A youth choir is giving a special concert at Waddesdon Manor, discovers Nicola Lisle

It has only been going for a year, but already a Buckinghamshire youth chamber choir is attracting glowing praise for the standard of its performances.

Now there is a chance to catch these young singers in action in the glorious setting of Waddesdon Manor’s Reading Room at Windmill Hill, as part of Waddeson’s commitment to encouraging local young talent.

Voice Bucks Youth Choir was established last summer by Fiona Firth, an international opera singer and leading voice coach, and Tim Venvell, conductor of High Wycombe Centre Youth Choir and Director of Music at High Wycombe’s Royal Grammar School.

Their mission is to nurture some of the finest young singers in Buckinghamshire and beyond, in a relaxed, friendly and supportive environment.

The idea arose from the realization that there were few opportunities for young singers in Buckinghamshire and its immediate surrounds.

“There are certainly parts in the county that are very well catered for, and other areas where it was very noticeable that we didn’t have any provision,” says Fiona. “We felt what would be really nice to do is intensive training sessions and workshops over two-and-a-half days, with a concert at the end of it.

“People who audition for us have done GCSE or A-Level music, or are taking singing lessons or have a background in singing, so the age range encompasses 15 through to 23.”

So far the choir has performed at Bisham Abbey in Marlow and Missenden Abbey in Great Missenden, and is now adding Waddesdon to its collection of venues.

“It’s a fabulous setting to have a concert,” says Fiona. “One of the main reasons for going to Waddesdon is that we want to get more people from the northern end of Bucks, and anyone who wants to apply from Oxfordshire as well.”

The programme at Waddesdon will be an eclectic one, ranging from the baroque era right through to the present. There will be music by Palestrina and Monteverdi, Fauré’s sublime Cantique de Jean Racine, a selection of Vaughan Williams folk songs, some close harmony, barbershop-type songs and some contemporary pieces.

“It’s quite a broad selection. We try to cover music from all different genres, because obviously we want to bring together a concert that is lovely for our audience, but also it’s a way of giving the singers an opportunity to work with other really good singers and push their boundaries a bit more.

“The other thing I’m looking at is a piece that uses body percussion, where the effect is created by the use of voices in different ways. Tim will also throw in some contemporary stuff that will really test their abilities.”

Most of the choir members are also involved in school choirs, but Fiona feels that Voice Bucks Youth Choir offers something a little different.

“This is about taking it beyond that school environment. It also allows a wider audience, and we’ve had fantastic audience feedback, from quite seasoned concertgoers. They’ve come along because it’s something new, and really enjoyed it.“ All of which is a good recommendation for their Waddesdon concert, and Fiona is confident that the audience will have a good time. “The singers are so energetic and lively, they sweep people along with them. Because they’re all quite experienced singers, it brings a real vibrancy to the quality of the sound.”

Choral Celebration with Voice Bucks Youth Choir
The Reading Room, Windmill Hill, Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury
Saturday, August 30 at 7.30pm
Tickets: Call 01296 653226 or visit www.waddesdonmanor.org