One Voice is a community choir, but it is a community choir with standards. Community choirs come in a variety of forms, from groups who have the ability to sing big, classic works, to the other end of the spectrum, with groups singing simple chants or songs in unison. We fit somewhere in the middle, singing in parts, to create amazing chords and harmonies, in order to make beautiful music. We come together weekly, to meet up with friends, enjoy each other's company, laugh and have fun and, above all to sing and make amazing music. As the choir sings in parts, our members need to have an ability and willingness, to learn to hold their part within the choir. It also goes without saying that members need to be able to sing in tune!
An essential ingredient of our ethos is the commitment of each individual to the whole choir. It is a joy to lose ourselves as we join together to make wonderful music, to relax, to get to know and appreciate each other, and to have fun.
All our music is arranged by William to suit the capabilities of the choir and we are continually striving to improve and develop.
We use sheet music, which means that we don't have to learn words and remember everything. However, although no previous experience is necessary, a willingness to engage and learn the basics of reading music is important. Each individual also needs to be able to manage their own music.
We sing both a capella and with a backing track.
We do all types of music- pop songs from all eras, folk songs, and anything else that we enjoy and can rise to the challenge of learning! We have even done an opera chorus!
We usually perform several times a year, sometimes as part of a festival or event and at other times on our own. At times we also join with the Wessex Folk Orchetsra to perform and entertain each other as well as a wider audience. Over the years, we have raised a not inconsiderable amount for charity.
William also gives private 1:1 music lessons for those who wish to work on particular issues or just improve generally.
So, in summary, we strive to make the best possible music we can, while having fun and enjoying the company of others.
Venue: United Reform Church,
41, Salisbury Street, Fordingbridge.SP6 1JW
Time: Monday evenings. 7.30 - 9pm
Cost:£8/ session. Paid termly.
Our music
All our music is arranged specifically for us by our conductor. We sing in 3, 4 or sometimes 5 parts. The arrangements are made to suit the abilities of the singers, and maybe give us a bit of a stretch!
We are always busy over the Christmas period with our unique selection of Christmas Songs which include;
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Zat You Santa Claus
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Let it Snow
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Mary's Boy Child
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Stop the Cavalry
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White Christmas
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Santa Baby
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Blue Christmas
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Rockin Around The Christmas Tree
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Love is Christmas
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I'll be Home for Christmas
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White Winter Hymnal
Our music is rich and varied
We like to sing songs from all eras of popular music and also, a capella folk songs. Currently in our songlist are;
Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
Sloop John B - Beach Boys, a capella
Bye Bye Love and All I have to do is dream - Everly Brothers
Steal Away - Spiritual, a capella
Fix You - Coldplay
High - The Lighthouse Family
On The Street Where You Live
Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen
Sunshine on Leith - The Proclaimers
I'm on My Way - (from Shrek)
Barbara Ann- Beach Boys
You Always Hurt The One You Love
I Wish I Would Know How It Feels To Be Free - Lighthouse Family
Beyond The Sea ( La Mer)
Calon Lan - Welsh a Capella
Da Doo Ron Ron
Locomotion
Days - Kinks
Run - Snow Patrol
This is an African song called Ise Oluwa, that was arranged for the Ebola Call and Response charity, set up to aid the many thousands of people whose lives have been wrecked by the Ebola outbreak. We made this video and uploaded it onto the charity's website. We also raised £322.
These are some songs we sang at our end of term BigSing, December where we were joined by some of the Salisbury District Hospital Choir.
The singing was great that night, we raised the roof.