Review of our Christmas Concert

This review, by Robert Rawlinson, was published in the Cockermouth Times and Star and also in the Cockermouth Post.
'On Saturday December 12 in Christ Church, Castlegate Singers, under the capable direction of their musical director Val Hetherington, treated a large audience to a celebration of seasonal music telling the Christmas story.
Able accompaniment was provided by Duncan Murray.
This was two concerts for the price of one in that the guest group Piping Hot entertained us during the middle of the evening, playing a variety of recorders.'
'It would not be Christmas without a variety of well-loved carols in which audience participation was sung with great gusto.
Music for the evening included the Normandy version of Away in a Manger, Gaudete and Hail Blessed Virgin Mary, which, sung acapella, brought a sense of early church music to the programme.
It would not be Castlegate Singers without arrangements by John Rutter, including Christmas Lullaby and an uplifting arrangement of Past 3 a clock. Relatively new carols Winter Solstice and The First Christmas by David Hamilton gave a different slant.
Apart from entertaining us, Piping Hot educated us on the role of the recorder and its various family members through the ages.Early pieces by Holborne and Arbeau were balanced by lively arrangements of seasonal favourites including the ever popular Sleigh Ride and Let It Snow. Audience participation led by Val included jingling bells and lots of thigh slapping. Great stuff!
An introduction to all the pieces was a refreshing change, instead of just sitting there wondering what it was all about.'

Latest news

The choir had a pre-Christmas practice of Christmas concert when we sang for Portinscale WI, who provided a marvellous buffet suppler afterwards. Their kind donation enabled the choir to give £100 to the immediate flood relief find. They've also booked us for two years hence for a repeat!
Concert went well, with a good audience.
For the foreseeable future, Wednesday night's practices will take place at Christ Church, Sullart Street. We hope to be back in the United Reformed Church by late Spring.