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