With the exciting new Surtierra project starting soon, now is a fantastic time to join Cloud 9 Chorus and add more music, fun and friendship into your life! Click here for more details.
Cloud 9 Christmas Concert
Cloud 9 Chorus performed their annual Christmas concert with special guests this December to an enthusiastic audience, bringing festive cheer in the very cold weather! Along with Kathie’s children’s choirs Nightingales and Skylarks, and special guests The Wedding Singers, the choir performed a mix of traditional and modern Christmas songs, along with some new upbeat popular pieces.
Upton Country Park
June 2023
Cloud 9 Chorus performs at Upton Park in June
We were blessed with beautiful sunny weather for our first performance as Cloud 9 Chorus at Upton country Park walled garden on June 3rd this year.
Visitors to the park enjoyed a picnic on the lawns whilst listening to a variety of choral music. Also featuring Poole-based choir the Quayside Singers, the programme included well-known pop songs from the last few decades, as well as original music from local composer Geof edge, and a selection of Ukrainian songs.
Weymouth Music Festival
March 2023
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
A Musical Celebration for Christmas
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
Protected: Nightingales Christmas 2019
Protected: DCH Choir Christmas Songs 2019
Protected: VIVA! Christmas Concert 2019
Protected: Heart and Soul Christmas 2019
Viva! Autumn Term Dates 2019
5th September – 24th October Viva! Autumn term (part 1)
31st October – Half term break (no choir this week)
7th November – 19th December* Viva! Autumn term (part 2) *TBC depending on Christmas concert date
Date change for Apollo rehearsal in Puddletown
A reminder that the rehearsal with other singers is now Monday, 15th, 7.00 – 8.30 pm at St Mary’s School, Puddletown.
This will be in the Sports Hall, which is to the right hand side of the school and there is an upper carpark in front of it. Singers are welcome to bring along a folding garden chair, but not shooting sticks with spikes ….nothing sharp please.
We will also need to take chairs to the performance on Friday 19th July
Dress code for Apollo performance
Kathie has now agreed with the organisers that we will wear white. If all white is not possible then black bottoms and a white top will be fine. She would also like us to have badges (VIVA) and says “silver spray paint is a possibility” which we can think about and come with ideas next Thursday. Geof Edge is now coming to that session.
European Choir Wanted for Singing Exchange!
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
Protected: Music for Geof’s APOLLO Cantata 2019
Heart & Soul members – Dates for your diaries
Sunday 14th July
2:30pm, Kingston Maurward Gardens
Viva will be joining Heart & Soul to sing outside by the lake if the weather is fine. If it’s raining there will be alternative arrangements.This is an informal event open to singers and their families/friends and pets!!
This event has now been cancelled, due to our Apollo commitments!
Tuesday 16th July Monday 15th July
7pm – 8:30pm, Puddletown Middle School
Rehearsal for Apollo Cantata with the conductor
Friday 19th July
Time TBC, Maumbury Rings
We will be joining a children’s choir and the Quangles to sing 2 songs from Geof Edge’s Apollo Cantata
Viva members – Dates for your diaries
Saturday 29th June
3pm – 4pm, Thomas Hardye School
We will be singing Space Oddity with a children’s choir in celebration of the Apollo anniversary
Sunday 14th July
2:30pm, Kingston Maurward Gardens
Viva will be joining Heart & Soul to sing outside by the lake if the weather is fine. If it’s raining there will be alternative arrangements.This is an informal event open to singers and their families/friends and pets!!
This event has now been rescheduled for early Autumn term, due to our Apollo commitments! New date TBC
Tuesday 16th July Monday 15th July
7pm – 8:30pm, Puddletown Middle School
Rehearsal for Apollo Cantata with the conductor
Thursday 18th July
7:30pm – 9pm, big hall
Viva rehearsal as usual
Friday 19th July
Time TBC, Maumbury Rings
We will be joining a children’s choir and the Quangles to sing 2 songs from Geof Edge’s Apollo Cantata
DASP Music Fest – 29th June 2019
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
Dorset Women’s Day Festival
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.
Summer Picnic and Sing 2019
Summer Picnic and Sing – updated
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
Apollo – One Giant Leap – Moonbury Rings
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
The Heavens & The Outliers next gig…
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!
CONCERTS Autumn & Winter 2017
SONGS TO MAKE YOUR HEART SOAR
VIVA! Women’s Choir, Poundbury’s Heart and Soul Choir
Soloist Lucy Breakwell
7.30pm Saturday 14th October 2017,
United Church, South Street, Dorchester
FREE ADMISSION
Retiring Collection in aid of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau
VIVA 2006-2016 : 10 Years of Singing Our Hearts Out!
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!
Amazing Grace
Clean Heart
Alleluia! Sing Out for Christmas
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.
Christmas Concert 2015
Protected: VIVA! ChristmasMusic /lyrics
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