We’ve been busy!
2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone and the vast majority of choirs haven’t been able to perform or even rehearse. So we’ve worked hard to keep ourselves busy, with Zoom rehearsals, a few ‘virtual choir’ videos and of course, our ‘Maestro Series’.
We’ve interviewed a number of highly respected people from the world of music and present them here so you can enjoy and learn just as we all did.
Hosted by our very own MD, Matthew Thomas.
Eric Whitacre
Eric Whitacre – composer, conductor and speaker known for his choral, orchestral and wind ensemble music, plus of course, those epic virtual choir productions!
He joined us for the latest edition of our Maestro Series talks. What a guy! Charismatic, entertaining and inspirational!
Wellerman
Every so often (usually in pubs) some of the choir get together to sing a few sea shanty’s, going by the name The Irwell Shantymen.
Shantys seem to be quite popular at the moment, so this is our ‘cover version’ of the classic Wellerman shanty by the Longest Johns and made hugely popular recently by Nathan Evans.
We Are The World
Together with the Rossendale Ladies Choir we put together a Christmas 2020 version of the 1985 classic We Are The World.
It’s a message of hope for those struggling with lockdown, illness, food poverty or any of the other problems which are aggravated by the pandemic.
2020 Christmas Concert
We teamed-up with the Rossendale Ladies Choir and the 2nd Rossendale Scout Band to present an online fundraiser, with 45 minutes of Christmas favourites.
Over £1500 raised so far!
Christopher Tin
Double Grammy award winning composer Christopher Tin joined us for this latest talk in our Maestro series from his home in Los Angeles. Christopher is a highly respected composer of concert music, film, and video game scores, including Baba Yetu, our first virtual piece.
Sean Ruane
The second talk in our Maestro series. Internationally renowned singer Sean Ruane talks about his journey from his early life in a small town in the north of England, onto the world stage as leading operatic tenor.
Michael McGlynn
The first interview in our ‘Maestro Series’
Our MD Matthew Thomas interviews the Irish producer & composer Michael McGlynn.
Hosted on Zoom, we enjoyed an hour of insightful conversation and choral craic, followed by Q&A.
Salade de Fruits
Inspired by our recent Michael McGlynn ‘Master Series’ talk, a small group of choir members got together to do something a little different: a barbershop rendition of Salade de Fruits.
Hope you like it!
Homeward Bound
Our second Virtual Choir piece, this time with 40 of our members taking part!
This Jay Althouse arrangement of Marta Keens’ soulful composition is elegant in its simplicity and has become an anthem for many soldiers returning home.
Stay safe, keep singing!
Baba Yetu
A brave selection of 24 choir members took
on the challenge of producing this Virtual Choir
video as a Coronavirus lockdown project.
We chose Baba Yetu – the Lords Prayer,
in Swahili – from Christopher Tin’s classic
Civilisation IV soundtrack as our first virtual piece.
Stay safe, keep singing!
CONTACTS
Secretary: Peter Beetham, 07808 733892, peterbeetham@hotmail.com
Treasurer: Paul Heaton, 07952 615608, davidpaulheaton@gmail.com
REHEARSALS
Every Monday at 7.30pm
St Peters Church, St. Peters Avenue, Haslingden, Rossendale BB4 6NZ