8th December from Chris Collins
What a turnout!!! Full to capacity....WOW! That's a first for a Friends Event! The Cadets were terrific and sung so well. The little ones were especially adorable. With so many original christmas songs in the repetoire, it changed a tradtional christmas concert into a really special occasion. I am so pleased that I came along to Bury Cathedral in November 2010 for the Teenage Cancer Trust Christmas Concert where I first saw The Voice Squad perform, and thought "Wow! this group would be brilliant at Rougham Church!" You have really set the benchmark very high for our future events at the church, so I will be looking at you for inspiration. A truly wonderful concert, and a BIG THANK YOU to everyone!
30th November from John Wilcock
I was delighted to hear the squad singing at the Christmas Fair on Saturday 26th Nov '11. The youngsters are a example of youths putting their spare time to good use.
Good luck to you all and keep singing!
Good luck to you all and keep singing!
12th September from Norman Kenyon
Birgitta passed on to me so many glowing tributes to the Squad's performance I've put them all on an extra page, which you can see here.
22nd June from Birgitta
A big thank you to all you cake-eaters out there...in one sole
sitting we raised £121.10 for Rachel's Roumanian Orphanage at the
alice in Cyberland Gala Performance! Thanks to the cake-makers and cake-servers too!
14th June from Birgitta
A MASSIVE well done to all the Cast and Crew, Set-builders, Costume-
makers, Directors and Writers of Alice in Cyberland!!!! The
congratulations e-mails are flooding in! And an equally massive thank
you to all who supported either with their presence in the audience,
or by setting up the administrative and practical aspects...down to
the last dogsbody! The show was a wonderful experience for all -
stresses, triumphs over adversity and multiple giggles all included.
I am more than proud and couldn't have asked for better.
16th May from Birgitta
Congratulations to the winner of the Alice in Cyberland Poster
competition, Lucy Ambrose. Her design will grace the front of the
programme, and will be made into posters to advertise the show.
Many thanks also to Nicholas Sheehan, Hannah Curwen, Lucy Curwen,
Grace Valentine, Ruby Decent, Emily Spampanato, Eloise Dodman and
Maddie Jack, who also designed some great pieces: these will be on
display for everyone to see at the show.
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE!!!
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE!!!
28th April from Birgitta
3 out of 4 entries through to the national festival in Brum!!!!!!!!!
Tues 5th July in Birmingham Town Hall and symphony Hall....Voice
squad Seniors, Voice squad Cadets and Birgitta's Brigade!!!!
YYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!
(The competition was on 20th March in Kings Lynn)
YYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!
(The competition was on 20th March in Kings Lynn)
14th January Bury Free Press
The Voice Squad was the subject of a feature article in the Bury Free Press on Friday 14th January, covering the 18 years from our humble birth to our recent coming-of-age.
We particularly liked (to quote): "The Voice Squad are now a household name in Bury St Edmunds, across the county and throughout the country". How true!
And it mentioned our forthcoming CD launch.
Thanks for that, BFP!
5th December from Birgitta
Just a warm tribute to Johanna Penfold, Senior Squaddie and also
Cadet Assistant...
In the absence of Cadet Leader Bethany who was playing in a show on Friday, Johanna stepped into her shoes and conducted the entire Cadet Concert at Woolpit Christmas Tree festival absolutely beautifully. Added to which she rescued the Senior Squad performance for Children in Need tonight (to be broadcast Christmas Day, Radio Suffolk 1 o'clock) by learning the female solo less than 2 hours prior, to replace a suddenly indisposed Soprano...
Gotta love a Squaddie who's up for ANYTHING! Thank you, Johanna!
In the absence of Cadet Leader Bethany who was playing in a show on Friday, Johanna stepped into her shoes and conducted the entire Cadet Concert at Woolpit Christmas Tree festival absolutely beautifully. Added to which she rescued the Senior Squad performance for Children in Need tonight (to be broadcast Christmas Day, Radio Suffolk 1 o'clock) by learning the female solo less than 2 hours prior, to replace a suddenly indisposed Soprano...
Gotta love a Squaddie who's up for ANYTHING! Thank you, Johanna!
27th November from Luke Johnson, the Music For Youth Prom organiser
Hello Birgitta,
Now that the dust has settled and (I hope) the zombie make-up has been removed, I thought I would take a moment to say thank you so much for your performance at this year's Schools Prom and for contributing to its success. I can honestly say that we have never had an opening quite it! It was great to see people's reaction as they walked in to the hall and were greeted by the Night of the Living Dead! Even before the first note was played there was a real buzz in the auditorium and a sense of anticipation which ran through the whole show.
And when the show did start it was terrific/terrifying. The choir are so well rehearsed and the choreography was just fantastic! Have you had a chance to look at the footage on our youtube channel? There's a great clip of your performance, which says it all. Thank you so much for all your hard work - you deserve an enormous round of applause!! Well done to both you and the choir (and the band who were great too!!)
Now that the dust has settled and (I hope) the zombie make-up has been removed, I thought I would take a moment to say thank you so much for your performance at this year's Schools Prom and for contributing to its success. I can honestly say that we have never had an opening quite it! It was great to see people's reaction as they walked in to the hall and were greeted by the Night of the Living Dead! Even before the first note was played there was a real buzz in the auditorium and a sense of anticipation which ran through the whole show.
And when the show did start it was terrific/terrifying. The choir are so well rehearsed and the choreography was just fantastic! Have you had a chance to look at the footage on our youtube channel? There's a great clip of your performance, which says it all. Thank you so much for all your hard work - you deserve an enormous round of applause!! Well done to both you and the choir (and the band who were great too!!)
9th November from Birgitta
We were first on at the Schools Prom on 8th November - check out this U-tube clip
Remember that earlier in the year we gained in the Choral (Senior Voice Squad) and +Ensemble (Senior Guys) sections.
Remember that earlier in the year we gained in the Choral (Senior Voice Squad) and +Ensemble (Senior Guys) sections.
Monday 5th July: Cadets Birmingham City Football Club
Some pix kindly provided by Lizzie Dodman (click here to go to the gallery):
Tuesday 6th July: Seniors Birmingham, Town Hall, Senior Choirs
Birgitta's message to me: "Woo outstanding award!"
Video Clip with thanks to Liz Stacey
Wednesday 7 July: The Squad Guys Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham
Birgitta's message to me: "Award for the boys too! Woohoo!"
Bouquets and other older notices still of interest
SONNET WALK
I just wanted publicly to thank the Sonnet Walk guys for giving up such a large quantity of precious weekend/ revision time to experience the Wedding journey with myself and Jonathan.
They all worked so hard and made a really professional team, of which I am dead proud. There aren't many teenagers you could give a weird harmony piece to from new, and get 17 great applied performances only a couple of days later with next-to-no rehearsal. I've had amazing feedback, and am myself impressed at how convincingly we all pulled the whole thing off. We made people laugh, and made LOTS of people cry, and had a WICKED time together....
Nick, Billy, Harry, Robbie, Alex, Amber, Georgia R, Ellie, Bethany, Beth, Hannah and Kat...Thank you MASSIVELY, and bloomin' well done!
MWAH!!! (16th May) Flyer Pix
I just wanted publicly to thank the Sonnet Walk guys for giving up such a large quantity of precious weekend/ revision time to experience the Wedding journey with myself and Jonathan.
They all worked so hard and made a really professional team, of which I am dead proud. There aren't many teenagers you could give a weird harmony piece to from new, and get 17 great applied performances only a couple of days later with next-to-no rehearsal. I've had amazing feedback, and am myself impressed at how convincingly we all pulled the whole thing off. We made people laugh, and made LOTS of people cry, and had a WICKED time together....
Nick, Billy, Harry, Robbie, Alex, Amber, Georgia R, Ellie, Bethany, Beth, Hannah and Kat...Thank you MASSIVELY, and bloomin' well done!
MWAH!!! (16th May) Flyer Pix
SQUAD ON RADIO 3
"The Choir", Sunday 9th May 6.30pm, interview with Aled Jones, and the Squad performances from Choir Of The Year Category Finals... Well done Kat and Alex A. - and Birgitta too of course! And did you all hear Aled Jones say: "I'm gutted I'm not in The Voice Squad" - wow!
Click here to see Birgitta's back view and Kat's quote. 11th May
"The Choir", Sunday 9th May 6.30pm, interview with Aled Jones, and the Squad performances from Choir Of The Year Category Finals... Well done Kat and Alex A. - and Birgitta too of course! And did you all hear Aled Jones say: "I'm gutted I'm not in The Voice Squad" - wow!
Click here to see Birgitta's back view and Kat's quote. 11th May
WOOLPIT CONCERT Pictures
Following my visit to Woolpit Church this morning, could not believe the continued incredible praise by so many people for your concert given on Sunday 7th.
This along with the fantastic mentoring demonstrated yesterday in Milton Keynes and the support of your fellow 'squaddies' showcasing and inspiring the primary schools there should make you all justifiably proud. Massive WELL DONE !!!
Ian Shipley (28th Feb.) Comments?
Following my visit to Woolpit Church this morning, could not believe the continued incredible praise by so many people for your concert given on Sunday 7th.
This along with the fantastic mentoring demonstrated yesterday in Milton Keynes and the support of your fellow 'squaddies' showcasing and inspiring the primary schools there should make you all justifiably proud. Massive WELL DONE !!!
Ian Shipley (28th Feb.) Comments?
BIRGITTA'S BIG DAY
On Saturday 20th March she played Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto with Suffolk Sinfonia in the cathedral - a splendid performance! She seemed to have six fingers on each hand...
Her Dad (22nd March) Wishes?
On Saturday 20th March she played Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto with Suffolk Sinfonia in the cathedral - a splendid performance! She seemed to have six fingers on each hand...
Her Dad (22nd March) Wishes?
CAPTAIN LOUIE
What a TOTALLY lovely production, from a bunch of fearless and exciting performers. I am so proud of you all - as I know are Bethany and Kat-Rose. Well done, Dudes and Dude-ettes!
B (15th June) PHOTOS of CAPTAIN LOUIE
A collection of snaps and video clips taken in Pakenham Village Hall - I've put them in the Picture Gallery so click here
Norman (14th June)
What a TOTALLY lovely production, from a bunch of fearless and exciting performers. I am so proud of you all - as I know are Bethany and Kat-Rose. Well done, Dudes and Dude-ettes!
B (15th June) PHOTOS of CAPTAIN LOUIE
A collection of snaps and video clips taken in Pakenham Village Hall - I've put them in the Picture Gallery so click here
Norman (14th June)
Regent Night
Thanks to the Squad for a job well done - a lot of learning happened, and we have been instrumental in raising funds for Young People who really need them.
Thanks also to our parents ever so much for coming. They put up with a lot, and it was wonderful to have their support.
Love & xxxx
Birgitta (14th May)
Thanks to the Squad for a job well done - a lot of learning happened, and we have been instrumental in raising funds for Young People who really need them.
Thanks also to our parents ever so much for coming. They put up with a lot, and it was wonderful to have their support.
Love & xxxx
Birgitta (14th May)
PLEASE SUPPORT RACHEL
One-time squaddie Rachel Thomas is being a real star in supporting and working for an orphanage in Romania - do please visit her web page and spread the word around!
B (24th March)
One-time squaddie Rachel Thomas is being a real star in supporting and working for an orphanage in Romania - do please visit her web page and spread the word around!
B (24th March)
LOOK WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT US AT KINGS LYNN!
Hey! we had a great time going to Kings Lynn - thanks to all who helped!
And we did brill: click here to see all the starry comments the adjudicators made about us. We have to wait patiently to hear whether we'll be going into the next round...
B (27th March) Comments?
Hey! we had a great time going to Kings Lynn - thanks to all who helped!
And we did brill: click here to see all the starry comments the adjudicators made about us. We have to wait patiently to hear whether we'll be going into the next round...
B (27th March) Comments?
HIGH PRAISE FOR THE SQUAD
From an article in Woolpit Village Magazine, sent in by Ian Shipley: (6th April)
From an article in Woolpit Village Magazine, sent in by Ian Shipley: (6th April)
Congratulations are due to the wonderful Voice Squad who put on a brilliant performance at St Mary’s on February 7th.
The concert included everything from Christian songs to music hall by way of modern songs and classical items and the professionalism and enthusiasm of the Squad was greeted by huge applause from the appreciative audience.
SFANW feedback...be proud!
Here are a few a few comments about the show that Jonathan wanted me to pass on to the Squad - it's always nice to receive a bit of (semi-)impartial feedback and they really do deserve it.
.... absolutely blown away by the quality of the performances in Songs for a New World. Despite their youth, the well-chosen soloists each had a mature and detailed understanding of their character's journey and communicated this with energy, clarity and deeply affecting emotion. I was particularly amazed (there's no other word for it) by the comic genius of Kat G, the subtle poise of Naomi and Georgia R and the conviction with which Christy attacked Flagmaker - I totally believed she was in tune with a character far removed from her in terms of age and experience. Robbie Noonan, Alex Toby and Hannah Shipley were all fabulous and there were remarkable performances from people I've never seen on stage before: Billy Hickmott, Daniel, Nick. But in truth, it was an ensemble show and that best describes what was great about the evening. Every single person in the Squad was rock solid in terms of their understanding of their part on stage, whether they were singing solo or not. The simple set was effective and St John's was a magical venue - it's always remarkable how the atmosphere in a church changes during the course of an evening as the sun sets outside. The sound was well balanced and efficiently managed (no clumsy microphone moments impeding the smooth running of the show) and the band itself was glorious - achingly melancholy and downright funky by turns. Truly, I was delighted to see such a focused, committed and mature bunch of people tackling really meaty, difficult material with such grace and courage.
B (for Jonathan) (3rd May)
Here are a few a few comments about the show that Jonathan wanted me to pass on to the Squad - it's always nice to receive a bit of (semi-)impartial feedback and they really do deserve it.
.... absolutely blown away by the quality of the performances in Songs for a New World. Despite their youth, the well-chosen soloists each had a mature and detailed understanding of their character's journey and communicated this with energy, clarity and deeply affecting emotion. I was particularly amazed (there's no other word for it) by the comic genius of Kat G, the subtle poise of Naomi and Georgia R and the conviction with which Christy attacked Flagmaker - I totally believed she was in tune with a character far removed from her in terms of age and experience. Robbie Noonan, Alex Toby and Hannah Shipley were all fabulous and there were remarkable performances from people I've never seen on stage before: Billy Hickmott, Daniel, Nick. But in truth, it was an ensemble show and that best describes what was great about the evening. Every single person in the Squad was rock solid in terms of their understanding of their part on stage, whether they were singing solo or not. The simple set was effective and St John's was a magical venue - it's always remarkable how the atmosphere in a church changes during the course of an evening as the sun sets outside. The sound was well balanced and efficiently managed (no clumsy microphone moments impeding the smooth running of the show) and the band itself was glorious - achingly melancholy and downright funky by turns. Truly, I was delighted to see such a focused, committed and mature bunch of people tackling really meaty, difficult material with such grace and courage.
B (for Jonathan) (3rd May)