THE Dobson Theatre, King Edward VI School, was treated to a rare masterclass of a capella singing by vocal ensemble VOCES8.

Their mixed programme balanced classical works by Rachmaninov and Palestrina with arrangements of popular songs by Simon & Garfunkel and Van Morrison, and swing tunes from Sinatra and Nat King Cole – each arrangement more entertaining than the last.

The programme opened with a virtuoso performance of Byrd’s ‘Sing Joyfully’ – also a very apt title for the evening’s entertainment – and the tone was set by a joyous arrangement of Nat King Cole’s Straighten up and fly right, with solo instruments mimed and sung at the same time!

Some spellbinding performances followed, including Homeward Bound and Danny Boy, and they finally brought the house down with Duke Ellington’s It don’t mean a thing, after which one encore sadly had to be enough.

During the day, VOCES8 ran a vocal workshop at the invitation of the Southampton Philharmonic Choir – attended by choir members and guests. VOCES8 travel the world promoting music and singing to people of all ages, and the evening concert was a marvellous advert for what they do.