Voices of Macmillan

Bring & Sing - Fauré's Requiem - Call for Participants!

'Since singing is so good a thing, I wish all men would learn to sing.’ William Byrd

On Sunday 30th October 2011 Oxford’s New Theatre will be filled with the voices of 800 singers coming together to perform Faure’s Requiem with the aim of raising £15,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support to help those living with cancer.

Voices of Macmillan are looking for singers to form the 800-strong choir. It is open to singers of all backgrounds and abilities from Oxfordshire and further afield. All that’s required is enthusiasm... and a pencil.

The event is a come-and-sing. Singers have one rehearsal, on the afternoon of the concert, and the work is performed in the evening.

The performance forms the second half of the evening’s centenary gala concert which will be hosted by Brian Kay and will include performances from a star-studded line-up including one of Britain’s greatest and best-loved sopranos, Dame Felicity Lott, 2011 Cardiff Singer of the World finalist, Anna Leese, and bass and Royal Opera House regular Richard Wiegold.

The Requiem will be conducted by David Lawrence, one of the UK's most versatile choral conductors. David’s current posts include Associate Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus and Choir Leader of the City of Birmingham Young Voices.

David also holds the Guinness World Record for conducting the UK's largest choir - 7000 singers – and has conducted live broadcasts for the BBC and ITV.

Voices of Macmillan was established by Sheridan Edward following the death of his mother from cancer in the summer 2009.

Sheridan said, “After she was diagnosed in January 2009, my mother Julie organised a bring and sing of Vivaldi's Gloria with her local choral society for a charity for children with special needs. Despite being gravely ill and undergoing treatment at the time, she was able to sing in the concert.”

Julie’s cancer progressed rapidly and she died four months later at the age of 56. During her illness, she and her family received tremendous support from nurses, doctors, Macmillan nurses, district nurses, occupational therapists and paramedics, and it is to their work, and Julie, that this project is dedicated.

This concert will follow in the footsteps of Voices of Macmillan’s highly-successful come- and-sing Mozart’s Requiem in Oxford Town Hall in June 2010 which was also a fundraising event for Macmillan Cancer Support and attracted 300 singers.

Sheridan Edward, who is also the event organiser, said: “The concert is not only a wonderful opportunity to raise money for a fantastic cause, it is a celebration of the fantastic work of Macmillan Cancer Support over the past hundred years, supporting those living with cancer and their families. I would encourage singers of all backgrounds and abilities to come and take part.”

Julian Knowles, Fundraising Manager for Macmillan, said: “Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people living with cancer. I am delighted Sheridan has chosen to support us in such a harmonious way! This will help Macmillan to continue to fund our vital services, and help even more families across Oxfordshire.”

For further information please contact: Sheridan Edward, Producer, at info@voicesofmacmillan.com or 07720 052572.

• The fees for participation are £12.40 with £7 concessions. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster

• The soloists for the concert will be announced shortly.

• All proceeds will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

• Following the performance, some of the choral movements will be available to download from www.voicesofmacmillan.com, in return for a donation to Macmillan.

• Voices of Macmillan is an independent not-for-profit group, working on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support. Macmillan Cancer Support is a registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604).