Voces8

Voces8, styled VOCES8, is an "a cappella" octet from the United Kingdom. They have appeared internationally and made recordings of classical music, jazz, pop, and their own arrangements. Recent recordings are under their own label Voces8 Records. Educational efforts are run by the Voces8 Foundation.
History.
Voces8 is a British vocal ensemble originally founded in 2003, and regrouped in 2005, by brothers Paul and Barnaby Smith. At times they have contained two sopranos, two countertenors, two tenors, a baritone and a bass. By 2020, one of the countertenors had been replaced by a female alto. The Smith brothers were former choristers from Westminster Abbey.
The ensemble has a diverse repertoire including early English and European Renaissance music, traditional folk song, classic jazz, pop and their own arrangements. In 2015, they performed with four guest singers music by Claudio Monteverdi in a concert at Wigmore Hall in London. They have appeared internationally, touring especially in Europe, Asia and North America.
Voces8 commissions new works from composers including Ēriks Ešenvalds, Ola Gjeilo, Jonathan Dove, Jocelyn Hagen, Ken Burton, Roderick Williams, Alexander Levine, Roxanna Panufnik, Mårten Jansson and Ben Parry. Jim Clements is their arranger-in-residence .
Education work.
Voces8 pursue music education, supported by the Voces8 Foundation. They reach up to 40,000 people a year in regular workshops and masterclasses. The group awards eight annual choral scholarships to young singers. At the annual Milton Abbey Summer School, amateur singers can work and perform with Voces8. Eight more students are supported by the Voces8 USA Foundation. The ensemble is associated to Cambridge University, holding masters programs in choral singing.
Recordings.
The group has recorded with Decca. They have also recorded with Signum, and their own Voces8 Records label. As part of their 15th anniversary celebrations in 2020, the group realises the project "After Silence", composed of four digital EPs.
Collaborations