BISHOPSTON MATTERS

Ashley Down Community Choir are a small, friendly (and free!) adult choir which started in the summer of 2011, based at Ashley Down Primary School, Downend Road, Horfield BS7 9PD. They are led by Laurie Stewart, and receive financial support from Bristol Choral Society, which works closely with two local primary schools to increase the opportunities for children and their families to experience singing together. They meet in the Tune Room between 6pm and 7pm on alternate Wednesdays of term time (sessions for the next two terms are Jan 11th, 18th, Feb 8th, 22nd, March 7th and possibly 14th.) Their repertoire is varied and interesting, often based around a theme bringing children and adults together in informal "song-shares" and celebrations. They will be taking part in the Bristol Arts and Music Service performance at the Colston Hall in April of "Titanic". All levels of experience are welcome.

Bristol Male Voice Choir was originally founded in 1968 is now one of the largest male voice choirs in the West Country with around eighty members drawn from across Filton, Bradley Stoke, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
The Choir has raised thousands of pounds for good causes over the last four decades and has established a reputation for musical excellence. Its music is drawn from around the world and its wide repertoire includes operatic choruses, sacred music, spirituals and songs from stage and screen. Want to add your voice? The Choir rehearse at 7.15pm on a Thursday night at Filton College (South), Filton Avenue, Filton, South Gloucestershire, BS34 7AT.

Locally based Catherine Amesbury is a Contemporary Jewellery Designer.

She has a retail shop, Artemis at 214 Gloucester Road.She works exclusively with Silver, Semi-Precious Stones, Swarovski Crystals and Cultured Freshwater Pearls.

She sources her Elements from around the World, using them to create beautiful handmade pieces for you to treasure for a lifetime.Catherine is also a North Bristol Artist and regularly takes part in creative events, fairs and exhibitions. Visit her website for further information and to view her beautiful products.07570 063 479 or 0117 924 9813

‘Gone with the Wind’, possibly north Bristol’s only wind trio, have been playing together for over ten years. The ensemble perform a mellow blend of music in a range of styles from rare arrangements of work from the early period of the 16th century, through baroque to the classical period more familiar to listeners to ‘Classic FM’!

The trio is very much a north-Bristol project with all the three members living within strolling distance of the Gloucester Road where they can occasionally be heard busking in aid of charity outside perhaps their favourite shop, ‘Scoopaway’, where they have been welcomed for a number of years, particularly at Christmas time.

Ann Matthews and Nalini Tondel play a range of warm-toned recorders, well suited to the style of the music, while Paul Bullivant plays flute, a later invention but easily blended with the older instruments. Steve Smailes, has recently joined the trio for occasional performances on classical guitar, giving another dimension to the repertoire of the original trio, including forays into Brazilian rhythms.

The friendship of the three founder members goes back beyond the formation of the trio. Nalini and Paul first met on a plane travelling to India with their partners in 1984 and later found that, by chance, they had stayed at the same guest house in the centre of the country during the turmoil after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Ann and Paul met in more parochial circumstances as their sons shared their early years with the same child-minder and then went on to Sefton Park School together.

Perhaps these early friendships are an important ingredient in the longevity of ‘Gone with the Wind’ which has been performing its lyrically sensitive interpretations of the music of Bach, Handel, Corelli and Hook, among others, for a decade. As important must be their shared enjoyment of the warmth of this period of European composition as well as the elation of performing to responsive audiences in their local community.

The women members of the trio can also be heard in other local music projects as Nalini sings in the ‘Sweet Liberation’ choir as well as performing on steel pans in ‘Pan Sonic’, while Ann is a member of the ‘Gurt Lush’ choir. Paul meanwhile claims to be the only member to have played at Glastonbury twice in one day!

‘Gone with the Wind’ can usually be heard playing their particular style of music for the mind and heart on the Saturday evening closest to the longest day [June 18th this year] in St. Andrews Park. They also appear regularly on the North Bristol Art Trail at St. Barts Church. Their first CD – ‘Under the Tree’ - recorded in St. Bart’s Church, is still available.

They are always happy to play at private and public events for a modest fee and for more information contact Paul Bullivant.

The Gurt Lush Choir is led by Sam Burns. Sam grew up in Bristol, had an entirely unremarkable education, then spent seven years with infamous local band The Moonflowers, best known for playing naked at Ashton Court Festival, setting fire to their trousers, and harassing Avon and Somerset Constabulary in large cardboard fish costumes. In 1993 he moved to Normandy and spent seven years working as a site labourer, antiques restorer, head gardener and builder, before starting to teach bass at the village music school. He was soon also teaching sax, cello and guitar and directing singing in local schools. He also started directing two village choirs. In 2008 he returned to Bristol and since then has worked in primary and secondary schools across the city as a singing teacher and choirleader. He started the Gurt Lush Choir in October 2009, which swiftly grew to the 200+ members it has today. He now lives in Bishopston with his French wife and four children. He would like to thank Bristol for being an extraordinarily hospitable singing city that loves to say 'Yes!' to energetic music making. Three choirs make up Gurt Lush, Hotwells Voices, Park Voices & Redland Voices all currently have vacancies.

Part of the Gurt Lush Choir, Park Voices meet on Tuesdays 7.30pm to 9.30pm at St Bartholomew's Church Hall, Sommerville Road, BS6 5BZ. Contact the secretary Sue or just turn up!

Membership is £30 for one term or £50 for two, payable in a one-off payment at the start of term (or pro rata if you join mid-term). Concessionary rates are available. Everyone is entitled to 3 free tasters at Redland & Hotwells, or 1 free taster in Park Voices.

Please turn up 5-10 mins early, so we can be sure to start on time!

I am a friendly and enthusiastic qualified piano teacher and composer, and have extensive experience in working with children and adults of all levels.

From young children to adults, beginners to advanced students, I offer piano tuition in school or privately, and I can adapt my lessons to suit all ages, styles and genres. I teach from my home in BS7 or travel if you’d prefer. Lessons are usually 30 minutes in length, but longer lessons can be arranged for individual circumstances.
 Prices start at £12.50 for a 30-minute private lesson.

I am currently taking on new students for private tuition so please do get in touch.

Henleaze Ladies’ Choir meets every Thursday afternoon from 1.45-3.45pm in St Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze. We are a friendly group who, under our conductor Jane Walton, sing a varied programme of songs and enjoy each other's company. We give two main concerts a year and are invited to sing at various clubs and ‘Homes for the Elderly'. We also hold several social events during the year Why not come along and try a couple of rehearsals and see if you like us. Being able to read music is not absolutely essential as we learn the songs very thoroughly.

Out There Music Choir

Out There Music is an exciting and unique Bristol based music organisation run by musician Tom Jones. Out There Community choir, Chamber Choir, Orchestra and Childrens Choir are all ensembles currently running under Out There Musics umbrella. NEW MEMBERS WELCOME. Two big shows are performed each year and the Choirs and Orchestra also sing and perform throughout the year at various events around Bristol.

Out There Music Community Choir

The Choir was founded in 2008 with just 25 members and has now grown to a choir of over a 100 and is recognised as being one of Bristols most active community choirs. There is no audition required to be part of the choir and as its name suggests Out There Music aims to inspire people to get out there and take part in all sorts of musical activities, it is inclusive and most importantly enjoyable! We rehearse on Thursday evenings during term time from 7.45pm - 9.45pm at Westbury Park Primary School. Costs are £75 per twelve week term or £37.50 for under 18s. Come along and enjoy a free trial session and see what it is all about.

Out There Music Childrens Choir

No audition is required and the repertoire is designed to appeal to children. The Choir rehearse at Westbury Park Primary School on Mondays from 3.45pm - 5pm during term time and is open to children aged 7 - 13. The choir costs £60 per twelve week term. Come along and enjoy a free trial session.

Chamber Choir

This is a smaller Choir and entrance is by audition. Rehearsals are on Mondays during term time from 7.45pm - 9.45pm at Redland Park United Reform Church. Costs are £90 per twelve week term or £45 for under 18s.