TUDOR ROSES NEWS              (For previous years click here)

2009

14th September 2009 - Fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Relief for Barbershop Awareness week

Green and white the Tudor Roses, what a delight!

It's Barbershop Awareness Week
Let’s spread the word and be glad
With songs and friendship barbershop style
Not a piano to be had

The Tudor Roses one and all
Looked such a merry bunch
All decked out in green and white
Even with the credit crunch

With tea and cakes from our refreshment team
Raffle prizes for the lucky few
It’s for Macmillan, such a good cause
And 100 quid raised too
Poem by Haylie Fox

Thanks to all the Tudor Roses who helped make their charity evening on 14th September such a success and for raising £100 for Macmillan Cancer Relief, as part of the national Barbershop Awareness Week.

For more photos, see our photo gallery.

5th September 2009 - Mayor of Winchester's Charity Garden Party

St Cross Garden Party filled with glorious (Tudor) Roses

The Winchester Mayor’s charity garden party at the Master’s Lodge, St Cross on Saturday 5th September welcomed local performers The Tudor Roses Ladies Barbershop Chorus, Shirazz Harmony Quartet and the Winchester Community Choir. The proceeds from this garden party were in aid of the Mayor’s charities Trinity Winchester and Emmaus Hampshire, who work with the Winchester Churches Nightshelter for the homeless.
 

Di Crosfield, the Tudor Roses Musical Director, said “It is an honour to be part of such a wonderful afternoon and to assist the Winchester Mayor with his homeless charities. It’s also a great opportunity to spread the word about barbershop singing.”

The garden party was opened by Shirazz Harmony, an award-winning quartet, who also sing with the Tudor Roses Chorus. They were in splendid form and were the perfect way to start the afternoon of music, fun, games and cream teas.

The Tudor Roses then delighted the crowds with a rousing repertoire, ranging from traditional barbershop to more contemporary songs. Their close 4-part harmonies filled the St Cross gardens with glorious (Tudor) Roses, barbershop style.

For more photos, see our photo gallery.

28 June 2009 - Fine Tuning the Chorus

On Sunday 28 June the Tudor Roses, welcomed Carol Sherry to their rehearsals. Carol is an accomplished coach and national competition judge and provided invaluable assistance to the chorus in their preparations for the upcoming LABBS (Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers) Convention. This is the organisation’s National competition where ladies barbershop choruses across the UK compete at the highest level.

Unfortunately this will be the last time that Carol will be able to guide the chorus as she will be concentrating on her National Charity, The Eye Fund, which aims to provide much needed counselling and aid to those who are losing their sight due to degenerative diseases.

Carol and her husband Paul, set up the charity on behalf of their son Simon, who lost his left eye as a child and later developed Retinal Cone Dystrophy. Whilst losing his sight, his vision was very unpredictable and he struggled to cope. Simon died aged just 39 in 2005.
Despite have difficulty with his sight for most of his life Simon became a talented graphic artist. Much of his work has been incorporated in the design of a calendar, greetings cards and a range of jewellery, which can be purchased from their website www.eyefund.info.

The Tudor Roses would like to thank Carol and Paul Sherry for all their inspiration and support over the years and would like to wish them continued success with their tireless fund raising.

The chorus hope that with the guidance from Carol, the dedication, enthusiasm and skill of their chorus Musical Director, Di Crosfield , plus of course hard work and commitment from the chorus, their performance will continue to go from strength to strength.

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19th June 2009 – Test Valley Community Volunteers event - Say thank you with Roses

Friday 19 June. The event was organised by Test Valley Borough Council as a thank you to all their volunteer workers.
 

The Tudor Roses sang unaccompanied in 4-part harmony whilst the audience relaxed on the lawns and enjoyed their picnics. They performed a wide range of songs from the traditional barbershop, Lullaby in Ragtime and the Deed I Do Medley, to the more modern Close to You. Not forgetting, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, which was a particular favourite of the evening.

"The gardens were glorious. It was an honour to be part of such a wonderful event" said Haylie Fox, one of their newest members. What better way to say thank you than with (Tudor) Roses! For more photos, see our photo gallery.

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5th June 2009 - Tudor Roses Light the Way

The organisers had put together a beautifully balanced programme with Winchester-based performers, Tudor Roses, Southern Eclectic and a group from the Chesil theatre. Each group had risen to the challenge in selecting a varied programme from their repertoire which provided contrast, anticipation, entertainment and enjoyment. The music was complimented by readings and poetry on a gardening based theme, which was tremendous fun.

The floral displays were breathtaking - so diverse and artistic. Ranging from the traditional to modern and multi-media, they sprang up to surprise you all around the church and grounds. “I only wish I had more time to view them”, said Janet Taylor, one of the performers from the Tudor Roses.

The grand finale, led by Southern Eclectic, of Rose of England was a most fitting and emotional ending to a wonderful evening.

Di Crosfield, the Tudor Roses Musical Director, said, “It’s an honour to be part of such a magical night and to know that we have helped light up this beautiful church.”
 

For more photos, see our photo gallery.

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2008

31st October - 2nd November 2008 – National Convention weekend, Harrogate

Friday 31st October

Friday morning found everybody up early and double-checking that they had everything they needed (such as their stage costumes) before joining the coach taking the chorus to Harrogate. The long coach journey was broken up with the fun quiz & impromptu singing at the service station stops. We even cheered on the coach at the times one of our quartets, Shirazz, were due to go on and come off the stage.

After arriving, many of the chorus headed for the famous Betty’s tea rooms before getting dressed up in Pink and purples Halloween costumes in keeping with the evenings theme. The Tudor Roses just love dressing up, so as you’d expect, they went to town with costumes and make-up. Here are just a few pictures.


Betty's Tea Room                                        Halloween Fun
For more photos, see our photo gallery.

It was then time to stroll down, ‘en masse’ to the venue for the evening show and quartet competition, including seeing Shirazz on stage.

Saturday 1st November – Contest day!

Another early start. A quick visit to the Convention centre to go on stage and see what it felt and sounded like, then back to the hotel for rehearsals, costume and make up. Here we are getting ready.
 

Warming-up                                              Making-up

Then a final check of costumes, make-up, jewellery etc before we were heading to the Convention centre for final preparations… including, for some, a couple of sips of medicinal port to improve the voice!

For more photos, see our photo gallery.


Before we knew it, we were on stage singing and performing our best before exhausted we smiled to our audience, knowing that we had done our best …and had enjoyed ourselves.

The results placed us in the top half of the competition. As this was the finals of a National competition, it recognises the high standard of our singing and performance. It also demonstrated that we had maintained the improved standard we’d achieved the previous year. A result to be proud of…and we had a great time too!

Thoughts of Convention newcomers

We had a number of chorus members joining us on stage for their first National Competition. Here are some of their thoughts (thank you girls for sharing them with us):

“Singing on stage at Convention -- or rather the waiting to get on stage-- has to be the scariest experience of my life! However the emotion & elation felt after singing was 2nd to none. Listening to the other choruses & realising the standard required made me feel very lucky & humble to be taking part.” Fiona

 

Arden, Marion, Fiona

“Dressing up for Halloween on the Friday night was a real hoot. Everyone made such an effort with their costumes that there was a lovely sense of camaraderie as the Tudor Roses Covern of Witches entered the conference centre together for the Friday eve show.
Tudor Roses are such a fun bunch of women to spend the weekend with & many thanks to Liz & Anne for all their hard work in planning convention beforehand & during the event.” Dagmar

“I had been nervous for the past several weeks (practising at every opportunity) and really looking forward to the convention….I was so anxious to do my best and not let the rest of the chorus down.

Once fully made up and costumed, everyone looked amazing. We did scrub up well! It was like being in a stage show. At the convention centre again excitement reached a peak with all the queuing and waiting to go on. The camaraderie of the group was very apparent at this point when everyone was photographing each other.

On the stage at last, I was amazed that I was not as nervous as I thought I would be. I enjoyed it very much and it was over so quickly. I think we did our best. At the photo call which followed I felt like ‘a star’!

It was a terrific experience and I found the friendship and camaraderie of everyone made it so much fun. The standard of the performances and the organization of both our trip and the convention itself were very impressive. Can’t wait to go again!
A great weekend!" Arden

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NEW 27th October 2008 - Family and Friends evening



As part of our preparations for the finals of our national ladies barbershop competition in Harrogate, organised by LABBS, we welcomed over 100 family and friends to our dress rehearsal. We were delighted to see such a large audience of smiling faces, including past members, family members of all ages and friends. Some of the audience had even travelled from as far afield as Reading and Petersfield to be with us.

This was the first outing for our new stage costumes, resplendent in black red and gold, complete with matching necklaces and earrings.

The audience were treated to a selection of songs from our repertoire, including our two competition songs, “You make me feel so young” and “Once upon a time”. Shirazz, one of our quartets, who were also competing in Harrogate, also sang their two competition songs. The programme was completed with a few of our regular favourites such as ‘hat’s what friends are for’. In fact, singing to such a receptive audience really made us sparkle, and it was so nice to chat with them afterwards over a glass of wine.

We were helped out on the evening by a number of husbands, for whose help we greatly appreciate.

For a number of members of our chorus, this was the first time they’d performed with us in public. Here are some comments on their experiences (thanks for sharing them):

“Having only seen my fellow Roses in jeans and sweatshirts, it was quite something to see us all made up, dressed up and ready to wow our audience.
Although I had not sung on stage…since School..(a few years ago now) I must admit to having few nerves. But it was all very rewarding and what is more it was great fun - and it was wonderful to see and hear the audience's response, including their demand for an encore!!! What a great event, which left me feeling quite high and with a wonderful mixed sense of feelings - some relief, lots of achievement and not a little emotion.” Sian

“My son & daughter were absolutely amazed by the quality & standard of our singing, definitely wanted more, & were very proud & full of admiration for their old Mum being part of it!” Fiona

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5th July – 50 years celebration for IBM Hursley

The Tudor Roses were delighted to take part in a big open day for staff family and friends at IBM Hursley to celebrate 50 years.

It was a magnificent venue and the visitors made the most of the opportunities to enjoy the grounds, displays and activities on offer.

A variety was musical entertainment was provided including a performance from the Tudor Roses. Performing on a purpose-built stage, thankfully protected from the elements, the chorus performed variety of songs from their repertoire. The event culminated in a grand fireworks display on the lawn of the historic house.

For more photos, see our photo gallery.

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28th June 2008 - Tudor Roses win Barbershop Class at the Bournemouth Music Festival.

Tudor Roses Ladies Barbershop Chorus had an amazing day at Bournemouth Music Festival on Saturday 28th June. They entered the Barbershop class and were overwhelmed to win the Roger Mills Trophy Cup against strong competition from both male and female choruses.

The standard at the festival was high. Competitors came from all over the South of England including the Isle of Wight, Bristol and London to compete in many different classes. The winners of each class then competed for the honour of becoming the Bournemouth Choir of the Year. The Tudor Roses were the runners up in this event.

The adjudicator was Neil Jenkins, the international tenor and conductor, who recently sang with the Welsh National Opera at the Mayflower theatre in Southampton. He awarded the Tudor Roses the highest possible level of marks with an Outstanding grade and praised them for their exceptional performance which showed “fine artistry and stylistic flair.”

One of the competing quartets, ‘Shirazz’, all of whom are members of the Tudor Roses, was also awarded Outstanding when they won their class. This was their fourth consecutive win at local music festivals. Neil Jenkins commented ‘a classy act that held my attention’. Kathy Moore, who sings the Tenor part said “We were absolutely thrilled to win against such strong competition.”

Musical director, Di Crosfield, said, “What a wonderful day for the Chorus and ‘Shirazz’ and a magical one for myself. Hearing my ‘gals’ gave me ‘goose bumps’ and I have never been more proud of them.”

The Tudor Roses were delighted to accept an invitation, from the festival organisers, to sing in a Winners Show on July 11th 2009.

19th April 2008 – Tudor Roses win regional heat to qualify for National Finals
 

Tudor Roses came a resounding 1st in the regional heat of the National Ladies Barbershop Chorus Competition held in Bristol on April 19th. This qualifies them for the National Finals in Harrogate, in October, where they hope to continue their success.

The group enjoy the thrill of competition but want to sing to as wide an audience as possible. They are available to sing at any event to provide sensational entertainment and promise to get your feet tapping with their repertoire of songs ranging from nostalgic melodies, to chart hits to blockbuster tunes from stage & screen.


10th March 2008 - Open Evening

On March 10th, in place of our normal rehearsal, we held an Open Evening and were delighted to welcome around 20 guests.

The first half of the evening was Workshop Style. Ten ladies were encouraged to join us for our warm up exercises and songs, finishing with a rendition of Barbara Anne.

After the interval the Tudor Roses went into performance mode and sang a range of songs (both traditional barbershop songs and more modern arrangements) including Barbershop Strut, Breaking up is hard to do, Close to You, Can you feel the love tonight, Fame, Lullaby in Ragtime, Swinging on a star, Once upon a time and It's raining men!

The evening ended with everyone somewhat exhaustedly singing ‘Friends’ together.

If you missed our Open Evening and would like to find out more about joining the Tudor Roses, please take a look at our About Us and Join Us pages.

9th March 2008 – Quadruple success at Portsmouth Music Festival

Tudor Roses Ladies Barbershop Chorus enjoyed a successful day at Portsmouth Music Festival, Sunday 9th March winning all classes entered to achieve presentation of the Solicitor’s Cup & the Muriel Ellis Memorial Cup.

The festival attracted competitors (traditional choirs and barbershop choruses)
from across the South East of England including Hampshire, Sussex and Kent.

The adjudicator gave praise to the Tudor Roses for technical ability, musicality and flair and awarded them winners of The Pitchpiper Scroll for the best male or female barbershop performance of the day.

Another highlight was Tudor Roses being the performers who most impressed the adjudicator during the day, resulting in them being presented with the Florence Cassidy Memorial Trophy. A mark of 90 (Honours) secured this fantastic award and Tudor Roses would like to thank everyone who made the festival so much fun.