Voces8

Voces8, styled VOCES8, is an a cappella octet from the United Kingdom. They have appeared internationally and made recordings of classical music, jazz, pop, and their own arrangements. Recent recordings are for Decca Classics and under their own label, Voces8 Records. Educational efforts are run by the Voces8 Foundation.

Voces8
Voces8 in 2019
Background information
OriginEngland
GenresA cappella music
Years active2005 (2005)–present
Labels
Websitevoces8.com

History

Voces8 is a British vocal ensemble originally founded in 2003,[1] and regrouped in 2005,[2] by brothers Paul and Barnaby Smith. At times they have contained two sopranos, two countertenors, two tenors, a baritone and a bass.[1] By 2018, one of the countertenors had been replaced by a female alto. The Smith brothers were former choristers from Westminster Abbey.[3]

The ensemble has a diverse repertoire including early English and European Renaissance music, traditional folk song, classic jazz, pop and their own arrangements. In 2015, they performed, with four guest singers, music by Claudio Monteverdi in a concert at Wigmore Hall in London.[4] They have appeared internationally, touring especially in Europe, Asia and North America.[5][2]

Voces8 has commissioned new works from composers including Ēriks Ešenvalds, Ola Gjeilo, Jonathan Dove, Jocelyn Hagen, Ken Burton, Roderick Williams, Alexander Levine, Roxanna Panufnik, Mårten Jansson and Ben Parry. Jim Clements is their arranger-in-residence .[5]

The octet won the Limelight International Artist of the Year: People's Choice award at the 2021 Limelight Awards.[6]

Members

Current
  • Andrea Haines – First soprano (2008–present)
  • Molly Noon – Second soprano (2021–present)
  • Katie Jeffries-Harris – First alto (2018–present)
  • Barnaby Smith – Second alto/countertenor & Artistic Director (2005–present)
  • Blake Morgan – First tenor (2016–present)
  • Euan Williamson – Second tenor (2019–present)
  • Chris Moore – Baritone (2018–present)
  • Jonathan Pacey – Bass (2015–present)

Former
  • Rachel Major – First soprano (2005–2008)
  • Catherine Backhouse – Second soprano (2005–2009)
  • Emily Dickens – Second soprano (2009–2017)
  • Eleonore Cockerham – Second soprano (2017–2021)
  • Daniel Keating-Roberts – First countertenor (2005–2007)
  • Chris Wardle – First countertenor (2007–2018)
  • Charles MacDougall – First tenor (2005–2012)
  • Oliver Vincent – First tenor (2012–2016)
  • Thomas Elwin – Second tenor (2005–2006)
  • Robin Bailey – Second tenor (2006–2009)
  • Robert Mingay Smith – Second tenor (2009–2013)
  • Sam Dressel – Second tenor (2013–2019)
  • Paul Smith – Baritone & Founder (2005–2016)
  • Rob Clark – Baritone (2016–2018)
  • Simon Whiteley – Bass (2005)
  • Greg Hallam – Bass (2006)
  • Dingle Yandell – Bass (2006–2015)[7]

Timeline

Lineup
Period First Soprano Second Soprano First Alto/Countertenor Second Alto/Countertenor First Tenor Second Tenor Baritone Bass
2005–2006 Rachel Major Catherine Backhouse Daniel Keating-Smith Barnaby Smith Charles MacDougal Thomas Elwin Paul Smith Simon Whiteley
2006–2007 Robin Bailey Greg Hallam
2007–2008 Chris Wardle Dingle Yandell
2008–2009 Andrea Haines
2009–2012 Emily Dickens Robert Smith
2012–2013 Oliver Vincent
2013–2015 Sam Dressel
2015–2016 Jonathan Pacey
2016–2017 Blake Morgan Rob Clark
2017–2018 Eleonore Cockerham
2018–2019 Katie Jeffries-Harris Chris Moore
2019–2021 Euan Williamson
2021–present Molly Noon

Education work

Voces8 pursue music education, supported by the Voces8 Foundation. They reach up to 40,000 people a year in regular workshops and masterclasses. The group awards eight annual choral scholarships to young singers. At the annual Milton Abbey Summer School, amateur singers can work and perform with Voces8. Eight more students are supported by the Voces8 USA Foundation. The ensemble is associated with Cambridge University, where it delivers a masters programme in choral studies.[4]

Discography

The group has recorded with Decca. They have also recorded with Signum, and their own Voces8 Records label. As part of their 15th anniversary celebrations in 2020, the group released their project After Silence,[8] composed of four digital EPs.[9]

Albums
  • Aces High (2010, Signum)[10][9]
  • Bach's Motets, with the Senesino Players (2010)[3]
  • Brahms, Bruckner, Reger (2011)
  • In the Beginning (2012)
  • Christmas (2012, Signum)[1]
  • A Choral Tapestry (2012, Signum)[10]
  • Where I Sleep (2014, Decca)[11]
  • Eventide (2014, Decca)[11]
  • Lux (2015, Decca)[11]
  • Winter (2016, Decca)[2][11]
  • Equinox (2018)[12]
  • Enchanted Isle (2019)[13]
  • After Silence (2020, Voces8 Records)[14]
  • Infinity (2021, Decca)[13]

EPs
  • Voces8 EP (2019)

Collaborations
  • A Capella Collection (2012, Signum) – with other groups, marking 15 years of Signum Records[10]
  • Choral Collection (2012, Signum) – same[10]
  • Early Music Collection (2012, Signum) – same[10]
  • A Purcell Collection (2014, Signum) – by Voces8 and Les Inventions[10]
  • Psalms (2015, Signum) – works by Benedetto Marcello, Voces8 and Les Inventions[10]
  • Ola Gjeilo (2018, Decca) – works by Ola Gjeilo and Voces8[11]
  • Home Is (2018) – by Jacob Collier and Voces8[15]

Music books
  • A Capella Songbook (2012, paperback) ISMN 9790577001784
  • A Cappella Songbook 2 (2018, paperback) ISMN 9790577007779

References
  1. Quinn, John (November 2012). "Voces8. Christmas". musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  2. Riley, Malcolm (December 2016). "Voces8: Winter". Gramophone. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  3. Dixon, Gavin (November 2012). "Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) / Motets". musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  4. "Voces8 / Group / History". www.singers.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  5. "Voces 8". Hyperion Records. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  6. Paget, Clive (23 November 2021). "VOCES8 (Limelight International Artist of the Year: People's Choice)". Limelight. Retrieved 26 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. Haines, Andrea (May 2020). "Andrea's Archives: The First Forage". Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  8. After Silence Voces8, accessed 27 December 2021
  9. "Classic FM". classicfm.com. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  10. "Voces8 / Group / History". Signum Records. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  11. "Voces8 / Recent releases". Decca Records. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  12. James Manheim Equinox Review www.allmusic.com', accessed 27 December 2021
  13. VOCES8 www.deccaclassics.com, accessed 27 December 2021
  14. Claire Seymour After Silence: VOCES8 operatoday.com, accessed 27 December 2021
  15. Webb, Dan (1 December 2018). "Review: Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 1". Sungenre. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
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