Upper Voices Festival

We were delighted to run our inaugural Upper Voices Festival in November 2024, celebrating the power of upper voices and exploring works by contemporary composers.

Led by Charles Béquignon-MacDougall and Emily Dickens, our Upper Voices Festival was the perfect opportunity for singers and ensembles to develop their technique, work with our renowned workshop leaders on exciting repertoire by contemporary composers, and to collaborate with other upper voice singers and ensembles. The day centred on Kim André Arnesen’s moving “Stabat Mater” and will also featured a performance by Vox Anima Chamber Choir of the top entry from our Emerging Composers 2024 scheme. The day culminated in an informal joint concert.

Stay tuned for more events like this!

Our 2024 Workshop Leaders

  • Emily Dickens

    Emily Dickens

    Choral Director | Soprano

    Read Bio

  • Charles Béquignon-MacDougall

    Choral Director | Tenor | Vocal Coach

    Read Bio

  • James Meaders

    Conductor | Artistic Advisor, Friends of the Vox

    Read Bio

  • Richard Hammond-Hall

    Pianist | Director of Music

    Read Bio

Further details on our 2024 Upper Voices Festival

  • All treble voice singers and Upper Voice ensembles (6-30 singers) should join us for this day festival.

    Repertoire will be assigned in advance of the workshop and we would expect all pieces to be prepared to concert standard.

  • Date: Saturday 9 November 2024 | Venue: St Peter’s Church Eaton Square

    Schedule:

    09.00 - 09.30 Arrival & Registration
    09.30 - 13.00 Workshop 1 (with a break)
    13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
    14.00 - 17.00 Workshop 2 (with a break)
    17.00 - 18.00 Break
    18.00 - 19.00 Concert

  • Pieces for this year's Upper Voices Festival include:

    • Movement 2 & 5 from Kim André Arnesen’s “Stabat Mater”

    • As You Sing by Sarah Quartel

    • The Lake Isle of Innisfree by Eleanor Daley

    • Take This Gift by Tracy Wong

    • Balulalow by Elizabeth Poston

    • O Oriens by Anna Roclawska-Musialczyk (Emerging Composers 2024 Winner)

    • Kakwa Moma a Trad. Bulgarian arr. U. Knorrn 

    Please note that your registration fee includes the cost of the score for Stabat Mater by Kim André Arnesen only. All other music will need to be purchased. Links will be provided.

  • The cost of the workshop day is £50 per singer. This includes your entry, refreshments during the breaks (excluding lunch), and your Kim Arnesen score.

    If you would like to sign up and pay instalments, please email us directly to discuss options.

    Bursary places are available, so please also contact us directly.

  • You can register for our festival here.

    Please note that places are strictly limited to 125 singers, so early booking is advised.