Raise the Roof 6: Come and Sing Duke Ellington's Sacred Concert
WORKSHOP - SOLD OUT but you are warmly invited to hear the performance at 3.15pm (free of charge) and tickets available for evening jazz concert - scroll down for more information
Duke Ellington's Sacred Concert is a fantastic piece to sing, and City of Bristol Choir is offering the rare opportunity to come and explore the piece in a workshop day at the end of January - banish the New Year blues and come and enjoy an uplifting day’s singing!
Written originally as a collection of pieces by the legendary jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, we will be using the version arranged by the Swedish bandleader John Hoybye which gives the choir equal standing with the band.
A five-piece jazz band will accompany the performance. Singers are welcome to come on their own or with a group (group discounts are available), and friends and family are welcome to come and hear the performance, free of charge. Themes of freedom, joy, forgiveness and hope are explored in the piece, with large-scale toe-tapping choruses, reflective a capella sections and spoken passages in multiple languages. Messiah this ain’t!
The workshop day will take place on Saturday 26th January 2008 from 10.30am (registration from 9.45am), finishing with the performance at 3.15pm. Lunch is provided and the ticket price of £15 for adults, £5 for under 18s and students in full time education includes hire of a vocal score for the day. For tickets, contact the ticket secretary on 07726 762 070,
or write to 45 Avon Way, Bristol BS9 1SL.
The music doesn't stop there!
Following the workshop day, Big Buzzard the Organ Grinders are staging an evening gig, also at St Matthew's Church, beginning at 8pm. The concert will feature songs from their recent CD 'Live life then give life', recorded in aid of a young charity of the same name, following the extraordinary story of the donation made by Hammond organist Maff Potts when saxophonist Andy Williamson needed a new kidney. Tickets for this gig are £10 (£6 concessions) and are available from the ticket secretary - see contact details above.
Written originally as a collection of pieces by the legendary jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, we will be using the version arranged by the Swedish bandleader John Hoybye which gives the choir equal standing with the band.