Quotes from our singers
Its like a warm bubble of balm on the outside world. An uplifting safe environment to be together working towards a common aim - friendly, welcoming, well organised and a good laugh! David’s magnetic personality and wonderful songs bring us together so I always leave feeling energised and better than I did on arrival! My wheelchair clankiness seems to melt away as we sit and sing together. NB
Although I'd not sung in a choir before, I've been amazed at how
welcoming and encouraging everyone has been. Despite the challenges in some songs I feel I've come a long way in 6 months and am gaining confidence in my voice.
I love David's songs. They resonate with me, are original, emotional, and most reflect on both the wonders and the woes of our natural world.PD
Has to be the most friendly, supportive and inclusive choir
ever!
Exciting to sing brand-new music at some concerts, and to interact every week with a live composer- arranger.
Wonderful opportunities to sing in such a varied range of venues, from pubs to concert halls, from residential homes to garden fairs - and everywhere in-between.
An amazing range of music to learn and perform, everything from simple rounds to thought-provoking poetry, subtle science and current environmental issues AC
For myself - tutor tracks are brilliant in helping you have extra
practice or get to grips with tricky notes/ rhythms in your own time.
Also - I’m comforted and sustained by the natural world - choir gives me a chance to sing about it.
And - If I go to choir a bit down, I’m always cheered up when I come out! CS
"Thank you so much for your lovely e-mail. Like you I think of the choir, especially the Ivybridge group, as an extended family - despite only being a member for 15 months. At first, as you know, I was really worried because I am not a natural singer and still can't read the difference between a C or any other note! However, every other member has been so encouraging and welcoming that Tuesday night's have become the highlight of my week. Joining the choir has been the most up-lifting and positive experience of my life, and a lot of that is down to you and your patient, good-humoured , non-judgemental, encouraging leadership. So can I thank you in turn for everything you do to make us sound so good".
"Taken me out of my concert zone and I'm enjoying it?" GL
Quotes from our audience
“Something really special. I never thought I’d enjoy listening to someone read poetry! The music was so refreshing - original, well-arranged, and the piano accompaniment was just awesome. I loved it!”
This was one of many compliments paid to the South Devon Singers after their concert at Ermington alongside much-loved poet Matt Harvey - host of the Wondermentalist Cabaret Radio 4 series. The choir will be repeating their performance at Dawlish’s Strand Community Centre on Saturday 30th October at 7pm, again in cahoots with the brilliant Totnesian bard.
Another audience member wrote “a thoroughly engaging evening of David Haines’ wonderful music and Matt Harvey’s delicious verse. They meld together to give a fun, thought-provoking and satisfying mix.”
A review of the first Granny Galactica concert performance at Yealmpton on 6th October 2019
Feedback from the Granny Galactica performance at the Meadow Centre, Teignmouth, 16th Novmenr 2019.
Just wanted to say a big ‘thank you’. I’ve really enjoyed learning, singing and performing your brilliant songs - so funny, moving, poignant...so many things...Last night was great fun. Being in the choir has really helped my transition into being a wheelchair user and lovely to know so many complete songs.*****Thank you for bringing Granny Galactica back to Teignmouth from her tour.
The choir sang wonderfully, and was engaging with the audience! Every song
was great, and the atmosphere excellent.
You sang many favourites of mine. I like the contemplative songs, the ones as Mary-Ann puts it with not "too many words."
Bitter Tears was splendid, and particularly the first verse sung by the Altos: beautiful voices all blending perfectly together made a magic moment which made the spine tingle.
Brilliant performances of Moon, Planet Earth, Stargazing, Year after Year,and my all-time favourite, Four Billion Years, was sung better than ever before.
Well done, and thank you!*****Just wanted to reinforce my awe and praise for this evenings production...What a rollercoaster of emotion whilst watching the amazing talent in front of us audience members.The singing was amazing, your control of the singers was brillient, the humor in your writing, and the hard hitting truth behind the story and the songs....well I was blown away.Many thanks for performing at the meadow.
Comment from an audience member at the Buckfast Abbey Summer Fayre
"One woman (who had been sitting next to Toby Buckland) said she loved my dress, so I mentioned our 'green and flowers' dress code, and she said, 'Oh - I'd noticed a gentle sway of green through the singers; it looked lovely.' Ah, I said, but what about our singing?! 'Oh, that was really lovely - I loved it all...' "
*****
Many thanks for coming and putting on a wonderful show!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the parts of it that I could hear.
Your songs were so inventive and full of energy too!
I would love you to come again if we are able to run it.
My thanks again and best wishes to you all,
Aaron Southgate, Buckfast Abbey 2018
*****
Comment about the Teignmouth Classical Music Festival 2019