Singing Mountain is a choir
and performance group dedicated to learning and performing songs from the
Republic of Georgia and other countries from the world’s great singing
traditions. Founded by Anthony Johnston and Paloma Suarez in 2005, in its short
life, the choir has already achieved recognition in Spain, being invited to
perform at the International Festival de Teatro y Artes in Valladolid. With its
dynamic and vivacious performances, Singing Mountain has performed in Madrid,
Spain, Kinnersley Castle and with the Blaenporth Male Voice Choir in Wales and the Kendal Arts Festival.
Meetings
To appeal to as many people around the country as possible,
the choir meets for four weekend meetings a year at various locations; the Wye
Valley, in Yorkshire, Wales and others. Over the year, we put together an
exciting repertoire of songs; from the rousing and evocative harmonies of
Georgia, Eastern Europe & the Balkans, to the powerful and rhythmic chants &
songs of the African continent.
We will normally have one main tour a year, when we travel
often to a country outside of the UK, to perform, sing and to meet with local singers
and choirs.
Three ways of joining
People who are members of the Bristol Georgian Choir can join
Singing Mountain, as both choirs share a similar repertoire of songs.
Information for prospective members
For
those who love the haunting and evocative harmonies of Georgia and the Balkans
this is an opportunity to learn a repertoire of fantastic songs towards
performing.
The choir is open to adults
of all ages and the songs will be mainly taught by ear.
While we do not hold
auditions, you will need to have an ability to sing, a basic ability to
control your voice and an awareness of pitch.
New members are welcome to
join us by attending any one of the weekends held throughout the year (see Calendar of Events).
You
will also need a commitment to learning lots of strange words and unfamiliar
melody lines!
Openness to exploring your vocal range and tone and an openness to express
yourself through the voice and movement is a distinct advantage.
For new members there are
regular ‘catch up’ days and weekends where new members can learn the songs of
our existing repertoire.
