Saturday 5th October 2019, 11.00am - 'Kalinka' a free concert at St. Thomas’s Church in Lymington
From Russia (to Lymington) With Love!
Come and join us on a spine tingling journey through the songs of Russia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Rumania and the Balkans. The concert, ‘Kalinka’ is at St. Thomas’s Church in Lymington on Saturday 6th October at 11am.
The choir will be bringing a unique selection of songs, sung in original languages, introduced and conducted by Fabian Lochner. They include some old favourites, such as ‘Kalinka’ itself, sung in an exciting new arrangement. Also recognisable is the tune of Ey Ukhnyem – The Song of the Volga Boatman and many other beautiful, traditional songs, less well known, but equally enjoyable.
Be sure not to miss this wonderful occasion. Entrance to the concert at St. Thomas’s in Lymington High Street is free, with a retiring collection to benefit the local charity, New Forest Disability.
Saturday 9th November 2019, 3pm - ‘East Meets West’ an afternoon performance at St. Michael the Archangel church, Southampton, with cellist Phil Daish-Handy
Come and Sing - Colbury Memorial Hall - Saturday 16th February 10.30 - 12.30
Join the choir for a free morning of singing and fun. ‘Voices of the Forest’ is a local world song choir that sings traditional songs in original languages.
No special experience is needed as songs are learnt by ear and usually sung in 3 or 4 parts.
Refreshments will be available.
Location: Colbury Memorial Hall, Main Road, Totton, Colbury SO40 7EL
Feel free to come along. If you would like more details please phone Cathy on: 023 8081 1634
Sing Afrika! - Saturday 6th October 2018 at St Thomas’s Church in Lymington, 11.00am to 11.45am
Free with a retiring collection
Programme notes for ‘Sing Afrika’ concert
Set 1 from Southern Africa
Allundé
A joyful song of praise from Uganda.
Ladum izulu
A comical lament of parents fretting over their teenage son’s choices in love…
Thuma mina
“Send me, lead me, fill me…” A haunting, prayerful invocation in four parts.
Bambelela
“Never give up!” Even at the height of the AIDS crisis in South Africa.
Set 2 from North America
Michael row the boat ashore
Michael, the archangel, leader of the souls of those who
cross the river Jordan.
Oh sinner man
“Where you gonna run to on that day?” A working song
turned spiritual.
Oh freedom
“Afore I’ll be a slave I’ll be buried in my grave!”
Rock my soul
Who said heaven had to be boring?
Set 3 from South Africa, Kenya, and West Africa
Senzenina
“What have we done?” A song of protest against racial oppression and violence.
I paradisi
Perhaps one day we shall be united “in paradise where all the dead are living”.
Ise oluwa
“What the creator has made can never be destroyed” From West Africa, in Yoruba.
Kwaheri!
A cheerful farewell song from Kenya, in Swaheli
Set 4 from North America
Go down Moses
“Let my people go!” Hebrew slaves in Egypt, black slaves in North America, calling.
This train
Ride into glory with a non-smoking trainload of saints!
Hold on
“Can’t plough straight and keep a-looking back!”
Kumbaya
A single word holding the emotion of long-lost memory.
Encore
Shut de do
« Keep out de devil ! » by Randy Coleman
Heart Notes Concert - Saturday 17th November 2018 at Copythorne Parish Hall, 7.30pm
Concert with Voices of the Forest choir and the Courtyard Quintet at Copythorne Parish Hall, Pollards Moor Road, Copythorne, SO40 2NZ
Heart warming songs for a chilly November evening.
Tickets cost £10 in advance - call 02380 814035 (tickets will be £12 on the door)
This will be the running order for the concert:
Set 1 from Africa
Allunde
A joyful song of praise from Uganda
Ladum izulu
A comical lament of parents fretting over their teenage son's choices in love...
Ise oluwa
"What the creator has made can never be destroyed" from West Africa, in Yoruba
Kwaheri
A cheerful greeting song from Kenya, in Swaheli
Set 2 from Asia and the Middle East
Mavilim
A defiant song of love and self-determination, from Turkey
Kol hao lam kulo
The world is a narrow bridge - don't be afraid! From Israel
Ederlezi
Everyone is dancing at the spring festival! An original Roma song
Gopala
Two Hindu temple chant to Krishna and the heroes of Divali
Set 3 from Italy
La Montanara
Celebrating the beauty of the Alps and of Soreghina, daughter of the Sun. From the Trentino
Dove sei stato
Make love not war! From the WW1 trenches of Italy.
Ciuri ciuri
"I will give you flowers all year to repay the love you have shown me." From Sicily
Courtyard quintet
Brothers from “The Mission” (1986) by Ennio Morricone
Tango, Bolero & Rumba from Five Easy Dances by Denes Agay
Summertime by George Gershwin
Habanera by Chabrier
Intermission
Courtyard Quintet
Gabriel's Oboe from “The Mission” (1986) by Ennio Morricone
The Fool on the Hill by Lennon & McCartney
Italiana by Respighi
Tico -Tico no Fuba by Abreu
Set 4 from North America
Oh sinner man
"Where you gonna run to on that day?" A working song turned spiritual
Michael's boat
Michael, the archangel, leader of the souls of those who cross the river Jordan
Hold on
"Can't plough straight and keep a-looking back!"
Kumbaya
A single word holding the emotion of long-lost memory
Finale
Funiculi funicula
Up the mountain we go! Oops, it's a volcano... From Naples
Our Next Event: Spring into Song - Saturday 25th April 2026, 4pm - St. Saviours Church, Brockenhurst
Celebrate the season with Voices or the Forest conducted by Phil Daish-Handy also featuring the talented children of Fernhill Strings.
Voices of the Forest have developed a following for performing uplifting, entertaining and unique arrangements of a kaleidoscope of musical genres.You'll hear some wonderful African songs, some traditional songs from the UK, a Beatles song, a Karl Jenkins medley and an American movie classic plus more. The Fernhill Strings will entertain us with a variety of pieces to demonstrate their skills.
Come and enjoy a special early evening concert.
Future Events
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Spring into Song - Saturday 25th April 2026, 4pm - St. Saviours Church, Brockenhurst
Celebrate the season with Voices or the Forest conducted by Phil Daish-Handy also featuring the talented children of Fernhill Strings. Voices of the Forest have developed a following for performing uplifting, entertaining and unique arrangements of a kaleidoscope of musical genres.You'll hear some...
"I had a really wonderful evening, the singing was just lovely, so relaxed and fun - loved it!"
"We'd never heard an a cappella choir before - we were amazed at the sound and power of the songs"
"We had a wonderful time, there was a fantastic atmosphere in the church"
"When's the next concert? We'll be back!!"
"You all looked confident and relaxed - really enjoying yourselves"
"A lovely light summery choice of songs, some new and some well known"
Audience Members