Lets look at the Cost of London

Dear Friends

We want to encourage people to look closely at the concept and the actual costs of the London Festival.

I have included below a number of Frequently Asked Questions from our website. (The website has had a major re-write especially the detail about the festival including the day by day of events and activities. The translations into French / German / Dutch are currently underway.)

London has already secured over £100,000 of support. The London Festival is hosted on a single world-class famous venue and we have exceeding our pledge to offer lower cost options than offered at the Paris festival back in 2005. We have located some good hotel deals, for the 5 night’s accommodation in London you need to enjoy the festival in full: with the strength of the Euro, the costs in London all-round look attractive and affordable.

Choir registration and Early Bird Delegate registrations are available on line until 31st July 2008

Please share this with your choir contacts

Warm regards

Martin

Martin Brophy
Festival Director
Various Voices London 2009

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Why do I have to pay extra to attend concerts and workshops?
We have tried to keep the cost of registration as low as possible and do not want delegates to pay for activities and events in which they do not intend to participate. We want each delegate to be able to construct their own individual experience and to choose exactly what they wish to do from the wide range of events on offer over the four days of the festival. Everyone can buy a full priced ticket to concerts and workshops but delegates will get a discounted price.

The costs of registration seem high.
We want to keep the initial cost low to give more people the opportunity to register so they can enjoy the festival.



The costs include:
The early bird delegate fee will be £75.
Concert tickets will range in price from £15 to £25.
Workshops will range from £10 to £20.
If you choose to purchase two lowest cost concert tickets and two workshops with the delegate registration, the cost could be as low as £109 (approx €137).

How does this example compare to Various Voices Paris?


.............................................................London 2009 Paris 2005
Early bird registration .........................£75...............£120
2 concerts @ £15 each less 20%.........£24............Included
2 workshops @ £10 each less 50%....£10.............Included
Total ........................................£109...........£120

Remember, registered delegates will get a discount of 20% for concert tickets and 50% for workshops. Don't forget with your registration, you will also enjoy all of the free performances on the cabaret stages, the welcome party, opening ceremony and all the massed singing and free events. You also have the possibility to join one of the Festival Choirs plus ALL the other benefits of delegate registration. The lowest cost for choir registration in Paris was €200 for choirs of 15 singers or less, in London choir registration fees start for 20 or fewer singers at £100 (approximately €125). London registration gives you the choice so you only pay for what you want to do and see. Its good value for money over 4 full days and is being held in the one complex with some of the best concert halls in Europe.

How much should I budget for each day in London?

This is up to each person but here are a very rough idea of costs

Branded budget hotel like Travelodge is from £35 per night sharing a twin/double room including breakfast
Travel using a prepayment Oyster Card from return zone 1 - £3
Sandwich from £2, tea/coffee/soft drink from £1 - £2
Meal at a medium priced restaurant from £15


From £60 UK Pounds per day as a very rough idea that’s approximately from €75 euro’s.




http://www.variousvoiceslondon.org.uk/
info@variousvoiceslondon.org.uk


Various Voices London 2009
Growth through singing, celebration and interaction
Southbank Centre 1st May – 4th May 2009

Early Bird Delegate registration opens for Various Voices

Early Bird Delegate registration opens for Various Voices

We were asked "The costs of registration seem high?"

We answered: that we want to keep the initial cost low to give more people the opportunity to register so they can enjoy the festival.

The costs include:

The early bird delegate fee will be £75.
Concert tickets will range in price from £15 to £25.
Workshops will range from £10 to £20.

If you choose to purchase two lowest cost concert tickets and two workshops with the delegate registration, the cost could be as low as £109 (approx €137).

Then we were asked "How does this example compare to Various Voices Paris

Paris 2005
Early bird registration £120
2 concerts Included
2 workshops Included
Total £120

London 2009
Early bird registration £75
2 concerts @ £15 each less 20% = £24
2 workshops @ £10 each less 50% = £10
Total £109

Remember, registered delegates will get a discount of 20% for concert tickets and 50% for workshops.

Don't forget with your registration, you will also enjoy all of the free performances on the cabaret stages, the welcome party, opening ceremony and all the massed singing and free events. You also have the possibility to join one of the Festival Choirs plus ALL the other benefits of delegate registration.

The lowest cost for choir registration in Paris was €200 for choirs of 15 singers or less, in London choir registration fees start for 20 or fewer singers at £100 (approximately €125).

London registration gives you the choice so you only pay for what you want to do and see. Its good value for money over 4 full days and is being held in the one complex with some of the best concert halls in Europe.

We look forward to welcome you in London in May 2009 and hope you decide to take advantage of the early bird discount.

Happy singing

Martin Brophy

Songs to sing at the festival

We have been exploring ideas for songs we might like to include in the festival either as part of the audience participation events or as the festival song

Here are a few suggestions that have already been made:

Love shine a light - Katrina & The Waves. Eurovision winner, uplifiting, possible festival anthem?
Can't get you out of my head - Kylie -LGMC rep
Dancing Queen - Abba - LGMC rep
Go West - Pet Shop Boys
I am what I am - Gloria Gaynor
Blowin' in the wind - The Seekers
The carnival is over - The Seekers
Come What May - from Moulin rouge - LGMC repertoire
Daydream Believer - Monkees - popular singalong
Hey Jude - Beatles - known by everyone
My Way - Sinatra - LGMC rep
Ne partez pas sans moi (Don't leave without me) - Celine Dion. Famous Eurovision winner which launched Celine's career
Non, je ne regrette rien -Piaf - LGMC rep - festival anthem?
Last dance - Donna Summer - LGMC rep. Festival finale?
Wake me up before you go-go - Wham!
You're the voice - John Farnham - LGMC (FFK) rep. Festival anthem?
Celebration -Kool & the Gang - LGMC rep
Ding a Dong - Teach In - famous Dutch Eurovision winner
Boom a Bang - Lulu - Eurovision joint winner from the 60s
Don't play that song again - Niki French - recent UK Eurovision entry
Poupee de cire poupee de son - France Gall - famous Eurovision winner
The Message – Joan Armatrading – song for Nelson Mandella
I know where I’ve been – Hairspray
The Big Festival Cheesy Song - Chris Moyles


Tell us what songs press your buttons?

Eleven Months to go and counting

Martin

One Year...And Counting

It's an exciting time. We're now less than a year away from Various Voices London 2009.

Registration is now open, for choirs and delegates. There's still a little time to take advantage of Early Bird registration.

For more details see Martin's posting here, or visit the Various Voices London 2009 website, where on-line registration is available.

News From London

London has elected a new Mayor. Boris Johnson will officially take control of our capital on Monday morning.

International Gay & Lesbian Football Association World Championship

In August this year London is hosting the International Gay & Lesbian Football Association World Championship.

Various Voices London are supporting and advising on ceremonies, cultural and social activities.

A Various Voices Football Team has gone into training to participate in the recreational league of the championship.

Games will be played in Regents Park from 24th to 30th August with the final at Leyton Orient FC, Matchroom Stadium in East London.

Sing With One Voice

How lovely it was to see MÉLO'MEN in concert with a Voix et a Vapeur.

We even heard Dalida guys!

Lyon's chorale are just the lovely group we'd all enjoy participating with.

So roll on May next year!

In the meantime, if you have any concerts upcoming, be sure to tell us!

Various Voices London 2009 Registration Details

Various Voices London 2009 Registration Details

Everyone is invited to participate in the London Various Voices Festival based at the Southbank Centre from 1st to the 4th May 2009. If you want to sing with your choir in the Royal Festival Hall or the Queen Elizabeth Hall or Purcell Room, you will have to register as a delegate and your choir will have to register as a registered choir. Your friends and partners can also register as delegates along with any member of the public and enjoy all the benefits of being delegates. You create your own Various Voices experience. If you choose not to register you can come along as a member of the public and enjoy the free performances and events, buying full priced tickets, if available, for the performances you want to enjoy. The choice is yours

Delegate Registration

To register on line follow the link from http://www.variousvoiceslondon.org.uk/ in UK Pounds

Registration Type - Date Open to Date Close Cost UK Pounds-( Euro***)

Early Bird - 1st June 2008 to 31st July 2008 £75 (about €94)

Regular - 1st August 2008 to 31st Dec 2008 * £100** (about €125)

Late - 1st January 2009 * to 4th May 2009 * £125** (about €157)


* We reserve the right to change these dates
** We reserve the right to vary these costs
*** Estimate only based on €1.25 = £1 Currency conversion link: http://www.travelex.co.uk/uk/

Benefits of Delegate Registration:

Performance opportunities: With own choir in one of the three concert halls
With own choir/group on one of the two cabaret stages
With Festival Chorus / From Scratch Choir (subject to availability) Flash Singing and other impromptu opportunities
In a Choir Master Class or a workshop performance
Priority 20% discounted tickets for Concerts – Full price range £15 - £20 - £25***
Priority 50% discounted tickets for Workshops – Full price range £10 - £15 - £20***
Priority free tickets for: Meetings, Forums and Briefings
Priority Booking for Major Concerts featuring World renowned artists
Advanced Booking for a major concert with London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus
Free entry to opening party - Friday Night, its Party Night!
Free or Discounted entry to ALL social events
Discount voucher for a Various Voices T Shirt
Access to on-line delegate information area
Access to the on-line download Music Library and Music learning centre
Discounted shopping and tourist attractions (We reserve the right to vary these benefits)

*** ALL Bookings are subject to the Southbank Centre booking fee, estimated ticket prices may change

Choir Registration:

All choirs / choruses / small groups / singing ensembles wishing to perform during the festival will have to complete choir registration on line at http://www.variousvoiceslondon.org.uk/ in UK Pounds

Choir registration opens on 25th April 2008 and closes on 31st July 2008. If we are heavily oversubscribed, registration may close earlier, and priority will be given to LeGaTo members and choirs that register early.

Choir registration fees vary according to the number of members in the whole choir at time of registration. Note this is not the numbers estimated to attend the festival.

Choir Size Cost - UK Pounds (Estimated Euro equivalent @ 1.25 )

20 and under £100 (EUR €125)

Between 21 and 60 inclusive £150 (EUR €187)

61 and over £300 (EUR €375)

Currency conversion link: http://www.travelex.co.uk/uk/

Benefits of Choir Registration:

An official 25 minute performance in a choir block in one of the main Concert Halls
A single CD archive copy - not for commercial use - recording of your concert block
Soft copy of any photos of your performance taken by our official photographers*
Apply to participation in one of the limited number of choir Master Classes
One or two performance slots on the two cabaret stages **
If you have a small group or ensemble they can apply for cabaret stage performances**
Other informal performance opportunities

* Not guaranteed to photograph every performance
** Suitable for smaller groups and subject to availability

What is not included in any registrations:

Travel to London
Travel around London on the integrated Public transport system
Accommodation, food or drinks

Open entry to all as a member of the public - Non Registered

Access to buy full price tickets to all events and activities*
Access to all free events and performances including the cabaret stages**

* Subject to availability & Southbank Centre booking fee
** Some foyer and Front Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall, cabaret stage performances may be for delegates only

Various Voices London 2009
info@variousvoiceslondon.org.uk http://www.variousvoiceslondon.org.uk/
LGMC, Hampstead Town Hall Centre, 213 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 4AP
Various Voices London is a charity / company limited by guarantee registered in England / Wales no 6241703

Team London Agreed on 15th April 2008

International Women's Day 2008 - National March - Stop Violence against Women

Dear Bloggers

Various Voices London would like to acknowledge International Women’s Day and send a message of support to the Million Women Rise - raise your voices against violence against women ( details below and web link)

Martin Brophy
Various Voices London

Dear Friends,

Please would you circulate the following information as widely as possible.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: 8th MARCH 2008
Million Women Rise
MARCH FROM HYDE PARK TO TRAFALGAR SQUARE
raise your voices against violence against women

www.millionwomenrise.com

International Women’s Day has passed largely unnoticed in this country for many years except for local events and protests organised predominately by refugee and migrant communities.

This year a coalition of individuals and women’s organisations (see www.millionwomenrise.com for list of supporters) are co-ordinating a national march to raise the issue of gendered violence against women.

Violence against women happens everywhere, and takes many forms. Women and girls of all ages, from all classes, from all ethnic backgrounds, regardless of their immigration status, their colour, their sexuality or their disability, experience it. Violence devastates the lives of women, their families, and their communities.

We call on women to come together to raise our voices, join forces, gain strength from each other and create an immovable force for change that challenges the oppression of women in its most brutal manifestations. It is an opportunity to remember, to celebrate and to plan for the future.

How to support the event:

Women: mobilise! Tell every woman you meet about it: your families, neighbours, your colleagues, the women shopping in the market! Spread the word through your networks. Bring your sisters, mothers, grandmothers, children and every woman you love or care about.

If you would like to be a steward, please come to the training day (details below).

Meet up with women beforehand and make banners highlighting the issues that are important for you and women in your community (see event below, or organise your own).

Men: visit the website to understand more about why this is a women-only event, and for ideas on how other men are supporting women’s struggles against gendered violence.

Donate: this coalition is totally unfunded. Everyone working on the event, speaking at the rally or performing is doing so unpaid. But there are still costs in excess of £6,000 that we need to meet. If you are able to, please make a donation to Million Women Rise, c/o The Women's Resource Centre, 33-41 Dallington Street, London, EC1V 0BB.

Dates and events

1st March 2008

Banner-making: 10am-5pm
Meet other women and make banners expressing your views

Drumming workshop: 2pm-3pm

Training for stewards: 3.30pm-4.30pm

The following events all take place at:
52 Club, UCLH Sports Club,
Bonham Carter House,
52 Gower Street,
London, WC1

8th March 2008

Million Women Rise March
Assemble at Hyde Park Corner (12 noon)
March to Trafalgar Square (rally 3-6pm)

Women-only space including swimming, sauna, massage until 6-9pm
Followed by live entertainment and DJ’s until 1am

52 Club, UCLH Sports Club,
Bonham Carter House,
52 Gower Street,
London, WC1

For more information visit www.millionwomenrise.com or contact the information line on 07862 113308.

Thank you,

Rif Sharif
MWR Coalition

Dear Readers

Following a comment about the list of choirs on this blog, we plan to put a report of the full list of choirs from our database on the public website. The sidebar in the blog isn’t appropriate as there isn’t enough space. It’s on our list to do!

We are looking for some specialist help on our Planning Team with Marketing, so if you know anyone who can help please let us know via the website.

Our hosted accommodation register is available for new hosts to come forward also from the web site www.variousvocieslondon.org.uk

Happy reading

Martin

Martin Brophy

15 choirs are quick off the mark

In the first few days that Initial Interest for Choirs forms went live, 15 choirs were quick off the mark and are helping us to shape the Various Voices London festival for 2009. Two new choirs that we did not know about have filled in forms. We want to reach out to as many choirs as possible to be involved so tell your friends that we are waiting to hear from them. Martin Brophy

Choirs Initial Interest Form goes Live ON LINE

Dear Singing Friends

We want to hear from your Choir, Chorus or Singing Group if they may be interested in participating in the Various Voices London 2009 Festival.

The Choirs Initial Interest Form now on line at:

http://www.variousvoiceslondon.org.uk/vv/choirs/interest.aspx

The information that you give us now will assist us to refine the detailed plan we have been working on for the last 20 months and during the coming months we want to build on the surveys and questionnaires that have already helped us and ask you more specify questions.

There will be a 2 start dates for registration:

· ‘Choirs / Singing Groups / Choruses’ – planned for March 2008 onwards
· ‘Delegates / Pass Holders’ – planned for May 2008 onwards

The final budget is being prepared and we hope to finally announce the costs for registration before the end of February 2008

· Once registered your Choir will have access to your on-line ‘Choirs / Singing Groups / Chorus’s’ profile and begin to work with us to make your plans to come to the London
· ‘Delegates / Pass Holders’ will be able to browse over the range of activities that will be available to create your own unique Various Voices Pass to fully experience YOUR Various Voices London Festival
· Individuals who plan to experience the festival but are not with a registered ‘Choir / Singing Group / Chorus’ can still register as a delegate and will be able to fully participate and perform in the festival or may choose to come along with other members of the public and experience up close Various Voices London

Please explore the website, it is full of information about visiting London and exactly what is going to happen during the festival from 1st to the 4th May 2008; we are also planning social events prior to and after these dates so if you plan to arrive early and or stay later there will still be lost to do to compliment your visit to one of the most exciting cities in the world.

We have already opened our hosted accommodation register. There are links on our web site with key information. There are also volunteering and sponsorship opportunities with information on the web site.

In principle everyone will be able to engage with the festival as a registered participant (Various Voices Pass Holder with preferential access to events) or alternatively as a member of the general public.

There will be a wide range of possibilities for each person to build their own ‘Various Voices London Experience’. Registered Choirs will be given at least one formal performance slot and other less formal performance opportunities and in addition there will be a Festival Choir and a ‘Scratch’ Singing Event along with social and opportunities for personal, singing, as well as choir growth and development programmes.

Staying in touch is easy too via our contacts page: http://www.variousvoiceslondon.org.uk/vv/contact.aspx

Get your friends to sign up for the blog http://variousvoices2009.blogspot.com/ where we will be making regular postings and you will be encouraged to participate in the debate

Subscribe to the Various Voices Yahoo e-mailing list for periodical updates please send an empty email to: VariousVoicesLondon-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and follow the instructions you receive.

We will be producing our ‘Focus on Various Voices’ a periodic newsletter and will email out to choirs to keep the up to date with everything that happening and hot news about Various Voices London.

We are committed to give you as much information as possible so that you can make an informed choice to come and be a part of Various Voices London 2009.

I look forward to welcoming you in London in May 2009 and we promise to fulfil our aim of growth through celebration and interaction


Warm regards

Martin

Martin Brophy
Festival Director
Various Voices London 2009

http://www.variousvoiceslondon.org.uk/
info@variousvoiceslondon.org.uk

Various Voices London 2009
Growth through celebration and interaction