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.

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...

extra Christmas Eve picture

Oops - picked the same one twice on previous blog!

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.

Christmas Eve at Castle Inn

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!!

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.

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...

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.'