Soul Full of Sunshine: Our summer concert in Cerne Abbas, 2024
Summertime was celebrated in Cerne Abbas this July as Kathie presented her adult choir, Cloud 9 Chorus, along with Wessex Music children’s choirs Skylarks and Nightingales and Cerne Abbas First School choir, Hummingbirds, at our summer choral concert! Also featuring special guests Waterfolk, this upbeat, joyful programme gave a taste of gospel, pop and folk songs old and new, all in aid of children’s charity Mosaic, supporting bereaved children.
Cloud 9 Chorus about to sing at the 80th Anniversary D-Day commemoration
Cloud 9 were honoured to take part in Dorchester’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6th. Held in the evening on Salisbury Fields, Cloud 9 sung a repertoire of gospel songs to commemorate the invaluable contribution of Black GI soldiers in the Second World War.
Viva!, Heart & Soul, and DCH choirs took part in the Weymouth Music Festival this March, entering in the adult choir category. We sang a collection of songs, including one of our favourites, Make Your Own Kind of Music. The festival was a great way to take part in a celebration of local music talents from all backgrounds, and of all abilities.
Kathie’s combined choirs perform at Weymouth Music Festival in February
Members of Viva, Heart & Soul and DCH choirs were honoured to be invited to sing once more at the Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration at Dorchester Corn Exchange on January 27tth.
The service, which included readings, music and poetry, explored the theme of ‘Ordinary People’. It examined the impact of individuals’ choices on the Holocaust and other genocides, and asked what each of us can do to make a difference when faced with prejudice today.
The service concluded with the lighting of candles and a minute’s silence.
On Saturday June 18th, Viva!, Heart & Soul and Dorchester County Hospital choirs took part in a special performance in Maumbury Rings of ‘Dorset Songlines’. Created by local composer Geof Edge in collaboration with Dorchester Arts, Dorset Museum and DASP music, the piece celebrates the history of Dorset, from 250 million years ago to present day, with nine songs, each representing a different period in time. Lead by Hannah Trevorrow, Kathie’s adult choirs, along with the Quangle Wangle choir and the DASP schools choirs delivered a stunning performance in the centre of Maumbury Rings in Dorchester. If you missed the chance to hear this original and exciting piece, the adult choirs will be performing it in Maumbury Rings at ‘Henge Fest’ on Sunday July 31st, 12.30pm.
Dorset Songlines performance, Maumbury Rings, June 2022
Viva, Heart & Soul and DCH Choir perform Carols & Festive Favourites in the Borough Gardens, 16th December 2021
Having missed out on performing at Christmas 2020 because of the pandemic, Kathie was delighted to announce that her three adult choirs (Viva, Heart & Soul and Dorchester Community Hospital Choir) had been invited to sing carols in the Borough Gardens in December. Along with Durnovaria Silver Band, the choirs led a selection of well-known carols, and also sang a few of their own festive favourites, including Carol of the Bells and Silent Night. Along with a lantern parade, a children’s chorus of Away in a Manger, and the rousing melodies of the Durnovaria Silver Band, a chilly night in the park became a wonderful festive extravaganza! The event was very well attended by the people of Dorchester and we can’t wait to do it again in 2022!
Christmas Carols in the Borough Gardens, December 16th, 2021
A wonderful time was had by all at the Summer Harmony singing workshop at Brownsword Hall in Poundbury this August. Kathie welcomed lots of new faces along with current members of Heart & Soul and Viva to join in singing some new rounds and multi-part harmonies, along with a few old favourites, such as ‘Lime in the Cooking’.
Kathie Prince and Viva Women’s Choir are looking for a choir to partner with in another European country. Women’s choir, men’s choir or mixed… we don’t mind! We’d love to exchange songs, perform together, have fun exploring another location and culture and meet some new musical people! If you’re in a choir in France, Spain, Germany… or any European country!… and would be interested in partnering with Viva in Dorchester, please get in touch with Kathie via email: kathieprince@btinternet.com
Kathie Prince et la chorale Viva cherchent une chorale d’un autre pays européen pour un partenariat. Une chorale de femmes, d’hommes ou mixte, ça nous est égal ! Nous aimerions échanger des chansons, jouer ensemble, s’amuser en explorant un autre endroit et une autre culture, et se rencontrer de nouveaux gens musicaux ! Si vous êtes membre d’une chorale en France, Espagne, Allemagne… ou d’un autre pays Européen, et vous vous intéresseriez d’un partenariat avec Viva à Dorchester, si vous plait contactez Kathie via email : kathieprince@btinternet.com
The DASP Music Fest 2019 is a day long celebration of music for DASP pupils and their families, featuring performances from all of the DASP Ensembles, plus other invited groups. Taking place at the Thomas Hardye School, there will be workshops and other activities for all children and adults to take part in throughout the day including a ‘come and try’ session, music tech session, Big Sing and a barn dance! There will also be food and drink available. For more details, and to register, please click here
On Saturday 9th March, Viva! performed at the Dorset Women’s Day Festival at the Dorford Centre. Unfortunately Kathie could not be with us but the lovely Julie Harris stepped in to lead us in singing acappella versions of the songs we know best.
Kathie is hoping for fine weather on Sunday 14th July for an informal picnic and sing with Viva!, Heart & Soul, and their friends and families (dogs welcome too!) at Kingston Maurward Gardens.
Commencing at 2:30pm, the choirs will sing outside near the lake (alternative arrangements will be made for wet weather!). Bring a rug and a picnic! We look forward to seeing you there.
This event has now been rescheduled for early Autumn term, due to our Apollo commitments! New date TBC
Friday 19th July – Apollo – One Giant Leap – Maumbury Rings: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing Geof Edge has composed a cantata for children’s voices together with adult choirs as part of a weekend of free lunar-themed events. The exact time of the event is TBC
In May, Kathie is heading to the Nun’s Island Theatre in Galway to perform in the sold-out Between Language and Limb, a theatre performance that combines contemporary dance, poetry and music. This project is a collaboration from Galway director, choreographer and dancer Patricia Glynn, poet Geraldine Mills, and contemporary dancer Celina Jaffe.
Kathie and The Heavens will be performing with The Outliers at Owermoigne Village Hall on July 6th 2019. This evening of lively original music kicks off at 8pm with Glastonbury band, Setting Sun, followed by The Outliers at 9.15pm. Doors open 7pm. We hope to see you there!
I can’t quite believe that our wonderful choir came into being 10 years ago! It was with a certain amount of trepidation that I opened the doors to Dorchester Arts back in 2006 wondering if I’d be greeted by a throng of enthusiastic singers or just a view of the car park! Luckily folk did arrive to sing and the seeds were sown for a wonderful community of singers which, over the years, has gone from strength to strength.
The really special thing about VIVA, apart from the great sound of course, is the commitment, enthusiasm and community spirit shown by our singers. Some have recently joined and others have been coming to choir for many years. We originally started out as a mixed choir and performed regularly at local events including the Dorchester Festival, Apple Day and Christmas celebrations at Kingston Maurward and of course the opening of the Olympic Games in Weymouth. VIVA also premiered the specially commissioned song for Dorchester, Dancing the Rings at Maumbury in Borough Gardens and featured on the soundtrack of Out in the Open a film about homelessness premiered at the Dorchester Plaza. More recently in 2014 we performed in Heartwood , an original site specific piece with original music by Karen Wimhurst. This was a collaboration between sound artist Adrian Newton who directed the piece Karen and myself. VIVA joined forces with Pallida, Karen’s Shaftesbury choir, Skylarks Children’s Choir and my Heart and Soul Community Choir from Poundbury.
Winning Best Large choir of the 2014 and 2015 Weymouth Festivals in collaboration with Heart and Soul, was a highlight for the choir. Our Christmas concerts at St Georges church in Fordington have also been a great success and hugely enjoyable and these concerts have enabled VIVA, in collaboration with my other choirs ,to raise hundreds of pounds for charities – the West Dorset Women’s Refuge, Autism Wessex, The Red Cross and the Dorset Blind Association to name but a few.
So…here we are 10 years on planning our new CD, a trip to the Southbank to sing at the Chorus Festival and a choir exchange to France! I can’t wait! Viva la VIVA!
Join VIVA Women’s Choir, Heart and Soul Poundbury Community Choir, Skylarks Children’s Choir and special guests The Heavens for their annual Christmas concert at St Georges Church in Fordington 4pm, Saturday 12th December. This year we are raising funds for the Dorset Blind Association. Tickets are £6 for adults, children free.
