Euphonix Community Choir

December 2024 -
Euphonix raises £585 for Kingston Foodbank and supports other charities.

December is the time when Euphonix undertakes a number of events in support of local charities.  As a community choir we have an ethos of raising the awareness of charitable causes through singing and music. 

This term Euphonix decided that it was going to support Kingston Foodbank.  Details of their work are given below.

On 4 December the Choir sang a series of Christmas songs and carols on the stage in Kingston's Christmas Market.  Volunteers from Kingston Foodbank were on hand to collect donations from the people in the market and the event raised £220. 

A week later on 11 December the Choir held its end of term concert in the Rose Theatre Café.  The concert showcased a number of songs that the choir had been practising since September.  This was a free concert, again in support of the work of Kingston Foodbank, with their local Director giving a brief overview of the scale of their undertaking.  Our audience generously gave £365 during the concert to support their work.

The repertoire comprised the following

• There is Silence in My Heart
  by the Edinburgh Composer Ali Burns - Not quite the same as a "Round" it is known as a "Partner-song" whereby we were singing different melodies and texts at the same time
  
• Cecilia
  Released in April 1970 by the American musical duo Simon & Garfunkel. The arrangement we sung was by our Musical Director Thomas Chapman.
  
• Autumn Leaves
  "Les Feuilles mortes" ("The Dead Leaves") was originally French song (lyrics written by Jacques Prévert and composed by Joseph Kosma in 1945).  This is the English-language version of the French song lyrics were by Johnny Mercer.
  
• Wildflowers
  A song from 1994 by Tom Petty and the opening track from the album of the same name.The arrangement we sung was by our Musical Director Thomas Chapman.
  
• The Circle Game
  by Joni Mitchell - it is song about a young boy's rites of passage. It was inspired by another song, Neil Young's "Sugar Mountain."
  
• Ya Basta
  A song from South America in Spanish (Enough is Enough) by Val Regan
• Mweya M'tsvene
  Zimbabwian gospel song. One of three songs arranged by Jonathan Willcock in a series titled Sing Africa
  
• One Voice
  Words and music originally by Ruth Moody of the Wailin’ Jennys.  The arrangement we sung was by our Musical Director Thomas Chapman.
• Mele Kalikimaka
  An Hawaiian-themed Christmas song written in 1949 by R. Alex Anderson. The song takes its title from the Hawaiian transliteration of "Merry Christmas". The 1950 recording by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters is one of the earliest. The arrangement we sung was by our Musical Director Thomas Chapman.
  and finally the Christmas classic
• Jingle Bell Rock

There were two other events that the Choir were involved with.

5 December the Choir met under the clock and around the Christmas Tree at Waterloo Station to sing Christmas songs and carols to raise money for the national charity CRISIS.  Thus reviving a tradition that had to be abandoned due to the COVID pandemic.

8 December the Choir performed traditional Christmas songs and carols around "The Christmas Tree" in Kingston's All Saints Church raising money for 3 good causes being promoted by the Church.

Kingston Foodbank - Background 
The Trussell Trust Hunger Report of 2023 concluded that supplying emergency food is not the only answer. We need to do a lot more to support clients and help them become resilient individuals who can contribute to society in various ways. 

Established in 2011, Kingston Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust national network of Foodbanks. In the past year we provided emergency food to over 11,000 local people. 77 tonnes of food was donated and distributed through 6 local centres across the borough. 

Grace Advocacy and CAB Partnership. 
Set up last year we now fund two teams based at the Foodbank to provide advice and advocacy, including support for housing crisis, debt consolidation, benefit and job applications etc. The Grace Advocacy Team supported 343 clients in 2023. 

Christmas Lunch. 
Each December the Kingston Foodbank fund, pack and distribute over 1000 festive hampers to families across South West London. Each hamper contains a frozen turkey, fresh vegetables, festive accompaniments like stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy mix, biscuits, Christmas cake and mince pies. The project mobilises over 200 volunteers to pack and distribute the hampers to families who have been referred to us through front line services and agencies.

---

 

Summer 2024 - Euphonix raises £520.46 for Kingston WelCare.

 

Our summer lunchtime concert was held on 17 July in All Saints Church in support of Kingston WelCare's exciting new playgroup project.

This is the second time that Euphonix has supported this local Kingston charity and we were pleased to welcome WelCare's Chair  Tormod Sund, who gave a brief overview of their project to the audience. 

The concert raised £520.46 for Kingston WelCare and in a message of thanks the charity wrote -
"This contribution is immensely valuable to us and will go a long way in supporting our cause.  We are truly grateful for your kindness and the effort you put into raising these funds. Your choir’s talent and hard work not only entertain and inspire but also make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve."

The concert's programme comprised 10 songs a couple of which has been sung at earlier concerts (in red type below), along with an encore.

PROGRAMME

• Viva La Musica: Iván Eröd - A round in 4 part harmonies, comprising just 3 words "Viva La Musica".
• I'm Beginning to See the Light:  is a popular song and jazz standard, written by Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, and Harry James and lyrics by Don George and published in 1944 and made famous in 1945 by Ella Fitzgerald.
• Njetsvoda: is by Belgian composer Jan Wuytack. The lyrics are in a made-up language to resemble Slavic. Many people have even been told (incorrectly) that it’s a traditional Russian or Ukrainian song.
• Sunshine on Leith: by the Proclaimers 
• We Can Work it Out: The Beatles - Composers Lennon and McCartney (& Harrison?)
• The Circle Game: by Joni Mitchell - it is song about a young boy's rites of passage. It was inspired by another song, Neil Young's "Sugar Mountain."
• Fat Cat: Helen Yeomans - Theatrical and satirical send-up of the financial system.
• The Parting Glass: Traditional Scottish song often sung at the end of a gathering of friends.
• For Once in My Life: written in 1965 by Ron Miller.  The most familiar and successful version of the song is an uptempo arrangement by Stevie Wonder, recorded in 1967.
• Hot Hot Hot: is a song written and first recorded by Montserratian musician Arrow (A Cassell)
• Encore: Viva La Musica

---

 

Spring 2024 - Euphonix raises £780.05 for the RNLI.

2024 marks the 200 year anniversary of the founding of the RNLI (registered charity in England No. 209603). Euphonix is one of a number of choirs from across the UK that are dedicating events to raising funds for the charity. The nearest Lifeboat Station to Kingston is based at Teddington and the stats show that its lifeboat was launched 96 times in 2023.

In the Autumn 2023 the Choir Community announced a joint project with the RNLI for Choirs across the country to take part in choral events under the banner "Singing to Save Lives".  In planning its programme for 2024 Euphonix decided to take up the challenge and to dedicate its Spring concert to this project.

Euphonix's Spring concert was held at the Rose Theatre Café in Kingston during lunchtime on 20 March, 2024.  The programmme had a nautical or water related theme for all the 10 songs;

• The Sky Over Shannon - A song invoking a rollicking adventure of when a ship came into port and the 3 day party atmosphere;
• The Wellerman - A well known shanty with New Zealand origins about whaling 150 years ago;
• And You Rescue Me - By Gitika Partington available through the Choir Community as part of the Singing to Save Lives RNLI project;
• The Lighthouse Keeper - A contemporary song from 2020 by Sam Smith at the height of COVID pandemic;
• Sailing - By the Sutherland Brothers and made famous by Rod Stewart in the 1970s;
• Freddie Cooper - Another contemporary song by Honey and The Bear from 2021.  It references an actual RNLB based in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.  The arrangement by Euphonix's Musical Director cleverly incorporated the internationally recognised emergency Morse-code SOS call sign of dot,dot,dot | dash,dash,dash | dot,dot,dot;  
• Take Me to the Water - An African-American Spiritual Freedom Song possibly from the time of slavery; 
• Crossing the Bar - from the poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson set to a choral arrangement by C H H (Hurbert) Parry;
• Sail On - a song made famous by the Commodores in the 1970s (written by Lionel Richie); and
• Farewell Shanty - traditional West Country song (origin unknown although it could be 19th century)

As this was a ticket free event it was difficult to estimate the actual size of the audience.  However, the Café was packed with standing room only and it was suggested that perhaps 100+ people had come to support both the RNLI and Euphonix.  Before the concert began a volunteer from Teddington Lifeboat, dressed appropriately in their "Yellows", gave an overview of what they do as a local organisation; not only their primary responsibility of heading out to river emergencies but also undertaking river and water safety courses, visiting local schools and providing awareness training at local youth clubs. 

Donations received at the concert raised a staggering £780.05.  This is perhaps the largest sum collected at one of our lunchtime concerts; a fantastic achievement that far exceeded expectations!

---

2023 - December events
Euphonix raises £637.86 for Momentum

December marked the end of our Autumn Term.  The Choir were approached by a local charity, Momentum, and it was agreed that we would dedicate our December events to their cause. 

Euphonix started its December season of events by singing traditional carols in Kingston's Christmas Market Stage to the delight of passing shoppers.  Three days later the Choir performed at the opening of All Saints Church's Charity Christmas Tree Festival.  And later that day members of the choir performed carols from the 2nd floor gallery in John Lewis' Department store.

The Choir's final event of 2023 was it's Concert in the Rose Theatre Café, where it showcased several new arrangements of songs that it had learnt over the Autumn Term. 

The programme was as follows

• Ride this Train - a round in three parts (a gospel song attributed to The Canton Spirituals from their album Live In Memphis)
• The Longest Time - A Billy Joel song written as four part harmonies
• Sit Down - Recorded in 1989 by the band James and arranged by one of the members of the choir
• Ya Basta! - A song from South America in Spanish (Enough is Enough) by Val Regan
• Our House - A song written by Graham Nash (of Crosby, Still, Nash, & Young) when he was living with Jodi Mitchell
• For Once in My Life - A Stevie Wonder song
• The Parting Glass - A traditional Scottish song originally from the 17th Century
• Fat Cat - By Helen Yeomans is a modern satirical theatrical send-up of the financial system.
• Silent Night - Most popular carol of all time?
• Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day - a 16th Century Carol arranged by John Gardner
• Encore: Ya Basta!

By the end of the concert season Euphonix had help raise £637.86 towards Momentum.

---

 2023 - Summer Workshops 

During four Wednesdays in August, Euphonix hosted singing workshops.

2 August saw the return of Johnny Kilhams who this year led the group on the "Sounds of South Africa. Johnny has been a frequent and popular lead at Euphonix's August Workshops for a number of years.

Euphonix were joined by Ben Crawley (a former Musical Director) in the middle of August whose workshop was entitled folk songs old and new

Thomas Chapman, Euphonix's very own Musical Director hosted two workshops. The first was on Madrigals and Partsongs, whilst the second was on the music and songs of Stevie Wonder.

 

---

2023 - Summer Concert raises £463.60 for Kingston WelCare Charity.

Euphonix's Summer Season ended on 12 July with a lunchtime concert at one of it's regular venue's, All Saints Church.

This term there were a mixture of songs. The Choir got the Concert going by singing A Comedy Tonight from the musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by Stephen Sondheim. Summer is A-Coming In was next, a round dating from the 13 Century. The third number was Flame (Susie Ro Prater) a meditative song giving hope in times of darkness. This was followed by another Round - Take Me To The Water in the style of a Gospel song. The Choir then performed If I had a Hammer (Seeger & Hays) made famous in the 1960s by Peter, Paul & Mary. The next 3 were all suggested as potential songs by Choir members: Island of Dreams (Tom Springfield) made famous by the Seekers; The Longest Time (Billy Joel); and Our House (written by Graham Nash and recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young). The Concert ended with a bit of Jazz It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) based on 1931 composition by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Irving Mills. The Choir performed an encore with A Comedy Tonight.

In the audience were Sue Skrobanski (Director) and Fanny Su from Kingston WelCare. In a message of thanks Ms Skrobanski wrote how much they had enjoyed the concert and was delighted in the money raised for their Charity.

 

---

2023 - Spring Concert raises £540.31 for RALPHH Charity

Euphonix's first concert of 2023 took place at the end of March in the Rose Theatre Cafè. The Choir had been approached by a local charity, RALPHH, to assist in raising funds for its work on detecting undiagnosed heart conditions amongst young athletes, providing education on coronary problems involved in sports and providing defibrillators at club and sports venues. The Chair of RALPHH wrote a letter of thanks after the event in which he said -

"I am more than delighted to write this note of thanks for such a wonderful concert yesterday lunchtime and for the associated fact that we received donations totalling £540.31 ... ... (which is) more than exceeded expectations.

"Of course, this would not have been possible without the considerable amount of hard work and effort every choir member applied in creating such a stunningly good musical experience. As a semi-regular member of your audience on these occasions I must say that this was the best singing I have heard from the choir, so many congratulations.

"It was your Musical Director, Thomas Chapman, who said that he thought it was the best concert Euphonix had given and I would certainly echo his views from a less expert perspective. The choir continues to make wonderful progress and I look forward to attending your next concert, in anticipation of enjoying this just as much." 

---

Go to top of page

Autumn Concert  & Christmas gigs 2022 raise £1,002.61 for charity 

Christmas events 2022

During December Euphonix participated in a number of events in the Kingston area.  The Choir had four gigs leading upto Christmas, on:

• Wednesday 7th December - 1.00 & 2.00 p.m.
  Euphonix sang Christmas Carols & Songs on the Christmas Market Stage in Kingston Market place. The Choir was booked for 2 sessions at 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m, and proceeds from this event went to Refugee Action Kingston; 
• Saturday 17th December - 11.00 a.m.
  The second of our Christmas Gigs was at All Saints Church, Kingston for their Christmas Tree Festival. This is an annual event that Euphonix is pleased to support the Church's annual charity appeal. 
• Saturday 17th December - 1.00 p.m.
  Our third Gig was an impromptu lunchtime performance at John Lewis, Kingston.  We were invited to sing at the John Lewis Store and during the gig Refugee Action Kingston collected funds for their Charity.
• Monday 19th December - evening
  Our final gig of 2022 was an evening at the Rose Theatre.  The annual Rose's Snowball Event brought together a number of local amateur choirs to raise funds for the Theatre. 

End of term Concert - November 2022

Euphonix's Autumn Concert 2022 took place on 23 November during the lunchtime at All Saints Church, Kingston.  The concert was entitled Let The Waters Guide You Home as the songs that were sung reflected life and hope.  

The Concert was in aid of Refugee Action Kingston and the Choir invited its Director, Bassam Marfouz, to give an update on their work within the borough. After the concert Mr Marfouz wrote:

"So lovely to meet the choir this afternoon and what a brilliant concert. Hats off to Tom and everyone – clearly lots of hours have gone in over the past few months.

"Thank you again for the opportunity to speak about what we do at RAK to the audience.

"I am delighted to say that a total of £546.51 was raised via cash donations, together with the £80 online, that brings it to a brilliant £626.51!

"And lots of people expressed interest at the end for volunteering opportunities, so hopefully see some of those coming through to our inbox in the coming days.

"Very much appreciated and a huge thank you again for selecting us as your charity this season." 

The Choir also performed in Kingston's Christmas Market during the lunch period on Wednesday 7th December and in John Lewis Department Store on 17 December, when traditional Christmas carols and songs were sung for Refugee Action Kingston.  Collections were taken at both events and  £181.10 was collected at the Christmas Market and £195.00 at the John Lewis event.

Our November and December gigs have raised £1,002.61 for the Choir's chosen charity. 

---

Go to top of page

Euphonix Summer Workshops 2022

During August Euphonix put on four singing workshops that were led by three guest musical directors and its own musical director, Thomas Chapman.  The Summer Workshops are an annual event organised by Euphonix for its members and the wider community, especially those who are interested in singing with Euphonix or simply want to experience singing in a choir.  As in previous years all four workshops were based in the Kingston Working Men's Club in Kingston Town Centre.

Euphonix would like to thank the four leaders of its 2022 Summer Workshops for all the hard work and dedication they put in to making them such a success.

Johnny Kilhams was invited back for the fourth year running and opened the first of the workshops with the theme of 3 Little Birds.  This was a vocal workshop based around three pieces where the link was birds.  During the workshop the participants were even encouraged to have a go at making bird calls! It lived up to its billing that guaranteed to lift spirits and sent the participants off with a smile.

Thomas Chapman, Euphonix Musical Director, led the second and third workshops.  For the second workshop he chose the theme of Sea Shanties for the second workshop.  The songs chosen were Haul Away Joe, The Times are Hard, The Wellerman and the Farewell Shanty.  It certainly released the inner pirates in all those that attended.  The third workshop focused on singing techniques and healthy vocal production through learning some fun and easy songs.

Ben Crawley (See) and Dom Stichbury, previous Euphonix Musical Directors, brought their very own unique style to the last of Euphonix's 2022 summer workshops.  Ben & Dom led the workshop using three peices, starting with a round called We are One, and then teaching two other peices We Shall be Known, and Maybe It's Time.  The participants filled the room at Kingston's Working Men's Club with glorious vocal harmonies.

---

Summer Concert 2022 
£564.69 raised in aid of Kingston Samaritans 

 

Euphonix's end of Term Summer Concert was held in All Saints Church, Kingston Market Place.  The lunchtime concert saw the Church packed as the Choir went through its repertoire.  Euphonix would like to thank all those who came along to the recital.

Afterwards, Euphonix's Musical Director said

"Wow! What a great show you put on today. We worked hard at the performance which had wonderful energy and vibrancy. The band really lifted you as always and the renditions of Lovely Day, Dancing in the Street and Let's Hang On really stick in the mind.  That final encore of Shona Malanga was fantastic - the best unaccompanied singing I can remember from Euphonix and you did a great job on Good Day Sunshine too."

The concert was given to support the work of the Kingston Samaritans, a local charity.  Their Assistant Fundraising Director, who was at the concert, described it as "Wonderful".

As with all Euphonix concerts it free but a collection was held in aid of the Kingston Branch of the Samaritans.  The total raised was £564.69 (before GiftAid) and their Assistant Fundraising Director wrote -

The sum raised was ...  "incredible, and we can't thank your Choir enough for the collection.  This amount will fund an entire week's operation at our branch.  Please pass on our thanks to the Choir."

If you would like to make a donation to assist in the work of the local Kingston Samaritans please use this link: Kingston-Samaritans

 

Go to top of page

---

Euphonix Spring Concert - 6 April 2022 
£536.34 raised in aid of Ukrainian refugees

 

 

PROGRAMME

Another successful end of term concert was performed at the Rose Theatre Cafè on 6 April.  The concert raised £536.34 to support Ukrainian Refugees.  Thank you to all who sung at the concert as well as those who came along to support us.

Euphonix has regularly performed their end of term lunchtime concerts at the Rose Theatre Cafè .  These concerts have provided a springboard to raise funds and awareness for charitable organisations.  This Spring Euphonix wanted to support those fleeing war and persecution in Ukraine and during the concert a voluntary collection was taken in support of this cause. 

The concert began with two poignant freedom songs (originating from the deep south of the USA).  Unaccompanied, the Choir sang I Can Hear a Train a-coming and I'm Gonna Lift my Brother Up.  The focus of the event was, of course, the plight facing the Ukrainian peoples and both songs reflected the situation that they are facing.  

The programme then continued with Blackbird (a Lennon & McCartney composition), followed by Four Strong Winds (Ian & Sylvia Tyson and made famous by Neil Young).  The fifth number was Turn! Turn! Turn! (a song written by Pete Seeger in the late 1950s and made famous by the Byrds).  This was followed by a beautiful rendition of Field of Gold (words & music by Sting).  The next item was You're My Best Friend (written by John Deacon bass player and made famous by Queen).  The penultimate song was Sail On (words & music by Lionel Richie and originally sung by the Commodores).  The final song of the concert was Let's Hang On (originally sung by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons).  

Many of the song arrangements were by Thomas Chapman, Euphonix's Musical Director.

Go to top of page