PRESS ARCHIVE, EVENTS & NEWS

BOB CHILCOTT 'COME & SING' WORKSHOP

30 members of Carleton Community Choir attended the
'Come and Sing' Workshop
with Bob Chilcott
on Saturday 25 February 2017 - 10.15 ~ 16.00
@ FULWOOD METHODUST CHURCH
Watling Street Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 8EA

A vocally intense and challenging day and an awesone chance so perform in such a beautiful church with not only other singers & choirs from all over the UK, but to be coached by such a popular and charasmatic composer and conductor. We worked on four pieces in Latin from 'Gloria!" before
lunch and then three pieces from 'The Voyage' whuch Bob composed for Age UK, Oxford. The day concluded with a singthrough of all the pieces covered throughout the day. Such an amazing & breathtaking sound!

SINGERS BY THE SEA - MASSED SINGING EVENT on Saturday 7 May 2016 at The Marine Hall, Fleetwood

Event Details
The event will take place on Saturday 7th May 2016 within Fleetwood’s Marine Hall.

The Finale
The event will culminate in a final massed sing for all participants. In keeping with the theme of our chosen charity, the piece is “You’ll Never Walk Alone with Climb Ev’ry Mountain” arranged in SATB by Mark Hayes and published by Shawnee Press.

About Alistair Mackenzie
We are delighted to announce that Alistair Mackenzie has agreed to direct our finale.

Alistair MacKenzie hails from the Wirral and was born in 1960; his first appointment was that of organist and choirmaster of a local church at the age of 14. He is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music where he studied organ, piano, harpsichord and choral conducting and has studied with Dr. Francis Jackson OBE and Dame Gilliam Weir for whom he has also performed in master classes. His post-graduate study was at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music where he was awarded a major scholarship in organ studies and became Sub-Organist at Glasgow Cathedral.

Alistair has performed in many cathedrals, churches and concert halls throughout Great Britain, directed courses for the Royal School of Church Music, adjudicated for and performed in local and national music festivals and conducted choirs in Austria, the Czech Republic, France and Germany. His recordings and broadcasts include those for the BBC, national and local radio and television.

Following a lengthy career in education at independent schools across the UK, along with a busy schedule as conductor, organist and pianist, he is Organist at St. Annes Parish Church, teaches music at Heyhouses C of E School, and is Musical Director of Fleetwood and District Choral Society and The Lidun Singers.

ABCD Come & Sing Day with Ian Chesworth & the Manchester Airport Choir - Saturday 23 April 2016

'Come and Sing@ with the Manchester Airport Choir
A day for all who sing or lead singing in the community
Led by Ian Chesworth
Saturday 23 April 2016 10.00 ~ 16.00
ALTRINCHAM GRAMMAR SCHHOL FOR BOYS
Marlborough Road, Altrincham Greater Manchester WA14 2RS

We were delighted to get the opportunity to join members of the Manchester Airport Choir, one of the many choirs that Ian Chesworth directs, in their 'Come & Sing Day'. During the day, members got the opportunity of observing Ian working with his choir and then joining in with them. . It was a day of fun, lots of singing and opportunities to observe a choral director at work

1VOICE CONCERT - TUESDAY 19 MAY 2015

WILL TODD WORKSHOP - SATURDAY 12 APRIL 2014

Andy & members of the Choir @ the Will Todd workshop in Stockport on Saturday 12 April 2014

What an awesome day and what an awesome man!

......I'm sure the members who were there on the day will agree that we all came away with so much more singing knowledge and ability. Can't wait for the next one.

A big thanks to Yvonne, who expertly drove us there in the Millfield School minibus and to Karen, who was her dutiful navigator.

Blackpool Gazette - 20/05/13

Blackpool Gazette - 21/06/12

Blackpool Gazette - 27/06/11

Blackpool Gazette - 02/1111

BOB CHILCOTT WORKSHOP - SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2013

Twenty Six members of the Choir went along to the Bob Chilcott Workshop @ Fulwood Methodist Church, Preston on Sat 27 April 2013.

It was a fantastic if not vocally tiring day, and I think all the people present on the day, were totally amazed and inspired by Bob and all that we achieved. Roll on Christmas, so we can get to grips with our newly purchased piece, which we were working on during the workshop 'On Christmas Night'. The challenge of singing 'Furusato' in Japanese didn't seem to appeal to everyone there, even though the music was calming and meditative .....maybe one to take on at a date sometime in the not too distant future.

Two of the day's hightlights were ........having all our 'Uncle Bob' music signed and having this photo taken with Bob and our very own 'Advent Candle'.

Bob is such a lovely man and it was an honour to meet him and be able to work with him!

PRESS RELEASE SENT TO THE GAZETTE (fingers crossed they publish it!)

'Twenty-six members of Carleton Community Chorus attended a workshop with Bob Chilcott at Fulwood Methodist Church on Saturday 27th April. This was a great opportunity for the choir to work with top composer and conductor, Bob Chilcott, who was presenting the workshop. It was a particularly special day for the Carleton group. “We commissioned Bob to compose a carol for us last Christmas,” says Musical Director, Andy Brooke, “so it was truly wonderful not only to perform it, but to do so with the composer conducting.”

Now in its third year, Carleton Community Chorus continues to go from strength to strength. “What a fantastic group of singers to work with,” Andy says. “They’re willing to try new ideas and their desire to progress have led to remarkable improvement since we started the project a couple of years ago.” Open to all, regardless of musical experience, the choir gives several performances a year, the most recent being on St George’s Day at St Martin & St Hilda’s Church in Carleton. New members are welcome – just turn up to a rehearsal on a Tuesday evening, (term time only), at Carleton Green Primary School from 7.00 until 8.30 pm for rehearsals.

See www.carletoncommunitymusic.org.uk for further details.'

ST GEORGE'S DAY CONCERT - St MARTIN & ST HILDA'S CHURCH, CARLETON

Well done to everyone who participated in the St George's Day Concert @ St Martin & St Hilda's Church, Fleetwood Road, Carleton on Tuesday 23 April 2013.

The programme was the same as our Spring Concert, which we held on Tuesday 26 March 2013, apart from a very rousing 'Patriotic Medley' comprising of .....Rule Britannia, Land of Hope & Glory, I Vow to Thee My Country & Jerusalem.

The choir not only looked amazing in their Red & White attire, but sounded amazing too. The patriotic flag waving just added to the performance ;o)

CARLETON JUBILEE FESTIVAL

Well, the sun was out in abundance for our performances on Saturday 8 September. I'm sure we were all on our prayer mats the night before, after the deluge that caused us to cancel our performance in July.

The audience was a bit thin on the ground when we took to the stage, but the ones who were there, gave very good and enthusiastic comments on how well we have progressed both vocally and instrumentally. I am assured that the crowds swelled later in the day, but having to go an relieve a rather jaded husband from covering for me at work, I had to leave after my stint with both the Choir & Band. I am sure Tess will enlighten us to the totals raised, in due course, but a very big thank you to all who turned out to perform.

We couldn't have done it without you :o) Diane

JOINT CONCERT WITH THE CHILDREN @ THORNTON PRIMARY ~ Tuesday 3 July 2012

The Choir were, once again, privileged to be invited to perform with the Children & Musicians of Thornton Primary School, at their second Music Concert. This year the whole school took part, bringing a tear to many Choir members' eyes. Andy, our esteemed leader, has not only used his talents, wit & charm to bring out the best in us, but has proved that the sounds we now create and the performances we give are no 'fluke', as the performance from the children he teaches were absolutely breathtaking. The children certainly did both Andy and Thornton Primary School proud, and the love of music is a legacy they will take with them for life. The final song, performed by the whole school, was totally amazing. Carleton Community Music had given both Thornton Primary School and Carleton Green Primary School donations to further enhance music in both schools, at our AGM last year. Andy had chosen to have a song specially composed for the School, was something that every child could have a part in and will remain with the school for future performances. The musicians played amazingly, with the guitars starting off the evening's proceedings for the children.. Claire Shipway, one of our Choir & Band members, showcased the talents of the two children she has been teaching the Clarinet to during the year, who were joined by two members of staff, who Claire has also been teaching. ........maybe the Clarinet section of the Band has found two new members ......... Diane xx

JUBILEE AFTERNOON TEA - Monday 11 June 2012

Carleton Community Chorus were delighted to be a part of the celebrations at St Hilda & St Martin's Church Hall, Fleetwood Road, Carleton, when they held their Jubilee Afternoon Tea for the Senior Drop In. Apart from being only a skeleton Choir due to work commitments of most of our members, we were 'loved' by all who attended. Everyone participated in a 'sing-along' during the afternoon's proceedings, to many well known classics, with Brenda doing a sterling job, as usual, on the Piano..

Photo: Tess cutting the very 'patriotic' cake .

THORNTON PRIMARY SCHOOL CONCERT - Tuesday 5 July 2011

The community chorus were invited to sing at Thornton Primary School’s first ever musical evening. We were delighted to be part of this inspiring event where we witnessed many enthusiastic and engaging performances from the children. Of course, our musical director Andy had a lot to do with it as he is the music teacher at the school. Andy has even started a samba band which gave an exotic feel to the event.

During the evening we heard some promising performances from the children as another of our members, Claire Shipway, teaches a group of children each week on various brass and woodwind instruments. Her skills are clearly going to produce some new members for the Carleton community band in years to come.

Seeing Andy in his teaching role confirmed our belief that we are very fortunate to have both him and Brenda leading us and we all came away feeling we are capable of great things vocally.

Can’t wait to restart on 6th September.

CARLETON PROMS - Saturday 25 June 2011

Over thirty members sang at the third Carleton Prom event in aid of the Blue Skies appeal at Blackpool Victoria hospital raising funds for the new children’s units. It was held in the grounds of Carleton Green school. The dull, cloudy weather did not deter the shining performances from many groups and individuals who had all kindly donated their time. Before taking the stage we had enjoyed a variety of local acts. The Singup children from 4 primary schools opened the event and were joined by some chorus members. Also taking the stage were much more famous artists such as Jane Irwin, international opera singer and Zoe from Funny girls.

Our contribution included familiar songs like Sweet Low Sweet Chariot and With a Little Help from My Friends as well as less known numbers such as Wayfarin’ Stranger and Like a Singing Bird.

The event raised £4075 for this very worthwhile cause. Keep your diaries free for the 4th Carleton Proms next summer.

JAMES LEWIS WORKSHOP - Saturday 4 June 2011

The workshop on Saturday was fantastic. We were well-represented, with 17 members in attendance. Everyone learnt such a lot from James, and with improved technique and understanding our choral sound was so much better.A talented, successful and sought-after choral specialist, James runs a number of choirs around the north west, as well as working in many schools for Rochdale Music Service.

We worked on some of our own repertoire, and James also brought along an enjoyable, upbeat arrangement of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, which was not only great fun, but also presented just the right degree of challenge we needed in order to raise our game, and to finish, James taught us a couple of fun items.

Many thanks to Brenda, for her rock-solid accompaniment throughout the day, and for organising the availability of the school building.

James also said how much he enjoyed working with such a great group, and - though he is always in demand - assured us that he would be keen to work with us again in the future. We look forward to it, James - thank you, and very best wishes to you and Jo, and your soon-to-arrive bundle of joy.