Come & Sing
with
Matthew Coleridge
Saturday 8th Feb
Driffield Methodist Church
10am-4.30pm
Come & sing extracts from Matthew Coleridge's Requiem &
other works under the composer's expert guidance
Open to singers of any standard!
Matthew Coleridge is an exciting new voice on the British choral scene. He is an acclaimed guest conductor for choirs who perform and workshop his music, providing singers with a fascinating insight into the creation of an original work and sharing stories behind his musical ideas. His music has been performed around the world, including in Barcelona’s Segrada Familia, Christ Church Cathedral in British Columbia, and across the UK including Gloucester, Exeter, Carlisle, Portsmouth, Derby, and Arundel Cathedrals. His choral works have been recorded by ensembles including The Choir of Royal Holloway, Portsmouth Cathedral Choir, The Queen’s Six, and Kantos Chamber Choir.
His most popular work is a setting of the Requiem, which was hailed by Sir Neville Marriner as ‘a valuable addition to the 21st Century choral repertoire’, placing the composer towards the forefront of British choral music. Following an acclaimed première, Matthew crowdfunded a recording with RSVP Voices, cellist Guy Johnston, and organist Stephen Farr. It was recorded again in its orchestral version by The Choir of Royal Holloway and conductor Rupert Gough on the Convivium label, and after being aired on Classic FM debuted in the Classic FM Hall of Fame in 2023, reaching the top 50 in 2024.
Matthew will take you through a selection of movements from his Requiem, his Nunc Dimittis & other works, including a sneak-preview of his brand new work, The Breath of Life, due to be premièred in Buckfast Abbey on 1st March. Copies of his music will be available to buy on the day. You will be accompanied by the organ & Christina Waldock on the cello, and renowned local soprano Lucy Bates will sing the Pie Jesu.
This is a friendly, low-pressure environment - it's all about enjoying exploring some lovely music together. No particular level of singing required, other than the ability to read music reasonably well. If you're used to singing mostly by ear, get listening to lots of Matthew Coleridge pieces! The music is very accessible and you will soon catch on even with very basic note-reading skills, so don't let that stop you!
Here's how the day will pan out:
9.30 arrive/register
10.00 warm up & sing
11.30 break
12.00 sing
1.00 lunch - there are plenty of cafés down Middle Street/Market Street
2.00 sing
3.15 break
3.45 informal presentation to friends & family
4.30 end
Cake, tea/coffee will be available to buy
Venue: Driffield Methodist Church, 52 Westgate, YO25 6TR
Date: Saturday 8th February, 2025
Time: 10.00-4.30