News

SING WITH US

From February 2023 we will be running a series of monthly open rehearsals on the  following Mondays 20th February, 20th March, 17th April, 22nd May and 12th June.

Discover what it is like to sing with NCS and prepare a selection of choral favourites, including works by Handel, Mozart, Lauridsen and Hagenberg, for our Summer concert. You will be able to join the choir in performance at Trinity Church in Gosforth, at 7.30pm on 24 June. 

Contact enquiries@newcastlechoralsociety.org.uk for more details and to book a place.

ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR OPPORTUNITY

Newcastle Choral Society is looking for an Assistant Conductor to join our musical team and work under our Musical Director Mark Anyan.

The Assistant Conductor will support the Musical Director and choir when learning new repertoire by leading sectional rehearsals, taking occasional rehearsals as required, leading warm-ups and singing in the choir at rehearsal. There will also be potential for public conducting opportunities.

We are keen to receive a wide range of applications from people of all levels of experience and backgrounds in choral leadership, from students who want to develop their skills in choral conducting to those with more experience of choral direction.

Ideally, the candidate will possess or be developing conducting skills, have good knowledge of choral repertoire, and be a confident musician and play their part in helping the choir to maintain high standards in all its performances.

The Assistant Conductor will be remunerated at the rate of £500 per term.

Please send your C.V. to enquiries@newcastlechoralsociety.org.uk.

Closing Date for applications 20th February 2023

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to come and work with the choir on Monday 27th February at St Johns Church Kingston Park, Newcastle NE3 2HB from 7.30pm

Summerthyme and tales

Posted by on 16 May 2018 in Activities, Concerts, Featured Concert, news, Performances | Comments Off on Summerthyme and tales

Summerthyme and tales

                                                                                          Our summer concert featured compilations of familiar and traditional tunes and texts of the British Isles, some with a new twist, all interwoven with readings from Adam Bushnell, local author and storyteller, and all sung by the full chorus accompanied by Venera Bojkova. Adam Bushnell is a qualified teacher, experienced storyteller and published author. He aims to inspire a love of creative writing and reading amongst adults and children alike. He is also voice over artist for museums, audio guides and audio books CDs. He certainly enthralled our audience and made us laugh too! Venera Bojkova is a recitalist, teacher and workshop leader, a skilled harpist and also conducts Bishop Auckland Choral Society. We were delighted to introduce the newly formed 18 strong NCS Chamber Choir who performed madrigals to an appreciative audience. They will continue to enhance our concerts in the future. Newcastle Choral Society Mark Anyan Musical Director ‘Summerthyme and Tales The Sprig of Thyme: John Rutter Selection of traditional songs of the British Isles Songs and Sonnets: George Shearing Shakespeare inspired Jazz settings Venera Bojkova Piano Adam Bushnell Author and Storyteller Saturday June 30th 2018 at 7.30pm Trinity Church Gosforth...

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Easter recruitment

Posted by on 31 Mar 2018 in Activities, Concerts, Featured Concert, news, Performances, Recruitment | Comments Off on Easter recruitment

Easter recruitment

recruiting NOW Step forward  if you have: experience of singing in a choir the ability to read music or a good ear to learn quickly the ability to hold a line in multi-part music a love of singing and socialising and happy to be auditioned. A short and informal process! What can you expect as a member of NCS? Expert Musical Direction Access to Vocal Training Professional approach, but also Sociable Be part of a Great Musical Tradition Sing with Professional Soloists and Orchestras in Prestigious Venues Look what’s coming up: ‘Summer Thyme’ Sat June 30th Trinity Church Gosforth And the BIG one! NCS as Guest Choir alongside Northern Spirit Singers Britten’s War Requiem  at Sage One Gateshead on Sat Nov 10th 2018 at 7.30pm Cleveland Philharmonic Choir Conducted by  John Forsyth MBE JOIN NOW to be able to take part!! View pdf here Easter Recruitment Contact:  Tel: 0191 286 6338 or 01207 560555  email: enquiries@newcastlechoralsociety.org.uk Start ?      Monday 16th April 2018 19.30 -21.30 Where?    Church of St John the Evangelist                     Kingston Park Avenue                     Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 NB  Sat 21st April at Church of St John the Evangelist – a multimedia War Requiem presentation 10 -1pm by John...

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Dream of Gerontius

Posted by on 16 Feb 2018 in Activities, Concerts, Featured Concert, Friends of NCS, news, Performances | Comments Off on Dream of Gerontius

Dream of Gerontius

Newcastle Choral Society Musical Director Mark Anyan Elgar ‘Dream of Gerontius’ Saturday 24 March 2018, 7.30pm Banqueting Suite Newcastle Civic Centre   Stephanie Lewis Mezzo Soprano Adam Tunnicliffe Tenor Philip Shakesby Bass Orchestra North East   Elgar considered The Dream of Gerontius  to be his finest work. Indeed it might be regarded as the greatest piece of music ever written by a British composer. Based on a poem by Cardinal John Henry Newman, the piece relates the journey of a man’s soul from his death bed, where he is attended by friends and a priest who pray for him in his last moments of life. After death a Guardian Angel conducts his soul past demons and angels to the presence of God for judgement, and thence to the tranquillity of Purgatory to await a glorious re-awakening. The concert was well received by an appreciative audience. The work called for three soloists who represented respectively Gerontius, Priest and Angel. Adam Tunnicliffe was deemed to be ‘sensational’ as Gerontius and the rich voice of Stephanie Lewis gave depth and emotion to the role of the  Angel. Philip Shakesby’s resonant bass voice gave power to the role of the Priest. There was a double chorus which incorporated a semi-chorus, portraying friends, demons and angels at various stages of the drama. Orchestra North East were superb and provided a wonderfully varied palette of sounds throughout the work, enhancing each phase of the journey.View pdf...

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Open Rehearsal Dream of Gerontius15.1.18

Posted by on 6 Jan 2018 in Activities, Concerts, Featured Concert, Friends of NCS, news, Performances, Recruitment | Comments Off on Open Rehearsal Dream of Gerontius15.1.18

Open Rehearsal  Dream of Gerontius15.1.18

OPEN REHEARSAL AWAITS YOU Elgar: Dream of Gerontius MONDAY 15TH JANUARY 2018 DREAM OF SINGING with a large mixed choir, professional soloists and one of the finest orchestras in the North East? Make your dreams come true! ALL WELCOME ELGAR’S ‘DREAM OF GERONTIUS’ Open Rehearsal with Newcastle Choral Society and Musical Director Mark Anyan. Leading to a performance in the Banqueting Suite, Newcastle Civic Centre on March 24th 2018. Considered to be one of the greatest pieces of music ever written by a British composer. The considerable numbers involved in this dramatic masterpiece make performances something of a rarity. Make sure you do not miss this opportunity to be a part of it! Join us for the Free open rehearsal and if you would like to take part in the concert then sign up for the Spring term for £50. To be a full member you would need to sign up for a short audition to remain with us. When? Monday 15th January 2018 from 7.30pm – 9.30pm Where? St John’s Church, Kingston Park Centre, Kingston Park Ave, NE3 2HB Cost? FREE with coffee and cake Contact? 07707 621312 / 07980 484598 / enquiries@newcastlechoralsociety.org.uk Read the full flier...

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Hallelujah! It’s Christmas

Posted by on 22 Oct 2017 in Activities, Concerts, Featured Concert, news, Performances | Comments Off on Hallelujah! It’s Christmas

Hallelujah! It’s Christmas

Newcastle Choral Society Musical Director Mark Anyan HALLELUJAH it’s Christmas! Saturday 9 December 2017, 7.30pm Trinity Church Gosforth Handel – Messiah Part 1 Bob Chilcott – The Twelve Days of Christmas Kris Thomsett organ and special guests Quintessential Voices Our Christmas programme was very well received by a near capacity audience! It began with music from Part I of Handel’s ever-popular Messiah. This section of the oratorio dealt with the prophecy of Christ’s coming, the circumstances of His birth, and rejoiced over the significance of the event, all as described in various books of the Bible. We sneakily added the famous Hallelujah! Chorus from Part 2, always a popular chorus. After this impressive introduction to the festive season we lightened the mood with an imaginative version of The Twelve Days of Christmas by the prolific choral composer Bob Chilcott. Not to be missed, it incorporated some witty references to other well-known pieces of music and got the whole choir uplifted. Our friends, a cappella group Quintessential Voices, added to the programme with their fine ensemble singing with a very catchy encore. The smiling audience joined us in some favourite carols. Kris Thomsett on the organ and piano was something else! Flying fingers and extremely competent. If you want to stockpile our very eyecatching fliers , download HALLELUJAH it’s Christmas! ...

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Recruitment ‘Let’s Sing’

Posted by on 4 Sep 2017 in Activities, Featured Concert, Friends of NCS, news, Recruitment | Comments Off on Recruitment ‘Let’s Sing’

Recruitment ‘Let’s Sing’

Our Away Day and Let’s SING! 23rd September 2017 was great fun! We had a goodly number of guest singers joining us at Newcastle Falcons Platinum Suite Kingston Park  where we learnt such a lot about Vocal Technique from the brilliant Miranda Wright – Masterclass leader and singing teacher Samling Academy; Head of Classical Singing Newcastle University; Durham Cathedral Choristers; National Youth Choirs of Great Britain We enjoyed singing the MESSIAH CHORUSES and learning fun African songs with Mark Anyan Director of Newcastle Choral Society; General Manager of National Youth Choir of Great Britain If you are interested  in joining the choir that ‘pushes the songboat out’ a little further than most choirs, register for an audition by contacting enquiries@newcastlechoralsociety.org.uk ...

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‘AHOY’ Sing for the Mary Rose

Posted by on 7 May 2017 in Activities, Concerts, Featured Concert, Gallery, news, Performances | Comments Off on ‘AHOY’ Sing for the Mary Rose

‘AHOY’ Sing for the Mary Rose

We had a special Summertime Treat on Saturday July 1st!  Newcastle Choral Society led by Mark Anyan, joined forces with 60 children from 3 primary schools and the ‘Call Me Al’ quintet led by composer Alexander L’Estrange, to perform his joyous cantata ‘Ahoy’ Sing for the Mary Rose  This was a unique opportunity for the children from  Seaton Sluice First School Whitley Bay, Eastlea Primary School Cramlington in south east Northumberland and from St Godrics RC Primary School in Durham to work with professional artists and the choir in the iconic Turbine Hall in The Castlegate, Melbourne Street Newcastle upon Tyne. Specially designed banners hung from the 5m high steel columns in the Turbine Hall. Each school was given a signed banner to display in their school halls. A quote from one of the Head teachers ‘It was a wonderful opportunity and I am sure that it is one that the children will remember forever. Thank you too for the banner which we will proudly hang in out school hall!‘ Funding was received from Hadrian Trust and the Roland Cookson Community Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. Support was also acknowledged from The Castlegate and Emma Bunting Creative Designer...

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Bach B Minor Mass

Posted by on 29 Jan 2017 in Activities, Concerts, Featured Concert, news, Performances | Comments Off on Bach B Minor Mass

Bach B Minor Mass

Bach ‘B Minor Mass’ Bach’s Mass in B minor stands as one of the finest works in all music. Completed in the final years of his life it can be regarded as the crowning glory in the career of one whom many regard as the greatest-ever composer Saturday 25 March 2017 7.30 Banqueting Suite Newcastle Civic Centre Ruth Jenkins-Róbertsson soprano Beth Mackay alto Peter Davoren tenor Andri Björn Róbertsson bass Orchestra North East Newcastle Choral Society (Musical Director Mark Anyan) £15 (£8 for those in full time education or registered unemployed, free to under 18s with a paying adult) email: enquiries@newcastlechoralsociety.org.uk Phone: 0191 2854868 or 0191 2866338 online...

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Festive Fusion

Posted by on 24 Oct 2016 in Activities, Concerts, Featured Concert, news, Performances | Comments Off on Festive Fusion

Festive Fusion

Saturday 10 December, 2016 7.30 pm, Banqueting Suite, Civic Centre With special guest stars Quintessentialvoices who proved to be very popular with the appreciative audience who enjoyed the fusion of different styles of music and the dash of Christmas sparkle! Schubert, Whitacre, Vaughan Williams and Festive favourites! JAMES MORGAN bass PAUL BRAIDEN tenor ELIZABETH WOODS soprano MIKE DUTTON Organ CAMEO STRING QUARTET The Concert formed part of the Council’s celebrations of 800 years of Mayoralty and Freemen in Newcastle The closing collection was held in aid of the Charlie Bear Cancer Appeal; one of the current Lord Mayor’s four chosen charities in her Mayoral year, and raised over £500....

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Come and Sing Mary Poppins !

Posted by on 4 Sep 2016 in Activities, Concerts, Featured Concert, news, Performances | Comments Off on Come and Sing Mary Poppins !

Come and Sing Mary Poppins !

On Sunday 25 September 2016 we had an exciting day, in the lovely setting of Ushaw College, learning songs from Mary Poppins.  The event was led by Ben Parry, Director of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, and was “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”! The day was open to anybody who wanted to be part of the chorus, join others in a good old sing-song (including kids), or be part of the audience when we gave a performance at the end of the day.   Fancy dress was optional, but many people felt this added to the spirit of the day! This Sunday was the 2nd day of a special weekend for us.  We had a choral workshop on the Saturday, working on pieces by Schubert and Bach, to improve vocal techniques.  We enjoyed a lovely meal in the evening, with a cappella group Quintessential Voices providing us with superb entertainment.  Particular thanks are due to three of the group for a special time this weekend – MD Mark Anyan, our ‘in house’ singing teacher Jim Morgan (not many choirs have one of them included as part of subscriptions) and Elizabeth Woods, our wonderful Mary Poppins....

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