The Latest News from Fascinating Rhythm

Eisteddfod success for JFR in 2024!

Eisteddfod success for JFR in 2024!

More Eisteddfod success for JFR in 2024! Junior Fascinating Rhythm (Junior FR) is celebrating another successful year at the recent Thornbury Eisteddfod, part of the Thornbury Arts Festival 2024. This year, the Juniors and Seniors sang together in two-part harmony in...

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Over 1200 Raised for St Peters Hospice Bristol

Over 1200 Raised for St Peters Hospice Bristol

Fascinating Rhythm raise over £1200 for St Peter’s Hospice Bristol On February 15, 2024, the ladies of Fascinating Rhythm warmly welcomed Nick Wilson, a Community Fundraiser for St Peter’s Hospice. Throughout 2023, the dedicated members of Fascinating Rhythm and...

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Junior FR Shines

Junior FR Shines

Junior FR Shines at The Big Sing Fundraiser, Raising Over £990 for Christian Aid On the 5th of December, the vibrant voices of Junior FR resonated through Zion Church in Frampton Cotterell as they took centre stage at The Big Sing. Organised by Alison Bray, the event...

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Celebrating Our Love to Sing Day

Celebrating Our Love to Sing Day

A Day of Fun and Rewarding Musical Delights A day of musical joy and accomplishment unfolded on a frosty late January morning as the Fascinating Rhythm chorus welcomed ladies from South Gloucestershire, Bristol and the surrounding area.  Their goal: to master a...

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Nailing it in Nailsea!

Nailing it in Nailsea!

Nailing it in Nailsea! On Saturday, 25th November, Fascinating Rhythm took part in the Nailsea Festival of Music, a very successful musical event that has been running since 2005 thanks to a team of local volunteers.  Despite being an open event with various classes,...

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Bristol Choruses Meetup

Bristol Choruses Meetup

Harmony Unleashed: A Night of Musical Splendour with Avon Harmony, Black Sheep Harmony, Bristol Fashion, and Fascinating Rhythm. Hosting the LABBS Bristol choruses meetup on Thursday, 9th November, at the Greenfield Centre in Winterbourne, our rehearsal...

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On Retreat with Rob!

On Retreat with Rob!

On Retreat with Rob! As Fascinating Rhythm's members continue to develop and polish their singing techniques, we invited Rob Mance to join us for our annual retreat in September.   Things kicked off with Rob at our usual Thursday evening...

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The Table Top Sale

The Table Top Sale

Harmonious Finds – Fascinating Rhythm Delivers Crafts, Gifts, and Melodies: A Well-Attended Sale Delight Fascinating Rhythm created a wonderful event in the bustling town of Chipping Sodbury on Saturday 21st October 2023.  The event brought residents together in...

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Fascinating Rhythm have a blast in Bournemouth

Fascinating Rhythm have a blast in Bournemouth

Fascinating Rhythm have a blast in Bournemouth Fascinating Rhythm were on the road again on 1st July, travelling down from South Gloucestershire to the Bournemouth Music Festival to compete in two of the singing classes, which were staged in the lovely church of St...

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JFR Top The Year Off With Jam And Cream!

JFR Top The Year Off With Jam And Cream!

JFR Top The Year Off With Jam And Cream! Junior FR held a very special gathering in Iron Acton on Friday 7th, July, for girls, staff, and parents to celebrate another full year of events for this unique and valuable club.  Afternoon tea with...

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Our Fundraising for St Peters Hospice

Our Fundraising for St Peters Hospice

Our Fundraising for St Peters Hospice Bouncing like Bunnies for St. Peter's Hospice On April 3rd this year, one hundred and twenty babies and children laughed, sang, and bounced like bunnies at the Easter parties held in Iron Acton Village Hall. Anne-marie...

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Mance’s Marvellous Musical Magic

Mance’s Marvellous Musical Magic

Mance's Marvellous Musical Magic Fascinating Rhythm attended an intensive coaching weekend with Rob Mance on the 20th & 21st of May. Rob was last with Fascinating Rhythm in April 2022, and the choir was keen to meet him again and show him the results of the hard...

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JFR Celebrates Eisteddfod success 2023!

JFR Celebrates Eisteddfod success 2023!

JFR Celebrates Eisteddfod success 2023! Junior Fascinating Rhythm (Junior FR) is celebrating another successful year at the recent Thornbury Eisteddfod, part of the Thornbury Arts Festival 2023. Both the junior and senior groups did brilliantly, and both gained a...

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AGM is back in the room

AGM is back in the room

AGM is back in the room After two years of meeting for our AGM on Zoom, it was such a joy to get together for this year’s event, on January 19th, both for the business side of reviewing and planning and for the much-appreciated social time and yummy food! Reports from...

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Christmas Glitz comes to Weston super Mare

Christmas Glitz comes to Weston super Mare

Christmas Glitz comes to Weston super Mare On Saturday, December 10th 2022, Fascinating Rhythm hosted a very successful Christmas Concert in aid of local charity Ups and Downs SouthWest at The Blakehay Theatre in Weston-super-Mare. ...

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Junior FR co-star with The Femmes

Junior FR co-star with The Femmes

Junior FR co-star with The Femmes Junior FR were delighted to perform at a glittering Christmas Concert alongside professional vocal trio The Femmes in Olveston on 3rd December. The sell-out audience were delighted in the first half by The Femmes...

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The Piper – Junior FR

The Piper – Junior FR

The Piper - Junior FR The Pied Piper Musical by Margaret Carpenter What do volunteers, rats, maypoles and talented young singers all have in common?Junior FR, of course! Junior FR held a very special ‘Red Carpet’ event on the 13th of May this year to launch the...

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LABBS Convention here we come

LABBS Convention here we come

LABBS Convention here we come Fascinating Rhythm held an all-day rehearsal, followed by a dress rehearsal performance, on Saturday, 9 October, in preparation for the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) annual convention. Fascinating Rhythm members...

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Fascinating Rhythm welcomes new member

Fascinating Rhythm welcomes new member

Fascinating Rhythm welcomes new member Fascinating Rhythm is delighted to welcome another new member! At the beginning of October, Mirrin successfully passed her vocal audition and joined the Lead section. “I was interested in Fascinating Rhythm, as I had heard...

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Together everyone achieves more

Together everyone achieves more

Together everyone achieves more. Fascinating Rhythm members have enjoyed a two-day rehearsal weekend, reconnecting as a team after the summer holidays and celebrating awards for two chorus members. The rehearsal weekend began with a fun musical workshop led...

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Taking 2022 by Storm – Junior Fascinating Rhythm

Taking 2022 by Storm – Junior Fascinating Rhythm

Taking 2022 by Storm - Junior Fascinating Rhythm Junior Fascinating Rhythm (Junior FR) has had an amazing start to 2022, with several successes at music festivals and sing-outs in the South Gloucestershire area. These fantastic young singers are talented vocalists,...

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New Honorary Member

New Honorary Member

New Honorary Member Fascinating Rhythm has awarded honorary membership to Barbara Gay, who has retired from singing with the chorus. Barbara has been a valued member of Fascinating Rhythm for over 20 years and made a huge contribution to the chorus through her...

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Singing in the Rain – Fascinating Rhythm Rocks Yate

Singing in the Rain – Fascinating Rhythm Rocks Yate

Singing in the Rain - Fascinating Rhythm Rocks Yate Fascinating Rhythm and Junior FR enjoyed entertaining at the Yate Rocks… in the Park festival at Kingsgate Park on Sunday 26 June 2022. Their Musical Directors Jo and Wendy got a bit soggy directing in the rain,...

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Fascinating Rhythm Member Updates

Fascinating Rhythm Member Updates

Fascinating Rhythm Member Updates Fascinating Rhythm has been celebrating a number of membership milestones and achievements over the past two months. We have also said goodbye to a few ladies who have decided to move on from singing with the chorus and wish them all...

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Fascinating Rhythm sings out at Keynsham Memorial Park

Fascinating Rhythm sings out at Keynsham Memorial Park

Fascinating Rhythm sings out at Keynsham Memorial Park Fascinating Rhythm were delighted to perform at the Keynsham Memorial Park Bandstand on Saturday, 7 May 2022, to raise funds for their charity of the year, Ups and Downs South West. This was Fascinating Rhythm's...

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Fascinating Rhythm and Rob Mance

Fascinating Rhythm and Rob Mance

Fascinating Rhythm and Rob Mance Fascinating Rhythm has enjoyed another two coaching sessions with the fabulous vocal coach Rob Mance, who was back in the UK in April. Fascinating Rhythm first met Rob back in January 2022, when he encouraged individual chorus members...

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Junior FR Joins May Day Celebrations!

Junior FR Joins May Day Celebrations!

Junior FR Joins May Day Celebrations! Junior FR had a fabulous day, entertaining audiences at the Iron Acton May Day celebrations on Monday, 2 May 2022.  Junior FR sang a selection of favourite numbers from their repertoire, including ‘Mr Blue Sky’ and...

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Wendy  Howse Spotlight

Wendy Howse Spotlight

Wendy Howse SpotlightAbout MeYour Fascinating Rhythm ExperienceWhat do you enjoy most about Fascinating Rhythm?Share why you think potential members should join Fascinating Rhythm

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Deke Sharon Workshop

Deke Sharon Workshop

Deke Sharon Workshop Fascinating Rhythm enjoyed a live, in-person coaching session with ‘The Father of Contemporary a cappella’, Deke Sharon, as part of a workshop on a cappella singing. More than 120 delegates attended the event held at Christ Church...

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Junior Fascinating Rhythm celebrates Eisteddfod success

Junior Fascinating Rhythm celebrates Eisteddfod success

Junior Fascinating Rhythm celebrates Eisteddfod success! Junior Fascinating Rhythm (Junior FR) members are celebrating singing success at the recent Thornbury Eisteddfod, part of the Thornbury Arts Festival 2022. The girls picked up several trophies and were invited...

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Fascinating Rhythm Celebrates Membership Achievements

Fascinating Rhythm Celebrates Membership Achievements

Fascinating Rhythm Celebrates Membership Achievements Fascinating Rhythm members have welcomed another new member to the risers and awarded long-service badges to long-serving members of the choir. Fascinating Rhythm’s newest recruit, Julie, has passed the first stage...

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Fascinating Rhythm supports Ups and Downs Southwest

Fascinating Rhythm supports Ups and Downs Southwest

Fascinating Rhythm supports Ups and Downs Southwest Fascinating Rhythm members have selected Ups and Downs Southwest as their chosen charity for 2022. Ups and Downs Southwest is a local charity that supports families, professionals and all those involved in...

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Sing A cappella with Deke Sharon

Sing A cappella with Deke Sharon

Sing A cappella with Deke Sharon Live in-person workshop Monday 21st March 2022 at 7:30 pm Christ Church, Downend, Bristol BS16 5UF Come and enjoy an evening with arguably one of the most influential international musicians, composers, directors,...

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Fascinating Rhythm Gets Fully Rob-Mance-ipated

Fascinating Rhythm Gets Fully Rob-Mance-ipated

Fascinating Rhythm Gets Fully Rob-Mance-ipated Fascinating Rhythm members spent the weekend of 22-23 January 2022 at The Greenfield Centre enjoying two days of intensive vocal coaching with Rob Mance, Musical Director of barbershop choruses Vocal...

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Fascinating Rhythm Reflects on the Successes of 2021

Fascinating Rhythm Reflects on the Successes of 2021

Fascinating Rhythm Reflects on the Successes of 2021 Fascinating Rhythm members gathered online on Thursday 20 January 2021 for their AGM and awards night celebration. Fascinating Rhythm’s Chair, Iris, opened the meeting by reflecting on the highs and lows of...

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A fantabulous night to meet Rob Mance!

A fantabulous night to meet Rob Mance!

A fantabulous night to meet Rob Mance! Fascinating Rhythm’s ladies started 2022 on a high, spending an evening with barbershop legend Rob Mance, who directs both the Sweet Adelines International affiliated ladies a cappella choir Vocal...

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Junior FR’s Tenth Anniversary Celebration Concert

Junior FR’s Tenth Anniversary Celebration Concert

Junior FR's Tenth Anniversary Celebration Concert Junior Fascinating Rhythm (Junior FR) has celebrated its tenth anniversary by hosting a special concert. The full-house audience was made up of Junior FR girls’ parents and grandparents, ex-Junior FR students with...

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Iris O’Loughlin Spotlight

Iris O’Loughlin Spotlight

Iris O'Loughlin SpotlightAbout MeYour Fascinating Rhythm ExperienceWhat do you enjoy most about Fascinating Rhythm?Share why you think potential members should join Fascinating Rhythm

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LABBS Chair visit to Fascinating Rhythm

LABBS Chair visit to Fascinating Rhythm

LABBS Chair visit to Fascinating Rhythm Fascinating Rhythm members were delighted to receive a visit from Natalie Feddon, Chair of the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS), who travelled all the way from Bromley in Kent to...

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Fascinating Rhythm celebrates membership milestones!

Fascinating Rhythm celebrates membership milestones!

Fascinating Rhythm celebrates membership milestones! Fascinating Rhythm has been marking the long service of several chorus members and welcomed a new member to the risers. During October, membership awards and commemorative pin badges were presented to:  Lesley...

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Singing Success for Specs Appeal

Singing Success for Specs Appeal

Singing Success for Specs Appeal Fascinating Rhythm is celebrating the success of one of its in-house quartets, Specs Appeal, at the Bournemouth Music Competitions Festival held at the beginning of October.  Specs Appeal were awarded a distinction and the Peter...

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Ten Years of Junior FR

Ten Years of Junior FR

Ten Years of Junior FR Fascinating Rhythm is celebrating the tenth birthday of its junior choir (Junior FR) this month. To mark the occasion, Junior FR is rehearsing for a special 10th-anniversary concert, which will be held on 4 December 2021 and welcome back some...

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Coaching Weekend with Sally McLean

Coaching Weekend with Sally McLean

Coaching Weekend with Sally McLean Fascinating Rhythm members spent the weekend at Turnberries Community Centre enjoying two days of vocal coaching with Sally McLean, Musical Director of the White Rosettes. On Saturday, the chorus split into Sections,...

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Fascinating Rhythm Insights 07: Breathing to Sing

Fascinating Rhythm Insights 07: Breathing to Sing

Breathing to Sing Fascinating Rhythm is renowned for close-harmony singing in the barbershop style, and we work on the basics of our craft at every rehearsal: from the fundamentals of breathing and posture to the more advanced skills of vocal artistry and performance....

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Kate Turton Spotlight

Kate Turton Spotlight

Kate Turton SpotlightAbout MeYour Fascinating Rhythm ExperienceWhat do you enjoy most about Fascinating Rhythm?Share why you think potential members should join Fascinating Rhythm

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Fascinating Rhythm Insights 05: Why Warm Up?

Fascinating Rhythm Insights 05: Why Warm Up?

Why Warm Up Getting in the zone for singing Fascinating Rhythm is renowned across Bristol and South Gloucestershire for close-harmony a cappella singing and our unique choral sound. We strive for musical excellence through regular rehearsals on Thursday...

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Musical Director Lockdown Harmony Project

Musical Director Lockdown Harmony Project

Musical Director Lockdown Harmony Project The Directors Teamed Up Fascinating Rhythm’s Musical Director has teamed up with the Directors of three other Bristol-based LABBS choruses for a surprise lockdown project. Following a virtual four-chorus...

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Celebrating 35 Years of LABBS Membership

Celebrating 35 Years of LABBS Membership

Ali Jack LABBS Long Service Award Celebrating 35 Years of LABBS Membership - One of Fascinating Rhythm’s founding members, Ali Jack, has reached the incredible milestone of being a member of the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) for 35 years!...

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Jo Thorn – Spotlight

Jo Thorn – Spotlight

Jo Thorn - SpotlightAbout MeYour Fascinating Rhythm ExperienceWhat do you enjoy most about Fascinating Rhythm?Share why you think potential members should join Fascinating Rhythm

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2020 AGM and Awards

2020 AGM and Awards

2020 AGM and Awards Fascinating Rhythm has started the new year by celebrating the best of 2020 and looking forward to a better 2021. On Thursday 21 January, we held our AGM and awards night. Under normal circumstances, we’d have combined this with a dinner and social...

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How Fascinating Rhythm Survived 2020

How Fascinating Rhythm Survived 2020

Fascinating Rhythm started 2020 as usual with our AGM and annual awards dinner, celebrating the contributions chorus members make to our singing group. Rose received the Chair’s Award, Carole and Peggy shared the Director’s Award, and Nic won the Members’ Award. Our...

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No Annual LABBS Convention This Year

No Annual LABBS Convention This Year

Each year, on usually the last weekend in October, you will find us somewhere in the country in full makeup and glitzy dresses as we prepare to cross the stage and compete in the LABBS Annual Convention. 2020 has been the strangest of years and of course, a certain...

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Workshop 2020 -“Makin’ Our Own Kinda Music”!

Workshop 2020 -“Makin’ Our Own Kinda Music”!

Well, our tenth workshop came and went, and what a day we had! With a buoyant attendance of over 60 delegates, we couldn't wait to get them started on this year's song, The LABBS polecat "Make Your Own Kind of Music". We warmed up, sorted the parts and went off in our...

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Dementia Connections Charity Cheque Presentation

Dementia Connections Charity Cheque Presentation

Recently, we were delighted to present a final cheque for almost £550.00 to Dementia Connections, our chosen charity for 2018. Thelma represented Fascinating Rhythm to present the cheque to Amanda and Christine who run the local group in Wotton-under-Edge. Christine...

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Workshop 2019 – Greatest Showman success!

Workshop 2019 – Greatest Showman success!

We were so pleased that the snow did not stop play for our learn to sing workshop held on 2nd February. Fortunately, the snow stopped falling in time for us to go ahead, so the delegates did not miss out on their singing fix. We welcomed around 70 ladies of all ages...

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A successful evening for Dementia Connections

A successful evening for Dementia Connections

We were delighted that on Saturday 10th November we performed for "Dementia Connections", our charity of the year. They organised a concert with refreshments and a raffle while the audience enjoyed 2 halves of Fascinating Rhythm singing all of our favourites. Well...

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LABBs South West Education Day

LABBs South West Education Day

Fascinating Rhythm were delighted to host the Southwest regional education day in June. LABBS members of thirteen choruses from all corners of the region travelled to join us to work on the current polecat song “Anthem” as well as to catch up with old friends and of...

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Long Service Awards

Long Service Awards

As an established chorus, we are always delighted to present our members with our long service badges. Recently we have had quite a cohort of ladies who have been with us ranging from 5 up to 15 years. Congratulations ladies, we appreciate your commitment and...

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First ever chorus retreat!

First ever chorus retreat!

So on a beautiful weekend in April, Fascinating Rhythm wound our way to a very sunny Swindon for our first ever retreat! In a nutshell - The sun shone. The food (and cake) was excellent and plentiful. The wedding was beautiful. The pool and spa were restful, and the...

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Junior FR Success!

Junior FR Success!

 Thornbury Eisteddfod 2018 This year, we were determined to get things 100% right – so lots of plans were put into place to make our journey to the competition the best it could be. Solos - six Junior FR girls decided to take part in the Thornbury solo competition...

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Workshop 2018 certainly shines!

Workshop 2018 certainly shines!

2018 Workshop was the best yet! On Saturday 24th February, we were excited to welcome 50 delegates to this year's workshop. We were able to showcase a few of our songs, then the delegates were firstly given a vocal warm-up, they were then split into their voice part...

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Winston’s Wish Cheque Presentation

We were delighted that on Thursday 15th February we were able to present a cheque of £572.31 to Winston's Wish, our charity of the year for 2017. Sophie Birch, Regional Fundraising & Events Officer, from the charity, was able to visit the chorus and she listened...

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Our own Fascinating Wedding!

So we are delighted to introduce to you, Mr & Mrs Thorn The wedding was perfect, the love and happiness was so strong in the room that you could feel it. Jo looked stunning and Steve wore a permanent grin along with the dapper suit! They were surrounded by special...

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Our ‘hen’ Jo!

So very soon, our MD Jo, is getting married! The ladies decided that we should spoil her a little before the big day and we treated her to delicious cakes and bubbly at the first rehearsal in the new year. We presented her with flowers and gifts and of course we had...

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The Christmas Memory Tree

On Saturday 2nd December we welcomed almost 200 people over 2 performances of 'The Christmas Memory Tree' which featured our very own Junior FR, it was a heart-warming story of family time at Christmas, full of love, sparkle and happiness. Fascinating Rhythm were...

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The Queen Mclean!

We were delighted to have another weekend coaching session with the inspirational and enthusiastic (and very funny) Sally McLean during September. Another 2 day session where Fascinating Rhythm were well and truly put through our emotional ringers as well as...

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Surprise new Coach

One Thursday evening in August we were able to secure a session from a new coach - Doug Harrington! He helped us with our convention songs and we really enjoyed this first coaching session with him. It is surprising how, as women, we reacted to a man!! We obviously...

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BBC Music Day

On 15th June 2017, 3 members (Barbara Colfer, Irene Lees and Linda Holden) of Fascinating Rhythm were delighted and honoured to be part of the BBC Music Day in Southmead Hospital. This was to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of BBC Points West. There were 60 choirs from...

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JFR presents Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf

Yet again our very own Junior FR put on an outstanding performance but this time it was Roald Dahl's "Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf" Two performances took place on 23rd July in the Memorial Hall, Rangeworthy. This version was a humorous, contemporary spin on...

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FOUR chorus harmony!

With the addition of Black Sheep Harmony who became LABBS members this year we are now up to four choruses in the Bristol/Cotswold area. We were delighted to come together last week after Avon Harmony sent out invitations to the Black Sheep herd, Bristol Fashion and...

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Ups & Downs Concert

We all had such a good night at our charity concert on Saturday, 8th July in Bridgwater to raise funds for Ups and Downs South West.  The theatre was an amazing space to be in and the staff, especially technical team, were second to none.  Ticket sales, along with a...

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Wedding Bells!

    Our lovely Emma Richardson who sings Bass with FR plighted her troth on Saturday, 24th June to Mr Steve Beale at the Hare and Hounds in the stunning location of Westonbirt. Fascinating Rhythm were invited to the wedding en masse and sang a set of five...

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Riding for the Disabled news

We were delighted to be able to present our charity for 2016 - local RDA group Patchwork - with a cheque for £890 recently to help this very worthwhile, dedicated group who do such a wonderful job with the youngsters.

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Classy Venue, Great Gig …

We had a great time at our joint concert with the Mendip Male Voice Choir on Saturday 20th January, raising funds for the beautiful venue we sang in – Christ the Servant Church in Stockwood, Bristol.  Lovely feedback from the MD and PRO of MMVC re our two sessions …...

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Fascinating Coaching

Our much anticipated first coaching session of the year with Sally McLean in April was the usual mixture of mayhem and brain scrabbling hard work when our embryonic convention songs were tossed about like so much chaff in a hurricane, then slowly nursed back to some...

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Planet 24 wins the ‘Ensemble’ class

  Planet 24 have won their first class of the day at the Bath Music Festival with 88 points and a distinction, singing 'Lonesome Road' and 'Moondance'.   The adjudicator particularly liked their free singing, sense of rhythm and performance! In the second class...

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Welcome Guests at Rehearsal

We had a lovely surprise on 16th March - Planet 24 (The Venus & Mars A Cappella Company) came to showcase the songs that they are competing with at the Bath Music Festival on Saturday 25th March.  Made up of members from The Great Western Chorus, Black Sheep and...

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Entertaining Open Rehearsal with FR & Junior FR

Fascinating Rhythm invited Junior FR to rehearse with them on Thursday 9th March prior to JFR’s performance at the Thornbury Eisteddfod the following Tuesday.  The evening was led by Wendy Howse, Assistant Director / Choreographer of Fascinating Rhythm and JFR's MD....

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Dutch Visitors

Fascinating Rhythm had a couple of very special guests at our rehearsal on Thursday 16th February -  Lenhard and Jo Van Ballegooijen from Holland.  Lenhard is MD of Dutch Pride who rehearse in Ijsselstein, south of Amsterdam and Jo sings Bass in their chorus. This...

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