Welcome to Luminosa’s Autumn Newsletter!
Newsletter September 2022
Welcome to Luminosa’s Autumn Newsletter! We hope our supporters are all well and have had a good summer. We’ve been having a busy year so far. Here is a little of what has been going on in Luminosa Voices, and what is yet to come for the rest of this year and in the future.
AN EXUBERANT TRIBUTE TO AFRICA!
Yet again we enjoyed sell-out success in our July concert, this time with music inspired by Africa. Accompanied by an exceptionally accomplished jazz quintet, it was a joy to sing and there were many highlights, not least the showpiece of the evening, Alexander l’Estrange’s Zimbe. Feeling like it was written for the Luminosa family of choirs, this music takes for its inspiration songs, chants and memorable gospel tunes from all regions of Africa, drawing on the language of each particular country. Probably our best concert so far, the programme involved some creative and innovative choices with plenty of light and shade, all brought to concert quality in the beautiful acoustic of St Peter’s Church in Petersfield, by our hard-working and talented choral director, Rebekah Abbott.
NOVEMBER CONCERT: BRAHMS’ GROUND-BREAKING REQUIEM
Luminosa is thrilled to be performing Brahms’ epic masterpiece in the Great Hall of Farnham Maltings on Sunday, 27th November at 6pm. [Please note that this is a Sunday event, with an earlier start time]. This non-liturgical work includes passages from the Lutheran Bible which the composer assembled himself. Rebekah’s vision for the performance will be on a pure, bright, uplifted sound to correspond with the vibrant acoustic of The Maltings and Brahms’ emphasis on salvation. With scoring for two pianos, and two outstanding pianists, the concert will be stimulation for the eye, as well as the ear!
We are, as ever, grateful for the support of our sponsor, Hattingley Valley Wines, which enables us to offer tickets at just £15 for adults (under 12s-£5), available on Ticket Source www.luminosamusic.com. More information can be found on the Choir’s website www.luminosamusic.com
There will be a retiring collection on behalf of Ukraine, which is Luminosa’s chosen charity for this year. We have already raised over £1000 and hope to raise even more before the year is over at the retiring collections of our two remaining concerts.
LUMINOSA CHMABER VOICES CONCERT
On Saturday 12th November Luminosa Chamber Choir will perform in the intimate and beautiful setting of St Mary’s Church, Selbourne. This will not be a ticketed event but by donation on the door on the evening. The programme will include English and European sacred music, accompanied by readings, and promises to be an excellent evening.
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH US IN AN EVENING OF FESTIVE MUSIC
For this year only, we will be performing an evening of Christmas music for family, friends and supporters of Luminosa, with audience participation carols! This special evening for the Luminosa community will be held on Sunday 11th December at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Alton at 4.30pm. We would be delighted if you could join us for the perfect musical start to the Christmas season.
OPEN REHEARSAL
The recent concert proclaimed loud and clear that Luminosa is going from strength to strength. We are also recruiting! If you love singing and want to see if the choir is for you, join in with our ‘Come and Sing’ event on Tuesday 13th September at 7.45pm, where you are welcome to experience a typical rehearsal.
Many new members have already joined us. If you are new to the Choir and enjoying singing with us, please spread the word.
More information is available from Luminosa’s website https://luminosamusic.com, on their Facebook page Luminosamusic, and on Twitter @luminosamusic. You can also contact enquiries@luminosamusic.com if you have any additional questions, or if you are interested in joining this committed and friendly group!
YOUNG AND RISING VOICES NEWS
Success at Basingstoke Music Festival!
We are so proud of our youth choirs who competed in the Basingstoke Music Festival and were both awarded ‘Distinction’ in their classes.
Taught and conducted by Jonathan Upfold and Josh Robinson and accompanied by pianist Adam Blosse, both Luminosa Young Voices (ages 6-11) and Luminosa Rising Voices (ages 11-16) scored an incredible 87/100 and won first place in their class.
THIS TERM’S MUSICAL FUN
Young Voices will be enjoying a range of contemporary songs from stand-alone pop to hits from film and theatre, including songs from Coco, Encanto and Moana.
Rising Voices will be exploring contemporary pop music, with songs from Harry Styles, Olivia Rodrigo and others. They will be enjoying the use of rounds in singing, developing fundamental listening skills which contributes significantly to a choir’s balanced sound. In addition, Rising Voices will be exploring how our bodies are used in healthy vocal production, especially postural alignment.
Images taken from YV and RV stellar performances in our Africa concert.
OCTOBER HALF TERM WORKSHOP
Diary date: this will take place on 27th and 28th October, details to be confirmed
LUMINOSA VOICES 2022-2023 PROGRAMME
13TH SEPTEMBER-Open Rehearsal
New members welcome
Alton Maltings 7.45pm
27TH NOVEMBER-Brahms Requiem
With pianists and soloists
Farnham Maltings 6pm
11TH DECEMBER-Christmas Concert
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Alton 4.30pm
23RD MARCH 2023-Rachmaninov All Night Vigil
With orchestra and soloists
All Saints Church, Odiham 7.30pm
22nd JULY 2023- Made in the USA
Venue and details tbc
25th NOVEMBER 2023-Haydn Nelson Mass
Venue and details tbc
EXCITING NEW WEBSITE
Where you can keep up with all Luminosa news and up-dates
Coming soon
SPONSORS
Luminosa is honoured to be sponsored by Hattingley Valley Wines. Their generous sponsorship helps Luminosa to engage quality soloists and accompanists for performances. Hattingley produce a wide range of wines which you can explore further on their website: https://hattingleyvalley.com.
We are also grateful for the sponsorship of Polestar, local pension and investment advisors.
MUSICAL MERCHANDISE
To celebrate twelve years of music-making and choral community, Luminosa launched a range of beautiful, quality-branded and ecologically produced tote bags and vehicle bumper stickers which will all be available for purchase at the two concerts in November.
