Cobweb Orchestra

Harelaw (between Stanley and Durham), Newbiggin (near Ashington) and Tebay (in Cumbria)

The Cobwebs Orchestra is an enthusiastic, tolerant group of players with professional orchestral guidance. We accept all players who can contribute and gain from playing with us, of all ages and abilities and on a wide variety of instruments.

The underlying idea is to encourage people to play and to enable them to play together so they can improve and enjoy playing. So whatever level you can play at, come and listen and come and play.

We are always accepting new members, some of whom are seasoned, experienced players who want to enjoy their music in new company. But others are complete beginners who, though musical, may never have played in an orchestra before. Most of us have been too busy to practise for several years and want to blow the cobwebs off our music stands and start playing again. Members come and go as their commitments change, so players of any instrument are able to find a place.

We rehearse regularly at three different venues: Harelaw (between Stanley and Durham), Newbiggin (near Ashington) and Tebay (in Cumbria).

www.cobweborchestra.org.uk/

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Durham Choral Society

Durham

Durham Choral Society is a mixed voice choir with over 100 members. We sing two concerts a year in the prestigious setting of Durham Cathedral. The repertoire of DCS is varied, from traditional choral fare of the Bach B Minor to specially commissioned works by new composers such as Will Todd. We welcome new voices to the choir each year (see website for details) and look forward to welcoming you to Durham Cathedral for one of our upcoming concerts.

www.durhamchoralsociety.org.uk

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Durham Scratch Choir

Durham

Durham Scratch Choir is a community choir that prides itself in drawing members from all backgrounds and walks of life. In common we have an interest in singing and performing songs from many different times and traditions. We have performed gospel, doo-wop, Georgian, Balkan, contemporary English, local folk and African music. Members of the choir may have had some or no previous experience but they all enjoy the tremendous feeling that comes from singing with others in an atmosphere that is warm and friendly. There is an annual residential series of workshops and from time to time, there are concerts around the area.

Everyone has a voice and the choir helps you to find it and express it in different ways. Come along and give it a try!

www.durhamscratchchoir.moonfruit.com

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Durham Singers

Durham

The Durham Singers is a lively and versatile choir of about 50 members: they make a point of their versatility, and the repertoire ranges from medieval to modern.

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www.durham-singers.org

Alex Murchie is the visitor for this group from the Making Music: North East Regional Committee.

Durham University Choral Society

Durham

The Choral Society is one of Durham's most prestigious musical groups. We sing two or more concerts a year, often in the Cathedral, working with professional soloists and accompanied by the University Orchestra.

www.dur.ac.uk/choral.society

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Durham Young Musicians

Durham

Durham Young Musicians (DYM) is a society open to all with an interest in music, including parents, teachers and young people of all ages. It aims to foster in young musicians achievement and excellence in musical performance.

We have an exciting programme of events during the year ranging from informal matinee concerts to piano Master Classes by internationally known artists. These events are held at a number of venues in and around Durham City and give opportunities for young people at all levels to perform in public and thereby to gain experience and confidence.

For more details of events or to find out more about DYM please contact Ian Rudd (Hon Secretary) via email: ihrudd@googlemail.com or by telephone at 0191 384 4002.

www.dym.org.uk

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Ferryhill Town Band

Ferryhill

The band was formed as Mainsforth Colliery Band in 1909 and kept that name until 1968, when the colliery closed. It then became Mainsforth Colliery and Tursdale Workshops Band. In 1979 the band was adopted by, and took the name of "Durham Colliery Mechanics Band". The band prospered for a 15-year period with the support of the association, which ended with the demise of the NCB.

The band was fortunate to be offered facilities and the support of Ferryhill Town Council, and thus in 1994 became "Ferryhill Town Band".

In 1996 we were successful in a bid to the National Lottery, which enabled us to purchase a new set of brass instruments.

1998 saw the appointment of Steve Robson as Musical Director, who took the band to Contest successes at Ashington, Hartlepool, and Spennymoor. Ferryhill Town Band has represented the Northern region in the National Brass Band Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in London in October 2000 and Preston Guildhall in 2001.

www.f-t-b.org.uk

Gainford Singers

Durham

The Gainford Singers rehearse 7.30-9.00pm on Monday evenings during term at Gainford Primary School. The choir currently comprises 35 singers. The choir was established over 30 years ago and gives concerts at Christmas and in the spring at Gainford Parish Church. The Gainford Singers have toured abroad mostly to France and once to the USA. Recently the choir has performed with a chamber ensemble. The conductor is John MacKenzie and the choir's accompanist is Chris Thompson. The choir welcomes new members who ideally will have had some singing experience.

For further information contact John MacKenzie, email: john.mackenzie1@virgin.net, tel: 01325 730280.

www.gainfordsingers.org.uk

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Northumbrian Recorder and Viol School

Durham

The Northumbrian Recorder and Viol School, founded in 1971 by Layton and Christine Ring, is a summer school in the College of St Hild and St Bede, Durham, under the direction of Ralph Woodward. It covers a wide range of early music, including technique and ensemble classes and culminating in a choral and orchestral concert. The tutors are among Europe's leading early musicians.

Contact: Jane Beeson (Secretary), email: jane.beeson@btopenworld.com, tel: 07815 793168

www.norvis.org.uk

Orchestra North East

Durham, Newcastle

Orchestra North East (formerly Durham Sinfonia) was formed in the 1980s, and its members are drawn from across the North East. Its membership comprises both professional and amateur musicians who come together for at least three major concerts per year.

www.durhamsinfonia.org.uk

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Jonathan Scott is the visitor for this group from the Making Music: North East Regional Committee.