News
Presenting Meet Cute by Cecilia McDowall
13th August 2025
Vox Anima Chamber Choir are excited to share their recording of Meet Cute, a piece commissioned from their Patron Cecilia McDowall and premiered at the choir's concert in May.
Meet Cute is a setting of an original text by the American poet and lyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri. It depicts a charming first encounter between two people who go on to fall in love and spend their lives together.
The commission was made possible thanks to the generosity of sponsor Peter Boulton. The choir is thrilled to have the opportunity to record it as part of their professional session at the VOCES8 centre.
The choir has also released recordings of two movements of Kim André Arnesen's Stabat Mater.
Watch the full recordings on our YouTube Channel
Friends of the Vox Emerging Composers Recording
1st August 2025
Vox Anima Chamber Choir is thrilled to begin sharing the results of the Friends of the Vox Emerging Composers project.
Performed by Vox Anima Chamber Choir, recorded at the VOCES8 Centre in London - conducted by James Meaders and accompanied by Richard Hammond-Hall with Flo Peycelon on violin.
First Prize Winner O Oriens, by Anna Roclawska-Musialczyk
Second Prize Winner Song of the Oak by Molly Ijames
Third Prize Winner Alleluia by Christopher Ryan RoncalesTake a look at the recording on the choir's YouTube channel Emerging Composers Playlist
Heartfelt thanks go out to composer Dan Forrest and Artistic Director James Meaders for their commitment, support and artistic inspiration, to the wonderfully talented collaborators Richard Hammond-Hall and Flo Peycelon for their beautifully sensitive playing, to the winning composers for their musical artistry, to the fantastic recording engineer at the Voces8 Centre, Alexander Van Ingen, and to all of the Crowdfunders, for investing and believing in the project.
O Oriens has been published by Beckenhorst Press. Scores can be purchased at https://beckenhorstpress.com/o-oriens-digital-downloadEnd of Season Retreat Weekend
27th July 2025
What a fun way to round off the year! After a day-long rehearsal on Saturday, Sunday saw the choir set forth on a mystery trip planned by Jamie.
We spent the day split into teams named after three favourite composers, Team Quartel, Team McDowall and Team Gill.
First stop: Coffee and buns at Average Doughs Bakery.
Next stop: Hainault Forest to pick farm animals as our team mascots, before a lovely group walk, messing about on the river, and lunch/ice cream.
Final destination: Top Golf where the choir demonstrated various levels of coordination, competitiveness, and skill on the range!
Thank you for your support this season. The choir are very excited about what's coming next year, so keep an eye out for more information.
Recording Day
4th May 2025
What an incredible day the choir had yesterday for their recording day at the Voces8 Centre in London. Thank you to the 100+ supporters who donated to the Friends of the Vox Crowdfunder in support of the project.
The choir professionally recorded the three winning entries from the Friends of the Vox Emerging Composers competition. They also recorded a new commission by Cecilia McDowall and two favourite movements from Kim Andre Arnesen's Stabat Mater.
Thank you as ever to maestro James Meaders, pianist Richard Hammond Hall and violinist Flo Peycelon, for your leadership, musicianship, and friendship. Finally, a special mention to the recording engineer for the day Alexander Van Ingen. Your expertise, encouragement, patience, and humour made the whole experience such a joy.
Friends of the Vox Emerging Composers Recording
10th April 2025
Friends of the Vox has launched a fundraising campaign for the choir's first recording session, taking place at the VOCES8 Centre next month.
Vox Anima Chamber Choir have the honour of recording the three chosen entries from the charity's emerging Composers Call for Scores, as well as a fabulous new piece composed by the choir's Patron Cecilia McDowall.
If you are able to make a donation towards this fundraiser, as the choir continue their mission of presenting stunning new repertoire from today's choral composers, the the choir and the composers would be very grateful! This recording session represents another significant landmark in the story of Vox Anima Chamber Choir and they can't wait to share the recordings with you!
You can make a donation here.
Collaboration with Woldingham School
26th March 2025
Members of Vox Anima Chamber Choir joined the Woldingham School Junior and Senior Choirs, directed by Victoria Milnes, last night to support a moving performance of Cecilia McDowall's Everyday Wonders: The Girl from Aleppo. The performance followed an afternoon workshop two weeks before. Many thanks to the Director of Music, Richard Hammond-Hall, for inviting Vox Anima Chamber Choir to take part in this wonderful concert. The choir were warmly welcomed and blown away by the talent and energy showcased by the students.
