Durham FESTIVAL - WordPress.com · Festival which brings the finest local, ... during World War II...

2017

DURHAM MUSIC SERVICE

www.durhamvocalfestival.co.uk

Durham

FESTIVAL

2 www.durhamvocalfestival.co.uk

I am thrilled to be able to bring you details of the inaugural Durham Vocal Festival which brings the finest local, national and international vocal music to Durham. Choral singing in Durham has a fantastically long and rich history - the Chorister School has been celebrating its 600th anniversary in 2016 and there were monks singing daily in the Cathedral before that. This week serves to offer a flavour of this from the UK premiere of Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin, to the internationally known King’s Singers, Will Todd and National Youth Choir Fellowship Programme culminating in the North East Festival of Youth Choirs celebrating the diverse talent of young choral music in the area.

Alongside the prestigious performances there will also be workshops for primary choirs, conductors and members of the community to work alongside some of the choral world’s biggest names.

A huge thank you to all those partners that have made this festival possible: Durham Cathedral, Ushaw College, Durham County Council, Durham Music Service, Durham Area Action Partnership, National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, Music Durham, The Forge and Arts Council England.

Michael SummersManager of Music EducationDurham Music Service

2017 In partnership with

DURHAM MUSIC SERVICE

Durham Music Service

www.durhamvocalfestival.co.uk 3

Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín tells the story of courageous Jewish prisoners in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp during World War II who learned Verdi’s Requiem Mass and then performed this compelling work 16 times as a statement of defiance and resistance, answering the worst of mankind with the best of mankind. The concert/drama features a full performance of Verdi’s famous oratorio with actors, video testimony from surviving members of the choir, and original Nazi propaganda film footage. The performance is powerful, dramatic and inspirational, with a contemporary message of hope.

Tickets: £25.00, £22.00, £10.00 (Concessions £20.00, £18.00,£8.00), Available from Gala Theatre Box Office, or telephone: 03000 266600

Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín Saturday 28 January | 7.30pmDurham Cathedral

UK PREMIERECreator & Conductor: Murry Sidlin

Lecturer: Jane Arnfield, Rafael Schächter, Ali Pritchard

Soprano: Gweneth-Ann Rand

Mezzo-soprano: Alison Kettlewell

Tenor: Philip Sheffield

Bass-baritone: Keel Watson

Orchestra: Durham Choral Society Orchestra and Durham University Orchestral Society

Choirs: Durham Choral Society and Durham University Chamber Choir

Choirmaster: Michael Summers

Executive Producer: Tony Harrington


Will Todd Come and SingSunday 29 JanuaryWorkshop 2-5pm; Performance 5.30pmUshaw College

Join one of the country’s foremost composers and choral conductors WILL TODD. Whether an experienced singer, or first-timer all are welcome. An opportunity for singers of all ages, abilities and experience to come together for a big hearty sing under the charismatic leadership of Will Todd. The event promises to be a real celebration of choral singing, culminating in a massed performance.

Tickets: £15.00 conc £10.00 under 18’s £4.00Available from Gala Theatre Box Office, or telephone: 03000 266600

Intercollegiate EvensongSunday 29 January | 3pm Durham Cathedral

Come celebrate two pillars of Choral music making within Durham, the beautiful historic setting of Durham Cathedral and The College Choirs from Durham University. This massed event under the musical direction of James Lancelot will celebrate the sacred music making of the Durham University collegiate choirs stretching back centuries.

Free

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Key Stage 2 Primary School Choir of the Year CompetitionMonday 30 January | 9.30am - 12.00pmDurham Cathedral

A celebration of the fantastic choral music the North East Primary School’s have to offer in partnership with North East Music Education Hubs (Durham Music Service, Gateshead Music Service, Music Partnership North (Newcastle and Northumberland), North Tyneside Music Education Hub, South Tyneside Music Service, Sunderland Music Hub and Tees Valley Music Service). Bringing together the best primary school choirs from County Durham, Darlington and throughout the North East to perform at Durham Cathedral in this exciting new vocal competition which will help to raise vocal standards in primary choirs and encourage more young people to be part of a choir. Judged by Will Todd (composer), James Lancelot (organist Durham Cathedral) and Robbie Jacobs (associate Conductor NYCGB).

Durham Johnston School Chamber Choir EvensongMonday 30 January | 5.15pmDurham Cathedral

Durham Johnston School Chamber Choir are delighted to provide choral music for services throughout the year on days when the Cathedral Choir is otherwise engaged or on holiday. The service of Evensong takes place daily in the Cathedral, and has done so for hundreds of years, a tradition in which we are honoured to play a small part. We are singing on the day the church commemorates Charles, King and Martyr (1649), within the season of Epiphany. Our music has been chosen to reflect these themes and includes responses by Richard Ayleward, who worked in Charles’ reign, and a specially written anthem, setting the text Seek Him that maketh the Seven Stars. The Epiphany theme continues in the organ voluntary, as Francesca Massey (Assistant Organist of Durham Cathedral) plays Theodore Dubois’ Marche des Rois Mages. Listen out for the star!

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The King’s SingersMonday 30 January | 7.30pmDurham Cathedral

‘The King’s Singers A class act with a delightfully British wit’Acclaimed worldwide for their virtuosity, life-affirming energy and charm, The King’s Singers are in global demand and are very much looking forward to performing at Durham Cathedral. The group tours across Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australasia performing to hundreds of thousands of people each season.

Instantly recognisable for their immaculate intonation, vocal blend, diction and incisive timing, The King’s Singers are consummate entertainers. Their repertoire has evolved to become one of the most diverse imaginable with over 200 commissions from leading composers including Luciano Berio, György Ligeti, Sir James MacMillan, Krzysztof Penderecki, Toru Takemitsu, Sir John Tavener, Gabriela Lena Frank and Eric Whitacre alongside a significant collection of close harmony arrangements from jazz standards to pop chart hits.

In June 2017, the group will host their inaugural US Summer School at De Pauw University, Indiana and in July 2017 will return for their 3rd J.K. Summer School at Royal Holloway (part of the University of London) where they are also the Ensemble in Residence. Recently voted into the Gramophone Hall of Fame and with two Grammy® Awards to their name, rave reviews and sell-out concerts confirm that The King’s Singers remain one of the world’s finest vocal ensembles.

This performance is the first for many years of The King’s Singers at Durham Cathedral and will be a concert not to be missed.

Tickets: £22.50, conc £17.50 Under 18s £8.00Available from Gala Theatre Box Office, or telephone: 03000 266600


National Youth Choir Fellowship SingersLaunched in 2015 by the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (NYCG), the NYCGB Fellowship Programme is a major new initiative which aims to create the most highly skilled and multi-talented choral singers in the UK. Each year, eight singers aged 22-25 selected at open audition benefit from a unique50-day professional training programme designed to develop outstanding skills in performance, education and leadership. Fellowship holders are supported by generous individual bursary awards.

The NYCGB Fellowship Programme is vital in enabling the most talented and motivated young singers to fulfil their potential and develop into artists capable of entering the music profession at the highest level. Nicholas Sears, Head of Vocal Studies, Royal College of Music

Ready Steady Sing! with NYCGB FellowshipTuesday 31 January | 10am - 12pmUshaw College

A fantastic singing workshop for Primary school choirs, led by NYCGB Director Ben Parry with the young singers of the NYCGB Fellowship Programme. Open to classes from all primary schools (maximum number of 300 pupils in total) allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Tickets: £20 per school class (approx 30 pupils). Resources and music will be provided on the day.Available from Gala Theatre Box Office, or telephone: 03000 266600

NYCGB Fellowship Primary School Choir Conducting Workshop (Twilight)Tuesday 31 January | 4pm - 6pmUshaw College

An outstanding CPD opportunity for all primary teachers to work on their conducting technique to use with their own singing groups in schools. Participants will conduct the young singers of the NYCGB Fellowship Programme, and will be taught by NYCGB Director Ben Parry. The training will cover beat patterns, leading an ensemble and repertoire suggestions. Workshop price includes a ticket for the concert in the evening with NYCGB Fellowship.

Tickets: £25Available from Gala Theatre Box Office, or telephone: 03000 266600


NYCGB Fellowship SingersTuesday 31 January | 7.30pmUshaw College

The NYCGB Fellowship Octet perform a beautiful programme of a cappella music including madrigals, partsongs, Swingle arrangements, and new music by up-and-coming composers. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear eight of the very best young singers in the UK at the outset of their careers.

Tickets: £12.50, conc £10.00 under 18s £4.00 (discounts for school groups). Available from Gala Theatre Box Office, or telephone: 03000 266600

nycgb.org.ukRegistered Charity No 515660


Tuesday 11 April 2017 | 8pmDurham Cathedral

HANDEL Israel in Egypt

Nicholas McGegan conductor

Samling Soloists

Royal Northern Sinfonia

Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia

SAGEGATESHEAD.COM | 0191 443 4661

Isreael in Egypt.indd 2 25/10/2016 12:55Northern LightsTuesday 31 January | 7.30pmGala Theatre

Northern Lights are a mixed a cappella group made up of talented, diverse and passionate performers who seek to thrill their audiences solely through the power of the human voice. The Northern Lights are entering their third year of existence and are hoping to build on last year’s successes, which included reaching the semi-finals of the International Championship of Collegiate Acappella (ICCAs), performing at Castle June Ball and Durham Cathedral, and putting on sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They are very proud to say that they arrange their own pieces and choreograph their own routines.

Tickets: £10.00, conc £8.00 under 18s £4.00Available from Gala Theatre Box Office, or telephone 03000 266600


Opera Master ClassWednesday 1 February | 2pm Gala Theatre

Durham Opera Ensemble Durham Opera Ensemble is proud to present an open workshop on their performance of Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Come and see this sneak preview and some outstanding coaching from Sarah Fox (soprano). The cast will return to the Gala stage on the 17th and 18th February 2017 for the full production.

Sarah FoxBorn in Yorkshire, Sarah Fox is one of the leading English sopranos of her generation. She was educated at Giggleswick School, London University and the Royal College of Music. A former winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Award and the John Christie Award, she is also an Honorary Fellow of Royal Holloway College, London University. She is equally at home in many musical genres including opera, folksong and musical theatre. She performs frequently with John Wilson and his Orchestra; she is a regular guest on BBC Radio 2’s “Friday Night is Music Night;” and has performed several concerts with Rufus Wainwright. She was a judge on the second series of BBC TV’s “The Choir : Sing While You Work” with Gareth Malone.

Tickets: Free Available from Gala Theatre Box Office, or telephone: 03000 266600

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Chamber Choir EveningFriday 3 February | 7.30pmUshaw College

Celebrating some of the finest Chamber Choirs in the North East. Featuring: Northern Spirit Singers and Voices of Hope, both have been awarded Radio 3’s ‘Adult Choir of the Year’. Durham Singers and Sage Chamber Choir mainstays of chamber choral music in the North East. Never before have these choirs shared stage.

This evening will demonstrate the variety, versatility and talent of Chamber Choir music in and around the North East. An evening not to be missed.

Tickets: £12.50, conc £10.00 under 18s £4.00 Available from Gala Theatre Box Office, or telephone: 03000 266600

Sung Eucharist for CandlemasThursday 2 February | 7.30pm Durham Cathedral

Candlemas is known as the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, and commemorates an early stage in Jesus’ life. As Jesus is brought into the Temple, Simeon, who had been promised that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah (Luke 2.26), recognises Jesus’ divinity and prays the ‘Nunc dimittis’, a prayer that is said or sung at Evening Prayer every day of the year (Lord, now lettest thou they servant depart in peace, according to thy word…).

The Cathedral will be lit by candlelight and music is provided by the Cathedral Choir and Cathedral Consort of Singers.

Tickets: Free



North East Festival of Youth ChoirsSaturday 4 February | 7.00pmDurham Cathedral

Showcasing the best youth choral music in the North East of England, the festival of youth choirs will feature award winning choirs from Primary and Secondary Schools across the region as well as Durham Cathedral and Durham University.

Now in it’s second year, this performance brings together the finest youth choirs from across the north east to perform in Durham Cathedral. The performance will be a celebration of the rich and diverse choral heritage and the talent of youth choirs in the area. As the final concert of Durham Vocal Festival, there is no better way to bring the celebrations to an end by featuring the future of choral music making in our area.

Tickets: £7.00, conc £3.00 Available from Gala Theatre Box Office, or telephone: 03000 266600



Durham Music Service provides musical opportunities for pupils throughout County Durham and Darlington supported by funding from Arts Council England, local schools and other public / private sector funding. We’re one of the biggest Music Hubs in the country providing high quality and inclusive musical opportunities for over 14,000 pupils pa from over 340 schools across Darlington and County Durham. We have over 30 ensembles including a range of orchestras, choirs, wind and brass bands as well as percussion, strings and special school ensembles. Over the last 12 months we’ve delivered a series of high profile and community musical events with an audience exceeding 50,000 from all sectors of our community.

We work in partnership with Durham County Council to facilitate world class performance and learning opportunities for pupils of all abilities. Quality and progression is at the heart of all we do, ensuring that pupils get the most out of their music making and that there is always a clear progression route to foster aspiration and challenge within their learning. From pupils in early years provision, sixth form students and those with individual learning needs, DMS strives to make sure every pupil gains insight and depth in their musical education.

For more information about Durham Music Service and potential sponsorship or donation opportunities please contact: [email protected]

We Would Like To Say A Huge Thank You To All Our Event Supporters :-



Durham

FESTIVAL

Saturday 28 January 2017 | 7.30pmDefiant Requiem: Verdi at TerezínDurham Cathedral

Sunday 29 January 2017 | Workshop 2-5pm | Performance 5.30pmWill Todd Come and SingUshaw College

Sunday 29 January 2017 | 3.00pmIntercollegiate Evensong Durham Cathedral

Monday 30 January 2017 I 9.30am – 12.00pmKey Stage 2 Primary School Choir of the Year CompetitionDurham Cathedral

Monday 30 January 2017 | 5.15pmDurham Johnston School Chamber Choir EvensongDurham Cathedral

Monday 30 January 2017 | 7.30pmThe King’s SingersDurham Cathedral

Tuesday 31 January 2017 | 7.30pmNorthern LightsGala Theatre

Tuesday 31 January 2017 | 10.00am-12.00pmNational Youth Choir Fellowship Singers - Ready Steady Sing!Ushaw College

Tuesday 31 January 2017 | 4.00pm-6.00pmNational Youth Choir Fellowship SingersPrimary School Choir Conducting WorkshopUshaw College

Tuesday 31 January 2017 | 7.30pmNational Youth Choir Fellowship Singers in ConcertUshaw College

Wednesday 1 February 2017 | 2.00pmOpera Master ClassGala Theatre

Thursday 2 February 2017 | 7.30pmSung Eucharist for CandlemasDurham Cathedral

Friday 3 February 2017 | 7.30pmChamber Choir EveningUshaw College

Saturday 4 February 2017 | 7.00pmNorth East Festival of Youth ChoirsDurham Cathedral

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