The British vocal ensemble VOCES8 is proud to inspire people through music and share the joy of singing. Touring globally, the group performs an extensive repertory both in its a cappella concerts and in collaborations with leading orchestras, conductors and soloists. Versatility and a celebration of diverse musical expression are central to the ensemble’s performance and education ethos.

VOCES8 has performed at many notable venues including Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Elbphilharmonie, Cité de la Musique, Vienna Konzerthaus, Tokyo Opera City, NCPA Beijing, Sydney Opera House, Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall, Victoria Concert Hall Singapore, Palacio de Bellas Artes Mexico City and many others. As the group celebrates its 15th season they will perform in fourteen countries in the UK and across Europe, in Russia, in the USA and Japan, as well as make its debut visit to New Zealand. Keen musical collaborators, this season will see concerts with the Academy of Ancient Music, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, and with baroque violinist Rachel Podger, with whom the critically acclaimed ‘Guardian Angel’ project will continue.

With an on-going programme of recordings, videos and live broadcasts, VOCES8 is heard regularly on albums, international television and radio, as well as maintaining a vibrant web performance presence. The ensemble is a Decca Classics artist and has released acclaimed recordings that have all reached the top of the classical charts. Their latest release is ‘Enchanted Isle’, released in January 2019. This season sees planned releases with Decca Classics as well as the group’s own label.

VOCES8 is passionate about music education and is the flagship ensemble of the music charity the VOCES8 Foundation. Engaging in a broad range of outreach work that reaches up to 40,000 people a year, the group runs an annual programme of workshops and masterclasses at the Foundation’s home in London, the VOCES8 Centre at St Anne & St Agnes Church. Dedicated to supporting promising young singers, the group awards eight annual choral scholarships through the VOCES8 Scholars initiative. These scholarships are linked to the annual Milton Abbey Summer School at which amateur singers of all ages are invited to work and perform with VOCES8. Through the separate VOCES8 USA Foundation there is another set of 8 talented Scholars. The ensemble is proud to be the Associate Ensemble for Cambridge University and delivers a Masters programme in choral studies.

VOCES8 has premiered commissions from Jonathan Dove, Roxanna Panufnik, Alexander Levine, Alec Roth, Ben Parry, Ola Gjeilo, Philip Stopford, Graham Lack, Thomas Hewitt Jones and Owain Park. 2019 will see Roxanna Panufnik as the group’s Composer-in-Residence, and Jim Clements as Arranger-in-Residence. As ambassadors for Edition Peters the ensemble publishes educational material including the ‘VOCES8 Method’. Developed by Paul Smith, co-founder of VOCES8, this renowned and unique teaching tool is available in four languages and adopts music to enhance development in numeracy, literacy and linguistics. Also available are two anthologies of its arrangements, and an ever-expanding ‘VOCES8 Singles’ range.

For more information about the music education programs offered by VOCES8 and the VOCES8 Foundation please visit www.voces8.foundation.

www.voces8.com

As co-founder of VOCES8, Paul sang with the group for 11 years and now focusses on leading inspirational education initiatives for the charity that VOCES8 is the flagship ensemble of, the VCM Foundation for which he is CEO. Paul is passionate about the impact singing can have in the widest possible context. In the 2018-19 season, highlights include: leading the 'Singing Brussels' massed choir project with BOZAR Brussels; launching an album and concert programme titled 'Reflections'; leading a community programme with the Curtis Institute and Live Connections in Philadelphia alongside conducting programmes in the UK, France, Germany, the USA and Japan. Paul will be continuing his work at the University of Cambridge in 2019. The VOCES8 Method, written by Paul, is published by Edition Peters in four languages, and is now being used in thousands of schools in nine countries. The Method is designed to link specific music-making activities with academic improvement in numeracy, literacy and linguistics. For more about Paul visit his website.

Barney co-founded VOCES8 with his brother Paul. His musical career began as a treble in the choir of Westminster Abbey and he completed his studies in Specialist Early Music Performance at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, where he was taught by Andreas Scholl and Ulrich Messthaler. Barney is also an alumnus of the Britten-Pears Young Artists Programme.

As Artistic Director of VOCES8, Barney has the pleasure of facilitating the group's musical endeavours and is responsible for channelling eight people's musical interpretations into one performance. As a conductor his past performances include collaborations with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and he directed the music for the London 2012 Olympic Mascots Film Scores at Abbey Road Studios.

Eleonore joined VOCES8 straight from her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music. Her love for ensemble singing developed during her years as a chorister at Knaresborough Parish Church, when she was also a finalist in the BBC Chorister of the Year. Eleonore loves to travel and is always a bundle of energy both on and off the stage.

Andrea began her career as part of the Royal School of Church Music's youth programme and joined VOCES8 fresh from graduating with a Music degree from Cardiff University. As one of the ensemble's longest surviving members, Andrea brings a level of mindfulness to the group environment, and always travels with her yoga mat.

Katie started singing with the National Youth Choirs when she was 12 and has been hooked ever since. An alumna of Chetham's School of Music, she went on to study Music at Oxford University with a choral scholarship to Somerville College. Prior to joining VOCES8, Katie spent two years freelancing and working with amateur choirs, including the award-winning Peterborough Sings! charity. When not singing, Katie can be found trying out a range of new hobbies as her favourite pastime has become her job. She is not complaining!

Blake is a native of Detroit, Michigan where he studied both Classical and Jazz singing. After a very successful career in American A Cappella, singing with supergroups Chanticleer and Cantus, Blake moved to the UK to take up his position in VOCES8. When he isn't indulging in madly improvised scat singing and barbershop tags, Blake's serene and easy high tenor voice floats him into the hearts of the group's audience. Away from singing he loves to write and record his own music, in which he not only sings but also plays the guitar and drums.

Euan joined VOCES8 after completing music degrees at Newcastle University and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Originally from Edinburgh, his love of choral singing began as part of the National Youth Choir of Scotland, continuing with the award-winning chamber choir Voices of Hope and, during the 2018/19 season, the VOCES8 Scholars. Euan is also an avid football fan, following his adopted hometown club, Newcastle United, from afar whilst on tour.

Chris' love of singing began as a chorister in his local church choir and at school. He joined VOCES8 soon after graduating from the University of Cambridge, where he read music and sang in Trinity College Choir under Stephen Layton. In addition to singing, he enjoys conducting and composing, and when not on stage with VOCES8 he can probably be found either in the kitchen, up a mountain or looking at trains.

Jonathan began his musical career as a chorister at Winchester Cathedral under David Hill and Andrew Lumsden. He later read music at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar under Stephen Layton. He auditioned for VOCES8 while in his final term at university and debuted the day after he finished his degree!