Acclaimed British Vocal Ensemble, Voice, to Perform at Silvermine Arts Center

Silvermine Arts Center is proud to present Voice, the acclaimed British vocal ensemble making their U.S. debut tour this year.  They will perform at the arts center on Friday, November 1st at 7:30pm. 

Voice, a female a cappella trio, explores the repertoire of Hildegard von Bingen and other early masters, world folk song arrangements, and contemporary compositions.  Their distinctive sound is driven by individual voices that blend to create beautiful harmonies. Their music has been described by The Vortex London as: “…a sound that is truly sublime…Rare to hear such beauty and control – from the most intense power to the sweetest, gentlest note that was as delicate and precise as a dragonfly wing.”  The group was featured at the 2012 Cultural Olympiad in London, followed by performances in Europe and throughout the United Kingdom, all in preparation for their U.S. debut tour. In 2013, they launched their debut album Musical Harmony: a carefully crafted selection of songs defining Voice's distinctive sound, which includes six pieces by established British composers, which the trio commissioned. 

Voice regularly collaborates across all art-forms both for recording and live performance.  As a testament to their versatility and originality, the ensemble has been part of an acoustic installation at Shunt Lounge, performed at a former railway arch at London Bridge; at Dalston Mill, a city wheatfield; for Barbican Arts, the prestigious Royal Festival Hall; and the National Portrait Gallery.  They have also taken part in festivals in London and elsewhere in Britain.  Individually, the members of Voice have been heard in a wide range of unusual collaborations including with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Bobby McFerrin, and installation artist Martin Creed.  “In a music world where genres and repertoires are readily pigeon-holed, Voice is refreshing for its keenness to avoid such barriers.  It’s really good to be able to hear Hildegard von Bingen right alongside Balkan folk tunes and fresh-off-the-page commissions, all sung with distinctiveness of style, intriguing and convincing shifts of vocal timbre, and an appealing freshness of presentation.” Meurig Bowen, Director, Cheltenham Music Festival.

They originally met in Oxford where they first started singing together as part of the Oxford Girls’ Choir.  Since forming, Voice in 2006, (Victoria Couper, Clemmie Franks and Emily Burn), have performed regularly in a wide range of venues and contexts, from university colleges to medieval chapels; in collaborative dance projects; a cappella festivals; eclectic folk nights, the list goes on. Their choice of repertoire reflects the style of music they most enjoy performing but they also look for music that is a bit unusual, and songs that they can make their own. Through this repertoire they aim to keep their programs as varied as possible, and hope that people come away from their concerts having heard something new, and feeling inspired.

In 2014 Voice will tour their album, Musical Harmony, in the UK and Europe-wide and develop new residencies and projects in the lead up to their second tour of the USA in February 2015.

Tickets should be reserved early as this will most certainly be a sell out.  The performance will be in Sara Victoria Hall Auditorium.  Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.silvermineart.org or by calling 203-966-9700 ext. 22.