in partnership with The B-Bar
Great Sea Choir and the Wheelhouse Folk Choir | Barbs-Fest
Great Sea Choir
The Great Sea Choir are a 45 strong mixed-voice a cappella folk choir directed by Julu Irvine and Heg Brignall of folk duo Suthering.
Based in Plymouth, the choir are known for their intricate and rhythmic arrangements and the high quality of their singing. Despite being a mixed ability group of un-auditioned singers, the choir create an impressive and professional sound, brilliantly executing a wide range of folk music; from unique modern takes on traditional songs to textured, choral interpretations of contemporary music. Their sense of community, which is at the heart of what they do, shines through in their singing.
The choir pride themselves on having high musical standards and excellent vocal technique; they learn quickly and perform textured and often complex arrangements in up to eight part harmony. The choir have a strong ethos of respect, trust and inclusion and at the heart of what the choir creates musically is an incredibly strong sense of companionship which is what gives them the perfect combination of community and musicianship.
The choir was originally founded by Heg in Bristol in 2012 where it thrived for eight years. When Julu and Heg combined forces and relocated to Devon, The Great Sea Choir re-formed Plymouth in 2020 shortly before the pandemic hit. Against all the odds and with a totally new group of singers, the choir remained a united community throughout lockdown, using zoom to learn new material, singing techniques and improve their individual sounds. The choir produced two lockdown videos during this time, enabling them to practise towards an end goal.
Since restrictions have lifted the choir have gone from strength to strength, honing their sound and practising how to sing well together as a group again.Summer 2022 saw them perform to a sold-out show at the Barbican Theatre in Plymouth, as well as perform at Tavi Pride; Tavistock's first ever pride event.
The choir regularly promotes their own concerts and events including their sell-out winter concerts held in December each year as well as more bespoke gigs; previous events include a gig on boat and a formal concert in a derelict church. Each year the choir supports and raises money for different local charities. This year, along with their sister choirWheelhouse Folk Choir,they raised over a £1000 for Devon & Cornwall Sending Love To Ukraine; a local charity taking aid directly to Ukraine and assisting refugees to safety.
The choir's performance history in previous years is testament to the high level of training that singers receive; from professional events and festivals, to world class venues like Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and Bristol Beacon, to collaborating with other artists, receiving recognition for their debut EPWithin The Soundfrom local BBC Introducing and BBC radio shows as well as becoming the winners of the 2016 Heart FM choir competition. They were also the featured group on Made In Bristol TV as the headline act at Bristol Festival of Song 2015.
Wheelhouse Folk Choir
Wheelhouse Folk Choir are a 45 strong mixed voice a cappella choir directed by Julu Irvine and Heg Brignall of folk duo Suthering.
This Tavistock-based choir sing vibrant and textured arrangements of folk songs; from traditional to contemporary in up to eight part harmony. What makes the choir impressive is their polished, professional sound, despite being a mixed ability group of un-auditioned singers. Their sense of community, which is at the heart of what they do, shines through in their singing. Their unique selection of songs - from moving songs about loss and longing to exciting, dramatic interpretations of ancient melodies - brilliantly demonstrates their skills as a choir.
The choir formed in 2019 when Julu and Heg moved to Devon and managed one concert just before the pandemic hit in early 2020. Despite this huge obstacle which forced the choir to rehearse online, the choir thrived, spending the time on zoom learning new material and refining singing techniques. During this time the choir produced two lockdown videos enabling them to have a purpose for all their efforts until in-person rehearsals could continue.
Since then, the choir has gone from strength to the strength, gaining experience in performing at local events throughout 2021 and they performed a stellar set at The Wharf (pictured ) in February 2022 which Geoff Lakeman called "note perfect." The choir also performed alongside their sister choir The Great Sea Choir as part of Tavistock's first ever pride event in June and finished their season with a sell-out show at an extraordinary warehouse venue which raised over £1000 for Devon & Cornwall Sending Love To Ukraine; a local charity taking aid directly to Ukraine and assisting refugees to safety. The choir selects a different charity each year to raise money for.
The choir regularly promotes their own concerts and events including their sell-out winter concerts held in December each year as well as more bespoke gigs in unusual spaces.
Reserved seating is in place.
Seats B5 & B7 are wheelchair accessible, if you require these seats please add 'access member' (here) to your account and you will have access to these. Please let us know of any access requirements you may have, including whether you would like the seat removed.
Both rows A & B are level access.
If you have any specific access requirements (for example wheelchair access) please leave details in the comment box when placing your order or email our team at info@barbicantheatre.co.uk and they will arrange this for you.
Barbican Theatre
Castle Street
The Barbican
Plymouth
PL1 2NJ
Situated behind the Mayflower Visitor Centre just off the main Barbican road (opposite the 'Prawn' and Mayflower Steps)
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