THE MASSED VOICES OF INSPIRATION AND THE ORCHESTRA OF PRESENT

O COME, O COME THE MASSED VOICES OF INSPIRATION EMMANUEL AND THE ORCHESTRA OF OPERA NORTH PRESENT SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 2017, 4PM LET THE SUNSHINE IN SATURDAY 22 JULY 2017, 7.30PM BOX OFFICE: 0113 376 0318 LEEDS TOWN HALL BOOK ONLINE: WWW.LEEDSTOWNHALL.CO.UK MUSIC DIRECTOR: GARY GRIFFITHS NARRATOR: LIZ GREEN GLORIOUS, BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

Sometimes a concert can look quite simple on paper, with familiar songs that everyone thinks they know. However, this can often turn out not to be the case. This term has been a challenge for lots of technical reasons – the pop rhythms of ‘Viva La Vida’ and ‘Your Song’ for example, or the unaccompanied harmonies of ‘Fields Of Gold’. The sustained singing of ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Deep River’ provide yet another challenge. Of course, for you the audience, these challenges should not be apparent as you sit back and enjoy another feast of songs, some The Bee Gees have sold well known, others not so much. more than 220 million records, outsold only by We’ve had great fun putting this one together, and we Elvis Presley, The Beatles, hope you enjoy it too. If you have any songs that you Michael Jackson, Garth would like Inspiration to sing then please let me know Brooks and Paul McCartney. via the website at www.inspirationuk.com/get-in-touch. Their hit album ‘Saturday I am always looking out for new ideas. Night Fever’ celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Gary Griffiths, Inspiration Music Director and Founder

About Gary… I have been singing for as long as I can remember. Wolverhampton Grammar School was my major musical influence – School Choir, Choral Society, Musical Theatre Group, Jazz Band – alongside the Youth Orchestra and the Concert Band.

When it came to University it had to be music, and so to York. Three wonderful years of music making also included being Chorus Master for York Light Opera and MD for Pickering Musical Society.

I then became a tenor in the Choir of York Minster with all that entails; daily services as well as many world tours, concerts and recordings. After 18 years­, I left and became part of the creative team behind the formation of SingLive.

Now, with Inspiration as my sole focus, I really do have my dream job. Weekly

Major Supporter rehearsals and trips around the country and abroad are a joy.

Aut17 Inspiration Prog-July A5 AW.indd 1 06/07/2017 17:51 THE ORCHESTRA First Violins Bassoon Director of Andrew Long (Leader) David Baker* Orchestra & Chorus OF OPERA Michael Ardron* Phil Boughton NORTH Stephen Shulman* Horns Orchestra Manager Brian Reilly* Alexander Hamilton Tamsin Symons Max Garrard Helen Wilson Claire Osborne Louise Latham Trumpets Library Manager Sue Voss Murray Greig* Andrew Fairley* Michael Woodhead* Second Violins David Hooper Librarian Katherine New Jim Bulger Victoria Bellis Maria Vericonte Catherine Baker* Trombones Orchestra Wendy Dyson* Blair Sinclair Operations Manager Alison Dixon Robert Burtenshaw* Christopher Ladds Ian Bone Bass Trombone Orchestra Attendant Violas Christian Jones John Boulton The Orchestra of Opera North, Classic FM’s Orchestra in Lourenço Macedo Sampaio , is the only ensemble in the country to have a Anne Trygstad Tuba Music Secretary year-round dual role in the opera house and concert hall. Elizabeth Wyly* Sarah Nicholson Helen Stephens* Vivienne Campbell* It has important relationships with Leeds International * Opera North Company member Concert Season and the region’s choral societies, and Timpani Cellos for 25 years or more is the resident Orchestra for the Leeds Conductors Paul Philbert Morwenna Del Mar Competition, the National New Composers Forum and Jonathan Pether the orchestral concert seasons in Kirklees. Percussion Andrew Fairley* Christopher Bradley* The Orchestra has a strong commitment to education Zöe Long work and many of the players are outstanding teachers Charles Ashby with several holding professorships at the Royal Northern Basses Harp College of Music and at Universities within the region. Paul Miller* Celine Saout It has received international recognition for its Claire Sadler recordings, with releases on Chandos, Collins Classics, Piano Deutsche Grammophon, EMI, Hyperion and Naxos, Flutes Opening on Broadway in Steven Hood ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ is a song by 1968, ‘Hair: The American and has toured abroad both with the whole Company Kevin Gowland British rock group Electric Tribal Love-Rock Musical’ and independently to many European countries and David Moseley* Light Orchestra (ELO). It Bass Guitar broke new ground by regularly performs at venues throughout the UK. was written by frontman Harrison Wood defining the genre of ‘rock Oboe Jeff Lynne, who uses ‘blue’ musical’. Its depiction of Richard Hewitt* in the title of many of his Kit illegal drugs and treatment songs as a tribute to his Matt Dabbs of sexuality and nudity Clarinets favourite football team, caused much controversy. Colin Honour* Birmingham City. Andrew Mason Steven has been playing the piano for the last 25 Liz Green is a multi-award winning broadcaster and STEVEN HOOD years. Over that period, he has developed as a solo LIZ GREEN journalist. She presents the Breakfast Show on BBC INSPIRATION pianist, accompanist, rehearsal pianist, arranger and NARRATOR Radio Leeds and makes dark radio documentaries ACCOMPANIST musical director. He has served as rehearsal pianist which have twice won awards at the New York for a number of theatre companies throughout the International Radio Festival. Her Breakfast Show was North East and has played in the orchestra pit at the nominated in 2016 for an ‘ARIA’ award, the industry’s major theatres in the region. Over the last 10 years, his highest accolade. credits as MD have included traditional shows such Liz has a long time association with Inspiration, hosting as Scrooge, Hello Dolly and 42nd Street along with concerts at Leeds Town Hall and Sage Gatehead. She regional premiere productions of A Tale Of Two Cities, also travelled with the company to New York when Grand Hotel and Sunset Boulevard. Steven particularly they appeared on Broadway and at Carnegie Hall. enjoys MD’ing Sondheim musicals. Steven is currently working on a production of Strictly Musicals 2 as MD When Liz isn’t broadcasting or hosting concerts and for Darlington Operatic Society. award ceremonies, she has been a speaker at the House of Commons and chaired a debate on legalised Professionally, Steven is qualified as a Barrister and You can follow Liz on sex working at the Sorbonne in Paris. works as a Magistrates’ Court Legal Adviser. Steven is Twitter @lizgreenlive very excited to be once again working with Inspiration You may also find her clutching paint colour charts Leeds and wishes them all the best with the concert. and dealing with builders as she is renovating her new house, a money pit built in 1820 which may well be haunted…

It is her absolute pleasure to be with Inspiration today and she wishes everyone a fantastic concert.

‘Shenandoah’ is a traditional Released as a single in American folk song of September 1984, ‘Together uncertain origin, dating In Electric Dreams’ proved from the early 19th century. a major commercial success It is thought to have for writers Oakey and originated with fur traders Moroder, eclipsing the film who travelled down the it was originally intended Missouri River in canoes. to promote. LET THE SUNSHINE IN LET THE SUNSHINE IN ACT ONE ACT TWO

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band/ Down By The Riverside With A Little Help From My Friends Spiritual Lennon and McCartney Listen out for… a deceptively simple arrangement with lovely ragtime piano interjections between the verses. Listen out for… the trumpets in the introduction playing ‘blue’ notes – major and minor at the same time. Mr Blue Sky Let The Sunshine In/Aquarius Lynne MacDermot, Rado and Ragni | Hair Listen out for… very low basses at the beginning of each chorus, with the sound rising up through Listen out for… an arresting a cappella (i.e. no orchestra) 26th May 2017 marked the voices of the choir. The spiritual ‘Deep River’ opening, in a surprising minor key for the 50th anniversary of was first mentioned in such an uplifting message. The Beatles’ album ‘Sgt. Some Enchanted Evening print in 1876. It is one of Pepper’s Lonely Hearts I Don’t Know How To Love Him Rodgers and Hammerstein | South Pacific five spirituals included in Club Band’. It is the third the oratorio ‘A Child of Lloyd Webber and Rice | Jesus Christ Superstar Soloist: Richard Aldham best-selling album in UK Our Time’, by the classical Soloist: Anna Stothard Listen out for… the strings of the orchestra echoing chart history after Queen’s the soloist in this bona fide classic. composer Michael Tippett, Listen out for… a florid oboe solo between verses, Greatest Hits and ABBA’s which was first performed suggesting both happiness and unrest. Gold album. Deep River in 1944. Bee Gees Medley Spiritual Listen out for… a simple chordal accompaniment, Gibb Brothers this time with very little movement, suggesting how many songs you can recognise. Listen out for… depth and profundity.

Fields Of Gold Viva La Vida Sumner Martin, Berryman, Buckland and Champion the choir singing a cappella throughout. Listen out for… Listen out for… the build up about half way through – Towards the end there’s a wonderful ‘stacked’ chord – an exciting journey from pp to f. two different chords at the same time. As Long As He Needs Me Together In Electric Dreams Bart | Oliver! Oakey and Moroder | Electric Dreams Soloist: Penny Wilson Listen out for… the opening ‘epic’ quasi classical introduction which reappears at the end. Listen out for… the countermelody in the orchestra that gets stronger as the song goes on, coming to the fore at the final key change. Shenandoah Traditional Bali Hai Listen out for… the constantly moving accompaniment Rodgers and Hammerstein | South Pacific in the strings, representing the ever-flowing river. Listen out for… the storm at the start. Close your eyes and imagine the clouds getting closer and the rain Your Song/It Was Your Song starting to pour. John, Taupin and Brooks Listen out for… a classic mashup! Two different songs sung at the same time, and a key change as well. INSPIRATION’S SINGERS

Joanne Aldham Chris Flecknoe Jan Hunter Lesley Pearcey Catherine Smith Sue Timme Richard Aldham Mervyn Flecknoe Tricia Hutchinson Debra Pearlman Duncan Smith Jo Ungar De’Anne Ambler Chris Folkard Isabella Inman Freda Pollard John Smith Gwyneth Wainwright Siobhan Ashburn Lynne Folkard David Isaac Siân Pool Joy Smith Lesley Wales Anne Austwick Wendy Forrest Diane Jackson Karen Potter Helen Spencer Alison Warren Rosemary Ball Susan Foxton Pam Jagger Patricia Pratt Jean Stafford Lisa Wells Jennifer Balmforth Chris Gale Liz Jarratt Jean Purcell Evelyn Storey Alison West-Lay Lindsey Barkham Nancy Glaister Mavis Johnson Verity Randall Anna Stothard Penny Wilson Pat Bassano Emma Goldie Heather Jubb Malcolm Roberts Sandra Stubbs Sue Wilson Rosemary Bayford Sarah Gosney Stephen Keevash Rita Roberts Barbara Sumroy Yvette Windows Betty Bedford Helen Grace Felicity Kennedy Stephanie Robinson Anthony Suttill Tim Wokes Nina Biehal Michaela Greasley Pauline Kettlewell Sybil Robinson Margaret Suttill Jean Wood Rosalind Bodsworth David Green Nina Kurij Christine Rowlands Dorothy Swallow Elaine Wormwell Christine Bottom Alwyne Greenbank Jane Larder Lynn Shadford Caroline Sykes Janet Wrigglesworth Helen Breton Adrian Greenwood Jane Laurie Julia Shaw Hilary Sykes Stephen Wrigglesworth Marilyn Bush Lynne Greep Zoe Law Elizabeth Sibson Helen Taylor Sheila Wright Sandra Burras Rita Grice Caroline Ledgard Max Silverman Penny Tharratt Susan Wright Julie Butters Katie Groves Hazel Lee Daniela Simonato Sue Thorp Carol Wurr Gwen Buxton Patricia Gwynne Deborah Long Marjorie Slater Sue Timbrell Carole Yeomans Glenys Bye Angela Haigh Andy Longstaffe Angela Cade Jenny Haigh Jane McCarthy Maria Cameron Brian Hall Allison McCracken Nick Cameron Jenni Hall Amanda McNicholas Judith Carter Marie Hall Vincent McNicholas Gaynor Chaplin Carol Hallsworth Ruby Malik Pauline Chidsey Janet Hardwick Vera Markovic Barbara Clark Raymond Hardwick Alison Marsden Gill Clark Jacqueline Hare Carol Marshall Mike Clarke Janet Harford Fay Marshall Sheila Clarke Pat Hartley Barbara Martin Margaret Couzens Sheena Hastings Andrea Massey Debbie Cowling Lynne Hegarty Kezzie Medford Graham Croll Helen Hickes Josie Medved Jenny Curtin Ann Hill Tess Mooney Catherine Dakin Sheila Hill Claire Morley Marian Davis Kath Hinchcliffe Geraldine Morris Shelagh Dixon Maureen Hirst Joan Mosey Milly Donaldson Jackie Holdich Brian Munnoch Linda Dredge Josephine Hornby Maureen Myers Peter Dredge Marilyn Hough Julie Newell Jane Dunne Julie Houston Janet Newsome Keep up to date with all the latest news from Inspiration and Echo by visiting Janice Eastwood Lisa Hudson Jan Oddy www.inspirationuk.com or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/inspirationandecho Jo Flannery Rose Hudson Liz Oxtoby How long have you been singing How long have you been singing SINGER and what got you started? SINGER and what got you started? SPOTLIGHT I’ve been singing for three years. My wife was singing SPOTLIGHT Hilary: I started singing in 1971 when I was 14. I saw MAX SILVERMAN with Inspiration and said it was great fun, so I decided HILARY AND an advert in the local newspaper for the auditions for to join the choir too. CAROLINE SYKES Dewsbury Collegians’ production of ‘The Sound Of Music’. I went along and I’ve been singing ever since! What made you join Inspiration? Caroline: Musical theatre has always been a part of my As my wife was already singing with Inspiration and life through my mum. As a child I used to go watch her its sister choir Echo, I decided to join Echo too which rehearse and when I was older I also took part in shows I enjoyed very much. When Echo stopped I joined such as ‘Wizard Of Oz’ and ‘Scrooge’. Inspiration instead. What made you join Inspiration? Hilary: I used to sing with Sing Live and before that What kind of music do you most enjoy singing? the Northern Music and Theatre Company which I’m fairly eclectic in my tastes. I prefer soul or jazz Inspiration’s Music Director Gary was part of too. Many but I also like folk and gospel. of my friends from those days had joined Inspiration and they encouraged me to join too. Caroline: I came to How does singing make you feel? see the concert last summer as mum was doing a solo. I Max is 65 and lives in really enjoyed it and thought, ‘I want to be part of that!’. It is very uplifting. I’ve found that my vocal range is , Leeds. He is a greater now and that I’ve become more attentive to Hilary is 59 and lives in What kind of music do you most enjoy singing? University Professor and has Dewsbury. She has recently rhythms, tone and so on. But more importantly, it is a Hilary: We both agree that films and musicals are our been a member of Inspiration retired from her role as HR wonderful thing to sing with other people. There’s a favourites but I do like a bit of opera too to give the for two years. collective spirit fostered in a big choir that’s difficult Director with vocal chords some exercise! to describe unless you do it. Police after 37 years service. How does singing make you feel? She has been a member of If you could sing anywhere in the world, Inspiration for six years. Hilary: Calm, relaxed and stress-free. I used to look where would it be? forward to Monday rehearsals after a tough day at the Her daughter Caroline is 26 office.Caroline: Confident. To sing in Carnegie Hall in New York would be and lives in Cleckheaton. She wonderful. If you could sing anywhere in the world, is a Trade Waste Administrator where would it be? and this is her second concert Caroline: Mum and I went to Rome a few years ago. What’s your favourite highlight with Inspiration. since joining Inspiration? We would both love to sing in St Peter’s Basilica at Vatican City. Highlights (in the plural) are the concerts we’ve performed in Leeds Town Hall, singing with The What’s your favourite highlight Orchestra of Opera North. They are really magical. since joining Inspiration?

‘Viva La Vida’, meaning Inspired by the view from Hilary: Definitely our New York trip! The experience of What would you say to anyone unsure ‘Long Live Life’, is a 2008 his Wiltshire home, ‘Fields singing in Central Park, Times Square and at the Statue about trying singing as a hobby? song by the rock band of Gold’ was written by of Liberty was just phenomenal and the standing Coldplay. Its title is taken Definitely give it a go. You can come in at any level Gordon Sumner, aka ovation in Carnegie Hall was unforgettable! Caroline: Meeting new people and also being part of a choir that from a painting by 20th- and everyone is very welcoming. The choice of music Sting, in 1993. Despite not can make such a fantastic sound! century Mexican artist is always good and the whole experience is not only reaching the top 10, it has uplifting but also great fun. Frida Kahlo. become one of his most What would you say to anyone unsure famous songs due to the about trying singing as a hobby? many cover versions. Hilary: Give it a go! You won’t be disappointed. Caroline: Give it a try. You may surprise yourself. I did! DATES FOR YOUR DIARY INSPIRATION TEAM Would you like ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’ Music Director and Founder: to sing with with Inspiration Leeds and Gary Griffiths The Orchestra of Opera North Deputy Music Director: Inspiration Saturday 16 December 2017, 4pm Mark Deeks Leeds Town Hall Director of Community Leeds? Box Office: 0113 376 0318 leedstownhall.co.uk Involvement: The massed voices of Inspiration and The Orchestra of Sue Mitchell We believe that singing in a large group is Opera North present an exhilarating mixture of sacred Rehearsal Accompanist: life-affirming and fulfilling in a way that few and secular music for the festive period. We’ll celebrate Steven Hood other activities can be. Our ethos is simple – the anticipation and excitement of the season of Stage Manager: anyone can sing. We have no auditions to join, No auditions Advent and explore a number of popular songs for Christine Rowlands you don’t even have to read music, you just ••• the holiday period. There’s guaranteed to be something Rehearsal Managers: simply have to enjoy it. Rehearsals are great Open to singers for everyone in our yearly favourite. Jane Larder fun, with a very friendly atmosphere, but we Barbara Sumroy of all abilities do work hard. ••• Concert materials, ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’ All styles programmes and website: Weekly rehearsals take place at 7.30pm on with Inspiration Newcastle and Penny Wilson of music Royal Northern Sinfonia www.penny-wilson.co.uk Monday evenings at St Andrew’s Church, , starting on 25 September 2017. Sunday 10 December 2017, 3pm & 6pm

Sage Gateshead Why not give it a go? For more information Ticket Office: 0191 443 4661 sagegateshead.com THANKS TO… “One of the most or to download a registration form, please amazing experiences Thanks as always to the visit www.inspirationuk.com I have had for a while. I ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’ small army of volunteers who help to keep Inspiration enjoyed every moment of the with Inspiration Southampton and going, both in public and performance. My only wish Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra behind the scenes. Mal and was that we could have Sunday 17 December 2017, 3pm her ladies, Jane and Barbara, done it all over again!” O2 Guildhall Southampton Penny, Chris, Margaret and Box Office: 023 8063 2601 BSOlive.com Denise, Sue, Linda and Peter. Mark, Steven and Philip of course, and especially Sue Echo Newcastle presents: Mitchell, without whom it “When we rehearse Now That’s What I Call Echo 2 just wouldn’t happen. For all for the first time the practical and emotional with the orchestra, the Friday 17 November 2017, 7.30pm support I am very, very Inspiration experience Gosforth Civic Theatre grateful – Gary moves up another level; not Tickets on sale soon – visit inspirationuk.com just in volume but in jaw- Echo Newcastle presents our very own ‘best of’ show, Pictures courtesy of dropping, nerve-tingling featuring just a few of the highlights from the first five Jan Oddy, Rayburn Travel, amazement.” years of Echo. And just like any greatest hits collection, Peter Hopkins, Yorkshire Post there are sure to be a couple of new bonus tracks! Newspapers