Welcome
Pakefield Singers – Together in Harmony
Our Next Concert
Saint Nicolas
Cantata by Benjamin Britten
Navidad Nuestra
South American style Nativity by Ariel Ramirez
Tenor Evan Ruth
Organ Tim Patient
Piano Terry Cunnane
Conductor Vetta Wise
7.30pm Saturday 6th December
St Mary’s Church, Halesworth
Here’s a review of our recent concert
Hidden: Music of Mystery and Meditation
July 19th 2025 Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich
Conductor Vetta Wise
Reviewer Stella Calver, LTCL LLCM PGCE (music teacher)
Just occasionally, a unique creative opportunity may present itself. Pakefield Singers’ concert at Peter Mancroft Church on Saturday 19th July entitled ‘Hidden- Music of Mystery and Meditation’ was such an o asion. The concept, realized by internationally respected Choral Director Vetta Wise, was inspired by Peter Walker’s “Hidden” art installation – a giant illuminated cuboid suspended in the church. The end result brought together modern art, 15th Century architecture, Music and religious texts spanning 11 Centuries to ask the question ‘What lies beneath the surface?’ and reflect on our spiritual life here on earth.
From the opening medieval Gregorian chant processional, where the beauty of individual voices as they passed by blended into the whole, the choral items ran continuously (representing a life cycle?) silence speaking louder than applause, leaving space for reflection.
The carefully curated programme highlighted the many strengths of this talented choir. Balance in acapella singing underpinned by an unusually strong tenor and bass section (motets O Magnum Mysterium, Locus Iste). Mastery of blending both in polyphony (Mendelssohn, He that shall endure) and with instrumental timbre (Iam Sol Recedit) where the magnificent acoustic of the church helped the interplay between voice, organ and oboe seamlessly transition to create a landscape of wonder and beauty. Dynamic control, growing the quietest of pianissimos to the most powerful climax as one organic unit (Taverner Song for Athene), made more poignant with the high altar sympathetically lit in the early evening light.
The skill of Pakefield Singer’s accompanist for the evening, Tim Patient, is well known throughout the region. Here his sympathetic accompaniment on chamber organ and piano enhanced and supported throughout, with the addition of a solo Bach Chorale Prelude on the magnificent Peter Mancroft organ. Vocal numbers were also augmented by the haunting sound of the oboe (Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring Bach) beautifully played by Julian Kirk, whose solo of Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe made reference to the power of music to cross cultures.
Add to all this a celebration of cultures (Peace, Upton) a call for the end of conflict (Benedictus from The Armed Man- Karl Jenkins) an acceptance of the peaceful transition into the next world, (In Paradisum- Faure) and a final hymn of praise (Let all the world in ev’ry corner sing- Vaughan Williams). The large appreciative audience left with a powerful memory to reflect upon.
Stella Calver, LTCL LLCM PGCE (music teacher)
Here’s are a few quotes from the review of our October concert…….
Carmina Burana at Snape Maltings Concert Hall 26th October 2024
A truly memorable night!
“An exciting evening at Snape Maltings Concert Hall, presenting Ramirez’ Misa Criolla and Orff’s Carmina Burana, ended triumphantly with a sustained standing ovation- well deserved”
“From the Misa’s opening Kyrie, the singers showed that they were mindful of the importance of the balance between their sound and that of the soloists, with an enigmatic humming underneath the two tenor solo voices who added a refreshing texture to the work”
“the choir in the Gloria demonstrated a practised seamlessness in their singing.”
“The Credo proved that the choir had mastered the sound of the Latin American liturgy, with rhythmical singing in the clear spirit of the folk tunes Ramirez invokes in each movement of the work.”
“It was so well prepared!”
“Most audiences know what to expect from ‘O Fortuna’, the famous opening to Carmina Burana, but this performance made the most of that powerful opening, with the kettle drums followed by the quiet relentlessness of the choir, like an invading army, building to the climax of the opening.
“Deep appreciation has to be expressed for the beauty and assuredness, and range, of Liesl Odenweller’s contribution to this performance. The sheer quality of her voice and ability to sustain the high notes effortlessly allowed the audience to enjoy her singing without anxiety. We knew that we would be in for a treat when she sang ‘In trutina’. Simply lovely.”
“Andrew Mayor’s baritone was wonderfully dexterous in ‘Omnia sol temperat’, which contrasted with his bawdy abbot in ‘Ego sum abbas’. He really seemed to be enjoying himself in the variety of roles he played.”
“The ‘Ragazzi’ children’s choir from Blofield and Corton Primary Schools made a polished entrance. They were confident in everything they sang. Congratulations to them for learning the music so well, and closely observing the conductor to ensure that their timing was impeccable. They had clearly learned a good deal about music making in their rehearsals.”
“Conductor Vetta Wise had clearly developed a warm relationship with the singers, directing in such a way as to bring out every aspect of the works most expressively. There are so many moods, rhythms, crescendos and decrescendos that have to be managed, and it was clear as captain of the ship, she had the absolute confidence of her crew: instrumentalists, choirs and soloists.” Keith Noakes
Review of Christmas Celebration” a fundraising concert for the Britten as a Boy statue presented by Pakefield Singers on 2nd December in St Peter’s Church, Kirkley, Lowestoft
Whenever I go to a Pakefield Singers concert, I know that I’m going to see and hear a choir fully committed to their performance and Saturday night was no exception. This was an evening to celebrate and raise funds for the ‘Bb’ Britten as a boy statue project and it began with harpist, Lucinda Pennick creating a beautiful atmosphere with a piece by Rousseau. The first half continued with great festive poetry written and read by Joy Marsh, a lovely carol ‘The Oxen’ by choir member Chris Upton and accompanist Terry Cunnane’s ‘Rejoice and Be Merry’ which was a real joy to listen to. Composer Alex Campkin was also at the concert and must have enjoyed the choir’s performance of his beautiful ‘Sleep Holy Babe’ The first half ended with ‘something completely different’. A wonderful reading of the book Gaspard’s Christmas’ by well-known author Zeb Soanes who is also Patron of The Pakefield Singers and vice president of the Britten as a Boy project. The story telling was enhanced by the book’s illustrator James Mayhew, who created a wonderful picture of Gaspard in full view of the audience as the story was read. This was then offered as a wonderful final raffle prize!
The second half was a performance of one of my favourite Christmas pieces, Britten’s ‘Ceremony of carols’. A small ensemble from the choir began the ‘Hodie’ processing from the rear of the church to join the candlelit choir. It really was a special moment. The nature of this piece as a whole and the acoustics of this beautiful church made for a very atmospheric choral performance under their conductor Vetta Wise. The soloists throughout the Britten should be also be commended for their singing.
It was wonderful to see such a good turnout on what was the coldest night of the year and the evening raised over £600. There is more information and the opportunity to donate to the Britten as a boy statue project online. www.brittenasaboy.com
JL 14.12.2023
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Review of a concert presented by Pakefield Singers on 28th October 2023 in St Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft.
A wonderful, entertaining, unforgettable evening
It was tempting to stay home on Saturday night, watching yet another “Strictly”. However, being aware of a classical concert in a church local to me I ventured out. Haydn’s Nelson mass, and Missa Brevis in F were performed by Pakefield Singers, Aurora Consort, Pakefield Players and Robbie Carroll, organist all conducted by the erudite, professional, and extremely talented and experienced conductor Vetta Wise. Suffolk is so lucky to have her. We were also treated to the Aurora consort singing Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir and Gabrieli’s Sonata No 21 with Jim O’Toole leading The Pakefield Players. Let me first confess, my life’s work has been in Healthcare and Military nursing, but I felt compelled to write a review having been so moved by this concert. From the first musical note played, and the first human voice sung I was entranced by the professionalism and quality of sound to be found in a local church with such amazing acoustics and spiritual sense. Sitting towards the back of the vast, elegant and very beautiful Church of St. Margaret’s, Lowestoft, was something quite stunning; but to hear music written hundreds of years ago ascend to the ancient, wooded rafters and be in a space where people have prayed for over 1300 years was to escape into a World of tenderness, peace, with feelings of safety. I was truly moved to tears by the performance. How refreshing a thing to switch off from the sadness of our World for 2 hours or so. The music and singing were delightful, soothing, nuanced yet powerful all at once. I am not sufficiently knowledgeable to describe the music I was listening to in any fine detail. But I know I could have been in the Royal Albert Hall or the Birmingham Symphony Hall (both favourite haunts of mine) such was the quality and magnificence I heard. The strong choral singing of the Pakefield Singers was a real joy; distinguishable from the wonderful soloists telling the story for us. The people around me agreed and were equally moved. The passion of the conductor Vetta was almost tangible, to watch the faces of the singers and musicians as they performed under her direction translate that passion into the ancient music was there for us to see and hear, all our senses stimulated. If there could be a nuanced medicine for troubled minds or nourishment for a tormented soul, then this evening’s performance was surely it. We really must all promote these very talented local musicians and singers. I can’t recommend their next performance strongly enough. This will be a fund-raising event for the Britten as a Boy Statue Lowestoft on Saturday 2nd December 7.00pm Church of St. Peter and St. John, Kirkley and includes A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten, with Zeb Soanes presenting. Hilary Horton 30/10/2023
Introducing Pakefield Singers
Pakefield Singers is an amateur choir based in Pakefield near Lowestoft, Suffolk. We are a unique choir with an extensive and varied repertoire and performance history, spanning all types of music, arrangements and songs from operas, musicals, traditional and popular music, works by contemporary composers, short choral works by composers such as Faure, Mozart, Mendelssohn and Vivaldi, alongside full choral works by the likes of Verdi, Handel and Beethoven.
Since its inception in 2002, Pakefield Singers has performed extensively across the region, including concerts at Great Yarmouth Minster, Kentwell Hall, Snape Maltings, Lowestoft’s Marina Theatre, Pakefield Church, Blythburgh Church, Southwold St Edmund’s, and Pontins at Pakefield. In addition, the choir has been on tour in Denmark and has enjoyed working alongside Aled Jones and Russell Watson, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Gala Orchestra, Kingfisher Sinfonietta, and BBC Radio Suffolk.
We hope that, as you browse, and find out more about our history, past and future performances, our growing repertoire and aspirations, you may like to join us at a concert in the near future… If you would like further information regarding bookings, membership or sponsorship you will also find our contact details
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If you would like to know more about the choir or would like to join us please get in touch by emailing to pakefieldsingers@gmail.com
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