Busy Time for YPC
The committee met recently to discuss ‘future programming’. This devolved into three major strands:
- Venues – when and where
- Repertoire – what we perform
- Presentation and profile
As a result of lengthy and frank discussions, significant changes are planned, in summary:
- We are taking on a new venue - the QEHall at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School This will be an extra concert!
- We are promoting another ‘Last Night of the Proms’ style concert
- There will be a Wakefield Messiah this year – on a Sunday evening – at the Cathedral!
- There are various date changes
- Dewsbury Town Hall has been taken out of the calendar, at least for the time being!!
and just to prove that it isn’t all hard work and no play, there are two new major social events listed and a requirement for us to sing at two weddings.
No, there’s never a dull moment at the YPC!!
2010
Friday March 26th – Rehearsal in the Cathedral at 7.30pm
* Saturday March 27th – Rehearsal in the Cathedral from 3pm to 6pm [this is because of Jonathan Bielby’s final service at 11.00am which will be followed by a reception in the North Choir Aisle] -concert at 7.30pm
Tuesday May 4th – Three Big Birthdays [Chris, Jenny, Judith] Cheese & Wine Party in Mulberry Hall after the rehearsal
* Saturday June 19th – Concert in the Cathedral – Jonathan Bielby’s commissioned piece
Saturday June 26th – Supper and Soiree in the Treacy Hall to mark Andrew Padmore’s 21st season as Conductor of the YPC.
Saturday August 14th – Choir required for wedding at Helmsley
Saturday September 11th – Choir required for wedding at Woolley
* Saturday October 2nd – Concert at QEGS – ‘Last night of the Proms’
* Sunday November 21st – Concert in the Cathedral – Messiah
* Saturday December 18th – Concert in the Cathedral – Carols
2011
* Saturday April 16th – Concert in the Cathedral
* Saturday June 18th – Concert in the Cathedral
* = CONCERTS IN 2010/11 SEASON
YPC's annual trip down under during busy Christmas period
The YPC performs 4 or 5 concerts per year, takes part in maybe 6 corporate events and last year sang at 8 weddings. However that doesn’t include the rush of requests which hit us during the Christmas period. We reckon that approximately 1700 people attended our concerts during 2009, around 500 people saw us performing at corporate events, and probably another 800 people heard us singing at weddings. That is really excellent exposure by any standards in this musical world of ours.
So what then of the Christmas period?! We attended 8 extra events during December so it’s anybody’s guess as to what the final audience total might be. This all puts a strain on members’ diaries at one of the busiest times of the year when there are many family committments. Thankfully that didn’t deter YPC members although we had some very unusual weather to contend with, e.g. we sang outside at Harlow Carr Gardens on November 28th when the weather was crisp and bright, and November 29th when the rain came down in torrents! Next came three visits to the National Mining Museum and on December 20th when we were down the mineshaft, we were singing in a comfortable draught free environment at 11 degrees C whilst 500 feet above our heads there was a foot of snow on the ground!!
Still, whatever the weather, choir members always come up smiling and this photograph taking at the Mining Museum on December 6th shows a bunch of happy smiling faces before they descended down to Santa’s Grotto.
Successful collaboration with Soroptimism and Project Sierra and Yorkshire Voices
The Armed Man & African Sanctus Concert
LeedsTown Hall
Saturday 26th September 2009
“It was the vision of Federation President Carwen Wynne-Howells who, in December 2007, originally recognised a possible link between Project SIerra and the fact that Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir(YPC) and Harrogate Choral Society together were planning a performance of African Sanctus, and who very quickly suggested that this concert take place”, says Richard Haigh, Chairman of Yorkshire Voices. At the same time SI Dewsbury held their annual carol service with members of the Yorkshire Chamber Choir (a sub-group of YPC) providing the choir. The President of SI Dewsbury, Kate Currie, coincidentally saw the same potential as President Carwen and encouraged SI Dewsbury to pursue the possibilities that the shared ideals of the music and Project SIerra offered.
All clubs across Yorkshire were asked to donate £20 towards the sponsorship of the concert. In return there came the opportunity to promote Soroptimism and to raise awareness and funds for Project SIerra.
The concert was attended by SI Federation President Carwen Wynne-Howells, SI Yorkshire President Pat Drake and her husband, and Janet Hutton, Yorkshire Ambassador for Project SIerra.
The concert was a sell out. Janet Hutton gave a short talk at the start of the concert about Soroptimism and Project Sierra. Janet encouraged everyone to complete the giftaid envelopes provided and to give generously to the retiring collection for Project Sierra, manned by members of SI Dewsbury. There was an advertisement and donation form on the inside cover of the concert programme and the retiring collection took just over £1500.
The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace highlights the futility of war and was in stark contrast to the vibrant, energetic second half of African Sanctus. The massed voices of the joint choirs forming Yorkshire Voices, together with the presence of the Mighty Zulu Nation Dancers and the Backbeat Percussion Quartet made it a truly memorable occasion.
From left to right, Secretary SI Dewsbury Kate Currie, The Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr Judith Elliott, Yorkshire Ambassador for Project SIerra Janet Hutton, Regional President Pat Drake, Federation President Carwen Wynne-Howells, President SI Dewsbury Margaret Lawton
Mighty Zulu Nation Dancers
All donations were made to Hope and Homes clearly marked “African Sanctus Concert”
http://soroptimist-gbi.co.uk/dewsbury/