Pieces of 8

There's more to vocal ensemble VOCES8 than its ethereal sound, not least a keen commitment to education, as Amanda Holloway reports

- Amanda Holloway

A cold winter light streams through the tall windows of St Anne and St Agnes Church, City of London, headquarters of the VOCES8 Foundation. The dark-panelled nave is veiled in mist, dry ice adding an air of mystery to the intimate Wren church. The eight singers of VOCES8, casual in jeans and jumpers, are filming a video for their next YouTube release, Ola Gjeilo's Northern Lights. Countertenor Barnaby Smith, co-founder of the ensemble, is tweaking camera angles and lights, positioning the singers and, once satisfied, takes his place beside fellow alto Katie Jeffries-Harris. The singers adopt a look of joyful serenity while mouthing softly to the pre-recorded audio track. After a few takes, their latest video is in the can.

VOCES8 was the biggest streamed classical vocal ensemble in the world in 2024, and is likely to surpass that figure in 2025. It is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a dizzying round of US and European concerts, education projects, a new album and a full day of events around the Barbican on 8 June (see box, p60). This video recording is an important occasion for American soprano Savannah Porter, who is appearing publicly for the first time with the ensemble. She doesn't officially start until September, but part of her induction is to be introduced gradually to the public. She has big shoes to fill – Andrea Haines, who has been with VOCES8 for 17 years, is leaving to explore new horizons.

The ensemble is known worldwide for its pure, ethereal sound and wide-ranging repertoire, captured on Decca and VOCES8 recordings, and music videos on the VOCES8 YouTube channel. Just eight voices blending seamlessly in