone wants to go to one.


VILLAGE HARMONY PRESENTS TRADITIONAL HARMONY SINGING FROM THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

July 30 Norwich Arts Centre
31st Castle Acre, Norwich
1st Aug St. James church, Southam (Coventry)
2nd Aug West Lane Baptisit church, Haworth
3rd Aug St Georges Church, Pontesbury Nr Shrewsbury
4th Parish Church, Tregynon Nr Newtown Wales
5th Parish Church Presteigne, Wales
7th Old St. Pancras Church London (Joint with London Bulgarian Choir

Powerful harmony singing from community singing traditions throughout the world and through the centuries will be featured in a concert by the Vermont, USA based world music choir Village Harmony.

Village Harmony has won wide recognition for their powerful sound, unusual repertoire and wide command of various ethnic singing styles. This multigenerational ensemble of 26 singers is one of nine Village Harmony summer ensembles travelling in Europe, South Africa and New England. After an intensive eight day rehearsal retreat in Castle Acre the group will present seven concerts throughout the UK. Led by renowned Bulgarian singer Dessislava Stefanova and by Village Harmony founder Larry Gordon, the concert program features traditional songs from Bulgaria and South Africa, fiery American gospel and shape-note songs, and a group of 14th century motets.

Stefanova, a former soloist with the Filip Koutev Ensemble in Sofia, Bulgaria, moved to England in 2000. She has been leading singing workshops throughout the UK and founded and leads the London Bulgarian Choir and the vocal trio the Dessibelles as well as performing regularly with other high level ensembles. The Bulgarian songs which she will lead feature catchy dance rhythms in 7, 9 or 11, close dissonant harmonies, and the arresting, ultra-bright Balkan singing timbre.

Shape-note singing, one of Village Harmony's trademarks, began in the community singing schools of 18th century New England, and is still sung today at traditional singing conventions. The music features stark, modal melodies, ringing, open harmonies, lively counterpoint and powerful religious poetry.

South Africa has a particularly powerful and appealing folk harmony singing tradition, with a rich, mellifluous vocal sound, and wonderfully syncopated rhythm. The singing is always accompanied by dancing, with the rhythm of the dance movements often in counterpoint to the song.

The medieval works on the program include mass movements and motets from 14th century France and Italy, with intricate rhythms and glorious open harmonies. In the medieval and Bulgarian pieces, the groups voices will be augmented by an instrumental ensemble, including clarinet, accordion, tambura and drum.

Village Harmony's many recordings and songbooks will be available for sale at the concert. For further information visit Village Harmony's website: www.villageharmony.org