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I took the plunge to start Cantatrice in
January 2004 in my hometown of Steyning, never imagining that it
would attract such an amazing number and assortment of singers. A
similar choir in Horsham followed in April.
We don't hold auditions or expect our members to read
music, in fact I would say that 50% don't, (some even tell me they
can't sing!). I encourage the choir to learn a few numbers from
memory, sometimes they never see a note of music but learn it 'by
rote', a good discipline for both readers and non-readers alike.
We performed at the Chichester Festival Theatre last year
for the West Sussex W I 85th Birthday Meeting and had a rapturous
reception. You may have heard the choir in the open events in the
Carfax, Horsham, in July 2004, in which they were called "the
highlight of the day" by the local press. We have also performed
at St Andrews Church, Steyning, The Steyning Centre and the Drill
Hall, Horsham.
No choir would be complete without a first class
accompanist and freelance musician, teacher and mother, Laura
Skuce was my first choice. Laura instinctively knows what I want
musically (keeping me on my toes from time to time!), happily
joining in the singing when needed, but also turning a good hand
on the drum!
Any interested new members are very welcome to come along
and try it out for free or simply listen.
Zoë Peate
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