Hastings Vocal Explosion Choir (photo Ben Hamilton)

Vocal explosion!

Hastings’ world music choir, Vocal Explosion, is to present an alternative Christmas concert, with not a carol to be heard! A celebration of the stunning vocal harmonies of Georgia and the Celtic tradition, pieces have been chosen by the choir’s director, Juliet Russell, which evoke a feeling of ancient Christmas. Hannah Collisson tells us more.

“There will be traditional pieces and those I have written for the choir, inspired by the Georgian and Celtic traditions,” said Juliet. “The combination of powerful a cappella and the upbeat energy of fiddle, pipes and percussion is a recipe for a really joyous celebration.”

The 40-strong choir will be accompanied by violin, guitars, english bagpipes, bouzouki and percussion – and joined by well-known folk musicians, Garry and Edd Blakeley.

Juliet Russell in Rye (photo Ben Hamilton)

Vocal Explosion is a non-auditioning community choir, which performs a wide range of world music, much of it written by Juliet, who is a composer and singer in her own right.

“Our previous gigs have had such a fantastic response from the audience that we wanted to provide songs that would enable that to happen again,” said Juliet.

The choir has performed at venues and festivals across Sussex and beyond; their Music of the Gypsies concert at St Clements Church in March this year was a sell-out.

Hastings Vocal Explosion St Marys in the Castle (Photo by Ben Hamilton)

“Vocal Explosion is a community choir open to everybody,” says Juliet. “You don’t need to have singing experience, just a sense of fun and commitment. But we do work towards a very high standard, and have been given some great feedback about our work.”

She adds that next year, as well as music from Georgia, Corsica, and Eastern Europe, the choir will be working on a set of African and Latin music for the summer.

Vocal Explosion’s Midwinter Candlelight Concert is at St Clements Church, High Street in the Old Town on Saturday, 13 December. Doors open at 7pm and the concert starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £9 for adults and £5 for children under 13, and the price includes a glass of wine or soft drink.

Tickets are available online at vocalexplosionmidwinter.eventbrite.co.uk or from B&T Music, 9 Claremont; Made in Hastings, 82 High Street; and SHOP, 32-34 Norman Road, St Leonards.

For information visit www.vocalexplosion.co.uk.

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