1) A professional chamber choir, founded and directed by Nigel Short. Often performing by candlelight, the choir creates an atmosphere of spiritual and musical reflection, where medieval chant and renaissance works are interspersed with contemporary works. The carefully selected team of singers uses the acoustic and atmosphere of the building to enable the audience to experience the power and intimacy of the human voice at its best.
From Tom's website... As winner of the inaugural "Trophée Stan Hugill", French fans dub Tom "The Springsteen of Sea Chanteys". Old Songs Festival (Altamont NY) declares "This man knows the sea ... from the bottom up!", whilst Living Tradition (UK) says "Although I always knew he was good, I was not quite prepared for HOW good." 24 years in the British Royal Navy, "provides him with that vitally authentic stance with which to tackle nautical song" Living Tradition.
Finest Kind is a project of Canadian singers Ian Robb, Ann Downey and Shelly Posen. They specialize in resounding three-part harmony that is based in British and North American folk tradition. Often they accompany themselves on banjo and guitar, but quite often they sing a capella. Ian Robb's solo career is long and distinguished as well, and his northern British accent adds a special flavor to the group singing. Their style can be compared to Bok, Trickett and Muir. Coope Boyes and Simpson, or The Voice Squad.
Folk/world harmony singing group based in Glasgow since 2000. Lineup varies between four and six singers. Wide range of a cappella styles specialising in folk song, world music, shapenote (sacred harp) and other americana, often in original four- or five-part arrangements. Described as "compelling listening", "very accomplished, very loud and very international in their repertoire", "very talented and technically superb young group who deserve much more attention".
www.muldoonspicnic.org.uk
www.myspace.com/muldoonspicnic
Although based in London. the London Bulgarian Choir performs Bulgarian folk songs. Dessislava Stefanova, formerly of the Philip Koutev Ensemble, has led the choir since its formation in 2000. The London Bulgarian Choir have released one album, Alyana Galyana, and have contributed to film and television soundtracks including Troy and The Virgin Queen. The choir are BBC Radio 3's Open Choir of the Year, 2006-7.
The Tallis Scholars are a British vocal ensemble normally consisting of 10 members. Formed in 1973 by their director Peter Phillips, they specialize in performing a cappella sacred vocal music written during the Renaissance by composers from all over Europe. They are currently recognized as one of the world leaders in this field, having risen to a place of prominence among other professional ensembles.
Gimble are a four piece pop punk band from Reading.
Taking influences from the likes of blink-182 and NOFX.
There’s something happening in Australia. In the past 12 months there has been an insurgence of metal acts that adhere to a standard far beyond that of your typical unsigned Australian band. Bands like Dred (now Oroborus), Templestowe and Aeon of Horus place great value on high quality production, recordings and exceptional artwork. Anno Domini are the next band to join the ranks of those striving for metal perfection.
Sweet Honey in the Rock is an all-woman, African-American a cappella ensemble that has been producing music for more than thirty years. Although the members of the group have changed over time, the music of Sweet Honey in the Rock has consistently combined contemporary rhythms and narratives with a musical style rooted in the gospel music, spirituals and hymns of the Black church. Sweet Honey in the Rock was founded in 1973 by Bernice Johnson Reagon who formed the group out of the strongest singers from a vocal workshop she was teaching with the D.