Press Release January 2014

Calstock ‘Big Jazz Choir’ performs ‘Vintage Love Songs’ On Wednesday 22 January, Calstock’s Big Jazz Choir will perform its debut concert for a second time on at The Old Chapel, Calstock Arts in Calstock. The programme, first performed last December, includes new songs based on the life stories of elderly Calstock residents, as well as a range of popular jazz songs. The Big Jazz Choir was only set up in April 2013. The choir grew quickly in numbers and is now 30 strong, singing in six part harmonies.

Musical Director Helen Porter: “It is wonderful to see how the choir has come together and reached such a good standard already. I like to work with material that people can really enjoy and that also gives them a chance of learning more about singing techniques.” The ‘Vintage Love Songs’, performed in the second half of the programme, is a community project initiated by Helen.

With funding from Awards for All, this project enabled Helen to work with local writers, composers and performers to create a new set of songs based on interviews with Calstock people of ‘a certain age’, including neighbours, and residents of the Fernleigh Care Home. The work has resulted in moving songs telling local life stories, performed by the choir and soloists. Musical Director Helen Porter arranges and composes most of the material for the Big Jazz Choir herself. She is a singer herself - in Jazz Quartet Misbehavin’ - and an established singing coach and tutor, working with choirs and singing groups throughout the South West. Helen moved to the Tamar Valley in 2011, where she and her partner set up Gresham House Studios.

Vintage Love Songs Concert by the Big Jazz Choir Wednesday 22 January 2014, 7.30pm The Old Chapel, Calstock Arts Free event, but please reserve you but please reserve a seat.