http://www.bellacora.org.uk/

Lunchtime Concert - Bella Cora

Bella Cora is a unique female vocal ensemble dedicated to bringing high quality performances of choral music to audiences in North London and beyond. Busy ladies with demanding jobs and family commitments, they are all passionate about singing, and hugely proud of their high standard of musicianship. Their sound is a vibrant fusion of sacred and secular works, encompassing folk songs from around the world, songs and music from past and present, modern choral works and popular show-stopping anthems. They were 'highly commended' in the BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2008 and have scooped first prize - for two years running - in the 2008 and 2009 North London Festival of Music (Adult Choirs section). Musical Director Travis Baker is a native of Melbourne, Australia. A chorister and assistant organist at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, he won many awards and scholarships before gaining his BMus (Performance) with Honours from the University of Melbourne in 2001. For three years Travis was Director of Training Choirs for the Australian Children's Choir. Since moving to the UK in July 2004 Travis has worked closely with Paul Farrington, one of Europe's top vocal consultants. He now also works with voice coach Mary King as vocal tutor at the Millennium Dance 2000 School in North London. Along with a demanding recital schedule, voice coaching and directing both Bella Cora and the Bromley Boy Singers, Travis maintains a thriving private teaching practice and is also Director of Music at St John?s Church, Palmers Green. www.travis-baker.co.uk Bella Cora is a registered charity: number - 1088564

Bella Cora Vocal Ensemble

Programme

Trad - arr Kate Sadler

Daniel Walker - Sky Song

Trad arr Mark O'Leary - Waltzing Matilda

chilcott - This Day

Caccini - Ave Maria

Pergolesi - Stabat Mater

Walter Hawkins - I'm goin' up a yonder

Irvin Berlin arr Kirby Shaw - Puttin' on the Ritz

Kia Ora ~ Mâori Welcome

This arrangement of the Mâori greeting is by the Australian choral director Kate Sadler. It includes references to Ranginui and Papatuanuku, the Mâori ancestral 'sky father' and 'earth mother' whose tight, loving embrace at the beginning of time was forced apart by their son, thus allowing light and space into the world.

This Day ~ Bob Chilcott
1. Bring me the sunset in a cup
2. Awake, my soul!
3. This Day
4. The Bright Field (R. S. Thomas)br> 5. O Lord, support us

Bob Chilcott has been involved with choral music all his life, first as a chorister and then at King's College, Cambridge and with the King's Singers. His passionate commitment to young and amateur choirs, and his belief that music can unite people, have inspired him to compose full-time and promote choral music worldwide.

This Day unites five very different texts, both sacred and secular, in an exploration of man's relationship with the world and with God. It was originally written for a choral festival in New Orleans which was cancelled in 2006 due to Hurricane Katrina.
"I wrote the piece for the rebirth of the festival in 2007 on the theme of the day and all it brings: living every moment with energy and awareness" (Bob Chilcott).

Puttin' on the Ritz ~ Irving Berlin

This song title is a slang expression for dressing very fashionably - inspired by the swanky Ritz Hotel. In the original version Berlin was writing about well-dressed by poor black Harmelites parading up and down Lenox Avenue. For the 1946 film Blue Skies, where it was performed by Fred Astaire, he revised the lyrics to apply to affluent whites strutting up and down Park Avenue.

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This lunchtime concert is FREE and no ticket is required. Lunchtime concerts last approximately 45 minutes and latecomers will be admitted to the church when there is a suitable break in the programme. A collection is taken at the end of the concert which goes towards the work of St Martin's.

Sometimes it is necessary to alter programmes and substitute artists at short notice. If you are intending to hear a particular piece or performer, we recommend that you telephone the Box Office (020 7766 1100) on the day of the concert in order to confirm performance details.


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