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The Review - CLASSICAL & JAZZ
Published: 9 July 2009

Rachel Coward conducts the Take Twenty and Harmony on Heels concerts

‘Everyone’s got a voice’

PREVIEW: TAKE TWENTY /HARMONY AT HEEL
Lund Theatre university college School/
Cleanbreak theatre

CHORAL singing in Camden is getting a fresh lease of life through the conducting skills and energy of Rachel Coward, a Royal Academy of Music post-graduate living in Kentish Town.
Aged 24, she’s already looking after seven choirs in Camden, three made up of adults and four for younger singers and children.
“I started out by singing in a kids’ choir and I know it’s one of the best ways to get children interested in music,” she says. “Young and old, just about everyone’s got a voice and should get out there and do some singing. It’s such a wonderful thing to do.”
There’s a chance to see Rachel in action next week at concerts given by two of her Camden choirs.
On Sunday she will be in charge of the borough’s premier jazz choir Take Twenty at the Moondance summer concert at University College School in Hampstead. Jazz standards and show tunes will get an airing along with some Latin, gospel and pop. The choir was started in 1979 by Camden music teacher Malcolm Abbs.
On Wednesday (July 15) she’ll conduct all-female Harmony on Heels at Cleanbreak, the inspiring women’s theatrical and writing empowerment centre in Patshull Road, Kentish Town. This will be a no-ticket affair aimed at friends and supporters. Pieces will include Macedonian folk songs along with gospel and jazz pieces.
Harmony on Heels was started by Rachel a year ago to provide an opportunity for women without any musical experience to sing with others. There’s no audition and a few places are available for the choir’s autumn programme.
Rachel Coward has also helped launch the Foundling Choir of three dozen children from 10 primary schools near the Foundling Museum in Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury. The choir has links with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and gets funding from the museum itself and from Camden Music Services.
On Saturdays in term-time, Rachel looks after three children’s and youth choirs funded by Camden Music Services. There are vacancies for teenagers.

* Take Twenty Moondance concert, Lund Thetre University College School, Frognal, NW3. 0207 433 2219, July 12, 7pm, £12/£8 conc.

* Harmony on Heels, Cleanbreak Theatre,
2 Patshull Road, Kentish Town, 020 7482 8600
July 15, 8pm, free

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