ALLEGRA IS ALWAYS MAKING THE HEADLINES!
11th December 2024
Joyous sounds rang out in St Mark's Church in Gold Tops on Saturday, as Newport's choir, Allegra, entertained with a polished performance of their Christmas concert to a packed audience who braved Storm Darragh to get there.
Amongst the audience, which included the Mayor and Jayne Bryant, MS, were Michael and Debra Manley. Their family had alerted Allegra that unbeknown to the couple, they had booked tickets for them for the concert, as it was held fifty years to the day since they had married in that very church. The couple were presented with a certificate and gift during the event. Allegra's chairperson, Angela Hiscocks, said: 'We were delighted to be able to mark the golden wedding anniversary in the very same church in which they were married, and our congratulations go to Mr and Mrs Manley.
'As to the weather, Allegra members are certainly resilient and there was very much a spirit of 'the show must go on', with our musical director Robert T Elliott and accompanist Lucy Fflur Jones, both of whom had to travel a distance, battling the elements to be with us. The audience feedback we have had is tremendous. On this occasion we were able to invite audience members to stay on afterwards and join us for a buffet and mulled wine, and l must extend heartfelt thanks to Reverend Frances Jones and St Mark's Church for hosting us so well and allowing us to use the premises in this way. A collection raised £400 for the Mayor's chosen charities, a raffle raised monies towards an Allegra tour of Cornwall next year, and donations for the buffet and drinks raised £400 which we were delighted to put towards the church funds. A very successful evening all round, despite the challenges of the storm.'
For anyone who would still like to see Allegra perform before Christmas, there is an opportunity on Saturday, 14th December, when they are guests of Synergy in Abergavenny. Tickets are available via Synergy's Facebook page and on https://www.ticketsource.co.
6th November 2024
Allegra's double bill of concerts
Newport's popular choir, Allegra, has tickets selling like hot cakes for their Christmas concert with guests Cowbridge Male Voice Choir. Be quick to grab the remaining tickets available from allegraladieschoir.co.uk. For anyone who can't make the date of December 7th, or who would like a repeat performance, Allegra are also guests of Synergy and performing in Abergavenny the following Saturday, December 14th. Allegra's Christmas repertoire includes traditional carols and songs - and some surprises including an interesting take on the Twelve Days of Christmas!
20th October 2024
Allegra "in the Pink"
It wasn't difficult for Newport's choir, Allegra, to dress in pink to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Now - they just needed to don their uniform shirts for this week's rehearsal, though they added pink bow ties, specs and bunting for an extra splash of colour!
Chairman Angela Hiscocks remarked: 'Breast cancer is an issue close to the hearts of several of our members, so we decided to hold a raffle during our practice session, raising £160. We like to add fun to our rehearsals and this was a worthy way in which to do so, whilst we worked hard on our songs for our forthcoming Christmas concert to be held at St Mark's Church, Gold Tops.'
Tickets for Allegra's concert on Saturday December 7th with guests Cowbridge male voice choir are available from allegraladieschoir.co.uk and must be booked in advance.
27th August 2024
Allegra Open Evening
Are you seeking a new interest in the autumn? Have you always harboured an ambition to join a choir, or want to return to singing? Or maybe you haven't tried a choir previously, but are wondering if you would fit in? If so, Newport's Allegra may be just what you are looking for. A multiple award-winning choir for women of all ages, Allegra members meet on Wednesday evenings at St Julian's Baptist Church,
Beaufort Road, Newport, and are extending an invitation to any interested female adults to join them for an open evening on Wednesday September 11th to learn a song on the night. (Allegra's repertoire ranges from chart-topping hits and west end musicals to Welsh and world contemporary music.) As well as contests and performances locally and further afield, (not to mention having sung at a Six Nations match in the Principality Stadium!) Allegra members are a friendly crowd and enjoy occasional social events such as visiting The Proms at the Albert Hall. You can be assured of a warm welcome. Don't worry if you don't read music - many of the existing members can't read music but have fantastic voices, and you will be assigned a buddy to help you, so do come along at 7.30pm on September 11th or email info@allegraladieschoir.com for more details.
4 August 2024
Allegra successful in grant application
Local multiple award-winning choir Allegra has recently been awarded £1,000 from Newport City Council's Culture Grant. Chair of the choir, Angela Hiscocks, says: "We are absolutely delighted and grateful to have received this money. Future major development depends on organisations such as the Council and local businesses supporting us in this way. It's fantastic that the Council recognises that choirs such as ours play an important cultural role locally in bringing enjoyment to the community, and funding such as this is part of our lifeblood.
"We have exciting plans to utilise this funding - watch this space!"
Prospective choir members are invited to contact Allegra on info@allegraladieschoir.com and there will also be a specific open invitation opportunity to rehearse with them on September 11th at St Julian's Baptist church, Newport.
24 May 2024
Women in Song Sell-Out
Newport's multiple award-winning choir, Allegra, held a successful concert at St Woolos' Cathedral at the weekend, having hosted special guest choir Jubilate, from London. Chairman Angela Hiscocks remarked: 'This was our second Women in Song concert celebrating the female voice, and we were delighted that it was once again sold-out before the event. Not only were we able to showcase an eclectic mix of songs, but we collected £370 for the Mayor's chosen charities, Sparkle and SARA.
'The standard of singing within both Allegra and Jubilate is exceptionally high, as evidenced by the awards each choir has won, and we were particularly pleased to perform in the magnificent setting of our local cathedral. We are very grateful to our programme sponsors, and to the team at St Woolos' Cathedral who once again welcomed and supported us in delivering a concert of such quality - the audience came from far and wide and the feedback has been tremendous.'
Anyone wishing to hear Allegra perform again has an opportunity at the end of the year in their December 7th concert in St Mark's Church, but in the meantime, if anyone would like to try out for the choir, they are welcome to attend rehearsals at St Julian's Baptist Church on Wednesday evenings. Email newmembers@allegraladieschoir.
8 May 2024
Fifty and Still Counting!
Local multiple award-winning choir, Allegra, are delighted to officially welcome their fiftieth new member, Jeanette Hawrot.
Allegra's chairman, Angela Hiscocks said: 'Since the days of covid when membership of choirs dwindled due to lockdowns, our membership has grown steadily and we were delighted to have Jeanette adding her fine voice to our choir. It is particularly fitting that she is our milestone fiftieth member, as another organisation in which she participates, Newport Women's Forum, has kindly donated funding to us for a much-needed new keyboard for rehearsals. (In fact Allegra is performing at their fundraising afternoon tea on 18th May as a thankyou for their generosity.) Our recent successes in the Mid-Somerset Festival and the privilege of being invited to sing before a recent Six Nations match at the Principality Stadium has meant an increase in interest in Allegra, and we have more ladies poised to join us in the coming weeks. We look forward to our numbers growing even further in the near future.’
Jeanette is full of enthusiasm for her new venture: 'I feel that it's a privilege to be singing with Allegra. The standard is very high, but I've found they are very welcoming of potential new members. We perform an eclectic mix of music from traditional, west-end musicals, chart hits and contemporary to sacred music, and I'd urge any ladies who think they might give it a go to come to a Wednesday evening rehearsal at St Julian's Baptist Church in Newport.'
There will soon be a chance to listen to Allegra in their 'Women in Song 2' concert on Saturday June 22nd at St Woolos' Cathedral, Newport, with one of the finest UK choirs, Jubilate, from London, as guests. If any businesses or organisations would like to support the concert (which was sold-out last year) by advertising in the programme, they can contact chairman Angela Hiscocks on 07828572619. Concert tickets are currently available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/newport/st-woolos-cathedral/women-in-song-2/e-vqqevx
26 April 2024
Our accompanist, Lucy was interviewed on "Bore Cothi" on BBC Radio Cymru, prior to us singing at the Principality Stadium before the Womens' 6 Nations match between Wales and Italy
21 April 2024
Our chairperson, Angela, was invited on to the Roy Noble show on BBC Radio Wales.
Have a listen to their chat
15 April 2024
Allegra Choir - Six Nations Here We Come!
"Newport’s multiple award-winning ladies’ choir, Allegra, are looking forward to the ladies’ Six Nations match between Wales and Italy on Saturday April 27th - but not just to support the rugby players. The choir has been chosen to sing the usual rugby match songs and the pre-match national anthems of Wales and Italy.
Allegra’s chairman, Angela Hiscocks said: ‘Many of us are avid rugby fans and we are all extremely excited to be invited to sing alongside Richard William Singers, Cor Persian and Cor Canna - all female voices - accompanied by the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh. As the women’s game gains momentum and moves for the first time to a programme after the men's games and to Cardiff’s prestigious Principality Stadium, it's an absolute honour to be part of this 'first'. There is much learning of Welsh and Italian lyrics going on and we can’t wait to be part of the occasion in such an iconic venue! So listen out for us at the match, or catch us in concert in St Woolos' Cathedral on June 22nd.'
23 March 2024
"Multiple award-winning locally-based ladies’ choir, Allegra, will be performing at St Woolos Cathedral on Saturday June 27th, with one of the UK’s finest choirs, Jubilate from London, as guests. Allegra will be performing an eclectic mix of music from traditional, west-end musicals, chart hits and contemporary music to sacred music, and concert tickets are available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/newport/st-woolos-cathedral/women-in-song-2/
Allegra recently won three trophies for first place in the Mid-Somerset Festival, and are honoured to have been invited to sing in the Principality Stadium on Saturday April 27th before the ladies’ Wales/Italy Six Nations match. If you can sing, (and we know many congregations are blessed with fine voices!), it’s therefore a great time to join the choir. Members are drawn from Newport and outlying areas, and should any of your parish think about joining Allegra, they will be warmly welcomed at Wednesday evening rehearsals at St Julian’s Baptist Church, Beaufort Road, Newport. Contact chairman Angela Hiscocks on 07828 572619 or info@allegraladieschoir.co.uk
21 March 2024
Allegra Wins Again!
"Members of South Wales' award-winning female-voice choir, Allegra, are celebrating more success at the Mid-Somerset Festival in Bath. Against stiff competition, they were praised by the adjudicator as being 'outstanding' and 'exceptional'.
Allegra's Musical Director, Robert T Elliott, himself a well-known adjudicator in contests across the UK, said: 'I could not be more proud of Allegra. Competing against some of the finest choral groups around, they delivered of their very best and the rewards were reaped as they brought home no fewer than three winners' trophies. In addition, our talented accompanist, Lucy Fflur Jones, was deservedly singled out for praise. It was a great day for all concerned.'
Allegra's Chairman Angela Hiscocks added: 'Participating in contests keeps us on our toes! We rehearse on Wednesday evenings at St Julian's Baptist Church, Newport, and welcome any prospective new members who would like to come along, whether they are experienced performers or beginners. If you can sing, now is a great time to join us!'
Members of the public have an opportunity to hear Allegra singing at the forthcoming concert 'Women in Song 2', guest featuring one of the country’s finest choirs, Jubilate, from London, in St Woolos' Cathedral, Newport, on Saturday June 22nd. Tickets are selling fast at only £12.50, but some are still available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/newport/st-woolos-cathedral/women-in-song-2/"
