THE MASSED VOICES OF INSPIRATION AND ROYAL NORTHERN SINFONIA PRESENT

THE MASSED VOICES OF INSPIRATION SEIZE THE DAY AND THE ORCHESTRA OF OPERA NORTH PRESENT Featuring the magical music of Alan Menken including songs from Newsies, Tangled, Little Shop Of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas and Beauty And The Beast SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016, 4PM LEEDS TOWN HALL JOY TO THE WORLD MUSIC DIRECTOR: GARY GRIFFITHS 19 DECEMBER 2015 BOX OFFICE: 0113 224 3801 LEEDS TOWN HALL BOOK ONLINE: WWW.LEEDSTOWNHALL.CO.UK MUSIC DIRECTOR: GARY GRIFFITHS NARRATOR: LIZ GREEN IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT…

There’s something about the Christmas concert that always brings out the best in everyone. There’s just enough familiarity in the music and the lyrics to make it feel very secure, though our arrangements are always somewhat out of the ordinary, which makes discovering them in rehearsals very interesting. Whatever it is, the singers always have a ball rehearsing the Christmas concert and I hope you enjoy the experience as well.

There are some surprises in this one too, not least three different setting of the same lyrics. You might think you Originally known as know ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’, but you haven’t ‘Carol Of The Drum’, ‘The heard Inspiration give it the full treatment… three times Little Drummer Boy’ was over. We also have some familiar lyrics to unfamiliar written by the American tunes, with an insanely catchy version of ‘O Little Town composer and teacher Of Bethlehem’ among others. Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. The first popular Our trees have been up since September and the recording was in 1955 by sprouts have been on since Bonfire Night – I hope this the Trapp Family Singers. concert puts you in the full Christmas spirit.

Let’s bring some ‘Joy To The World’.

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

Win16 Inspiration Prog A5 ad v1 AW.indd 1 18/11/2015 10:19 THE ORCHESTRA First Violins Bassoon Orchestra Director David Greed (Leader)* Sebastian New Phil Boughton OF OPERA Peter Maslin (Co-Leader)* David Baker NORTH Andrew Long Orchestra Manager Michael Ardron* Horns Helen Wilson Brian Reilly Robert Ashworth* Library Manager Tamsin Symons Max Garrard Susannah Simmons Andrew Fairley* Belinda Hammond Trumpets Murray Greig* Librarian Second Violins Michael Woodhead* Victoria Bellis Katherine New David Hooper Pit Supervisor Ian Bone Jim Bulger Christopher Ladds Maria Vericonte* Catherine Baker* Trombones Orchestra Attendant Alison Dixon Blair Sinclair John Boulton Cristina Ocaña Rosado Beth Calderbank Music Secretary Violas Trombone Helen Stephens* Anne Trygstad Christian Jones The Orchestra of Opera North, Classic FM’s Orchestra in Elizabeth Wyly* Yorkshire, is the only ensemble in the country to have a Tuba * Opera North Company member Vivienne Campbell* for 25 years or more year-round dual role in the opera house and concert hall. Joanna Wesling Brian Kingsley* It has important relationships with Leeds International Timpani Concert Season and the region’s choral societies, and Cellos Paul Philbert is the resident Orchestra for the Leeds Conductors Jessica Burroughs Competition, the National New Composers Forum and Andrew Fairley* Percussion the orchestral concert seasons in Kirklees. Zöe Long Christopher Bradley* Sally Ladds The Orchestra has a strong commitment to education Will Renwick work and many of the players are outstanding teachers Basses with several holding professorships at the Royal Northern Harp Genna Spinks College of Music and at Universities within the region. Anna Christensen Claire Sadler

It has received international recognition for its Piano recordings, with releases on Chandos, Collins Classics, Flutes Philip Voldman ‘The First Noel’ is thought Deutsche Grammophon, EMI, Hyperion and Naxos, Kevin Gowland David Moseley* to have originated in and has toured abroad both with the whole Company Bass Guitar France during the fifteenth and independently to many European countries and Oboe Harrison Wood century. In the 1800s it regularly performs at venues throughout the UK. Richard Hewitt* was brought across the Kit Catherine Lowe* channel to Cornwall by Matt Dabbs wandering troubadours Clarinets and transformed into the Colin Honour* carol we recognise today. Andrew Mason Philip Voldman trained at the National Opera Studio, Liz Green is a multi-award winning journalist and PHILIP VOLDMAN London supported by the Leonard Hancock Memorial LIZ GREEN broadcaster. She currently presents the Breakfast INSPIRATION Trust Bursary. Born in New York, Philip went to the NARRATOR Show on BBC Radio Leeds. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing ACCOMPANIST Liz is just back from New York where her radio Arts in New York (otherwise known as ‘The Fame School’). documentary ‘Moon and Star, the journey to He moved to the UK following graduation in 2003 and gained a BMus (Hons) from the Royal College of Music in Auschwitz’ won an award at the New York London. During this time he met the tenor Dennis O’Neill, International Radio Festival. who appointed him repetiteur at the Cardiff International A proud Yorkshire woman, Liz is looking forward Academy of Voice (now Wales International Academy of to celebrating Christmas with Inspiration and The Voice). While at CIAV, he has played for such artists as Orchestra of Opera North. Richard Bonynge, Kiri Te Kanawa, Nuccia Focile, Ileana Cotrubas, Della Jones and Rebecca Evans. Since then he Liz says, “I know it is Christmas when the lights go has been in demand as an opera and recital accompanist. down, the orchestra strikes up and that glorious wave In the last few years, he has assisted Pavilion Opera on of sound which is the combined voices of Inspiration the 2009 production of Tosca and with New Devon lifts the roof off Leeds Town Hall. I can guarantee I Opera, productions of La bohème and La traviata. Philip shall cry, smile and want to get up and dance ! I am has also been Music Director and Pianist for Scarlet You can follow Liz on honoured to narrate this very special concert. Have For more information and Opera’s production of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, the Twitter @lizgreenlive a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!” upcoming events, please visit Project with the Royal Welsh College You can hear Liz 6am – 9am weekdays on BBC www.philipvoldman.co.uk of Music and Drama and with Scottish Opera’s Essential Radio Leeds. Scottish Opera Tour. In July 2010, Philip completed the Opera Repetiteur MMus course with distinction at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he was assistant conductor to Clive Timms on Massenet’s Chérubin and Britten’s Albert Herring. Following this he was appointed Repetiteur Fellow at the Guildhall School of Music Would you like and Drama and has since worked with Chelsea Opera Group on Belisario conducted by Richard Bonynge, Das to perform with Liebesverbot with Anthony Negus, Stiffelio with Brad Cohen and Le roi de Lahore with Renato Balsadonna. Inspiration or Echo? Engagements in the last few years include , Pelleas et Melisande and with the Grimeborn We believe that singing in a large group is life-affirming Festival directed by Aylin Bozok, Suor Angelica with and fulfilling in a way that few other activities can be. Our Talent Unlimited Hansel and Gretel, Orfeo ed Euridice ethos is simple – anyone can sing. We have no auditions and Macbeth with English Pocket Opera Company, to join, you don’t even have to read music, you just simply ‘God Rest Ye Merry, Die Zauberflöte with The Complete Singer directed by have to enjoy it. Rehearsals are great fun, with a very Gentlemen’ is referred to in Jenny Miller, Der Ring des Nibelungen at Longborough friendly atmosphere, but we do work hard. Dickens’ A Christmas Carol... Festival Opera conducted by Anthony Negus and Turn Recruitment for our spring concerts is now in progress “at the first sound of ‘God of the Screw with Opera Holland Park. with rehearsals starting in January. We are particularly bless you, merry gentlemen! Recent engagements include Samson et Dalila at interested in hearing from singers in the tenor and May nothing you dismay!’, Grange Park Opera and The Rake’s Progress at Teatro bass voice ranges. Scrooge seized the ruler Municipal de Santiago de Chile. with such energy of action, For more information or to download a registration Philip is currently Music Director of Clapham Opera Festival form, please visit www.inspirationuk.com that the singer fled in terror”. and from October 2015 to May 2016, Scottish Opera Emerging Artist - Repetiteur and Assistant Conductor. JOY TO THE WORLD JOY TO THE WORLD ACT ONE ACT TWO

Shout For Joy Joy To The World Ricketts Mason and Watts Listen out for… pure energy. The horns have a strong leaping Listen out for… the special effect from the ladies of the choir. figure that cuts through the fanfare-like singing from the choir. The tintinnabulation of the ‘Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy’ is pure Disney.

O Come, All Ye Faithful Let Earth And Heaven Reply Wade Prokofiev and Martin Listen out for… a traditional favourite given extra pizzaz with Listen out for… sleigh bells! fanfares from brass and timpani between the verses. The last chorus is half speed allowing for more extravagant fanfares underneath. Rejoice With Exceeding Great Joy Written by Isaac Watts in The original words to ‘Hark! Rouse and Kirkland 1719, ‘Joy To The World’ Do You Hear What I Hear? The Herald Angels Sing” Listen out for… a mashup. This is when an arrangement puts was originally written as a Regney and Shayne were written by Charles two different songs together at the same time as we have here. Listen out for… the soft choir and strings to start, with an After the first ‘star of wonder’ section the ladies continue with poem. It was eventually set Wesley, the brother of inexorable build up to a majestic key change into the last verse, that song, while the and Basses continue with ‘noel, noel’ to music 120 years later by representing a procession coming over the hill. Methodism founder John from the ‘The First Noel’. There are other mashups in this as well. Lowell Mason in 1839 and Wesley. Inspired by the Can you spot them? is now the most published The First Noel sounds of church bells God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen carol in North America. Traditional he wrote ‘Hark, How The Traditional Listen out for… the underlaying harmony underneath the familiar Welkin (heaven) Rings’. tune which is never quite in sync, like tectonic plates overlapping, Listen out for… a familiar tune given a strong rock lilt to it. concluded by a satisfying key change into the third verse bringing Special effects abound towards the end with slides and everything together – ‘Then let us all with one accord’. sudden dynamics.

Hallelujah (Light Has Come) Jesus, Light Of The World Barlow, Barlow, Barlow, Mott and Marcum Elderkin Soloists: Kezia Roberts, Anna Stothard Listen out for… the essence of gospel. Repetition with added strength – each chorus stronger than the one before. and Penny Wilson with Resonance Listen out for… what is essentially a pop song given extra drama Hark! The Herald Angels Sing with the addition of backing vocals and a bolero-esque feel at Spacht the climax, dying away again at the end. Listen out for… a brand new setting of very familiar words. Like ‘Hallelujah (Light Has Come)’ earlier on, this has a bolero-like Love Came Down At Christmas build up (led by the snare drum) into a wonderfully victorious Traditional/Martin climax, before dying away at the end. Listen out for… familiar words to an unfamiliar tune. ‘Love Divine All Loves Excelling’ to the tune more commonly used for Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ‘Morning Has Broken’. Mendelssohn and Wesley Little Town Soloist: Penny Wilson Listen out for… another gospel type version. Towards the end, Eaton everything seems to calm down (‘Glory to the new born King’) Listen out for… one word – earworm. Unusually the melody is but soon builds again to an ecstatic finish. actually the bass line as well, which just cements it in your head.

The Little Drummer Boy Davis Listen out for… the timpani (Drummer Boy) playing a decorated dominant pedal for the first five verses so the release into the sixth is immense, when the timpani finally come home. INSPIRATION’S SINGERS * Member of Resonance

Pat Ainley Mike Clarke Liz Franklin Kath Hinchcliffe Rita Lindsay Lesley Pearcey Beverlie Smith Krystyna Trybula Janet Aldham Neil Clarke* Catherine Gardner Maureen Hirst Victoria Littlewood Debra Pearlman Catherine Smith Jo Ungar Joanne Aldham Sheila Clarke Edwina Gerry Christine Hodgson Deborah Long Maryline Pineau Duncan Smith Susan Waine Richard Aldham Susan Clayden Nancy Glaister Jackie Holdich Barbara Macbeth Freda Pollard Erica Smith Gwyneth Wainwright Enid Allinson Sue Cornell Alison Glew Barbara Holmes Alison Marsden Carmel Potter John Smith Peter Wakefield De’Anne Ambler Jacqueline Coulson Sarah Gosney Josephine Hornby Carol Marshall Karen Potter Joy Smith Lesley Wales Siobhan Ashburn Margaret Couzens Helen Grace Carol Horwood Fay Marshall Elaine Powell Julie Smith Christine Walker Anne Austwick Debbie Cowling Michaela Greasley Marilyn Hough Barbara Martin Patricia Pratt Karen Smith Liz Walker Claire Baker* Lucy Crathorne David Green Julie Houston Andrea Massey Julie Priestley Jacqueline Somerside Ros Walker Rosemary Ball Graham Croll* Alwyne Greenbank Margaret Howard* Sue Maughan Jean Purcell Carolyn Speight Alison Warren* Jennifer Balmforth Jayne Cunliffe Adrian Greenwood* Lisa Hudson Jane McCarthy Jack Quayle Helen Spencer* Stephen Warwick Pat Bassano Jenny Curtin Lynne Greep Rose Hudson* Allison McCracken* Jane Quayle Jean Stafford Lisa Wells Rosemary Bayford Helena Danielczuk Rita Grice Jan Hunter Amanda McNicholas Christine Raisbeck Graham Standring* Alison West-Lay* Betty Bedford Doromie Davies Katie Groves* Tricia Hutchinson Vincent McNicholas Verity Randall Patricia Standring Sue Whelan Jean Bishop* Marian Davis Patricia Gwynne Bernie Jackson Siân Meyrick* Sandra Rawding Paul Stead Sandra Whitson Alan Black Susan Day Angela Haigh Diane Jackson Tess Mooney Clare Reyes Amanda Stevenson Gwen Wiggins Sally Black* Geoff Dickinson* Jenny Haigh Lesley Jackson Bev Moore Margaret Rhodes Evelyn Storey Gill Wilde Christine Blomfield Val Dickinson* Brian Hall Pam Jagger* Melanie Moore Tim Rhodes Anna Stothard* Sheila Willis Allan Blue Shelagh Dixon Jenni Hall Liz Jarratt Sally Moore* Kezia Roberts* Rachel Stroud Ann Wilson Janet Blue Karen Dodgson Marie Hall Mavis Johnson David Morland Malcolm Roberts Sandra Stubbs Ian Wilson Rosalind Bodsworth Anna Donaghy* Colin Hallewell* Penny Johnson Claire Morley* Rita Roberts* Carole Sullivan Kim Wilson Julie Boldy Milly Donaldson Carol Hallsworth Stephen Keevash Geraldine Morris* Stephanie Robinson* Barbara Sumroy Penny Wilson* Christine Bottom Linda Dredge* Karen Halsey Caroline Kellett Joan Mosey Davena Rose Anthony Suttill Sue Wilson* Helen Breton Peter Dredge* Stephanie Hansell Lynda Kellett Brian Munnoch* Kris Rothert Margaret Suttill Yvette Windows Hetley Burnham Mark Drummond* Janet Hardwick Felicity Kennedy Judith Murton Christine Rowlands* Dorothy Swallow* Tim Wokes Marilyn Bush Jane Dunne Raymond Hardwick Katie Kennedy Maureen Myers Carole Saul Helen Taylor Jennifer Wolfe* Angela Butcher Vivienne Earnshaw Jacqueline Hare Gillian Kerfoot Julie Newell Margaret Saville Jean Taylor Elaine Wormwell Julie Butters Margaret Eason Sally Harrison Margaret Kerins Andy Newing Charlotte Sayer Mary Tennant Cathy Wrigglesworth Gwen Buxton Paul Eason* Pat Hartley Peter Kerr Helen Newman Lynn Shadford Mags Thakker Janet Wrigglesworth* Glenys Bye Janice Eastwood* Margaret Harvey Ruth Kerr Janet Newsome Julia Shaw Penny Tharratt Stephen Wrigglesworth* Wendy Byron* Diana Feather Sheena Hastings Pauline Kettlewell Jan Oddy Laura Sheen Sue Thistlethwaite Sheila Wright Maria Cameron Alan Fish Diane Henson Sarah Langli Louise O’Sullivan Catherine Shields Gloria Thompson Carol Wurr Nick Cameron Sheila Fitzgerald Robert Henson Jane Larder Liz Oxtoby* Jill Shoesmith Sue Thorp* Carole Yeomans Carol Campbell* Jackie Flanigan Audrey Herrou Kathryn Lawn Su Paine Elizabeth Sibson Sue Timbrell Alison Young* Judith Carter Jo Flannery Anne Heyhoe Patricia Lawrence Siân Partridge Daniela Simonato* Sue Timme Robin Young Brenda Castle Chris Folkard Helen Hickes* Caroline Ledgard Judith Paxton Marjorie Slater Julie Marie Tomkins Gaynor Chaplin Lynne Folkard Elaine Hill Hazel Lee Caroline Chapman Elizabeth Ford Helen Hill Rainy Lee Keep up to date with all the latest news from Inspiration and Echo by visiting Pauline Chidsey Wendy Forrest Sheila Hill* Sarah-Jane Lightowler* www.inspirationuk.com or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/inspirationandecho Barbara Clark Sue Foxton Leonie Hilliard* Eion Lindsay 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 started singing at school and eventually formed a trio SPOTLIGHT My earliest memory dates back to singing along with LYNNE AND with two friends. We performed at various concerts JOAN MOSEY my Dad as he towel dried my at bath time. I was and also on the radio. Chris started singing in a band knee high but memorised the lyrics for ‘My Little Girl’, CHRIS FOLKARD at school and taught himself to play the guitar during the soliloquy from . his teenage years. He also sang in the school choir and thanks to Inspiration has now sung every voice part in What made you join Inspiration? ‘Zadok The Priest’! Maestro Gary Griffiths has been my music mentor since we met in 1998. His ‘Pied Piper’ charisma led me to Are you or your family involved in music anywhere else? Inspiration six years ago. We’ve both enjoyed singing all our lives and at present What kind of music do you most enjoy singing? Chris runs a church based choir which I also sing in. Music fills my home – different tunes in different rooms! Chris also performs in a folk band called Whitney Gin I enjoy most genres but in challenging times music with his brother, our son, and two close family friends – can take over when words fail. Music as ‘comfort food’ our next door neighbour, who along with his wife also is a particular treat – lyrics with significance and sings with Inspiration, and his brother-in-law. rousing choruses. I have been involved with a couple of amateur operatic Joan lives in Leeds. She is societies over the last thirty years and both Chris and I Lynne and Chris live in Wortley, 68 and a retired Marketing How does singing make you feel? have ‘trod the boards’ on many occasions. At present I Leeds. They are 61 and 62 Manager. She has been a Singing releases ‘happy hormones’ and puts positivity am on the publicity committee for LIDOS, an amateur respectively. Chris is a Quality member of Inspiration since back into my life. If only rehearsals could be bottled and society based at the Carriageworks in Leeds and we Assurance Manager for a drug its inception in 2009. sipped daily through the week… are members of BrassNeck Theatre company who development company and perform at Yeadon Town Hall. If you could sing anywhere in the Lynne is a School Administrator. Both our children seem to have inherited our love of world where would it be? Lynne joined Inspiration for its singing and theatre. They’re members of local amateur Sydney Opera House so that my family in Australia first concert in 2009 with Chris companies and we regularly have the pleasure of could be in the audience. follow later that year. singing with them and their spouses at various concerts. What’s your favourite highlight What’s your favourite highlight since joining Inspiration? since joining Inspiration? My annual favourite is our concert in Bexley Wing at There is no one special highlight. We thoroughly enjoy St James’s Hospital, a few days before Christmas. Our the concerts and the privilege of singing with The blissful music echoes around the huge atrium building Orchestra of Opera North. We love Gary’s style of and provides an excellent start to the festive season. teaching – his humour makes the rehearsals fun. We’ve made some very good friends at Inspiration and it’s a What would you say to anyone unsure pleasure to sing alongside them. ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ ‘Do You Hear What I about trying singing as a hobby? was originally written in What kind of music do you most enjoy singing? Hear?’ was written as a Take those uncertain steps through the door where Latin as ‘Adeste Fideles’. We both have a varied taste in music. I particularly plea for peace during the there is a huge vocal cushion of singers to befriend and Besides John Francis Wade, like the Christmas concerts and Chris likes the more Cuban Missile Crisis by support you. Excellent tuition, fun and laughter are all in the tune has been credited unusual songs like ‘Hoppípolla’. husband and wife team the mix to bring the joy of song to you. to several musicians What would you say to anyone unsure Noël Regney and Gloria including John Reading, about trying singing as a hobby? Shayne Baker in October Handel, Gluck and even Don’t hesitate. It’s a wonderful, uplifting experience. 1962. King John IV of Portugal. The joy of singing with such a large choir, alongside friends old and new, is very hard to beat. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY INSPIRATION TEAM ‘Seize The Day’ with Inspiration and Royal Northern Sinfonia Music Director and Founder: Gary Griffiths Sunday 3 April 2016, 4pm, Leeds Town Hall Deputy Music Director: Box Office: 0113 224 3801 www.leedstownhall.co.uk Mark Deeks Inspiration launches an occasional series of concerts Director of Community exploring the work of a single composer, with one of Involvement: the most versatile and popular songwriters alive today, Sue Mitchell Alan Menken. From ‘Little Shop Of Horrors’ and ‘The Rehearsal Accompanist: Little Mermaid’, ‘Pocahontas’ and ‘The Hunchback Of Philip Voldman Notre Dame’, to ‘Beauty And The Beast’, ‘Newsies’, ‘Enchanted’ and ‘Tangled’, Alan Menken is widely Stage Manager: regarded as one of Disney’s greatest composers. You Christine Rowlands will know the films and the songs, but you will never Rehearsal Managers: have heard them like this! Jane Larder Barbara Sumroy ‘Seize The Day’ with Inspiration Assistant: Janice Eastwood and Royal Northern Sinfonia Concert materials, programmes and website: Sunday 20 March 2016, 6pm, Sage Gateshead Penny Wilson Ticket Office: 0191 443 4661 www.penny-wilson.co.uk www.sagegateshead.com

‘Seize The Day’ with Inspiration and THANKS TO… Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Sunday 10 April 2016, 3pm, O2 Guildhall Southampton Thanks as always to the Box Office: 023 8063 2601 www.BSOlive.com small army of volunteers who help to keep Inspiration Echo Leeds present: Disco Inferno going, both in public and behind the scenes. Mal and Sunday 6 March 2016, 6pm her ladies, Jane and Barbara, Carriageworks Theatre, Millennium Square, Leeds Penny, Chris, Margaret and Box Office: 0113 376 0318 Denise, Sue and Linda and www.carriageworkstheatre.org.uk Peter. Mark and Phil of Dance. Sing along. Do both. The choice is yours as we course, and especially Sue invite you to join us as Echo put their stamp on the very Mitchell, without whom it best of classic soul and disco. The concert features music just wouldn’t happen. For all from Diana Ross, Al Green, Chic, Earth Wind and Fire and the practical and emotional many more so really the only question is, who is bringing support I am very, very the glitter ball? grateful – Gary

Echo Newcastle present: Disco Inferno Friday 11 March 2016, 7.30pm Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle Upon Tyne Pictures courtesy of Box Office: 0191 230 5151 www.northernstage.co.uk Gary Griffiths, Nick Lansberry