A day in the life of - Dragonsfire and Vox Angelica

Nigel and Hilary earn their living by running a quartet called Dragonsfire. The group specialises in mediaeval music, but also runs to folk and other musical styles. Typical engagements include Jacobean banquets, corporate events and educational visits.Today, after a doloroso hour with the paperwork - not even musicians escape VAT returns - they are off to The Greville School. This has been an annual event since their children Leah and Kit attended the school many years ago. "We get into Tudor costume and just take along as many instruments as will fit into the car." They own a huge range, from psalteries to serpents. What is more, they can actually play them all as well.

	A day in the life of - Dragonsfire and Vox Angelica
	Life doesn't revolve around music for the Perona-Wrights of Ashtead. It is music.
	Nigel and Hilary earn their living by running a quartet called Dragonsfire. The group specialises in mediaeval music, but also runs to folk and other musical styles. Typical engagements include Jacobean banquets, corporate events and educational visits.Today, after a doloroso hour with the paperwork - not even musicians escape VAT returns - they are off to The Greville School. This has been an annual event since their children Leah and Kit attended the school many years ago. "We get into Tudor costume and just take along as many instruments as will fit into the car." They own a huge range, from psalteries to serpents. What is more, they can actually play them all as well.	Leah and Kit (left) with Vox Angelica
	Leah and Kit, also Ashtead residents, both work at the Royal School of Church Music. "It was singing in the Ashtead church choirs that really got us started," recalls Kit. Indeed, Leah was one of the very first intake of girl choristers, as interest from the boys waned. Now she, in her turn, coaches the junior singers. This fits very well with her day job, planning musical education schemes. Meanwhile Kit is advising callers on which of the wide range of available music would be most suitable for their needs.

	Dragonsfire - dressed to perform	After lunch, Dragonsfire engages in some charity work, singing at a Stroke Club. "This is particularly rewarding," says Hilary. "Our musical talent is a gift from God, so it's a privilege to feel we are giving something back." After one concert, a husband was in tears. "My wife hasn't spoken since her stroke, but somehow she was able to sing along. It's the first time I've heard her voice in a year." Come the evening, Kit is called on to exercise his skills as church organist by accompanying a rehearsal of Leah's group for upper voices, Vox Angelica. She was persuaded to form the group for the opening of St George's Christian Centre. "I do play with Dragonsfire sometimes, but wanted to launch out on my own. When our first concert was such a success, I thought, yes, this really could go somewhere," she enthuses. The next chance to hear them in concert is 11 May, at St George's. "It'll be a real mixture - folk, jazz and popular stuff, something for everyone."
	Meanwhile Nigel is finishing a busy day by rehearsing the adult church choir for Stainer's Crucifixion, to be performed on March 24th at St Giles'. "I love the people, the music, and St Giles'," summarises Nigel. "It's wonderful to feel part of tradition of worship that's hundreds of years old". The Perona-Wrights are certainly playing their part in keeping that tradition alive.