Whitsand Harmony
16 January 2019
Choir resumes rehearsals.
We would welcome new voices to our soprano, tenor and bass sections. Anyone who is interested in singing within a fun and learning environment should contact the Musical Director, Secretary or just come along to one of our rehearsals and listen.
Please come along and support us at any of the events on our Calendar page.
December 2018
Like most choirs, Whitsand Harmony, who practise at "The Zone", Downderry on a Wednesday evening under the leadership of Mrs Ann Wills, began singing carols and festive music in October ahead of their forthcoming events.
December 1st saw the choir performing as part of the "Order of Service" for a wedding in Downderry, which was a delightful way to start the Christmas month.
On December 5th, the choir combined their social evening with a fundraising event for the Parkinson charity, raising just over £400 and ensuring that choir and audience alike had a fun evening.
The weekend of December 8th and 9th was busy with the choir singing on both days at Mount Edgecumbe's annual Christmas Fair. "It is always a thrill to sing on the beautiful staircase in the Grand Hallway of the house, providing an interlude for those perusing the gifts and crafts"
During the evening of December 9th, Whitsand Harmony took part in the "Nine Lessons and Carols" service at All Saints' Church, Millbrook with a rousing encore of 'Kumbayah".
On Sunday 16th December, the choir took part in another "Nine Lessons and Carols", on this occasion at "The Zone", Downderry.
The choir hopes all its supporters had a happy festive season and look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year.
Christmas Season 2016
Once again Whitsand Harmony enjoyed a busy Christmas season singing old & new carols including Cornish items.
Christmas started for the Choir with an informal carol singing afternoon at St Germans’ Thursday Club when the first mince pies were consumed.
The Choir then enjoyed singing on the stairs at the Mount Edgecumbe Christmas Fayre.
This was followed by participation in the Nine Lessons and Carols Service at Millbrook Parish Church.
Entertaining the Rotary Club Christmas meal at the Whitsand Bay Hotel proved an enjoyable occasion for all.
Again the Choir supported Cornwall Hospice Care in their fundraising efforts with a concert in Downderry Village Hall and raised a good sum to support the local charity.
There was a particularly good attendance at the Annual Carol Concert at the Zone in Downderry and the season culminated with the atmospheric occasion of singing under the magnificent garland at Cotehele House.
Busy Christmas Season 2015
Whitsand Harmony started the Christmas season with two concerts at Downderry and Seaton Village Hall.
The first was to help celebrate the refurbishment of the hall and the second concert was to raise funds for Cornwall Hospice Care.
The choir sang carols for the Thursday Club in St Germans at its annual Christmas afternoon of carols and mince pies and on the Sunday before Christmas the choir performed at The Zone, Downderry. The concert raised £350 to help in the renewal of The Zone's path to give better access for disabled people.
The memebrs of Whitsand Harmony enjoyed singing carols on the stairs at the Mount Edgecumbe Chrsitmas Fayre and they loved the atmosphere at Cotehele as they sang in front of the log fire and under the magnificemt garland.
Over the season Whitsand Harmony helped to raise £450 for Cornwall Hospice Care.
Cornish Times Friday February 12th 2016
Annual General Meeting
Whitsand Harmony held their Annual General Meeting on March 11th 2015
Musical Director, Ann Wills reported that the choir had performed at 17 concerts in the last year, ably accompanied by David Mashford.
12 concerts are already booked for this coming year for weddings, charities and other special occasions and more enquiries are being received.
Several charities have benefited from the generosity of audiences-Cornwall Hospice Care, R.N.L.I , Save the Children and St Petroc’s received donations totalling over £700.
Whitsand Harmony have had an enjoyable and successful year and it is hoped this will continue through the year to come.
Looe Lifeboat Station Concert
Whitsand Harmony were at the RNLI station in Looe last month as the RNLI hosts performances by a variety of musicians in the summer months to raise funds for this very worthy cause.
The choir sang a full programme, including many well known pieces. There was a request to repeat the African song 'Dansi Na Kuimba' which the choir performed last year. For this song percussion instruments were supplied by the choir and some of the audience duly accompanied with gusto.
Musical Director Ann Wills introduced the pieces in an informed and light-hearted way. She also performed two solos of Gracie Fields' amusing songs. The concert was very enjoyable and helped to encourage the audience to donate £165 to the RNLI.
Cornish Times Friday August 7th 2015
The choir performed a well received concert on July 9th in Aid of the Looe RNLI. The programme of music specially chosen by Musical Director Ann Wills included a wide range of songs and a solo piece by Ann of "The biggest Aspidistra" made famous by Gracie Fields.
Boost to charity funds thanks to Whitsand Harmony
By Plymouth Herald | Posted: February 14, 2014
The men and women of Whitsand Harmony raised money for local charities throughout last autumn.
In October our concert helped to raise over £260 at the Village Hall in Downderry for the Cornish Hospice. In early December we were at the Inn on the Shore, Downderry. There we performed carols and Christmas songs with much enthusiastic audience participation, after which we were able to donate £100 to Save the Children Fund.
The choir also sang at the Downderry Zone, St Germans Thursday Club, All Saints Church at Millbrook and for St Luke’s Hospice Light up a Life Service in Liskeard.
During the Christmas week we raised over £90 for the Cornwall Hospice through our concerts in Lanhydrock and Cotehele. Cotehele being very memorable due to the torrential rain. We splashed and scuttled into the beautifully garlanded hall where our valiant audience dripped in front of the log fire.
We at Whitsand Harmony enjoy singing together and we are glad that our efforts can also benefit others.
Retired Musical Director: Ann Wills
Ann Wills began singing at the age of 5 and studied under the late Madge Lucas. She attained her Associated Board Grade 8 at an equally early age and has been one of the South West’s leading soprano soloists for many years.
She has auditioned with the esteemed English baritone singer Benjamin Luxon and sang in a Duchy Opera production of the Magic Flute.
As well as a busy singing career Ann has also found time to play principal Trombone with a number of bands. She recently “retired” from brass playing to concentrate on conducting and coaching choirs. Ann was appointed Musical Director of the St Germans Singers in the spring of 2003.
Ann has nurtured the group into polished performers, with a growing reputation. She has a knack of choosing imaginative and varied programmes to suit all occasions be it a silver wedding, church event, birthday party or fundraising concert. Ann has tested the choir’s musicianship with more complicated and modern pieces, whilst still retaining the traditional favourites of the audience. Many compliments are given to the choir after performances, both for the quality of the singing and the variety of pieces.
Ann continues to be a popular soloist with male voice choirs & brass bands.