WE ARE VOCALESE
Singing is good for you!
Hello. I'm Richard. I live in Bracknell and have run choirs, orchestras and bands for more than 30 years. Music is my life and as people who knows me will tell you, I love to share my passion for music with anyone who'll listen.
CORONAVIRUS INSERT: Whilst the country is in lockdown, we are pandering to our singing addictions online. These sessions are very different to a regular "in person" choir meeting, but lend us different opportunities. Learning is done as a group, still, but we aren't able to all sing and hear each other because of the delays inherent in online meeting. We are, however, still learning new repertoire and making recordings and videos... something we wouldn't normally have done! If you'd like to see what we have been up to, have a look at our YouTube playlist...
Whilst we're not able to perform in public, these videos have allowed us to continue to share what we can achieve as a choir with friends and family across the globe.
Now, back to my original message, intended for virus-restriction-free singing!
Vocalese is a fun community choir open to anyone aged 16 and over, and we're all about singing. Singing for fun, singing for your health, both physical and emotional, singing to feel good and stay young! On top of that, we sound awesome! I can't easily categorise the music we sing as our stylistic range is pretty wide, Pop and rock, beautiful ballads, showtunes, barbershop, folk, light classical... the best thing is to come along and see what we've got going on!
There is at least one concert performance opportunity each term and we do take part in other events in and around the area. We even went to Germany to sing at Christmas markets over there.
We've raised a bunch of money for charity too!
If you've got any questions, drop us an email or give us a call 07967 768320 (that's Melissa, my wife's phone).
There are no auditions, no solos and although you'll be given sheet music, the ability to read it is completely unimportant. Rather than blether on here, pop along and see what we're about. No need to let us know in advance.
Directions and times are HERE.
Previous Friends and Family concerts
and the charities we have supported
CHRISTMAS 2019
Good Neighbours
Christmas 2019 brought our largest ever audience to enjoy a superb offering from Vocalese, Lambrook Pop Choir and selected solo artists, and a dodgy flautist!
Ushering in the festive season with Christmas favourites as well non-seasonal songs such as the fabulously energetic Bellas Final from Pitch Perfect, over 300 people listened attentively and then generously donated over £1000 to these wonderful schemes run by even more wonderful people.
SUMMER 2019
Brookfields SEN School
Our Summer 2019 concert was a huge success. Incredible singing and a wonderful audience. The songs ranged from 1940's Mr Sandman (with Metallica mashed in for good measure) to John Rutter, with 50s Rock'n'Roll, a Summer of '69 and much more leaving us Amazed, having enjoyed a Perfect Day!
Charlotte Wilshire from Brookfields SEN spoke passionately about the staff and children at the school and how the retiring collection would be put to good use. She departed with over £850 in donations towards an Eyegaze system!
EASTER 2019
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
Hearing Dogs was our chosen charity. Basil the cockerpoo brought along John and Janice from the charity and they enjoyed a wonderful concert with consummately professional standards of singing and playing. £720 raised by the warm and appreciative audience.
Everything from Beatles to the Lord's Prayer in Swahili. Thanks and congratulations to the whole choir family. You guys are awesome.
SPRING 2019
Amazing generosity! From two break time whip rounds, £175 goes to help the people of Zimbabwe in the wake of Cyclone Idai. Via Disasters Emergency Committee.
CHRISTMAS 2018
People Help The People
December 9, 2018
£622.95 raised for People Help The People which will go towards helping helping them in their work and getting that bit closer to achieving charitable status. Fantastic performances from the Vocalese as well as from Lambrook's Pop Choir and students.
The festive mood was really amplified and shared by a wonderfully warm audience. Many said this was out best concert yet! Our opening number, "Rhythm of Life" left me in no doubt.
Well done everyone on yet another great term. Bracknell Lights, Age UK, F&F and we still have Savill Garden next Sunday and Beech House as well! Phew!!
SUMMER 2018
Piaroo's Wish
£567.00 raised for Piaroo's Wish which will go towards helping homeless people in the Bracknell and Reading areas.
A very appreciative audience including the Mayor of Bracknell Forest enjoyed a varied repertoire, including a lovely set of songs from the children of Whitegrove Primary School, who joined forces with Vocalese for a stunning finale number! A lovely end to a lovely term, including outings to sing to friends at Age UK and the residents of Beech House. Sharing the love through singing! It don't get much better!
EASTER 2018
First Days
£447.75 raised for First Days!
A very big sing producing equally big smiles. From Rutter to Queen and everything in between. Huge congratulations and thanks to everyone who was able to be there.
CHRISTMAS 2017
Rosie's Rainbow Fund
Festive fun and a massive £1000+ raised for Rosie's Rainbow Fund!
Well done to all who took part in what was quite possibly the best one yet! Carolyn from Rosie's was bowled over by the quality of the performances and the sum raised through the generosity of our singers and audience.
SUMMER 2017
My Cancer, My Choices
This was an another blazing success with fantastic performances from everyone involved.
£596.52 is the amount we raised for My Cancer, My Choices, and this will enable the charity to provide treatments for 40 patients which is wonderful news!
EASTER 2017
The Samaritans
The Samaritans were our chosen charity for the spring term, 2017 and received the donations from our weekly choir sessions and from our Easter Friends and Family concert. Over £600 was raised by a very appreciative audience. Well done to all who took part!
CHRISTMAS 2016
Little Hearts Matter
Our 2016 Christmas Friends and Family concert was very well received by a capacity audience and raised £1500 for Little Hearts Matter.