Press Release
Tuesday 2 April 2013
Soprano returns home
A talented young soprano with special links to Radford Semele in Warwickshire will be returning to sing at St Nicholas church in the village on Friday May 31 for the first time in ten years after moving to attend Bath Spa University in 2004.
Emma Boden (28) was brought up in the village. From an early age she was a regular attendee at the church and all of the groups it had to offer for youngsters including the Tuesday Club and Pathfinders. She moved away to attend Bath Spa University in 2004.
Emma is now a member of the Bath Chorus, a mixed voice choir who will be visiting Warwickshire for three concerts. They sing at St Nicholas on the Friday evening supporting the church re-building fund. On Saturday afternoon they perform at Coventry Cathedral and will be in concert at Leamington Parish Church on Saturday evening June 1.
The Bath Chorus are conducted by Grenville Jones, one of the best known choir leaders in the West of England. Grenville is also founder conductor of the Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir and has worked with, amongst others, Katherine Jenkins, Aled Jones and Alfie Boe. He has close links with the BBC and has worked with Gareth Malone on children in need.
Said Emma:
“I'm particularly looking forward to singing in St. Nicholas. I was christened and confirmed there all in the space of one weekend when I was a teenager. My Godparents Peter and Pauline Morrell have been involved with the church for as long as I can remember.
“I sang as part of the worship group there too for many Sundays, and it has lovely memories for me.”
After leaving Warwickshire Emma moved Bath to read Music at Bath Spa University. She studied classical singing and graduated in 2007. In 2009 she started to teach singing and piano to adults and children.
Emma added:
“The Bath Chorus are a lively choir and we have has some great concerts in some wonderful venues, my particular favourite being a 'Help for Heroes' event in a glorious Bath Abbey with the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.
“When St. Nicholas' was gutted by a fire in 2008 I was absolutely devastated, a beautiful church building mentioned in the Doomsday book now in ruins. Knowing that it was due to be finished this year I mentioned it to Grenville and how nice it would be to do a concert there when it 're-opens' and thus the plan was formed.
“It means such a lot to me to be able to sing there again after all these years in a village that shaped my life.”
Emma Boden will feature as soloist at the concert at St Nicholas Radford Semele on Friday evening. All proceeds go to the church.
The concert starts at 7.30pm and admission is by ticket only (no charge) from Mrs P Follett on 01926 424550 or Mr P Morrell on 01926 332488. Drinks will be available and there will be an opportunity to make a donation.
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Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 0777 828 2934.
PRESS RELEASE Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 Local teen to perform at Abbey 60 years Jubilee Concert Bath Abbey and music man, Grenville Jones, have joined forces for a special ‘60 years’ charity concert on Saturday 26 May, 7.30pm, to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. All proceeds will benefit some of the city’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged residents. Featuring some of the most popular British tunes from the last six decades, the concert will give the audience a chance to take a trip down memory lane while showing their support for six local charities which help young people, the homeless and vulnerable, amongst others, in Bath. The concert will also bring together some of Bath’s most talented young musicians and popular choirs including the award-winning baritone Tom Corbishley, the 100-strong Bath Chorus and the Norland College Choir. The compere is the Mayor of Bath, Cllr Brian Chalker. One performer in particular to look out for is Nurry Lee, a brilliant teenage concert pianist will get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform solo in the Abbey. 16-year-old Nurry lives in Oldfield Park, Bath, and completed her Grade 8 Piano as well as her Grade 8 Violin, both with a distinction, when she was only 11 years old. Nurry is currently a student at Wells Cathedral School, working with Professor John Byrne, having been given a specialist place to study piano as first instrument and violin as second instrument. Nurry’s family moved to England from Korea and she started learning piano at the age of six being taught by her mother. Nurry’s father is a Methodist minister in Bath. She has performed across the country and has won a number of first place awards in major competitions. She is currently preparing for her second round audition on piano for the BBC Young Musician 2012. Grenville Jones, who is producing the ’60 years: Diamond Jubilee Celebration’ concert currently leads a number of music projects in the city. Grenville said: “Our concert on 26 May will feature the very best of modern British popular music from Lloyd Webber Lionel Bart, Elton John and the Beatles. We will highlight the choral masters of the past, Vaughan Williams, Parry and Stanford as well as the contemporary names of today, Bob Chilcott, John Rutter, Karl Jenkins and David Willcocks. “I heard Nurry play the piano when I attended a recent church anniversary celebration. She is an amazing young talent and will delight the audience at the Abbey.” Charles Curnock, Administrator of Bath Abbey said: “We're thrilled to be hosting what promises to be a thoroughly entertaining and memorable evening in honour of the Queen’s Jubilee, and that the event will give something back to the local community at the same time. Supporting local communities remains a priority for us at the Abbey, which is why we’ll be donating the proceeds to six local charities: Genesis Trust, Clean Slate, Project 28, Bath MIND, Focus Counselling and Off the Record: Young Carers Service.” Information about each of these charities will be available in the Abbey in the days leading up to the concert and on the day of the concert itself. Tickets are now on sale from Bath Box Office priced £10 – call 01225 463362. Ends NOTES FOR EDITORS ‘60 years: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration’ is a charity concert taking place at Bath Abbey on Saturday 26 May, 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm). All profit from the concert will go towards six local charities: Genesis Trust, Clean Slate, Project 28, Bath MIND, Focus Counselling and Off the Record: Young Carers Service.” Info about each of the charities:
Bath Mind is a local, independent charity affiliated to Mind, working towards a better life for people diagnosed, labelled and treated as mentally ill. Paid staff work with volunteers to deliver services, including supported living for individuals with mental health needs. The advocate team empowers individuals to make their voices heard when problems arise, or decisions affecting their lives are made. Community outreach services, including an eco-gardening project and a social drop-in for individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds, provide opportunities for activity, combating the loneliness and isolation that so often accompany mental distress. Community training promotes positive mental health and combats negative stigma. www.bathmind.org.uk Clean Slate Training & Employment in Bath is a not-for-profit enterprise creating opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. They help people with a history of homelessness, offending and mental ill-health and young people who have never been employed as well as other long-term unemployed people. Job seekers focus on what they have to offer, grow in confidence and raise their aspirations. They launched in Bath after a generous donation from the Easter congregation at Bath Abbey in 2010. The paid work they create is through employers who use Clean Slate like a temp agency. They offer small-scale paid work helping people to realise their potential in a real work setting. www.cleanslateltd.co.uk Focus Counselling in Bath was founded in 1999 by Jan Robertson and Revd. Martin Lloyd Williams to enable all those in need to access counselling. At least 65 clients come through their doors each week plus members of the Eating Disorder Support Group and people wanting to know more about their services. The fifteen members of staff work with clients from the age of four upwards. Focus Counselling deal with many issues including abuse, relationship issues, depression, bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, bereavement, neglect, low self esteem and anger. A local mental health advocate recently said: “Focus is now the most significant Counselling Agency in Bath” www.focusbath.com The Genesis Trust helps the homeless and vulnerable in Bath. Working in partnership with local churches and over 500 volunteers from the city, it runs nine projects, putting “compassion into action”. These projects provide ongoing support such as The Lifeline Centre, a daily drop-in centre and Life Skills courses to boost new skills and confidence. The Wood Works provides furniture restoration training to the long-term unemployed and furniture project sells donated furniture to those on low incomes. Genesis also coordinates Bath Street Pastors and Foodbank as well as other food projects as Soup Run, Sunday Centre and Lunch Box. www.genesistrust.org.uk Off The Record: Young Carers ServiceThe Young Carers Service is run by the Charity “Off The Record.” It supports young people aged 18 and under living in Bath and North East Somerset. These children help to look after someone in their family who has an illness, disability, drug/alcohol addiction or mental health condition. In 2011 Off the Record worked with 202 Young Carers to provide a total of 1068 respite opportunities. It also provided one to one support, information and signposting, and individual financial awards to assist with one off costs for equipment. Off The Record also provided information packs to professionals who may work with young carers and their family’s, to ensure a more holistic understanding of their needs. “When the chips are down, young carers benefit from recognition, support and care, which is why the Young Carers Service is so valuable.” Jim Cronin – Chair Friends of young Carers (January 2012) www.offtherecord-banes.co.uk Project 28 is a local charity that works to improve health and well being amongst young people who are disadvantaged and have poor life outcomes because of their substance misuse. Young people experience mental health, poverty or violence in their communities and also within their home life. Project 28 provides a wealth of services these include one to one counselling, open access, family therapy, music project, diversionary activities, and outreach working with schools and colleges. First and foremost Project 28 provides a safe place for children and young people to come to in order for them to develop. www.dhi-online.org.uk/do/bath/project-28/
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, 21st November, 2011
TWO of the UK's leading choir conductors will be on the Island in April for a one-day singing workshop and evening concert at the Newport Minster.
Grenville Jones was featured on national TV on Children in Need Day last week. He was one of only 8 choir conductors asked by the BBC to lead a regional choir of young people who linked to Television Centre and Gareth Malone.
The workshop on Saturday April 14 brings together Grenville with Mark De-Lisser of the ACM Gospel Choir. Mark and Grenville met when ACM and Grenville's hugely popular Bath Male Choir reached the finals of the BBC Last Choir Standing series.
Since that time both men have been in huge demand with their choirs and for other music projects around the World as Last Choir Standing has been shown all across the globe. Mark has toured with Russell Watson and is Director of the Singology Choir Project. Grenville Jones has worked with Katherine Jenkins, Aled Jones, Hayley Westenra, Lee Mead and Rhydian Roberts in recent months. When Disney and Dreamworks wanted a group of singers for the War Horse film, due out in January, they asked Grenville!
Grenville is also the founder of a Charity called Golden-Oldies which brings music to hundreds of elderly people across the West and Wales. Sir Cliff Richard is the Patron of “Goldies”, as it has become fondly known.
"The workshop is for everyone who loves to sing. You certainly don't have to read music, if you enjoy a good sing in the shower or in your car then April 14th is the day to come along.
"I will be working on some choral harmony music whilst Mark will concentrate on how to enjoy singing Gospel. Everyone at the workshop will also sing at the evening concert in the Minster Church which starts at 7.30pm," says Grenville.
Full details of the Workshop and how to book can be found on www.grenvillejones.biz. The Workshop will run from 1.30pm through to 5.30pm. The evening concert will feature Grenville’s mixed-voice choir, THE Bath Chorus and also the Isle of Wight Gospel Choir conducted by Neil Barker. The Workshop tickets are priced £15 which also includes admission to the evening concert. Tickets just for the concert are priced £8.
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Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 07778 282934
Press Release A Bath Choir will be putting on a free admission concert on Saturday August 6th in memory of a former member. The Bath Chorus will be singing in the centre of Bath at St Michael’s Church. The concert starts at 7-30pm and all proceeds will to Macmillan Cancer Support. Sarah Carlisle lived at Timsbury. She was a member of the choir for a number of months. She died last November aged 45 leaving a husband Alex and two children. Chorus leader Grenville Jones said; “A number of the girls in the Chorus ran the Race for Life a few weeks ago in memory of Sarah and raised over a thousand pounds. We all agreed that we would like to do something as a choir and the concert is for Macmillan Cancer Support. This was chosen by Sarah’s husband Alex. “I know that Sarah’s family were supported by Macmillan during her final weeks. She was such a vibrant lady and the music at the concert will reflect this.” The Bath Chorus wowed a packed Bath Abbey on the recent Party in the City Friday night. Last November they performed in Bath Abbey in the presence of the Duchess of Cornwall and this March with the famous RAF Central Band. This concert raised over £10,000 for Help for Heroes. There are no tickets for the August 6th concert at St Michael’s. Everyone is welcome and there will be a retiring collection for Macmillan. Also appearing will be popular jazz violinist Lizz Lipscombe. On December 10th the Bath Chorus sing with X factor star Rhydian Roberts at Grenville Jones’s big Christmas show at the Bath Forum. See www.thebathchorus.org.uk < http://www.thebathchorus.org.uk/> for details of the 90 voice choir. Ends
Enquiries to 0777 828 2934
PRESS RELEASE - Thursday, 26th May, 2011Two of the UK’s best known TV celebrity singers, Lee Mead and Rhydian Roberts will be appearing in Bath over the coming months. Under the title TV Favourites the concerts are promoted by Bath’s own music man, Grenville Jones.
They will appear at the Bath Forum in Southgate where Grenville has staged hugely successful sell-out shows with artistes like Katherine Jenkins, Hayley Westenra, Alfie Boe and Aled Jones in the past.
Lee Mead was performing in The Phantom of the Opera when he auditioned for the BBC series Any Dream Will Do to play Joseph. He won the role of Joseph nine weeks later. Bookings for Joseph for the first three months sold out and the producers extended the show's run by a year.
Lee Mead will be in Bath on Saturday November 5th and Rhydian Roberts will be the star on a Christmas show on Saturday December 10th.
The album followed and achieved double gold status.
Lee Mead returned to the West End in 2010 taking on the role of Fiyero in the musical Wicked, however on his ‘day’s off’ he focused on pursuing a solo singing career which saw him touring around Britain. This culminated in 2010 with a highly successful evening at the London Coliseum in December.
Earlier this year he performed live on BBC1 to millions at Twickenham Stadium during the England 6 Nations Rugby and is looking forward to touring in Japan later in 2011.
This will be his first visit to Bath for what is sure to be a sell-out show. The concert will also feature a host of new numbers from the popular Bath Male Choir as well as the award winning Bristol Musical Youth.
Rhydian Roberts is a classically trained Welsh singer who first came to the public's attention through his spellbinding performances on X Factor. His first album, entitled 'Rhydian', went double platinum and his second, 'O Fortuna', was nominated in the Classical BRITS for Best Album of the Year 2010.
His repertoire draws on every genre and style; the high energy pop & rock of 'Go West' and 'Somebody To Love'; the heart-stirring musical theatre of 'Somewhere' and 'The Impossible Dream'; the classical purity of 'Benedictus' and 'Adiemus' to the very Welsh 'Myfanwy' and 'Yma O Hyd'.
He has become known for the power and sensitivity of his voice, for passion which captivates and for performances so exhilarating they leave his audience entranced. He is one of the most exciting live stage performers in the World.
He comes from a background in Wales where he was surrounded by choirs and choral music. The Bath Chorus and fabulous Stockingtops will give the show some local vocal sparkle.
Says Grenville:
“Lee and Rhydian Roberts have massive reputations as live stage performers. Both these concerts will be absolutely fantastic nights to remember. They will promoted across the West of England and will bring hundreds to the city to enjoy the very best of popular music.”
Tickets for all the Forum Shows are now on sale at Bath Box Office 01225 463362 or see www.grenvillejones.biz
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PLEASE NOTE : Rhydian Roberts but be promoted as Rhydian Roberts and not just Rhydian – thank you. Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 0777 828 2934.
A new youth choir project, for boys and girls aged 8-16 years will be started by Grenville Jones in June. It will launch in Bath with an open night on Tuesday June 21 and an invitation to parents and young people to go along and find out more.
CHOIRSkool will be on Tuesday nights from 4-6pm at St Bart’s Church in Oldfield Park.
The CHOIRSkool year will be divided into four 12 week terms.
Grenville already leads a number of highly successful music projects in the area including the mixed-voice Bath Chorus, the Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir, the Stockingtops and Good Afternoon Choirs in both Bath and Devizes.
He is also the founder of the Golden-Oldies Charity which brings music and singing to hundreds of elderly folk across the west each week. Goldies, as it has become known, has attracted world-wide media coverage. Sir Cliff Richard is the Goldies Patron.
Grenville explains the background to his new project.
“Parents as well as grandparents have been asking me for a long time if I would consider starting a choir for children and young people.
“CHOIRSkool will be for everyone. There will be no auditions. I want to give boys and girls the chance to learn all about harmony singing as well as rhythm.
“There is a huge interest in singing and CHOIRSkool will be all about having fun through music. It will give young people from 8-16 the chance to learn to sing all types of music from glee to gospel and pop to praise.
“Some of the many talented young local musicians will be working with me. The accent will be learning at a pace to suit all and there will be concerts and events right from the start.
“Singing can be enjoyed by all age groups. I know that all too well through my work with all my other groups.
“Our open night on Tuesday June 21 from 4pm- 6pm is an opportunity for everyone to come along and find out why CHOIRSkool is going to be different!“
Grenville Jones also conducts the Norland College student choir, which has been invited to sing at the Mayor-Making ceremony in Bath Abbey on Saturday June 4. Find out more about all of his projects on www.grenvillejones.biz
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December 30th 2010 - For the third consecutive year Golden-Oldies founder Grenville Jones has featured in the Bath Chronicle "People of the Year " awards.
The newspaper which celebrated its own 250th anniversary this year, lists a host of categories with Olympic Gold medallist Amy Williams named as Woman of the Year alongside Bath businessman Andrew Brownsword, Bath Man of the Year.
Grenville won Bath Man of the Year two years ago for his work in starting the Golden-Oldies charity. He was named as a runner-up last year and is listed as a runner-up again this year. The Chronicle says;
Grenville Jones - You can't keep a good man down and this year he has continued his one-man campaign to teach the city to sing. Just as importantly his Time after Time initiative to bring young and old together through the power of music earned him well-deserved credit throughout the community.
The Time after Time project is also named as Event of the Year ahead of runner-up The British Transplant Games which took place in Bath in 2010 and the hugely successful community production of Ben Hur at the Theatre Royal. Writing about Time after Time, the Chronicle says;
"Time after Time bought smiles and laughter to the faces of hundreds of elderly and young people."
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PRESS RELEASE
ONE of the UK’s top young Gospel groups will be on stage in Bath this Christmas. Following their success on the BBC’s Last Choir Standing, ACM Gospel Choir have toured with Russell Watson and last year released a hit Christmas CD.
They will be guests of Bath music man, Grenville Jones at the Bath Forum on Saturday December 11, starting at 7.30pm. This annual show has featured such names as Hayley Westenra and Katherine Jenkins in past years and always attracts a capacity audience.
The ACM Gospel Choir is a musical collective of some of the most talented singers, songwriters and performers in the UK today. With a great blend of voices from different genres, different continents across the world and different ages the ‘New Gospel’ sound that they have created is unique. The choir was formed in 2005 by Mark De-Lisser.
Mark and Grenville struck up a friendship when Bath Male Choir also appeared on Last Choir Standing. Says Grenville:
“He is a multi-talented musician and ACM are fantastic on stage. December 11th will be another sparkling evening at the Bath Forum.”
Also appearing will be Grenville’s all-girl singing group the fabulous Stockingtops.
They will be on stage in Milsom Street, Bath on Thursday November 18th for the Cities BIG Christmas light switch-on by the Duchess of Cornwall.
Also appearing at the Forum on December 11th will be rising star 17 year old Tom Corbishley. Tom lives at Trowbridge and attends Bath College. Grenville saw him at a Zenith Youth Theatre production in 2009 and since that time Tom has performed as a soloist at a number of Grenville’s concerts.
He recently won the Best Actor Rose Bowl award for the second consecutive year following his lead role in Zenith’s production of Dracula, earlier this year.
Also appearing will be The Bath Chorus conducted by Grenville Jones. The Chorus now numbers over 100 singers, many being young music students who are based in the city. They performed at a packed Wells Cathedral earlier this year supporting Help for Heroes and will be singing in Bath Abbey on December 8th, a concert organised by the National Osteoporosis Society.
This promises to be an evening packed with popular Christmas melodies and with appearances also from the Good Afternoon Choir and Grenville’s new Wednesday evening mixed voice Choir which already has over 70 members.
Tickets from Bath Box Office priced £10, £15 and £20 on 01225 463362.
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For press enquiries please call Grenville on 07778 282934
Grenville Jones's new non-audition choir will hold its first open night for interested singers at the main hall at Culverhay School on Wednesday October 20th from 7.30pm.
Since announcing his new music project Grenville has been inundated with emails and calls from people keen to learn more. Grenville's new choir, yet to find a name, will sing a range of music from folk songs to modern pieces.
"The accent will be on enjoyment," he says.
"Singing to so popular here in the UK and I have been amazed at the response" adds Grenville and I look forward to meeting everyone at Culverhay School on Wednesday Oct 20th.
"It is a good venue and easy to access from Midsomer Norton and Keynsham with no parking problems, just come along if you would like to find out more."
See www.grenvillejones.biz
Grenville is the founder of the Golden-Oldies Charity which now brings music to hundreds of elderly people across the West region. He is also working on a major 2 year EU study of how technology can bring music and exercise into the homes of isolated people.
He conducts the famous Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir, the 90 strong Bath Chorus, an auditioned mixed choir, the all-girl Fabulous Stockingtops and the Norland College Choir.
He also leads the Bath Good Afternoon Choir, is patron of the Cornish Community Choirs association and is a council member of the Association of British Choral Conductors.
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PRESS RELEASEMonday, August 16, 2010 Bath music man Grenville Jones is calling open house for anyone who fancies joining a choir. Grenville is best known for his famous Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir but he leads a number of other groups. He is also planning a brand new no audition fun for all evening choir in the Autumn.
Leaflets and flyers will be going out across the city inviting singers to open rehearsals at St Bart’s Church in Oldfield Park through September and October, “Come and try,” is the message.
Emma Rushe is one of the young singers in THE Bath Chorus. She went for an audition when Grenville started his new mixed voice choir after parting company with The Silver Ring Choir in January 2009. Says Emma:
“I used to really enjoy singing at music college and when a friend told me about Grenville starting a new mixed voice choir in Bath I decided to go along and audition. The choir is very friendly and of a great standard with over 90 singers. We have performed at the opening night of the Bath Christmas switch on with Nicolas Cage as well as in Wells Cathedral and Bath Abbey.
“There have been concerts with Hayley Westenra and Aled Jones at the Bath Forum. And we have some big dates coming up including two major Charity concerts and our show with ACM on December 11th.“
John Roch sings with Bath Male Choir www.bathmalechoir.org. He says:
“I am one of the relatively new members. I used to sing but Bath Male Choir is different. The music is great and when we perform at concerts the experience is brilliant. If you love to sing then don’t be put off by the word 'Choir', come along to one of our Open Nights www.grenvillejones.biz/open-nights.html and give it a try. You won’t regret it. ”
John’s wife Hilary is a member of Grenville’s 50 strong Stockingtops group. They are singing at Wiltshire Music Centre on September 25th with Bath Male Choir.
Another choir started by Grenville is the Bath Thursday Good Afternoon Choir which is taken by Francis Faux who works with Grenville. It is for everyone, no auditions, just join and enjoy singing in the daytime! Russell Eagles is a member. This is what Russell has to say...
“I joined the choir when it was started by Grenville in May last year. I have no singing background although I was a music student many years ago. I have always nurtured a feeling to be involved in the world of music.
“The music we sing is lively and modern. Francis Faux is our inspirational conductor and Grenville officiates when Francis is absent. If you want an uplifting, enjoyable afternoon and be part of a happy family away from all your troubles then come and join us.”
And the new singing group? Grenville explains;
“People keep asking me if they could join an evening choir which doesn’t have the pressure of auditions so that is the next project!“
Full details can be found on www.grenvillejones.biz singing is one of the most popular hobbies in the UK, now is your chance to give it a try.
ENDSPress enquiries to Grenville Jones on 0777 828 2934 or 01761 472468 office or email on jonesgrenville@aol.com
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