By Isle of Wight Observer
By Roz Whistance
A small Island choir is celebrating a big anniversary. It is five years since a group of singers began rehearsing for its first concert and now, next Saturday (October 31), at All Saints’ Church, Ryde, at 7pm, they are preparing to celebrate all things autumnal.
Ave Vita was founded by musical director, Jurgita Leistrumaite, simply for the joy of making music. Its first concert was a Christmas one and now, accompanied by pianist, James Longford, the choir is presenting Autumn Serenade, a programme varied in mood but united by rich harmonies.
Jurgita, originally from Lithuania, previously directed Camerata, a chamber choir well known from Wolverton Manor soirées, and she also directs the Salutaris choir. Ave Vita, however, offered a chance for singers who were less “professional” but keen to challenge themselves.
Since 2021, the choir has sung a wide range of repertoire across the Island. It began by inviting audiences to what Jurgita called an “open rehearsal”. Since then, Ave Vita has performed everywhere from Newport Minster to the Rhythmtree Festival, from the lofty space of All Saints’ to the River Stage at the IW Festival. It has sung sea shanties at Yarmouth’s Sea Festival and joined two other choirs to perform Vivaldi and Puccini at Newport Minster.
Wherever and whatever it performs, Jurgita demands excellence – and the choir loves her for it.
They even keep secret notes of her more brutal comments. The result is a remarkably good choir to which audiences return again and again.
Tickets, £10, cash on the door, students and under-18s free.
