We are a mixed voice amateur choir which, since 1980 has performed choral music to the highest standards. Based now at St.Ambrose's Church, Leyland in Lancashire, we now have around 24 full-time members. Membership is open to anyone from secondary school (16) age upwards. Throughout the year, we deputise for various cathedral choirs as well as taking on a civic role within the city of Preston. As well as singing in services, the choir puts on three concerts a year, usually in spring, summer and at Christmas. The choir has been a registered charity since 1980 and has been a member of the National Federation of Music Societies since 1981.
Following a successful 2007-8 season, with several concert performances and our summer visit, a singing holiday in the Poitiers region of France in August, we have embarked on our 2008-9 season.
Planned Christmas appearances included carols supporting 'Lights of Love' for Sue Ryder Care; a carol concert at Holy Trinity Church, Tarleton, 'Carols on the Train' (a novel twist to our usual performance venues - entertaining commuters at Blackpool railway station); and our usual stint in The Foxcub, Hoole; see the website link below for more details.
Our Spring concert will be on 15th March 2009 at St.Oswald's RC Church, Chapel Lane, Longton at 7:30 pm where we will perform a selection of music including Haydn's "Great Organ Mass", Mozart's "Messe solennes de confessore" and John Rutter's "Te Deum".
In 2008, we sang services at Carlisle and twice at Bangor Cathedrals. Our Summer Concert (at St. Oswald's RC School Hall on Wednesday 2nd July 2008, 7:30pm) was well attended no doubt, in part, thanks to the free refreshments of Strawberries and Cream and, for some, the odd glass (or 2) of wine. In November we performed Faure's Requiem as part of a special Eucharist service, held at St. Mary's Parish Church in Eccleston, as a remembrance service to those no longer with us, supported by professional soloists Emma Johnston and Paul Gibson (of Opera North). In 2009 we will be repeating the 'Strawberry Concert', this time at St. Saviour's, Bamber Bridge on the 1st July.
See website (www.myspace.com/rawstornesingers) or (www.rawstornesingers.btik.com) for more details.
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