Oops - picked the same one twice on previous blog!
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.
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.
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