In the 41st of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces local choir Modality Voices, who will perform a seasonal concert in Wanstead this December
One of the central aims of Redbridge Music Society is to promote and support local groups and musicians, and this month at Wanstead Library, local community choir Modality Voices will present an evening of seasonal music and readings entitled What Christmas Means to Me, directed by Jenny Ewington and accompanied by pianist Ben Summers. This will be followed in the second half of the evening by complementary wine and seasonal food.
Modality Voices was founded by Jenny Ewington in 2016 and is a friendly, diverse, mixed-voice choir with singers ranging in age from 16 upwards. The choir, which meets and rehearses weekly in Woodford, has established a reputation for its imaginative performances, its quality, blended sound and its great harmonies.
For several years running, Modality Voices has been awarded first place in the choir section of the Stratford and East London Music Festival.
Modality Voices does much charitable work, in particular for the Centrepoint Charity, which supports and helps homeless young people.
Woodford-based Jenny Ewington, Modality Voice’s founder and musical director, is a qualified singing teacher with over 25 years of teaching experience. She has worked with singers of all ages, abilities and styles, and many of her students have gone on to careers in singing. Jenny also works in schools as a singing specialist, leads other choirs, writes vocal arrangements, leads workshops and creates performances. She strives to challenge her choirs musically (whilst having fun!) and her mission is to bring joy, connection and vitality to people’s lives through the inspiration of musical performance.
Piano accompanist Ben Summers studied at Baliol College, Oxford, and at the Guildhall School of Music where he specialised in double bass. He enjoys a varied playing career and has worked with London orchestras and X Factor winners, has given live radio performances and has recorded at the Abbey Road Studios; he has performed at the Royal Albert Hall and the London Palladium.
In addition to piano and double bass, Ben plays bass guitar and organ and also conducts and composes. Ben has been working with Jenny and Modality Voices since 2019.
Please come and start your run-up to the Christmas season in a friendly and convivial atmosphere!
Modality Voices will perform at Wanstead Library on 3 December from 8pm (tickets on the door; visitors: £12; members: £9). Call 07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is affiliated to Making Music.
