The ADDISON GROUP OF SINGERS : Press Coverage

Press Coverage The Chiswick, Brentford & Isleworth Times:
	Addison classical concert, March 2006 'The concert centred on two new works commissioned to celebrate David Wordsworth's 10th anniversary as Musical Director. 'The Listening Tree' by Jill Jarman was challenging and the orchestra and choir clearly enjoyed performing this evocation of the rainforest. The other new piece was Howard Skempton's 'The Great Breath' which the Chamber Choir delivered with confidence and vitality. ... 'Haydn's Mass in Time of War' is a robust piece and both choir and orchestra [Bernardi Chamber Orchestra] delivered it with the requisite confidence and zest.' Addison classical concert, December 2005 [The Oratorio Choir in Mozart's Spaur Mass] 'the soloists, drawn from the choir, performed excellently' ... and in Mathias's Ave Rex 'a fine rhythmic performance with a good sound'. [The Chamber Choir in a capella carols] 'the performances were well controlled and expressive ... the highlight of the show'. Addison classical concert, July 2005 'This concert underlined the high quality of [the Oratorio and Chamber Choirs'] vocal resources inspired by the professional competence of their musical directors. ' Addison Jazz concert, July 2005 'The Jazz Choir goes from strength to strength ... the Jazz Ensemble let rip, beautifully confident and harmonious ... The audience certainly enjoyed the whole evening and several members of the choir and ensemble remarked how much fun they had at rehearsals this term - and it showed.' Addison Jazz concert, March 2005 'The Jazz Choir, on top form as ever, led by the effervescent Jill Jarman ... high quality of the solo performances ... All in all, a well organised, slickly arranged, top quality performance by all involved of some old favourites and new songs to enjoy.' Addison Jazz concert, December 2004 'Under Matthew Hough the Jazz Ensemble has developed into a highly accomplished collection of jazz singers who swap rhythms like glances and merge harmonies like perfumes.' 'This was Jill Jarman's first gig with the Addison Singers and her choreography made the band and singers part of an almost seamless piece of music - this was a performance not a concert.' Addison Classical concert, December 2004 'The Oratorio Choir opened with 'Ave Maris Stella' by local composer Cecilia McDowall, a bold choice, as the work is challenging. The singers were well up to the task, capturing the varying musical moods depicting sea and sky. The energy of the men's voices contrasted well with smooth flowing lines from the sopranos and altos.' 'The Addison Singers' winter concert was reminiscent of those gaily coloured tins of chocolates we enjoy at Christmas - full of variety and with many subtle flavours.'

	'After a big summer gig in Chiswick the Addison Singers returned to their old haunt of the Irish Centre, Hammersmith, and last Sunday evening presented before their sell-out audience ‘Anything Goes’, a mixed programme ranging from jazz standards to Britney Spears.' 'The all-female Jazz Choir kicked off with ‘All That Jazz’ arranged by Roberts, as were several other numbers, most featuring the arranger himself in strong piano parts. ... Then it was the turn of the soloists, all drawn from the choir and some being students of the vocal technique course offered by Alice Hyde. ...we heard from a smaller group, the Jazz Ensemble, conducted by Matthew Hough. ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ and ‘Honeysuckle Rose’ proved that the Ensemble had mastered the art of smooth phrasing for the tranquil sections. This section of the programme closed with a happy-clappy ‘Mamma Mia’, turned in this Roberts arrangement into a showcase for the Ensemble’s overall ability to put a song over through clever use of dynamics, accents, and acting, plus lots of enthusiasm.' 'To round off the concert the Jazz Choir came bounding back. In a dramatic move, as one woman they discarded their music folders, and thus unencumbered could give us ‘Knock on Wood’ with all the movements and handclaps, and of course with full attention to the director. Finally explaining the title of the programme, the concert closed with ‘Anything Goes’. Despite the size of the choir (there were more than 70 singers in the concert) every witty word could be heard, the parts chimed in excitedly, and the singers could obviously have gone on all right. A big round of applause showed that the audience felt it had received its money’s worth too.' (December 2003)

The Richmond and Twickenham Times:
	Addison Jazz concert, July 2006 'The energy and enthusiasm of conductors Jill Jarman and Matthew Hough are infectious, and I have never left one of their concerts without feeling exhilarated.'
	'The Addison Singers’ Oratorio and Chamber Choirs performed to a full church, St Michael and All Angels Turnham Green on Saturday 7 December.' 'David Wordsworth’s exceptional programming mixed Monteverdi and the Gabrielis with carols and two settings of the Magnificat from medieval and modern England, Spain, Hungary, Holland and Estonia. Arvo Pärt’s Magnificat was a particular highlight, with a beautiful solo by Carrie Symes blending well with the Chamber Choir’s most delicate singing. This group at its best is able to express great emotional depth, and the audience was moved by their singing of the Benjamin Britten Hymn to the Virgin.' 'Monteverdi’s Exultent Caeli and the Kodály setting of the Advent Hymn were sparkling performances by the full Oratorio Choir, supported by the exuberant playing of a youthful brass ensemble from the Royal College of Music.' (December 2002)

	'A capacity crowd enjoyed an entertaining concert ... as the Jazz Choir and Jazz Ensemble of the Addison Group of Singers performed their end-of-term concert to an enthusiastic audience. 'The Jazz Choir, a group of nearly 70 women singers, performed the opening numbers of the concert. Keith Roberts’ conducting was energetic, crisp and precise, with all of those elements so essential to good quality choral singing: strong entrances, good cutoffs, attentiveness and enthusiasm.' 'The Jazz Ensemble was conducted by Matthew Hough, and although he is classically trained (“that’s why I wear a tie”), the group has clearly flourished under his talented leadership. ' (December 2002)

	'I can commend The Addison Singers as a group of accomplished performers who sing with precision and great spirit' 'The quality of the ensemble was quite outstanding' [referring to the Chamber Choir]

	'The programme demonstrated the Addison Singers' power to adapt to all styles, with performances of ‘Psalms’ by Lukas Foss by the Oratorio Choir, together with folksongs and a madrigal from the smaller Chamber Choir. Foss’s ‘Psalms’ presents considerable difficulties for any choir, with changes of key and timing which were managed well.' (July 2002)

	Addison Singers' summer of success 'It would be difficult to exceed the Addison Singers' successful summer season that included an Italian tour and a premiere performance in west London of a piece of music for their Jazz and Oratorio choirs and orchestra, commissioned by the Addison Singers from Graham Redwood.' (Sept 2001) 'The Addison Singers delighted their packed audience on Saturday July 14th with a mix of jazz and classical music'
The Chiswick Times:
	'Anticipation is sometimes greater than realisation. This was certainly not the case at last Thursday's Summer Jazz Concert. I suggest if you want a seat for next year's concert you buy one now! Standing room only, and that was 15 minutes before the show began. Sixty singers packed the stage, predominantly female, all ages, there to enjoy themselves. Fun, fun, fun was the overwhelming feeling of the evening. The big jazz choir had a round crisp tone. All the words could be heard and the arrangements by Keith Roberts, sometimes in 3 or 4 parts were excellent, and showed the competence of the choir to the full ... The Jazz Choir finished in a fabulous fashion with "Stormy Weather", "Cry Me a River, and brought the house down with "Too Darn Hot". lt was so well received that they had to sing it again.' (July 2002)