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.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Loweswater Concert
The first of a batch of summer concerts, in the village hall. Great atmosphere. Some singers went down to the Kirkstile afterwards, the drivers were content with a cuppa and a biscuit...
Saturday, 16 January 2010
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.'
'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.'
Saturday, 9 January 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Autumn Term
This is now in full swing, with programmes for this term's concerts well underway. Christmas music soon to be started.. the name John Taverner has been mentioned...
Looks like four new members this term, which is great.
Looks like four new members this term, which is great.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Summer Party
The summer term ended with its usual summer bash, held at Sheila and Bob's home in Crosby. Kath saw an otter, Janet saw a kingfisher, and the rest of us are all envious! Great food provided by choir members. Evening rounded off with a spirited rendering of Happy Birthday to Val, who watched from the balcony.
Friday, 17 July 2009
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Summer Concert
Our summer concert was held at Christ Church on Saturday 11th July. Regular devotees who arrived carrying plumped-up cushions to sit on were delighted to find these are no longer necessary, as the church is now furnished with comfortable free-standing cushioned chairs.
The event was new Musical Director Val Hetherington's first major concert, so she must have felt most gratified at the good audience and its enthusiastic response.
Guests were Nova Cantica who are shortly to perform their final concert. Don't miss!
The event was new Musical Director Val Hetherington's first major concert, so she must have felt most gratified at the good audience and its enthusiastic response.
Guests were Nova Cantica who are shortly to perform their final concert. Don't miss!
Monday, 13 July 2009
Cockermouth Castlegate Singers
Castlegate Singers are based in Cockermouth, Cumbria. The choir's goal is to practise and perform a wide-ranging programme of music to high standards, for the enjoyment of both members and audiences.
Castlegate Singers is a ladies' choir and enjoys a steady membership of over forty, drawn from Cockermouth and the surrounding towns and villages. The choir performs a number of local concerts annually – including Summer and Christmas concerts – and often takes part in charity events and special occasions.
Our website can be found at http://www.castlegatesingers.org/
Castlegate Singers is a ladies' choir and enjoys a steady membership of over forty, drawn from Cockermouth and the surrounding towns and villages. The choir performs a number of local concerts annually – including Summer and Christmas concerts – and often takes part in charity events and special occasions.
Our website can be found at http://www.castlegatesingers.org/
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