Tonalis hit the right notes (From Stroud News and Journal)

Tonalis hit the right notes

STROUD-based choir Tonalis brings its Christmas Concert, A Star Unlocked the Stone - The Cycle of Midwinter Celebration in Song, to the Matara Centre in Kingscote this weekend.

Members of the choir - who meet one weekend per month - come from all over England, from Cornwall and Yorkshire to Sussex, as well as from Stroud.

The choir is increasingly being recognised for the new world of expanded horizons it offers.

For instance, on December 18 an extraordinary range of music will be being performed - from Medieval and Renaissance repertoire to Baroque, Classical and Romantic masterpieces, such as Monteverdi's Ave Maris Stella and Rachmaninov's Ave Maria.

Tonalis will also be singing songs from South America and Georgia, heartfelt Gospel harmonies, as well as English, Irish, Hebridean and West Gallery Traditions and some glorious contemporary seasonal and sacred music.

The choir is led by Michael Deason-Barrow, who directs Tonalis from its base at the Centre for Science and Art.

"There will be some outstanding newly designed acoustic instruments which will be used to accompany some of the pieces," said Michael.

"These instruments range from stunning bronze gongs and bells to amazing string instruments called string fields and tone harps.

Furthermore, Tonalis will demonstrate an intriguing new paradigm in contemporary singing where the musical architecture of some of the compositions is enhanced through the spatial placement and movement of the singers."

The concert is at the Matara Centre in Kingscote (opposite the Hunter's Hall Public House on the A4135) on Sunday, December 18 at 5pm. Tickets are available on the door.