Autumn Rehearsals begin....

Tonight, Wednesday 7th September (very autumnal night.... no Indian summer this year!) rehearsals began for our Christmas concert - plus two more possibles for late September/early October. Watch this site for more details as they are 'firmed up' - one in Dalston and one at Mealsgate.
In recognition of choir's 35th anniversary next year, Phil Wood has composed two carols for us, and work began on the first of these tonight.

Summer Party

The social event of the summer took place last night at Janet Mansfield's. It was a lovely evening - inside!! One or two people ventured outside, but the weather did rather let us down (although one intrepid reveller managed to swing her legs over the hammock, for a brief moment...)
Lovely food, great company, great craic. Janet's gigantic paella pan was cleaned out in a matter of minutes!! thanks to all for their efforts, but especially to Janet and Laurie for their hospitality.

Summer Nights....

Glorious weather (despite forecasted rain) for our summer concert on 9th July. And oh, what joy, to perform to a capacity audience!! Guests Flimby Male Voice Choir, or is it the Flimsygate Singers, added to the ambience.
We all enjoyed relaxing with cheese and wine in the newly decorated church rooms afterwards. To the Flimsygate Singer whom I overheard wistfully asking for a slab of pork pie as well, nice idea, but don't hold your breath. Does my head in discussing how to plate out the biscuits, and how many grapes, and will adding the cheese in advance make the biscuits soggy??? Let's keep it simple please!!
Pictures from top down: Carol Barnard, for chairing the latter part of the year; Audrey Albon looking stunning sweet pea-ish with her flowery hair decoration; retired members Doreen Wilson (previous chair) and Marjorie Grainger (who holds the record for ticket selling, or at least, did till Kath Leck took over last Christmas!!); Betty Seddon, who has looked after mid-rehearsal refreshments for more years than I care to remember, (note to choir members - we're still looking for a replacement to start in September!!) and finally, a rather blurred view of the Flimby Male Voice choir, our lovely guests.
Next posting will be after the Summer Party, due to take place at Janet Man sfield's next Wednesday night.

Announcements made at tonight's rehearsal

(29th June):
The new Chair of choir is Val Leach. The new Treasurer is Audrey Evans. Pat Tolley is Secretary.
Members were asked to bring slightly different 'eats' on the night of the concert, to go with the drinks afterwards - a small platter, preferably disposable, of cheese, savoury biscuits and a few grapes sufficient for 2/3 people - no more! there will be an afternoon rehearsal of about one hour, at 2pm in the church. Warm-up will be in the church hall at 6.45 unless the Karate Kids are still chopping away at each other - Hazel to check.
Janet Mansfield has very kindly offered to host our summer party (in Watch Hill) on Wednesday 20th. Usual format of bring something nice to eat and drink. The Aga will be lit if you wish to warm something up!
Lastly, we have been invited to Marvejols. Realistically, owing to the fund raising that will be needed, and having to avoid a clash with next year's Olympics, it will probably be Summer 2013 before we can make it - if enough members agree to go. Val would prefer summer to autumn half term as it will be a busy and hectic week and the thought of setting off straight after school and arriving back just in time to go back to work next day did not thrill her. We will look for an initial show of hands on 'party night'.

Rehearsal 29 June

Tonight we worked on, in order,
Philip Wood's Nocturne; Faure's Cantique; Jubilate; Douglas Cook's arrangements of The Wild Mountain Thyme and O Love it is Pleasing; Swing Low; Blue Moon and Sloop John B.
Next week's rehearsal, the last before the summer concert, will begin at 7 pm at Christ Church (note change of venue). The men will arrive for the joint part of the rehearsal at 8 pm.

Rehearsal 22nd June

Tonight we worked on music we'll be singing on Saturday at Victoria Hall, as part of the Cockermouth Festival LIVE! event (1pm, for anyone who'd like to come and listen - it's free!)
Those were the days; California Dreamin'; Rivers of Babylon; Old King Cole; Amen Siakedumisa and Siyahamba; The Lord is my shepherd; Shenandoah Blues; Chattanooga Choo Choo.
We also did some more work on Yesterday, which we'll be singing at the Summer Concert on 9th July. It's quite a complicated work, so if you've missed the rehearsal some time spent on private homework might help you keep up!!

Rehearsal 15th June

Here is the list of what we worked on tonight so those who missed the rehearsal can do some catching up before their next choir practice.
Swing Low and Blue Moon - both pieces that we'll be singing with Flimby Male Voice Choir at our summer concert;
Yesterday - we have now learned all of this piece, including the tricky rhythms!!
Douglas Cook's arrangements of The Wild Mountain Thyme and O Love it is Pleasing;
Sloop John B; we finished work on the chorus so now have all of this one under our belts too.

Rotary Club Fundraiser!

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...

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.

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.