Junior FR co-star with The Femmes
Junior FR were delighted to perform at a glittering Christmas Concert alongside professional vocal trio The Femmes in Olveston on 3rd December.
The sell-out audience were delighted in the first half by The Femmes performing songs from the 40s to the 80s, including tributes to Dame Vera Lynn and the Andrew’s Sisters as well as songs from well-known musicals and Disney themes.
Junior Fr followed in style with a gorgeous arrangement of the Lion King theme, I’m a Believer by the Monkees and a wonderfully visual performance of Count on Me with the girls performing Makaton signing. The second half was a musically-filled Christmas stocking of beautiful arrangements of Christmas songs and carols, with witty introductions from The Femmes and even some much-enjoyed audience choreography and participation!
Jo, Seanna, and Meg (The Femmes) met during their performing arts training in Guildford and were drawn together by their love of close-harmony singing. The Femmes were formed in 2014, and their very first performance was in St. Mary’s Church Olveston that year. They are now spread across the UK and travel widely to rehearse and perform, but they were delighted to come back to Jo’s home ground for this event. Jo (Sawyer), the daughter of Fascinating Rhythm’s long-standing Tenor, Jane Sawyer, gained her early musical experiences through Marlwood school, the Olveston Parish Players, North Avon Youth Theatre Company and, of course, hearing her mum practice and perform with Fascinating Rhythm!
“Sharing the stage with Junior FR was absolutely wonderful. The three of us all grew up taking part in choirs and performances, being part of harmony group singing, and now we’re doing it professionally, so to share the stage with the next generation felt like we’d come full circle. The girls took everything in their stride in a very professional way, and we really enjoyed their harmonies – such a lovely moment.”
Jo commented
“It was a complete joy to sing alongside The Femmes this evening, and I am sure all the girls have been completely inspired by hearing and seeing them perform. I am so proud of how the girls held their own and received a tremendous audience response to all their songs.”
Junior FR musical director Wendy.
“Amazed and delighted with a wide variety of well-performed songs from Junior FR” and that it was “A lovely performance from a large group of well-trained young people, who shared their love of singing with the audience”.
Audience members.
A fabulous evening that sent everyone home uplifted and full of Christmas spirit (and not just thanks to the mulled wine!)
The next big event on Junior FR’s calendar is the Thornbury Eisteddfod, where they hope to enter several choir classes and encourage individuals to prepare both solos and duets to give the girls more performance opportunities which are so important to the development of their skills and self-esteem.
To keep up to date with our ‘big sister’ chorus, Fascinating Rhythm, and our forthcoming events, follow our social media channels: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
