Soave - About Soave

The SOAVE Ensemble was formed in August 2006 and was originally intended as a quartet; however, after some experimentation with harmonic balance and vocal ranges, it was decided to add a further contralto voice in the mid-range. This enhanced the richness of the musical experience and produced a more mellow tonal quality.

The group has been warmly received at concerts performed since its formation and is already in demand for events as varied as Christmas concerts to solo stage performances.

The members of the group are:

Soprano: Alyson Horsfall - You can't mistake Alyson's voice! She rings out at the top end of the chords with her crystal clear tones and superbly crafted vibrato. A Lancashire lass (and proud of it!) Alison began singing lessons at the age of 9 and within three years was soloing with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. In her teens she sang lead roles in school productions and many musical events in the Lancashire surrounds. These included the role of Maria in 'The Sound Of Music', Mrs. Anna in 'The King & I' and roles in Gilbert & Sullivan productions. And as if that weren't enough, Alison has appeared in TV soap operas and commercials and sung professionally on the UK "Club Circuit". In Spain, in 2006, she sang the principal role of "Mabel" in Gilbert & Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance" and will be appearing in "The Mikado" in 2007.

1st Alto: Denise - Denise grew up in the Transvaal singing in church
choirs as a teenager and later, as a member of The Russell Singers (a ladies' choir in Johannesburg), took part in many choir festivals and Eisteddfods. After getting married Denise moved to Bedfordshire where she sang with the St. Mary's Singers in Potton, a mixed voice choir 'twinned' with the Langenlonsheim Gemischter Choir in Germany. At that time she performed many choral works, in England and Germany, as well as roles in stage shows, e.g. Showboat, Calamity Jane, Merry Widow, Lloyd Webber shows and many Gilbert & Sullivan operettas such as Iolanthe, Micado, HMS Pinafore & Pirates of Penzance.

2nd Alto: Vivienne Gee - Vivienne grew up in Cheshire and developed her love for music at a tender age when dancing with a Ballet Group. Then at the age of sweet sixteen it was tap dancing, and after meeting Lawrence (our tenor voice) she began playing the Choral Society circuit with him. Vivienne tells us she loves all types of music, even (shhh!) The Beatles!

Tenor: Lawrence Gee - Lawrence hails from Stockport in Cheshire and began his singing career in the local church choir. After a couple of house moves he ended up in Nottingham and got himself roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas (as well as pantos, he says!) and worked with several operatic societies.
It was through opera that he met and married Vivienne and together they moved to Devon where Lawrence sang solos with the Darmouth Royal Navy College. Most notable career highlight? Well, how about an appearance on Blue Peter with his very own gargling group called - wait for it - The Gargoyles!

Bass: Trent Harris - Trent began his life in Chiswick, West London (yes, he was a tall baby too!). His singing career began, like Lawrence's, in the local church choir where his love of the serious classics developed. At school he took an active part in a College Octet and after a 40(!)-year sabbatical decided to return to the music scene with a vengeance. Trent's love of harmony shows through in his enjoyment of those resonant bass lines. He loves it!

The Support Crew
Now, of course, no-one questions that even a small musical group needs its support staff, and Soave are no different. Meet ours! :-

Publicist: Linda Harris
Fulfilling an essential function is Linda Harris in the vital role of Publicist for Soave.
Linda cheerfully designs and churns out the marketing pieces, talks to the people, collects business cards and looks after the minutiae. She says she doesn't do windows or make the tea!

"The Roadies": Steve Horsfall & Keith Ashton
Get your hanky out - this is heart-wrenching! When Soave first began the search for the right voices to "balance into" the group, these two sad characters failed miserably! Aaah!
However, since one is a member of the family and the other an inveterate hanger-on, it was decided they could help out with --- well, anything really. Let's say it - roadies!
Now here's where it gets better. The Roadies decided to "C"apitalise their job title and demand a spot on the program as a duo! Well, I have to say - I can't wait see how that turns out!



- SITE LINKS -
		Alyson Denise Vivienne Lawrence Trent Linda Steve Keith
	The SOAVE Ensemble was formed in August 2006 and was originally intended as a quartet; however, after some experimentation with harmonic balance and vocal ranges, it was decided to add a further contralto voice in the mid-range. This enhanced the richness of the musical experience and produced a more mellow tonal quality. The group has been warmly received at concerts performed since its formation and is already in demand for events as varied as Christmas concerts to solo stage performances. The members of the group are: Soprano: Alyson Horsfall - You can't mistake Alyson's voice! She rings out at the top end of the chords with her crystal clear tones and superbly crafted vibrato. A Lancashire lass (and proud of it!) Alison began singing lessons at the age of 9 and within three years was soloing with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. In her teens she sang lead roles in school productions and many musical events in the Lancashire surrounds. These included the role of Maria in 'The Sound Of Music', Mrs. Anna in 'The King & I' and roles in Gilbert & Sullivan productions. And as if that weren't enough, Alison has appeared in TV soap operas and commercials and sung professionally on the UK "Club Circuit". In Spain, in 2006, she sang the principal role of "Mabel" in Gilbert & Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance" and will be appearing in "The Mikado" in 2007. 1st Alto: Denise - Denise grew up in the Transvaal singing in church choirs as a teenager and later, as a member of The Russell Singers (a ladies' choir in Johannesburg), took part in many choir festivals and Eisteddfods. After getting married Denise moved to Bedfordshire where she sang with the St. Mary's Singers in Potton, a mixed voice choir 'twinned' with the Langenlonsheim Gemischter Choir in Germany. At that time she performed many choral works, in England and Germany, as well as roles in stage shows, e.g. Showboat, Calamity Jane, Merry Widow, Lloyd Webber shows and many Gilbert & Sullivan operettas such as Iolanthe, Micado, HMS Pinafore & Pirates of Penzance. 2nd Alto: Vivienne Gee - Vivienne grew up in Cheshire and developed her love for music at a tender age when dancing with a Ballet Group. Then at the age of sweet sixteen it was tap dancing, and after meeting Lawrence (our tenor voice) she began playing the Choral Society circuit with him. Vivienne tells us she loves all types of music, even (shhh!) The Beatles! Tenor: Lawrence Gee - Lawrence hails from Stockport in Cheshire and began his singing career in the local church choir. After a couple of house moves he ended up in Nottingham and got himself roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas (as well as pantos, he says!) and worked with several operatic societies. It was through opera that he met and married Vivienne and together they moved to Devon where Lawrence sang solos with the Darmouth Royal Navy College. Most notable career highlight? Well, how about an appearance on Blue Peter with his very own gargling group called - wait for it - The Gargoyles! Bass: Trent Harris - Trent began his life in Chiswick, West London (yes, he was a tall baby too!). His singing career began, like Lawrence's, in the local church choir where his love of the serious classics developed. At school he took an active part in a College Octet and after a 40(!)-year sabbatical decided to return to the music scene with a vengeance. Trent's love of harmony shows through in his enjoyment of those resonant bass lines. He loves it! The Support Crew Now, of course, no-one questions that even a small musical group needs its support staff, and Soave are no different. Meet ours! :- Publicist: Linda Harris Fulfilling an essential function is Linda Harris in the vital role of Publicist for Soave. Linda cheerfully designs and churns out the marketing pieces, talks to the people, collects business cards and looks after the minutiae. She says she doesn't do windows or make the tea! "The Roadies": Steve Horsfall & Keith Ashton Get your hanky out - this is heart-wrenching! When Soave first began the search for the right voices to "balance into" the group, these two sad characters failed miserably! Aaah! However, since one is a member of the family and the other an inveterate hanger-on, it was decided they could help out with --- well, anything really. Let's say it - roadies! Now here's where it gets better. The Roadies decided to "C"apitalise their job title and demand a spot on the program as a duo! Well, I have to say - I can't wait see how that turns out! \| home \| about \| contact \| listen \| photos \| events \| links \|