Fifty-five singers gathered for Sing at Iford in the exceptional cloisters and hillside garden at Iford Manor. All the songs and harmonies were taught by ear by Jane Harris, Director of Songways.
Songs included In beauty may I stand (a new round by Jane), the gospel classic Up above my head and a South African Glory Alleluia. We also enjoyed times of free singing, enabled by Jane, creating harmonies, our own musical responses and unique soundscapes, while held in the group sound and the beautiful acoustics of the cloisters.
Comments from singers:
“Beautifully conceived, curated and delivered… magical”
“Fabulous – food for the soul”
“Really moving – cathartic”
“Meditative and free flowing… inspiring”
“Ecstasy on a summer afternoon”
“Heaven on earth”
Iford is an “other-worldly” place with an exquisite garden nestled in a sheltered valley. We sang in several parts of the garden, including the Loggia, the Great Terrace, the Casita and the Italianate Cloisters. To sing at Iford is a particularly special way to enjoy all that it has to offer: to savour the sounds we create in different parts of the garden, listen to the bird song, relish the privilege of having the cloisters to ourselves, enjoy learning songs and harmonies together and feast our eyes on the wonderful vistas throughout the garden.
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- Cloisters
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- Jane Harris
Jane Harris is an experienced choir leader and Director of Songways, based in Bath. Jane teaches by ear and loves to explore songs in different ways to enrich and deepen the singing experience. She has a clear, inclusive and enabling teaching style, uncovers the best in singers’ voices and draws people together with heartfelt, resonant singing.
Jane also plays the violin, which she will use to introduce some of the songs. She has a rich, vibrant voice and has released an album of her own songs, inspired by the natural world – One touch of nature. Jane also performs with her own vocal group, Rolling Harmony.
In 1899, the architect and garden designer, Harold Ainsworth Peto, discovered Iford. The individuality of the garden owes everything to his inspiration and eye for combining architecture and plants.
The peaceful, Grade 1 registered garden is unlike any other with its romantic design and architecture, combining formality with nature and magnificent rural views across an unspoilt valley, whilst beautifully framed architectural gems and antiquities punctuate your visit throughout.
The house is built into the steep hillside, so terracing forms an important element of the design. Peto was particularly attracted by the charm of old Italian gardens, where flowers occupy a subordinate place amongst the cypresses, broad walks, statues and pools. The current owners have restored the design and planting in accordance with Harold Peto’s vision and over the years, have transformed the area of the Oriental garden.
The garden includes delightful features such as the Loggia, the Great Terrace, the Casita and the largest of Peto’s garden buildings, the Cloisters.