Listen to Sheila Joynes

This page contains links to some free MP3 files and videos you can download showcasing some of Sheila's musical talents.  You will find a wide variety of styles and indeed, instruments.  Many of these are not professional recordings but ones Sheila has made for her own use, so bear this in mind when you listen.

Sheila plays Rachmaninov's "Vocalise", a piece originally written to be sung but without words.  This arrangement is for cello and piano.  Sheila plays cello with Martin Wall on piano. Recorded in Pershore Abbey in the summer of 2000.
 

Saint-Saëns - "The Swan" from "The Carnival of the Animals".  Sheila plays cello with Martin Wall on Piano, recorded in the summer of 2000 in Pershore Abbey.  The piano represents the rippling water while the cello becomes the elegant swan swimming gracefully.  This was the only movement of "Carnival of the Animals" that Saint-Saëns allowed to be published during his lifetime.  Anna Pavlova made this piece famous by using it for her renowned "Dance of the Swans".
 

Sheila plays one of her own compositions on Piano.  Entitled "Favourite Melodies", it is written in the style of Ivor Novello.  Written on the spur of the moment between lessons, Sheila composed this the day after seeing Anthony Valentine in "The Dancing Years"
 

Renié - "Angelus".  Supposed to represent the striking of the Angelus bell.  Sheila plays harp on this recording.  The first notes which represent the striking of the bell are F sharp and G flat played simultaneously which is possible on a harp but not on a piano.  If you want to know why, ask Sheila via her contact page.
 

"Summertime".  Gershwin's well known music from "Porgy and Bess".  Sheila plays cello with Martin Wall on piano.  Recorded in Pershore Abbey during the summer of 2000.
 

"Dream Angus".  Sheila sings unaccompanied a Scottish lullaby which she used to sing for her two daughters.  When Helen, now 23, went to college, she asked Sheila to record this so she could take it with her to listen to when she went to bed!
 

"Spirit of Holiness" – Sheila sings one of the Iona community hymns based on the tune of “Blow the Wind Southerly”.
 

Mozart - "Ave Verum" – Sheila plays this on the organ at Pershore Abbey where she was Director of Music from January 2003 to August 2004.  It became a favourite for Sheila as an anthem which the Pershore Abbey Choir performed a number of times.
 

This is one of Sheila’s favourite loud organ voluntaries.  "Karg Elert – Nun Danket".  Sheila played this for a BBC radio programme similar to Songs of Praise.  At the time, she was Deputy Organist at Pershore Abbey and the lady producer was somewhat nervous wondering how competent Sheila's performance would be.  After the programme she asked if they could keep the recording of Nun Danket and play it at other times - she was so impressed!
 

A setting for The Lord’s Prayer.  Sheila was inspired to write this after hearing the voice of the then vicar of Pershore, Michael Tristram, at a Taizé-style service in the Abbey.  Sheila wrote a complete set of Responses with this setting of The Lord’s Prayer specially for the Abbey Choir and Michael.  It contains tricky harmonies and the setting is in the most cheerful key she could think of - F# major!! Not easy!

This is a recording of its first performance in the Abbey in September of 2000 during Sheila’s time as Assistant Organist.  Being immediately after the summer break, it was somewhat under-rehearsed but the the music and the solo voice make it well worth a listen.  If your church or choir wishes to use this music, please contact Sheila via this page.
 

"Falling in Love".  Another of Sheila's own compositions.  This is in the style of Noel Coward who was another of Sheila’s favourites song writers.
 

Renié – "Au Bord de Rouisseau".  "By the Stream". Listen for the rippling water on the harp!
 

A short video of the Chandos Symphony Orchestra rehearsing for a performance of Elgar's "Dream of Gerontius" in the Adrian Boult Hall at the Birmingham Conservatoire.  Sheila is Principal Cellist and as such, can be seen sitting by the conductor's right elbow.  Recorded on Sunday 5th June 2005.  (1m 15sec .wmv file 3.8mb.)
 

Sheila plays Bach Prelude in C on the harp.  Although Sheila does not teach harp, she plays for her own enjoyment.  Recorded on 24 July 2005 in her own home.  (1min 10sec .wmv file 3.5mb.)
 

This is not to be taken seriously or as a prime example of Sheila's expertise.  We say this due to a few recent misunderstandings by people who though this was the best Sheila could manage!  So, just for fun, a piece of video to show that Sheila is human and doesn't mind others sharing a joke!

On the spur of the moment, Sheila played the organ in Burlingham Church, Worcestershire.  Without rehearsal, music, shoes or even socks, she launched into the "Widor Toccata".  Even with all Sheila's experience, qualifications and expertise, unsurprisingly, this unscheduled, unrehearsed and ad-hoc performance, in an empty church, collapses in laughter!  (1min 5sec .wmv file 10mb.)