Choir’s 15th Anniversary - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Choir’s 15th Anniversary – SOUTHEND Vox Chamber Choir, also known as Vox Chamber, are celebrating 15 years and are going back to perform at the very first venue they performed at.

Choir’s 15th Anniversary - SOUTHEND Vox Chamber Choir, also known as Vox Chamber, are celebrating 15 years and are going back to perform at the very first venue they performed at.

SOUTHEND Vox Chamber Choir, also known as Vox Chamber, are celebrating 15 years and are going back to perform at the very first venue they performed at.

On the 16th November at 5pm the choir will be reviving some of their award-winning repertoire in a recital performance at The Cornerstone, United Reform Church in Southend. This will mark 15 years since the choir was set up and will celebrate some of the choir’s most challenging and exciting pieces.

Vox Chamber, usually focuses on performing intricate pieces well suited to special events such as weddings, and competitions. Always looking to bring a different element to their choral singing, they have also expanded their repertoire to include beatboxing in some of their more contemporary pieces.

The term Chamber Choir comes from the room this type of ensemble traditionally fit in to play private concerts, from the 1800’s. However, some of the choir’s members are used to singing in much larger venues and they’ll be performing solos as part of the recital celebration.

Dina Bradley (nee Tree), from Hadleigh, has worked in the musical theatre industry from a young age, performing in West End musicals such as Les Miserables, Oliver and The Goodbye Girl.

After furthering her training at Mountview Academy of Performing Arts in London she had a professional musical theatre career, performing in shows such as Hairspray, Sister Act and High School Musical. She now works as a singing teacher and keeps her own passion alive through Vox Chamber Choir.

She said: “Vox Chamber are the most incredibly talented, wonderful group of women.

“We keep each other on our toes, challenging ourselves year on year to become the award winning choir we are today.”

Ms Bradley and the rest of Vox Chamber Choir will be joined on stage by member soloists Sophie Holmes and Nina Bemister.

Ms Holmes, from Leigh, has always had a passion for musical theatre and performs in local am-dram productions. She recently played El Woods in Legally Blonde at Chelmsford Theatre in June with am-dram group Springers. At the Vox celebration performance she’ll be singing Secret Love from her favourite musical Calamity Jane.

Nina Bemister, also from Leigh, has sung in choirs in Southend for 30 years and, alongside many other choir members, was taught by the late Claire Roberts, showing the singing calibre of the Southend area.

While studying at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire she performed in Operas and toured with the BBC Big Band across Scotland, as well as recording for songwriters and record companies. Ms Bemister is now a primary school teacher and teaches music and children’s choirs.

The Chamber Choir has grown over the past 15 years, regularly winning awards at the local music festivals, performing at the Royal Albert Hall, learning to beatbox and helping couples celebrate their special day, come rain or shine.

Jo Human, Musical Director of Vox Chamber said: “We’ve travelled all over the country to help give couples the best day, sometimes going above and beyond. One soggy memory involved us being drenched in stagnant water from a flat roof and having to walk in and perform straight after. Surely, the absolute definition of ‘the show must go on’.

“We’re delighted to be able to celebrate the longevity of the choir and are excited to be returning to where it all began for us, The Cornerstone in Southend. We wanted to revive some of our competition pieces and have the opportunity to showcase our many talented members.”

Tickets to the Vox Chamber Choir recital are £12 each and include refreshments. The concert begins at 5pm and lasts an hour with no interval. To find out more and buy your tickets visit: https://www.southendvox.com/event-list

Vox Chamber Choir are also available to book for weddings and special events. To request the Event Information Pack please contact [email protected] or visit: https://www.southendvox.com/chamber-choir

Picture: Sophie Holmes played El Woods in Springer’s production of Legally Blonde.

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