Annual Voices Festival A Huge Success

Last week saw the Voices Festival return for another year and it was a wonderful celebration of singing. Across the week, singers from all year groups, and across all styles of music, performed in the Chapel, providing a diverse and interesting programme of lunchtime concerts for fellow students, staff and parents to enjoy. All of the students mastered their nerves and delivered outstanding performances.

With songs from the shows, folk tunes, French Art Song, Italian Aria and even the world of 70s Soft Rock, there was something to enjoy for everyone across the week.

On Friday, Kingswood Music Department welcomed Mary Nelson to Kingswood. Mary is a professional soprano and teacher at the Royal Academy of Music. Mary offered advice and coaching on vocal technique, and her words of wisdom about posture, presence and commitment to the sound were very insightful and gave our singers lots to think about to improve their practice.

The Voices Festival on Friday evening with a concert and displayed the huge variety of talent that Kingswood Music Department has. All age groups and styles of singing were represented in a mere snapshot of the brilliant performances from throughout the week. Mary Nelson watched on and offered yet more advice to the students at the end, noting how impressed she was with everything she'd seen and heard about from across the entire festival.

As part of the evening's entertainment, Mary chose highlight performances to commend. Congratulations must go to Ana in the category of 'Highly Commended Contemporary' and to Niamh in Year 11 for 'Highly Commended Classical'. Mary's 'Outstanding Performer' was awarded to a singer who not only sang with excellent tone, projection and diction, but more importantly communicated her story with true conviction – congratulations to Bella in Year 9 for her stunning performance of 'I Can Hear the Bells'.

The Voices Festival saw nearly 70 soloists perform throughout the week, which is an incredible feat. Mr Knights did a sterling job accompanying each concert, and thank you as well to the choirs who offered items to entertain the audience on Friday evening. Every single person who took part throughout the week should be truly proud of themselves for their achievement and contribution to such a wonderful event.