Presents:

Kassia Goes Pop!
March 2012

Tickets available from February
Programme Enquiries: 2575 3931 / 6149 3558 / info@katterwall.com
Duration: 40 mins 

Katterwall reserves the right to change the artistes and programme

 

Kassia Women's Choir "Glee" - Single Ladies with a Crush

 

Rehearsals

Every Wednesday evening during term time from 7.30-9.30pm

If a Typhoon 8 signal or black rainstorm warning is hoisted 4 hours prior to a rehearsal starting - the rehearsal is cancelled.

About the Choir

Kassia Women's Choir was set up by Bethan Greaves in April 2003 to cater for the many women in Hong Kong who love a good sing-along to their favourite tunes. Active membership currently stands at around 70, with women from all walks life including teachers and lawyers, journalists and mothers. Each regular season* comprises of:

  • Wednesday evening rehearsals from 7.30 - 9.30pm
  • Sectional rehearsals once per term
  • A 'new members' rehearsal once a term 
  • Dress rehearsal and performance/s
  • Social events throughout the year including post-show parties, art evenings and visits to the pub

    • * Summer Fling seasons run slightly differently with 2 rehearsals a week for the month of August. Spring Thing is a 10 week term of workshops, classes and socials.

    Repertoire

    Mostly taken from the worlds of pop music, world music, musical theatre, country, jazz and gospel.

    Commissioned Pieces

    Survive The Night, 2005 (composer Phil Tudor, text Alexander Martin)
    Christmas Spirits, 2006 (composer Paul Barker, text Rodney Bruce)
    Softly, Little Child, 2007 (composer Daniel E. Gawthrop, text Jane Griner)
    Through Your Eyes, 2008 (composer Barry Lee, text Lindsay Robertson)
    Banks Of My River, 2009 (composer Neil Cowieson, arranger Bethan Greaves)

    Our first CD

    The choir recorded a CD to celebrate their 5th year anniversary. 'The First Five Years' featuring a selection of favourites spanning 5 years of music making is available from all good record shops and iTunes.

    Venues

    We have performed in most of Hong Kong's most prestigious venues including:

  • Hong Kong Cultural Centre
  • Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
  • Hong Kong Arts Centre
  • Hong Kong City Hall
  • Hong Kong Fringe Club
  • Sheung Wan Civic Centre
  • St. John's Cathedral
  • Peninsula Hotel
  • Times Square
  • Harbour Plaza
  • Lan Kwai Fong

    • We performed on RTHK's special Christmas edition of 'The Works' (aired Boxing Day 2006) and recorded an original song 'Through Your Eyes' that was premiered at 'Peace Train' in Dec '07 and will appear on a human rights documentary.

    Charity

    The choir have supported the following charities:

  • Amnesty International 'Stop Violence Against Women' project
  • Birthday Happiness
  • Feed The Children Hong Kong
  • FOCUS
  • Fu Hong Society
  • Liangshan Leprosy Project
  • Operation Santa Claus
  • The ROSE charities
  • SoulTalk
  • The Society for the Relief of Disabled Children

    • Further Details

    Kassia Women's Choir is directed in English by Bethan Greaves
    Fees per regular season* are HK$1,800 which cover:

  • All rehearsals (venue, accompanist, musical director, choreographer, administration)
  • Performance (venue, publicity)
  • Your own set of music to keep

    • Members are normally required to sell a minimum of 6 tickets per performance
    Standard concert dress is floor length, plain black trousers and Kassia's jacket (ordered at the beginning of each season) although sometimes we will have themed outfits.

    * Excluding Spring Thing & Summer Fling

    Who was Kassia?

    Kassia (born c.810 A.D) was a Byzantine composer of chants and hymns. According to tradition, she defied Emperor Theophilos, during a 'bride show" in which a woman was selected as queen on the basis of her physical appearance rather than her compassion, honesty, or her ability to lead. Casting his eye upon the charms of a lovely woman named Icasia, the emperor declared that in this world women were the occasion of much evil. "And surely, sir," said Kassia, "they have likewise been the occasion of much good." Theophilos chose Icasia and rejected Kassia. The incident, however, led to Kassia's religious calling as a nun and abbess, where her vocation, leadership and musical gifts flourished.