Big Woods Voices

In early 2016, I joined local quartet Big Woods Voices to patch an opening created when soprano Liz Rogers moved on to other musical opportunities. It seemed an impossible idea for me at the time, but I’m so glad I didn’t listen to the voice of reason. Singing with this group has been a delight.

Our founder and arranger, Will Danforth, has a knack for turning poetry into original arrangements that sound to me like “watercolor harmony.” He also honors the group’s collective folk roots by bringing us classic songs by the likes of Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan. And his own coming of age in world music is reflected in his penchant for unusual meters and modes, with flavors and scents of various far-off paradises.

Although I was “hired” as a soprano, alto Becky Graber and I soon found we enjoy swinging both ways, so you’ll find us switching off unexpectedly at times.

Becky’s experience as a conductor and her knack for sight-reading are invaluable contributions. And, of course, Alan Blood’s rich bass and fastidious attention to pitch and rhythm keep us grounded in technical respectability.

Check out our website or our Facebook page, or join our mailing list for upcoming events and other info.

Here’s our press release if you want the official scoop:

Big Woods Voices is the union of four veteran area singers to celebrate their common passion for a cappella harmony. The Voices are (from soprano to bass): Amanda Witman, co-leader of the Brattleboro Pub Sing with Tony Barrand; Becky Graber, director of the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus and Animaterra Women’s Chorus in Keene, and leader of music at Second Congregational Church in Londonderry, Vermont; Will Danforth, an award-winning, multi-instrumental solo acoustic artist; and Alan Blood, long-time member of area groups such as the Blanche Moyse Chorale, I Cantori, Blue Moon, House Blend, and others.

Big Woods Voices is the fulfillment of a creative transition for Will Danforth from his life as a roots-oriented performing songster to that of composer / arranger / style-stealer which has married two loves: his love of American roots music and his love of the vast harmonic palette absorbed while singing with the cappella world music chorus, The River Singers. The results are lyrical settings of poetry by David Whyte, Mary Oliver, W. B. Yeats, and others; richly-harmonized standards of the American roots lexicon; and completely original compositions. Add to that pieces by musicians such as Pete Sutherland; The Finest Kind; and Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross; and you have the ear-thrilling experience called Big Woods Voices.

Big Woods Voices

www.bigwoodsvoices.com