the concert flyer the concert

THE MASSED VOICES OF INSPIRATION
AND ROYAL Northern Sinfonia,
Orchestra of Sage Gateshead PRESENT
I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU
12 JULY 2014
Hall One, Sage Gateshead
MUSIC DIRECTOR: GARY GRIFFITHS
NARRATOR: Julia Partington
Bring me sunshine!
Welcome to our Summer Inspiration
concert. This evening promises
to take you on a journey of TV
classics from all your favourite
hit shows such as Friends, Vicar
of Dibley, The Muppet Show and
BBC’s Planet Earth.
As many of you may know, the choir has just returned
from their trip to New York City and it is clear they
had an absolutely fantastic time. This definitely was
an exciting adventure for our singers who delighted
audiences across ‘the City that never sleeps’. If you want
to know more about what they all got up to, then read
on to see our special New York feature on pages 12 – 13.
Summer has already arrived here at Sage Gateshead
and we are gearing up for our annual SummerTyne
Americana Festival. This year’s headliners include Bettye
Lavette, Steven Seagal Blues Band, Earl Thomas and
John Fullbright to name a few. Alongside this, we will
have our ever popular free outdoor stage area.
If you are looking for family activities this summer, then
check out our forthcoming musical events. ‘Songs from
the Seaside’ features an hour of songs all about the sea,
sand, suncream and sandcastles. Next up will be ‘Songs
to sing in the Garden’ featuring all the creatures and
mini beasts that live there! It’s sure going to stir up some
family fun in this lively holiday special.
The ‘Muppet Show Theme’
is alleged to be almost
identical to the German
song ‘Ich Brauche Keine
Millionen’ composed for
the musical Hello Janine!
by Peter Kreuder in 1939.
If tonight’s concert inspires you to get into singing then
why not sign up to our ‘Join in and Sing’ workshop
this September. This one day workshop will be led
by Simon Fidler who will guide you through a day of
choral discovery with Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of
Penzance. No prior singing experience is required, just
come along for a ‘rollicking’ good day!
For information on all of the above, please visit Sage
Gateshead’s website, www.sagegateshead.com. In the
meantime, sit back and relax as ‘it’s time to play the
music, it’s time to light the lights’.
Katherine Zeserson
Director of Learning and Participation
Sage Gateshead
Something a
little different
After a year celebrating the
world of show tunes and our very
successful tour to New York, (where
we sang, yes, show tunes) we
fancied a change, so here it is! The
world of television has proved a
very fruitful source and it was very
tricky to know what to leave out. In the end we went for
the more quirky material like Family Guy and The Big
Bang Theory, alongside some more familiar ones, such
as Friends and Blackadder.
I think the singers thought that this term would be an
easy one, but it hasn’t turned out that way. These songs
are just as challenging as the big Broadway numbers,
but in a different way. We have even successfully learnt
to sing in Icelandic. I hope you enjoy this concert, with
its happy feel, and leave us with a smile.
Gary Griffiths
Music Director and Founder
Inspiration
I have been singing for as long as I can remember.
Wolverhampton Grammar School was my major
musical influence – School Choir, Choral Society,
Musical Theatre Group, Jazz Band – alongside the
Youth Orchestra and the Concert Band.
‘Shiny Happy People’ by
R.E.M. was the original
choice for the theme song
for Friends until series
producers co-wrote ‘I’ll
Be There For You’ with
American pop band The
Rembrants.
When it came to University it had to be music, and
so to York. Three wonderful years of music making
also included being Chorus Master for York Light
Opera and MD for Pickering Musical Society.
I then became a tenor in the Choir of York Minster
with all that entails; daily services as well as many
world tours, concerts and recordings. After 18 years­,
I left and became part of the creative team behind
the formation of SingLive.
Now, with Inspiration as my sole focus, I really do
have my dream job. Weekly rehearsals and trips
around the country and abroad are a joy.
ROYAL
Northern
Sinfonia
Orchestra
of Sage
Gateshead
Royal Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra of Sage Gateshead,
the UK’s only full-time chamber orchestra, has built a
distinctive reputation as a fresh-thinking and versatile
orchestra. Royal Northern Sinfonia was founded in 1958
by the BBC musicologist and producer Michael Hall.
The Queen bestowed the title of ‘Royal’ on Northern
Sinfonia in 2013 recognising it internationally as one of
the UK’s finest orchestras.
Under its longest serving Music Director, Thomas
Zehetmair, Royal Northern Sinfonia has taken a
dedicated approach to stylistic excellence in all
genres and has developed an extensive and ambitious
repertoire. Core classical music remains at the heart of
the programme whilst precision, excellence and deep
musical understanding are equally applied to its chamber,
contemporary, light music and cross-genre performances.
Royal Northern Sinfonia has worked with many of
the most in-demand artists in the world including Sir
Mark Elder, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Gidon Kremer, Ian
Bostridge, Pierre Laurent-Aimard and Heinz Holliger,
whilst also offering opportunities for the next generation
of star conductors and musicians. The orchestra’s
commitment to contemporary music is highlighted by
frequent commissions and premieres, most recently by
Simon Bainbridge, David Lang and John Woolrich.
Part of a vibrant programme of music at Sage
Gateshead, Royal Northern Sinfonia takes regular
opportunities to collaborate with artists from other art
forms including Sting, Pet Shop Boys, Joanna Newsom,
Efterklang, Spiritualized, Lau and Raul Malo.
‘The Best Day Ever’ is the
title song of a SpongeBob
SquarePants episode of
the same name which was
written to celebrate the
unofficial 30th anniversary
of its series network
Nickelodeon.
Performances in its landmark home are complemented
by an extensive programme of activity in the local
and regional community as well as nationally and
internationally. Residencies at the Aldeburgh Festival
and Hong Kong Arts Festival with Thomas Zehetmair are
among the many recent invitations, as well as the regular
performances at the BBC Proms and involvement in the
2013 The Rest is Noise festival at London’s Southbank.
Royal Northern Sinfonia continues to contribute to the
cultural life of the region through its work with adults
and young people alike. Performances for families and
schools, gala concerts with community choirs and
workshops and premieres of student compositions are
regular projects whilst the individual members play a
key role coaching and mentoring in Sage Gateshead’s
Young Musicians’ Programme and In Harmony project.
Cliff Lee
Signed Song
Interpreter
Julia
Partington
Narrator
Cliff is an experienced BSL communicator who has
worked with Sage Gateshead since 2004. Amongst
other projects, Cliff has set up several signed song
choirs within the North East. He also runs courses for
teachers and other trainers and facilitates Sign Song
workshops across the community.
Cliff holds a BSL Level 3 certificate, and has completed
a teaching degree. In his spare time he is learning to
play the piano and enjoys nothing more than looking
after his twin grandsons.
Cliff has been working with Inspiration since they
started in 2009. He loves working with the choir and is
looking forward to introducing more people to the joy
of song through the beauty of sign language.
In her role as a member of Sage Gateshead’s Learning
& Participation Ensemble, Julia has gathered extensive
experience of concert presentation and performance,
having co-created and performed in a range of concerts
especially devised and presented for the company.
These include an interactive reimagining of Peter and
the Wolf with Royal Northern Sinfonia in December
2012, Songs in a Suitcase, Toucan Canoe, Eleanor & Julia
in an English Country Garden and the Whirligig series.
A graduate of Newcastle University, she has also toured
nationally as a solo mezzo soprano with early music
chamber ensemble Lyra and has appeared on the
concert platform alongside renowned artists such as
Emma Kirkby, Mhari Lawson and Lynne Dawson.
Julia is thrilled to be working once again with
Inspiration Choir and Royal Northern Sinfonia for whom
she presented Sail on Titanic and Here’s to the Heroes
in 2012, both of which reduced her to laughter and tears
in equal measure as a result of the fantastic singing and
energy of the choir and the emotive programming. She
has her handkerchief on hand tonight just in case and
advises you to do the same!
INSPIRATION
TEAM
MARK DEEKS
Assistant Music DIRECTOR
Mark has a wealth of experience
as a pianist, performer, arranger,
musical director and lecturer. His
company Music Newcastle (www.
music-newcastle.co.uk) is a highlyrecommended supplier of live
music to some of the top venues
in the North East and he won the North of England
Wedding Award for Music and Entertainment in 2013.
In 2011 he co-wrote and starred in comedy musical
‘Monopolise’ whilst his MD credits include ‘West Side
Story’, ‘Buddy’ and ‘The Sound of Music’. Mark is the
MD for Inspiration’s ‘sister’ pop choir in Newcastle,
Echo and he also regularly works as a function pianist.
Sue Mitchell,
Director of Community Involvement
New York, it happened and was a
truly amazing experience. I have to
admit to feeling very nervous in the
weeks leading up to the trip but all
of the planning paid off. Gary and I
headed to New York the day before
the singers to have meetings and
make sure New York was ready and I didn’t even mind
the calls and text messages in the early hours of the
morning in New York – ‘we’ve just left Newcastle/Leeds
Sue’, ‘We’re at Watford Gap Sue’. I need not have been
nervous, as the trip fulfilled all expectations and more.
So back to earth with a bump! It’s been hard to re-adjust
but planning has already started for future events.
Mallory SMITH
Rehearsal Manager
Originally performed in
The Muppet Movie in 1979,
‘The Rainbow Connection’
was reprised many times
on The Muppet Show
most notably in 1980 as
a duet between Kermit
and the lead singer of
Blondie, Debbie Harry.
Well, what can I say – the Zulu
was a doddle by comparison to
memorising Icelandic! I now realise
that we all have very different
word learning styles. Some people
‘see them on the page, some
people draw pictures (neither
work for me). I am kinaesthetic (sounds impressive
eh?) and have to sort of get inside the story and that’s
pretty difficult when I don’t understand a word of it.
But it does sound lovely – fingers crossed that sheer
repetition will bring results on the night!
singer
spotlight
The SAUNDERS
FAMILY
How long have you each been singing and
what other groups have you been involved with?
Music has always been important to each of us in our
own way. Katherine started singing at primary school
and joined Inspiration as soon as she was old enough.
Aidan has a great ear for music and can play piano and
guitar and likes to digitally mix music. Denise has sung
in groups and choirs since school and led a local church
music group for many years, where Gary plays guitar and
Owen drums. Gary has been involved in operatic society
productions since his youth and caught the choir bug
after Denise joined a large choir. Denise and Katherine
also enjoy being in Inspiration’s sister choir Echo.
What made you decide to join Inspiration?
Denise and Gary, Katherine,
Aidan and Owen Saunders all
live in Birtley, just south of the
Angel of the North.
Denise, Gary and Katherine all
sing with Inspiration. Owen is
a member of Chester-le-Street
Theatre Group Junior Section
and sings in a small vocal
group at school. Aidan resists
joining in but makes a great
roadie and photographer when
needed!
‘What’ll I Do?’ was used as
the theme tune for sitcom
Birds Of A Feather. Initially
the version recorded by
William Atherton for the 1974
film The Great Gatsby was
used; from the third series
onwards it was sung by the
programme’s actresses.
Denise had been singing under Gary Griffiths’ expert
direction for many years and when Inspiration started
had no hesitation in joining. Gary heard the total wall of
sound produced in Hall One, Sage Gateshead and just
had to be part of it! Katherine was itching to join for
ages but wasn’t old enough. She eventually joined just
before her 16th birthday.
You all went to New York. How did it feel to sing there?
It didn’t seem real at times. Some of the places we got
to sing in were so iconic: Central Park, at the Statue
of Liberty and Times Square. We felt like we were in
a movie. Then the immense cathedral of St John The
Divine and the intimate Merkin Concert Hall were
unforgettable. But to stand on that stage looking out
over the auditorium of Carnegie Hall was spine-tingling!
What was your most memorable moment?
Gary’s favourite was singing ‘Anthem’ at the Statue
of Liberty and Katherine’s favourite was the standing
ovation at Carnegie Hall – amazing and unexpected.
Denise loved it all, but if pushed would choose the
performance in Central Park.
If you could sing anywhere else in the world
where would that be?
So many places would be amazing. Katherine thinks
singing on a beach in Hawaii would be breathtaking.
Gary says the International Space Station would be out
of this world and Denise fancies Sydney Opera House.
How does singing make you feel?
Hungry! We are always starving after a great rehearsal.
Singing with Inspiration also covers every emotion you
can imagine. It totally removes you from the busy day
too so it’s the best stress-buster ever.
I’LL BE there for you
Act ONe
The Muppet Show Theme
The Muppet Show
Henson and Pottle
The Rainbow Connection
The Muppet Show
Williams and Ascher
Love Is Like A Butterfly
Created in 1963 by
manipulating segments of
analogue tape, the Doctor
Who theme is widely
regarded as a significant
and innovative piece of
electronic music, recorded
well before the availability
of commercial synthesisers.
Butterflies
Parton
Sue Straker and Laura Straker
Hoppípolla
Planet Earth
Sigur Rós
Dr Who Theme
Dr Who
Grainer
The Best Day Ever
SpongeBob SquarePants
Paley, Kenny
Sara Morgan, Sue Straker, Anne-Marie Gardener,
Laura Straker, Suzanne Williams, Kirsten Walton,
Denise Saunders, Patrick Love and Mike Humble
I Believe I Can Fly
American Idol
R Kelly
Boys Will Be Boys Medley
Malcolm In The Middle, The Big Bang Theory
and Family Guy
They Might Be Giants, Barenaked Ladies, Murphy
Rolling In The Deep
X-Factor USA
Adkins and Epworth
Bring Me Sunshine
The Morecambe And Wise Show
Dee and Kent
I’LL BE there for you
Act TWO
I’ll Be There For You
Friends
Crane, Kauffman, Skloff, Willis, Sōlem and Wilde
Thank You For Being A Friend
The Golden Girls
Gold
‘Love Is Like A Butterfly’
was originally a hit for Dolly
Parton before being covered
by Clare Torry for the sitcom
Butterflies. Torry is also the
voice heard on Pink Floyd’s
‘The Great Gig In The Sky’
from the album ‘The Dark
Side Of The Moon’.
Anne-Marie Gardener, Laura Straker,
Kirsten Walton, Denise Saunders,
Patrick Love and Mike Humble
Fix You
Glee
Coldplay
Suzanne Williams
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Vivaldi’s Women
Vivaldi
Ecce Homo
Mr Bean
Goodall
Red Dwarf Theme
Red Dwarf
Goodall
What’ll I Do?
Birds Of A Feather
Berlin
Sara Morgan
The Lord Is My Shepherd
The Vicar Of Dibley
Goodall
Blackadder Theme
Blackadder
Goodall
INSPIRATION’s SINGERS
Lynn Adamson
Mark Davies
Patricia Gulliver
William Lowther
Ray Anglesea
Tim Deveaux
Christopher Gulliver
Norma Luke
Ki Anglesea
David Dick
Louise Gulliver
Anne Lyon
Angela Appleby
Roger Dinning
Clare Hagan
Debbie Macqueen
Barbara Armstrong
Elizabeth Dinning
Cynthia Hall
Gill Marshall
Cathryn Atkinson
Susan Dinning
Jill Hardman
Maureen Marshall
Barbara Bainbridge
Hilary Dobson
Stuart Hargrove
Anne Maughan
Freda Barber
Irene Dolan
Lesley Hehir
Sue McCarthy
Kim Barry
Audrey Donaldson
Elizabeth Hewett
Elizabeth McCoull
Anne Bartle
Liz Doran
Carol Hindhaugh
Glynis McGlen
Margaret Beauchamp
Jeff Dougherty
Julie Hobson
Dorothy McGuiness
Guy Beauchamp
Eileen Dougherty
Alan Hobson
Susannah McKeag
Lindsay Bellwood
Susan Dove
Helen Holmes
Irene McLane
Anna Bellwood
Aileen Drummond
Dawn Holmes
Alison Means
Anjanette Berrie
Linda Duckworth
Peter Hopkins
Anna Meikle
Peter Berrie
Steve Duncan
Joy Houghton
Andy Mellon
Karen Blenkinsop
Becky Dunn
Michael Humble
Susan Mellon
Margaret Bolam
Eva Eden
Jean Humphrey
Sheila Millen
Joan Bradford
Mandy Elkin
Dominic Inman
Elaine Mills
Donald Bradford
Ann Ellis
Allan Irwin
Sue Mitchell
Collette Brady
John Emmerson
Nicola Johnson
Sue Morgan
Clare Brayson
Glynis Evans
Susan Johnston
Sara Morgan
Dawn Briggs
Jennifer Falconer
Grenville Jones
Erica Morgan
Winifred Brown
Jean Falkous
Ann Kaiser
Vivienne Muir
Trish Bryans
Carolyn Fenton
Tony Kennan
John Muir
Diana Buchan
Vivien Frazer
Anne Kent
Nicola Joanne
Liz Buchan
Anne-Marie Gardener
Alison Kerr
Mulgrew
Graeme Caddies-Green
Christine Gardner
Patricia Kidd
Jenny Mullinder
Gloria Cain
Evelyn Gardner
Nigel Kidwell
John Munro
Amanda Canlett
Judith Gibson
Sheila Kimber
Janice Mylroi
Carol Capaldi
Joyce Gibson
Liz Knight
Anna Nardini
Kirsty Carr
Bert Gibson
Susan Knott
Patricia O’Connor
Elizabeth Carr
Maureen Gilroy
Liz Kreibich
Louise Okello
Maureen Carrahar
Sandie Ginks
Jean Latimer
Jimmy Orange
Sheila Carruthers
Bob Gladwin
Angela Lawery
Heather Page
Linda Corrie
Rose Goldie
Alyson Laws
Monica Parker
Barney Coyle
Brenda Graham
Alice Leaver
David Parker
Susan Craigs
David Graham
Gill Lisk
Jill Parkin
Margaret Criddle
Jean Greenwood
Hayley Llandro
Pam Patterson
Linda Cruickshank
Dorothy Gregory
Patrick Love
Ann Paxton
Bryony Cufflin
Alison Griffin
Patricia Lowery
Helen Pearce
Judith Platt
Katherine Saunders
Laura Straker
Suzanne Walker
Sheila Platt
Gary Saunders
Lawrence Straker
Christine Wallace
Jeffrey Platt
Veronica Schubeler
Sandra Swinburn
Bronwyn Walton
Anni Proud
Mike Shoesmith
Janice Taylor
Kirsten Walton
Helen Pryor
Pauline Sibbald
Pauline Thirlaway
Sarah Watling
Dorothy Rae
Brenda Slater
Marie Thom
Marie Waugh
Anne Ransome
Amy Slater
Joanna Thompson
Katherine Welford
Sandra Reay
Judy Smith
Daphne Thornton
Mary Wellington
Jon Rees
Janice Smith
Tony Thornton
Anne Wemyss
Elizabeth Regnard
Helen Smith
Joanne Tindle
Merle White
Janet Richardson
Catherine Smith
Pamela Tomlinson
Claire Whitfield
Kathleen Richardson
Maureen Smith
Brenda Tonks
Suzanne Williams
Alison Rigg
Mallory Smith
Sarah Toogood
Anne Wood
Kathy Roberts
Liz Soloman
Alan Towers
Graham Wykes
Lynn Robinson
Jane Speak
Rebecca Trevarrow
Barbara Roper
Margaret Spedding
Jill Turnbull
Fiona Routledge
Geoff Steele
Maddy Upton
Alison Russell
Cate Stephens
Rachel Vaclik
Denise Saunders
Sue Straker
Jennifer Wade
‘Hoppípolla’, written by
the band Sigur Rós, is
Icelandic for ‘Hopping Into
Puddles’. The lyrics are
mainly in Icelandic, with
some nonsensical phrases
in a language the band
calls ‘Hopelandic’.
Keep up to date with all the latest news from Inspiration and Echo by visiting
www.inspirationuk.com or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/inspirationandecho
New York in Spring Time
Inspiration’s 5th anniversary tour
23 – 29 April 2014
It seems as if we’ve been talking about our trip to New
York forever. Now it’s all over we thought you might
like an insight into what was a truly magical event.
On 23 April coaches departed early from Leeds and
Newcastle for our afternoon flights from Heathrow.
What a surprise to walk into departures and find the
Virgin check-in desks displaying ‘Inspiration’ on the
screens. We were off! Eight hours later we were in JFK
airport, through customs and en route to the hotel.
“…the full choir
were singing
their hearts out.”
Day one in New York saw us board our coaches for
the short journey to Central Park and our first singing
experience at the Naumberg Bandshell. How amazed
were we when passers by stopped to listen, held up
their phones and cameras to capture the moment and
applauded with gusto at each song? Later in the week
people stopped us in the streets and at the airport
on departure and said “gee were you guys singing in
Central Park? We were there, you were awesome!”.
Our evening performance on day one was at the
magnificent Cathedral of St John the Divine. From fun in
the sun to formal and respectful in one day – but that’s
what we do best. BBC Radio Leeds’ Liz Green accompanied
us on the trip and hosted this concert for us. We sang
to raise money for the International Rescue Committee
(IRC) and we were delighted that David Miliband, now
Chief Executive of the IRC, agreed to open our concert.
Gary started the music with a beautiful solo voice –
‘Non Nobis Domine’ – how fitting for this wonderful
place. Each voice part joined him until the full choir were
singing their hearts out. Before we knew it the concert
was almost over. Just time for Mr Miliband to tell us a
little about the work of the IRC before the lights dimmed
and we sang ‘Let There Be Peace On Earth’, with each
singer lighting a candle and raising it aloft.
I hope you are keeping up so far – we’re only on day one!
Day two and we’re off to the Statue of Liberty. Seeing
the great lady standing proud, surveying all before her
as we disembarked for our spot performance at Liberty
Flagpole with the Manhattan skyline behind us, was
like no other experience. Singing ‘Anthem’ (‘I cross over
borders…’) and the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ unaccompanied
was a challenge but one that we rose to with remarkable
ease! More photos, more videos, brilliant!
Now what to do this evening? I know, we’ll go and see
The Lion King on Broadway. Yes, all 200 of us! Singing
our medley from this show would take on a whole new
meaning later in the week.
Day three – what shall we do this morning? Let’s do a
flashmob on the Red Steps in Times Square! How do
you sneak 160 singers on to the steps in voice part ready
to sing ‘Circle Of Life’? I’ve no idea, but we managed
it. Four helpful notes from Gary (whose knees were
shaking) and we were off. Take that NYPD! Our Mark
Deeks did a fabulous job placating security, who were
already alerting control to a ‘code 74’ on the Red Steps!
Rapturous applause, hilarity, yes, we’d done it!
The evening brought us yet another singing experience
in the Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Centre. An
impromptu moment at rehearsal saw Liz put on her tap
shoes and show us how to tap dance on this Broadway
stage! It was a beautiful, intimate, emotional concert
which touched every one of us ‘somewhere deep’.
Day four was another beautiful sunny day with some
welcome free time before lunch at Hard Rock Café in
Times Square. It was lovely to sit with friends, relax,
swap stories and take a few more photographs.
There was more free time in the afternoon before our
final performance of the tour. And this was no ordinary
performance! We were singing in probably one of the
most iconic venues in the world – Carnegie Hall! A brief
rehearsal, into position, introductions of Mark and Andy,
our wonderfully talented duo, and of course our Music
Director Gary and we began our final performance of
‘The Lion King Medley’. We gave it our all!
On the final note, Carnegie Hall erupted. The audience
leapt to their feet, clapping and whooping as only
American audiences can. Who would have thought a
standing ovation in Carnegie Hall? We wanted to stay on
that stage for ever. What a finale to our trip!
It really was the trip of a lifetime. It started with a
“maybe we could take the choir to New York?” type of
conversation. Well, we did it, in style and it was truly
magnificent. What a family holiday!
“The audience
leapt to their
feet, clapping
and whooping as
only American
audiences can.”
singer
spotlight
Liz Doran
How long have you been singing?
I have been singing for seven years since I retired. I
joined the Silver Programme at Sage Gateshead and
started with the Silver Singers. I was very nervous as
I had not sung in a choir since my school days but I
loved the whole experience from the start! Various
Silver summer schools led me to sample other groups
involving different forms of singing and playing the
ukulele and steel pans. A whole new world for me!
Which other singing groups are you involved with?
Currently (as well as playing with the Steel Magnolias
steel pan group) I sing with the Silver Divas and
Silversmiths. Both are large groups under the direction
of Emily Smith – the Divas covering songs from musical
theatre and the Silversmiths a wide range of gospel
and blues.
Liz Doran lives in High Heaton,
Newcastle. Originally from
Barnstaple, North Devon,
she settled here in the 1970s
after studying and working
in London. She has been in
Inspiration since 2013.
What made you decide to join Inspiration?
With the confidence gained from the Silver programme
plus the ‘Join In and Sing’ days at Sage Gateshead, my
friend Jenny and I put our names on the waiting list for
Inspiration. I am so glad we did!
How does singing make you feel?
I love all aspects of singing with Inspiration – the rehearsals,
struggling to learn the words by heart (particularly when
in Icelandic) though to the amazing concerts at Sage
Gateshead. Gary is truly an inspiring leader.
If you could sing anywhere, where would that be?
I would like to sing with Inspiration in Venice (perhaps
in gondolas!). Failing that Iceland. Our newly acquired
language skills with ‘Hoppipolla’ could be shown off.
Television programe
Mr. Bean features a choral
theme tune performed by
the Choir of Southwark
Cathedral. Sung in Latin
the opening line ‘Ecce
homo qui est faba’
translates as ‘Behold the
man who is a bean’.
Do you have any tips for anyone
thinking of trying singing?
Just do it! I recommend coming to the ‘Join in and Sing’
events at Sage Gateshead and also sample the Silvers
programme if you are 50+. Everyone is friendly, helpful
and it is such good fun!
Do you have anyone in the audience tonight?
My eldest daughter and her children travel from Peebles
to see the concerts and her in-laws have become firm
fans of the choir’s performances too! Concert day has
become a fixed date in their calendars.
DateS for your diary
‘Jesus, You Are Him’ with Inspiration
and Royal Northern Sinfonia
Saturday 20 December 2014
Sage Gateshead
Ticket Office: 0191 443 4661
www.sagegateshead.com
Thanks To…
On Sale
from
24 Sept
A gospel flavoured concert from your epic Inspiration.
The massed voices of Inspiration and The Orchestra
of Opera North will once again thrill you with their
extremely popular Christmas extravaganza. This year we
are exploring the exciting world of gospel, with brand
new arrangements of familiar Christmas works together
with some new songs, both home grown and also from
some of the world’s greatest gospel arrangers.
Thanks as always to the
small army of volunteers
who help to keep Inspiration
going, both in public and
behind the scenes. Mal and
her ladies, Jane and Barbara,
Penny, Chris, Margaret and
Denise, Sue, Linda and Peter.
Andy and Mark of course,
and especially Sue Mitchell,
without whom it just wouldn’t
happen. For all the practical
and emotional support I am
very, very grateful – Gary
‘Jesus, You Are Him’ with Inspiration
and The Orchestra of Opera North
Sunday 14 December 2014, Leeds Town Hall
Box Office: 0113 224 3801
www.leedsconcertseason.com
Echo Newcastle present:
The Beat Goes On: The History of Pop
Friday 21 November 2014
PAC Theatre, Royal Grammar School
Box Office: 0333 666 3366
www.echonewcastle.ticketsource.co.uk
Echo Newcastle condense the very best of this thing
we call ‘pop music’ into one night, giving everything the
Echo treatment. From the birth of rock ‘n’ roll to today’s
biggest hits. Expect nothing but songs worthy of the
title ‘classic’. Will your favourite make the list?
Echo Leeds present:And All That Jazz!
Saturday 22 November 2014
The Venue, Leeds College of Music
Box Office: 0113 222 3434
www.lcm.ac.uk/whats-on
Echo Leeds present a glittering array of songs direct
from the West End including ‘All That Jazz’, ‘Bewitched,
Bothered and Bewildered’ and ‘We’re In The Money’.
North Music Trust is registered in
England as a company limited by
guarantee, number 4044936 and
as a charity, number 1087445.
Programme and Inspiration
website designed by
Penny Wilson
www.penny-wilson.co.uk
Programme printed by
Deakin Printers
www.deakinprinters.com
Pictures courtesy of
Gary Griffiths, Andrew Booth,
Gary Saunders, David Wells
and Peter Hopkins.
THE MASSED VOICES OF INSPIRATION
AND ROYAL Northern Sinfonia,
Orchestra of Sage Gateshead PRESENT
JESUS, YOU ARE HIM
A gospel flavoured Christmas concert featuring your festive favourites.
Saturday 20 DECEMBER 2014, 3.30pm and 7.30pm
Hall One, Sage Gateshead
MUSIC DIRECTOR: GARY GRIFFITHS
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Ticket Office: 0191 443 4661
Book online: www.sagegateshead.com