Chorovino
A cappella, with a splash of wine...
Chorovino, founded in 2019 by Anne Wilson and Peter Welch, is an a cappella group based at the Cholsey Pavilion in Oxfordshire, directed by the much-loved local singer and teacher, Elinor Carter. Just as we were building a good head of steam, a pandemic had other ideas. Zoom rehearsals were interesting (see "Netsings" page) and there were enforced holidays, but thankfully we were back to live meeting as soon as we were allowed.
We sing bespoke arrangements spanning a wide range of musical styles - unaccompanied, in four and five parts, and (after much practice) entirely off-copy. Between harmonies, we pause for a well-earned wine break - not compulsory, but a great excuse to pause and be sociable anyway. After all, it's only fitting for a choir instigated by a wine merchant.
Our Diva
Aka MD, Elinor Carter injects us with energy and passion every week, while inspiring by her own (often very clear, not to say loud) example and steering us to high standards on all fronts.
A mezzo soprano soloist for hire, Elinor is a Clare, Cambridge choral scholar, Royal College of Music Exhibition Award, individual singing teacher, ex soloist with Monteverdi Choir, musical arranger and she waves at us. And we're delighted she does.
What we sing
Our repertoire is a mix of all kinds of songs and it's always on the move. Both Elinor and Anne write arrangements for us, and in 2023 we connected with Immo Schroder (in Sweden!) who very kindly adapted some of his own arrangements to suit us, with impressive results.
Viva la Vida -- My Funny Valentine -- Over the Rainbow -- Feelin' Groovy -- King of the Road -- Life on Mars -- Scarborough Fair -- True Colours -- Here, There and Everywhere -- The Way You Look Tonight -- Bring Me Little Water, Silvy -- It Don't Mean a Thing -- Summertime -- You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone (Cups Song) -- There are Worse Things I could do -- Ah, Robin! -- Close to You -- Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow -- Both Sides Now -- Perfect (Ed Sheeran) -- Always on My Mind -- Cry Me a River -- God Only Knows -- Lullaby (Goodnight, my Angel) -- Sumer is Icumen In -- Oh Shenandoah -- You Win Again -- Under Attack -- Make You Feel My Love -- The Nearness of You -- California Dreamin'
Click the following links to hear us perform Viva la Vida (03/2024) and The Cup Song, from Pitch Perfect (04/2025) - courtesy of Michael Norris, husband of one of our earliest members, Wendie.
Recruiting:
We currently number some 30 singers and we'd like to be a bit bigger, perhaps another two in each part. If you're interested, please get in touch by emailing info@chorovino.com and Elinor will arrange to meet you, get an idea of your voice and see how well we might suit each other.
When & Where?
The Cholsey Pavilion, OX109PT
We meet most Wednesday evenings 7.30-9.00, including a wine break. The Pavilion Hall is ideal for Choirs. Blessed with lovely acoustics, it is spacious, has underfloor heating, a very lofty ceiling and two double external doors that we can keep open for good air circulation.
