NEW: The Peto Garden at Iford Manor

Wed 23 May 2012: 10am to 2pm  Led by Jane Harris

A wonderful opportunity to sing in the exquisite Italianate Cloisters, the Casita and on the terraces of the glorious Peto Garden at Iford Manor, an idyllic spot a few miles South East of Bath and home of the renowned Iford Opera and Jazz.  Come and join us in this magical setting.

Open to all, you do not need to be a member of a Songways Choir.  Booking opens nearer the time … please join our mailing list to be kept up to date.


 

 

PREVIOUS SINGING DAYS

Wells Singing Days 2011 and 2010

Led by Jane Harris and Sue Glanville

In September 2011 and October 2010, Songways held Singing Days in Wells, with 50 singers singing their hearts out in three exceptional places in and around Wells Cathedral: the Bishop’s Palace Chapel, the Cathedral itself and the Chapter House. The 2011 day is described below.  Click here to read about the 2010 Wells Singing Day.

Beginning in the Bishop’s Palace Chapel, Jane taught several new songs and harmonies, and rich sounds soon filled the ancient space, thoroughly enjoyed by visitors to the Palace gathering outside.  Then over to the Cathedral itself, which we entered in silence, moving to the far end and the exquisite Lady Chapel, the sunlight shining through the intricate stained glass windows.  Our opening Gospel song was followed by a time of stillness humming spine-tingling harmonies.  Then an uplifting South African church chorus with which we moved to the Quire, in the heart of the cathedral, for a beautiful song from the Russian Orthodox tradition.  Finally, we sang out in front of the magnificent scissor arches in the main body of the cathedral and enjoyed the incredible echo.

After a sociable and delicious lunch at Anton’s Bistro in the Market Square, we made our way up the famous Sea of Steps to the Chapter House, gradually filling the space with sound, the harmonics ringing above us.  A simple chant, uplifting Halleluia’s and The Great Amen followed, resonating around the building, and rounding off a wonderful day’s singing.

“An incredible experience from beginning to end.  I came home with my head buzzing with all the lovely music we had sung.”

“Joyful, fun, heart-warming and at times deeply moving.”

“Beautifully organised, a huge privilege.”

“Warm welcome, good food, good company and uplifting songs in a wonderful setting”

Jane Harris – Songways Choir – ‘NOYANA’ Traditional South African Chant – Wells Cathedral Chapter House, October 2010 from David Lewis-Baker on Vimeo.

Lacock Abbey 2011

Saturday 12 March 2011: Led by Jane Harris and Sue Glanville

This was a thoroughly enjoyable day singing in the atmospheric medieval rooms, cloisters and grounds of Lacock Abbey, and in St Cyriac’s Church in Lacock village. We created wonderful sounds in the cloisters and vaulted rooms, our voices ringing round the ancient walls.  We had fun singing outside in the spring sunshine to the delight of visitors to the Abbey, savoured the unspoilt streets of the village and the light and peace of St Cyriac’s Church, and enjoyed a superb lunch together, taking over the entire restaurant, At the Sign of the Angel.

“A truly inspirational day in glorious surroundings”

“Organisation seamless … the day felt like a holiday but even more special”

Lacock Abbey provided a unique setting

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Songways in Bradford on Avon’s ancient spaces: Thursday 11 June
Insert Tithe Barn walk, Gallery and Saxon church pics
Twenty singers gathered on a glorious sunny morning at the beautifully restored West Barn in Bradford on Avon.  After a quick round of names and some warm-up exercises, Jane led the group in song.  A 17th century round setting of Shakespeare text felt quintessentially English and a quirky folk version of Baa Baa Black Sheep reminded us all of Bradford’s wool trade past.  Sue Glanville filled us in on some of the history of Barton Farm.  We then enjoyed the calm and stillness of Bring Peace followed by a lively Gospel song, with some of the singers adding impromptu Halleluyas from the balcony with great enthusiasm.
A short walk found us in the cavernous Tithe Barn, to follow Jane singing and snaking down the length of the barn.  It was fascinating to hear the difference in the sound as the group moved and we ended out time in the barn in one of side porches next to huge wooden doors, and with our voices resonating in the enclosed space, sung a strong Amen (trans. So be it), then processing slowly out into the sunshine.
After a sociable lunch, we walked alongside the River Avon to the Saxon Church, where we sensed the rich acoustics as soon as we began to sing.  We enjoyed: the fun of Baa Baa Black sheep, adding parts and singing it as a round; the tranquillity of Bring Peace,  with a further melody floating over the harmonies: and the liveliness of our Gospel song, this time with full harmonies.  Finally, we moved into the tiny baptistry, where Sue shared a poem “Open the door” before joining our voices once more for the great Amen, and walking and singing as we left the church.
Here are some of the comments from singers:
“My first time, and not the last.  It was wonderful.”
“An excellent day in a beautiful setting.”
“Thank you for your lovely presence – a delightful day.”
Many thanks to all the singers who came.  A total of £249 was raised for Dorothy Ho

Salisbury Cathedral, Chapel and Cloisters 2010

Saturday 27 February 2010: Led by Jane Harris and Sue Glanville

Full group and Choir stallsThe atmosphere in the cloisters was relaxed and informal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Uplifting, inspirational and very moving.”

“Beautifully organised and managed.  I feel like I have been on holiday”

“A truly memorable experience”

Sarum College Chapel in the Cathedral Close provided the perfect acoustic in which to begin our singing and we were soon creating rich harmonies and vibrant rhythms.  From the chapel we processed in silence into the Cathedral to take our place in a circle at the magnificent spire crossing.  Beginning on a single note, we could clearly hear the harmonics created by the building ringing above us.  Our lively South African and Gospel songs resonated around the building and contrasted with the stillness of a beautiful Taize Sanctus, begun with a solo voice.

After a hearty lunch in the College we gathered in the largest medieval cloisters in Britain, to be joined as we sang by two children dancing, enchanted by the sound.  After the formality of the cathedral the atmosphere was light and relaxed and singers enjoyed moving amongst each other as we sang.  A time of stillness followed as Jane invited singers to close their eyes and led the group in a simple period of improvisation, a profoundly moving experience.  Before leaving the cathedral we had the privilege of singing in the glorious Chapter House, sheer joy.