South West England’s Premier Choir
Founded in 1970, our 150-plus members perform a variety of music in Plymouth and elsewhere in the country and abroad. We have won widespread acclaim and concerts often include world-class soloists and musicians. 'In the top 10% of amateur choirs in the UK' says internationally renowned tenor and choir Patron Neil Jenkins.
Covid-19
Given the ongoing situation with Covid-19, with regret, it was decided that we will cancel the concert planned on Sunday 29th November, which would have been The Armed Man.
Sadly, this means we will not now be starting rehearsals again in early September.
In order to maintain as much flexibility as possible, it was agreed we would review the situation again in October and make any decisions necessary about our concert planned for 13th December then. So, for now, please do save the December date in your diaries in the hope that perhaps things may change sooner than later.
We’re so sorry to pass on yet more disappointing news to you all, but it is of course essential that the choir continues to follow Government guidelines in order to ensure the safety of our choir, MD and accompanist, musicians, soloists and of course our valued audience. So, for now, we wait ……
COMMENTS FOLLOWING RECENT CONCERTS
Feedback on our December 2019 concert of Haydn’s Creation
From an audience member
Just a line to say we all (8 in our group and others we spoke to) thoroughly enjoyed PPC’s concert last night. It was splendidly performed. Choir and orchestra in perfect harmony with soloists who were terrific and obviously enjoying the performance as much as we were. Always a good sign.
From Catherine Hamilton – soprano soloist
I thought the choir did a wonderful job and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Glad the feedback from the audience was so appreciative and really look forward to singing with you all again next year.
From Darren Jeffery – bass baritone soloist
Thanks so much for a lovely concert again last night. I always look forward to performing with the choir. My parents enjoyed the performance and wanted me to pass on their thanks.
Previous comments
Brian Gerry, Plymouth Philharmonic Choir President
“The choir was just fantastic and the overall detail you brought to this work was such a pleasure to listen to. A truly splendid achievement. I am always proud of what the Philharmonic Choir achieves and at the end of the performance I was lost for words – possibly a first for me!!!”
From former chairman Paul Baldry (on his retirement from the choir due to ill health)
I have so many varied memories of wonderful days and hours of music, deep friendships, planning visits to sing with other choirs, and particularly with the Royal Marine teams at HMS Raleigh.
Please do give my very best wishes and deep appreciation to everyone, especially Christopher and Jenny Shepley, with their dedicated, professional music skills leading everyone forward.
From a choir member
It’s changed my life for the better.
“The choir were superb. As their new President I’d like to congratulate them all. The one word that springs to mind was moving. It was a sweeping arch of sound.” Brian Gerry
“I’m really proud to be part of this wonderful choir. Christopher works us hard but look at the results! Fantastic and memorable evening of amazing soloists and orchestra too.”
Kathryn Slater, choir member
Comments overheard on the way out after a concert:
“What an achievement. The harmonies were fabulous.”
To a choir member “You look exhausted. How’s the voice?” “What voice?” she croaked.
“It was so moving and everyone put in a hundred and ten percent.”
“That soprano was terrific.”
“To my untutored ears it was fantastic.”
“Absolutely magic – so powerful.”
“I’m knackered!” (said by a choir member)
CHOIR NEWS
We were invited to sing with Irish superstar Daniel O'Donnell. See a gallery of photos from the evening on our Facebook page.
The Herald produced a splendid feature about our choir interviewing our youngest and one of our oldest members. They have an age difference of 75 years! It also reveals just…
CHORAL WORKSHOP
WITH DAVID LAWRENCE
Our 2019 choral workshop with David Lawrence was a huge success, and we have asked him to return in 2021. For those who weren’t there, we thought we’d share some of David Lawrence’s advice on singing technique … and also some of his wit …!!
- Open the back of your mouth wide and say “The space at the back of my mouth”, then sing as if you were singing out behind you. This opens the pharyngeal space, whereas singing forward creates a constricted space and forces the voice.
- David got us to sing a closely harmonised phrase from the Little Jazz Mass with our eyes closed to emphasise the need to listen to each other – this was really effective.
- David encouraged the altos to use their controlled vibrato to add richness of tone when singing forte at the top of our range – this earned us a round of applause.
- Don’t drop your head when singing a low note and use the same face whether you’re singing high or low in your range.
- To improve our diction, he got us to sing with our finger in our mouth and make the tongue work harder.
- When you breathe in, imagine wearing a belt of noses around your waist.
