Castlegate singers appeared with Billy Bowman's fabled band at Christ Church, Sullart Street, on Wednesday 1st June. The event was to raise funds to pay for (excuse flippancy...) a toilet for the church. Yippee! Parishioners/concert audiences and the like will no longer have to brave the Cumbrian elements on the trek to the church rooms when they feel the call....
Rumour has it, the concert was excellent too...
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Rehearsal 8th June
For choir members who missed this rehearsal, here's a list of what we worked on so you can do some homework before your next rehearsal!
Jubilate; Swing Low; Blue Moon; Yesterday; Sloop John B.
Jubilate; Swing Low; Blue Moon; Yesterday; Sloop John B.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Report on Winter Concert
We are indebted to Douglas Cook for the following critique of our winter concert.
'The Castlegate Singers were at last able to present their Christmas Concert and somehow it didn't feel strange to sing carols in January; the new red and black uniform of the choir helped the festive mood.
'It was an entertaining programme, varied in mood and period, and under Val Hetherington's lively direction, vibrant and sensitive in turn. Immaculate support was provided by their accompanist, Anne Marie Kerr, and we were treated to a couple of solos "The Robin Carol" from Jean Lack and "The Road to Bethlehem" from Jane Gambles, both beautifully sung.
'The main item was the premiere of local composer Philip Wood's "Nocturne" to the words by John Keats. The choir coped confidently with the idiom, which looked difficult on the page but sounded warm and attractive in performance. The tuning and dynamics were good, and the balance worked well for the most part, although the second sopranos seemed a little outnumbered in the "Cantique de Jean Racine".
'This choir is now tackling pieces which would have been daunting a few years ago. And singing in seven parts? No problem!'
Douglas Cook.
'The Castlegate Singers were at last able to present their Christmas Concert and somehow it didn't feel strange to sing carols in January; the new red and black uniform of the choir helped the festive mood.
'It was an entertaining programme, varied in mood and period, and under Val Hetherington's lively direction, vibrant and sensitive in turn. Immaculate support was provided by their accompanist, Anne Marie Kerr, and we were treated to a couple of solos "The Robin Carol" from Jean Lack and "The Road to Bethlehem" from Jane Gambles, both beautifully sung.
'The main item was the premiere of local composer Philip Wood's "Nocturne" to the words by John Keats. The choir coped confidently with the idiom, which looked difficult on the page but sounded warm and attractive in performance. The tuning and dynamics were good, and the balance worked well for the most part, although the second sopranos seemed a little outnumbered in the "Cantique de Jean Racine".
'This choir is now tackling pieces which would have been daunting a few years ago. And singing in seven parts? No problem!'
Douglas Cook.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Our Winter Concert
Owing to the snow and ice in December, our Christmas concert was delayed until the end of January. Fears that this would affect audience size were unfounded; a very respectable number turned out to hear us sing a varied programme which included Faure's Cantique to Racine, Phil Wood's Nocturne (a premiere), oh, and Rudolph...
Pictures from top: selling raffle tickets afterwards, Sue with a lovely red flower in her hair, Lindy, Stephanie with Sally-Ann and Bob Harwood (who manned the door), and Gill with Naomi.
Wearing red with black made us look very festive and proved a popular move with those tired of dreary old white and black which some feel makes us look like a bunch of tea room waitresses...
Monday, 24 January 2011
Friday, 14 January 2011
Christmas Party
Choir members enjoyed a party held at the Kirkgate on Wednesday 22nd December. Dang it, I took my camera but forgot to take any pictures. A smashing spread was laid on by choir members (as ever, and including Janet's famed meringues). We had a good sing too.
Christmas Eve at Castle Inn
Proof that our website works!! Castle Inn Hotel were let down at the last minute by the choir who'd agreed to sing carols to their guests on Christmas Eve (seems they'd had what they thought was a more prestigious offer. No comment on their morals!). The hotel googled local choirs and got in touch with Val, who hastily assembled a small group (complete with camp followers, who sang lustily alongside the hotel guests). We braved the black ice, rehearsed our programme in Val's car outside the hotel, and thoroughly enjoyed the event.
Delayed Christmas Concert
The inclement weather before Christmas forced the cancellation of many town events, including our concert. But having spent so much time learning the lovely programme (which includes a World Premiere of a new Philip Wood piece!)we were loath to miss the chance of singing it all. A new date was set of Sunday 30th January. A few rumblings in choir about singing carols after Christmas, mind you!!
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Summer News
Summer Concert at Christ Church, Sullart Street, with guests Fain, brought a busy but enjoyable singing year to a close. The choir will meet again in September, when we hope also to have our delayed summer party.
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