La Voie Mélodieuse
Ensemble Vocal
en plein cœur de la France
la Voie Mélodieuse is a vocal ensemble based in the north Creuse/south Indre. We are a small group, singing a capella music from the 15th century on.
The choir was formed in 2013 by Robin Hendry. Robin had been director of music in a large school in the south of England. The group consisted of 6 people one of whom still sings with the group. Numbers increased and have varied up to 15. We are again now rather small.
We all enjoy singing and meet every other Thursday afternoon in Arthon to rehearse, in a relaxed atmosphere, and members study at home between. Our ensemble currently consists of 10 French, English, Belgian and Dutch singers.
Though we are able to sing in 4 parts and occasionally divided parts, we would like to find new members of all voices, who are able to read music and learn quickly.
Damian Trafford became director in 2019 having joined the choir in late 2013. He has sung in choirs since the age of 8. Latterly he sang in amateur operatic groups in Lancashire, taking lead roles as tenor, and was a founder member of the Manchester Chamber Choir who were asked to perform by the BBC in various live broadcasts as well as our regular concerts both a Capella and with orchestras and several times at the Manchester Bridgewater Hall.
Our choir membres
Damian Trafford
Chef de choeur Tenor
Suzanne Leroy
Soprano
Karina Brioen-Delbarre
Soprano
Mariette Smits-Kerstholt
Soprano
Tjitske Lubach
Alto
Marie Osmonde Balsan
Alto
Anne Gravereaux
Alto
Augustin Renaudin
Tenor
Paul Freeman
Baritone
Michael Growcott
Bass
Our repertoire is varied partly depending on the numbers in the group, but we sing religious and secular music from the Renaissance period and also from the 20th and 21st centuries, with often some romantic part songs or arrangements of ‘Swing’ numbers. We aim to give three programs per year – Easter and spring, summer, and Christmas, so our choice of music can be very varied over the year.
How sweet the calm, concert 16-7-2023 in Toulx-Sainte-Croix
