Sovereign Singers and Polyphony Ensemble

Sovereign Polyphony “with much in sight”

We aim to put a little magic into the lives of the visually impaired by entertaining and fundraising for the Eastbourne Blind Society. The choirs have raised over £10,000 for this charity. The choir supports the ethos of & fundraises only for the Eastbourne Blind Society. Charity 219818

The “Sovereign Singers” choir began from an idea of the two founder members to combine their skills & create something a little different in support of a local charity. Our musical director and our secretary give their time & experience freely for the choir asking that choir members donate to the EBS in place of paying a subscription.

Initially as a non-auditioned, mixed choir, performances entertained only members of the Eastbourne Blind Society. With mainly ladies interested in daytime rehearsal & there being no female harmony choir in Eastbourne the decision eventually was made to develop a female voice choir.

Sovereign Singers rehearse on Wednesday morning. After reaching a standard to sing to a wider audience, two free concerts with retiring collections in aid of EBS were set into the annual calendar. A choir uniform was introduced.

Polyphony. As a development, “Polyphony”, an auditioned ensemble was created - catering for able musicians. Polyphony rehearse on Monday evening.

The sections perform alone or together in concert.

Two rehearsal sessions January – May & September - December end with concert performances. From 2008 four annual, free, full length, fundraising concerts (retiring donations) were included in the annual schedule. These concerts are performed in various venues.

If you are unable to support our choir please pass on a word about us

Costs and Donations

In place of subs members each donate £60 pa to the EBS –this is gift aided. No accounts are kept- no money is held – any donations from formal concerts are handed to EBS without deduction.

Costs are shared between members, are paid by founder members or funded by other means. Most sheet music for year 2010 is donated by a benefactor.

Recruitment

Places exist in Polyphony – phone Musical Director for September/January audition.
Places exist in Sovereign Singers phone MD on 01323 470 445 for joining dates.

By request the choirs are available to sing an entertainment programme at private, corporate or other events.

Sovereign Singers join Polyphony for four main SOVEREIGN POLYPHONY fundraising concerts annually. SOVEREIGN POLYPHONY CONCERTS- comprise up to 25 varied songs or carols -

Our Achievements

2006 - an award from The Scarman Trust enabled Dr. Neil Moore musical director & conductor of The English Philharmonic Orchestra to further our musical progress via a private choral workshop and master class. The choir was then invited to perform with the English Philharmonic Orchestra.

2006 - Sovereign Singers hosted international concert in Eastbourne with Famajeur from Normandy.
2006 - Sovereign Singers entertained at the Remembrance Day concert.
2007 - Sue received a choral award for work creating a unique singing team.
2007/08 - Choral workshops & recording experience days were arranged.
2008 - Sovereign Polyphony sang at the Remembrance Concert at the Congress Theatre.
2009 - Sovereign Polyphony gave a most successful May concert at the Victorian All Saints’ Chapel.
2009 - The choir sang by invitation at an Eastbourne Summer wedding.
2009 - Members attended a choral day with John Rutter.
2009 - Sovereign Polyphony Carol concerts raised £1000.The Mayor attended at All Saints’ Chapel.
2009 - Sovereign Polyphony sang “ Simply Carols” at the Simply Italian Waterfront restaurant.

Sovereign Singers have regularly entertained at Christmas with carols in the Enterprise Centre & Berkeley Homes Marketing Suite. Each year two, free private concerts are given to VIP members of the Eastbourne Blind Society.

2010 concerts

May 14th - private entertainment by Sovereign Singers for EBS members 2pm at EBS hall.

May 21st  -Sovereign Polyphony ” Viva La Musica” at 7.30 pm in All Saints’ Chapel Meads retiring donations (click here for poster)

May 22nd - Entertainment by Sovereign Singers at Underground Theatre Eastbourne from 10.00am collecting tins.

May 22nd - Sovereign Polyphony concert “Viva La Musica” at 7.30 pm in Christ Church Seaside retiring donations

September 1st in EBS hall at 10.50 coffee, singing and prospective members recruitment. To contact the musical director call 470445

December 4th (tbc) - Carol singing at the Enterprise Centre and at Inglewood care home.
December 17th - Christmas Concert in All Saints’ Chapel or EBS hall at 7.30 pm.
December 18th - Christmas Concert in St Luke’s Church Stone Cross at 3pm

At all concerts we ask for a per person retiring donation to Eastbourne Blind Society. For information about EBS links with Sovereign Polyphony contact Mrs Dean (administrator) 729511.

Watch out for www.sovereignpolyphony.co.uk

Sovereign Polyphony is unique, with much in sight. Interested?
Call 01323 470 445 for details or email us ( musictime@uwclub.net )