Joanna Forbes and Alexander L'Estrange

"For over six years the swingle singers were honoured to have Joanna Forbes as Music Director, singer and arranger, while Alexander L'Estrange produced some lovely arrangements, and joined in on the string bass when the occasion arose. These are people with outstanding talent. There is no doubt that they will have a brilliant future."
Ward Swingle, founder of the swingle singers

"You have only to listen to Joanna and Alexander performing together in any one of a multitude of genres to appreciate that they must be simply the most brilliant young couple in British music today. They are phenomenally talented, but they are also the most relaxed and delightful young people you could hope to meet."
Terry Taylor, Chairman of the Village Events Committee

Alexander L'Estrange

"Alex has a rapport with young performers which is rare and charismatic. His sympathy for and understanding of an extremely wide variety of musical styles and traditions makes him a superb communicator and musical director. He is a wicked bass and piano player and does the best vocal warm-ups in the world. Plus he's really nice, very generous with his time and effort, and delightfully unstuffy and modest about his musical brilliance. If you had to create from scratch the perfect 21st century musician he would be your template."
Howard Goodall, composer

"Alexander is one of the most inspiring musicians I know. He has that potent blend of talent, enthusiasm and a real belief in youthful creativity. His students are continuallly reaching new heights due to his careful nurturing of their talent and by his infectious enthusiasm and encouragement. One could not wish for more in a colleague: he is respected and adored by staff and pupils alike."
Bruce Grindlay, Director of Music, Christ's Hospital School

Joanna Forbes

"A truly beautiful voice...delicious solos, and extraordinary flexibility at great altitude - thrilling!"
A swingle singers fan

L'Estranges in the Night

"A delight to book. Imagination and knowledge of repertoire second to none. An immediate rapport and interaction with the audience. They were perfect for our City Livery supper recital"
Jonathan Palmer, Worshipful Company of Coopers

"Alexander, Joanna and friends have been providing music at my Oxbridge conferences for over ten years. The standard of their music is extremely high and I've always felt privileged to be able to ask such talented musicians to provide what is initially background music for my conference banquets, but almost invariably ends up being highly appreciated, highly applauded and much listened to. I have found them to be extremely punctual, reliable and always very friendly. I will continue to ask for their help for as long as I run conferences and I would strongly recommend them to anybody else who might be in a similar position."
Dr John Davies, organiser of medical conferences in Oxford and Cambridge

Compositions/Arrangements

Arrangements for the swingle singers

"L'Estrange's arrangement of A Timeless Place is bluer-than-blue, its head-spinning harmonic slippages sung with a restraint which uncovers real feeling."
Graham Topping, Oxford Today
Summer 2004
www.oxfordtoday.ox.ac.uk

"...arrangements spotlight current repertoire with sparkling jazz numbers by British bass player Alexander L'Estrange, who accompanies the singers. A toe-tapping, breath-taking trip through original arrangements of pop hits, movie themes and folk tunes."
www.elcamino.edu

Hello. Life!

"The life of Beth Howard as seen from a one woman's point of view seems like a rather good starting point for a series of musical monologues. A jazzy score by Alexander L'Estrange sounded wonderful and many songs were memorable. Heather Cairncross as Beth was a powerhouse perfomance and greatly enjoyed by all of us. This work would need to be heard again, but it seems like a great piece of writing to me all in all. I liked this expansion of Tell Me On A Sunday idea and thought it worked very well. The songs were witty and sounded great."
www.musicalstages.co.uk

Lute-Book Lullaby

"The short work by Alexander L'Estrange that follows the Tavener is a gentle and effective piece, much of which is underpinned by undulating figures for the lower voices (the rocking of the cradle). Superficially it sounds a simple piece but it's not. The surface simplicity conceals musical complexity and a short piece of some worth and substance."
www.musicweb.uk.net

"Quant à Alexander L'Estrange, il allie sonorités de jazz à écriture chorale élaborée pour un résultat tout à fait étonnant."
["As for Alexander L'Estrange, he allies jazz sonorities with elaborate choral writing for a result that is totally stunning"]
www.abeillemusique.com

"Alexander L'Estrange (who's also active as a singer and jazz bassist!) contributes a unique and very affecting take on the oft-set Lute-book lullaby text"
www.classicstoday.com

Après un rêve

"Track 2 contains a really lovely arrangement of Fauré's most famous song Après un rêve. This version Ð quite simple, with the soprano singing the melody against 'doo-doo' type accompaniment in the other voices - is by one of the group's altos, Alexander L'Estrange, who has also provided the stunning version of the Pachelbel Canon on track 5. I usually loathe this piece, but confess this had me totally entranced - I think we'll probably hear a lot of this track one way or another over the coming months."
www.musicweb.uk.net

Choral Basics

Choral Basics - Laying the foundations
"Choral Basics is a promising new series from Faber under the guiding eye of consultant editor Alexander L'Estrange. They comprise straightforward arrangements in three parts and could provide a valuable addition to the repertoire of ambitious secondary school choirs, youth choirs and less experienced adult groups. The sets are attractively produced with relatively simpler (often optional) piano accompaniments. In the vocal parts, special attention has been paid to breathing and appropriate vocal range... The price represents good value and I would encourage choral directors to explore this series for themselves."
Zone Magazine, Summer 2004
www.fabermusic.com

Timon of Athens

"Alex L'Estrange brought 'Timon of Athens' to life with his imaginative setting of a Vaughan poem, The Retreat. His incidental music was evocative and exciting using his tremendous skill and judgement in composing for students he had worked with on the project, always writing to their strengths."
Richard Niblett, Director of Music, Brighton College

Workshops

"As a new 8 part group, we were so delighted when Joanna agreed to come along and coach us. The difference she made was immediate. Her enormous enthusiasm was matched only by her superb musicianship and skillful ability to improve our sound, interpretation and performance. The insights she brings - as well as the fun we have- already have and will continue to make a big difference to us as a group and as individual musicians."
Susan Lee for Vox Concordia
March 2005.

"Joanna Forbes succeeded in having over 100 students transfixed for over two hours in a workshop that was creative, educational and genuinely fun. All of those who took part from five schools in London and Sussex felt hugely involved, and I have never seen such a large group of young people so focussed and absorbed for such a long period of time."
Richard Niblett, Director of Music, Brighton College

"It was WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!! We simply must have another one - what a brilliantly relaxing and fun way to spend a morning. Do pass on my huge thanks and appreciation to both Arndy and Joanna - what stars they both are!"
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"Tremendous fun and I learnt a huge amount - mainly about listening and using less voice. My dog must be going mad listening to me 'step, click and sing' round the forest."
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"What a wonderfully inspiring and enlightening experience! Your knowledge, skills, enthusiasm and warmth made the workshop a fantastic introduction to 'swing' and was profoundly liberating. Thank you both so much."
Comments from members of the Guildford Chamber Choir after a recent workshop led by Joanna & Alexander

"Jo was great fun, and we all learnt a lot from the day. Her professionalism was inspiring and her advice invaluable".
Ed Rex, Music Scholar, King's School Canterbury

"Thank you very much for the workshop, it was very productive! We have rethought some of our songs and it was extremely enjoyable!"
Alex Dance, member of Eton College a cappella group