In the run up to Christmas, we enjoyed some carol singing:-
On 12 December we sang in Eldon Square on behalf of the Samaritans, and helped to raise an amazing £1253. Thank you to everyone who came along to support us.
On 19 December we were pleased to have 2 slots singing in The Alnwick Garden.
We also helped provide some festive cheer for the residents of a care home in Newcastle.
Looking forward to next year……….!
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Our concert on 5 December 2015 was held in the Banqueting Suite of Newcastle Civic Centre. The main feature was Mass in Blue, by local composer Will Todd. We were delighted that the Will Todd Trio, including of course the composer, took part in our performance. The Trio was really fantastic, as was Sue Ferris playing saxophone. Soprano soloist Lorna James was absolutely fabulous.
In addition to the exciting Mass in Blue performance, there was a selection of favourite traditional Christmas music to provide seasonal cheer, and we were pleased to be accompanied by the great Mike Dutton on piano.
The choir thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and hope the audience did too!
We held a closing collection in aid of the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, which provides support to families with a seriously ill child. Will Todd is very close to this charity, and he spoke about its work at the concert.
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Our concert on 20 June 2015 featured music the Latin-American way!
Constant Lambert – THE RIO GRANDE
Ariel Ramirez – MISA CRIOLLA
Bocanegra (pub.): Hanacpachap Cussicuinin
Fernandez: Xicochi
We were very lucky to have guest Tenor Andrew Friedhoff (website) with us. Andrew performed 3 solo pieces: ‘No Puede Ser’, ‘La Paloma’, and ‘Granada’, before joining us for the Misa Criolla.
We also welcomed David Curry, founder of the Newcastle Guitar Orchestra (website), who accompanied us in the Misa Criolla as well as performing a solo piece: ‘Milonga’.
Our fabulous pianists David Murray and Eileen Bown treated us to Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. It was fantastic to watch their fingers flying over the 2 pianos!
‘Mass in C Minor’
Ave verum Corpus
We performed Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, along with Ave verum corpus, on Sunday 22 March 2015 at the Banqueting Suite, Newcastle Civic Centre.
Our wonderful soloists, performing a selection of Mozart pieces were:
Soprano: Angela Hicks
Alto: Martha McLorinan
Tenor: Richard Pinkstone
Bass: Nick Ashby
We were also ably supported by Orchestra North East.
Thank you to everyone who attended. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
Saturday 29 November 2014 saw Newcastle Choral Society celebrate its Diamond Jubilee with a fantastic concert in the impressive Hall One of Sage Gateshead.
The programme included:
Karl Jenkins: ‘The Armed Man’ Mass for Peace marking the centenary of World War One.
Will Todd: ‘The Dream of the River’. The World Premiere of a choral suite for choir and orchestra especially commissioned by NCS. The music uses the theme of the river as a life-circle and a journey, and relates that to our own human lives and journeys. It was partly inspired by Michael Chaplin’s book ‘Tyne View-A Walk Around The Port of Tyne’. Visit Will’s website. Read about Michael Chaplin’s book here.
John Rutter: ‘Winchester Te Deum’.
The choir was joined by Tees Valley Youth Choir and members of the Mid Northumberland Chorus,
and the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.
We were ably accompanied by Orchestra North East.
Introductions were by Michael Chaplin, writer for theatre, TV and radio; author and co-writer of ‘Tommies’, Radio 4’s epic drama series about WW1 to be broadcast regularly until 2018.
The concert received a very favourable review in The Journal newspaper: The Journal Review
The concert and commission were supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council. www.artscouncil.org.uk
Principal sponsors: intu Metrocentre and Port of Tyne
Our ‘Americana’ concert was on Saturday 21 June 2014 in the Kings Hall, Newcastle University.
This nostalgic celebration of early 20th Century American music featured Tippett’s Five Negro Spirituals and the music of Kern, Gershwin, Whitacre and Bernstein, with special guest pianists.
