Renowned choirs at Brinkburn Priory

Posted by The Journal on Aug 13, 09 10:11 AM in What's On

The summer will be getting a thoroughly lovely send-off at Brinkburn Priory.

The last two weekends in August will play host to two music events which will bring the historical setting's successful summer programme of entertainment to a close in grand finale style.

Brinkburn Priory

So far, the summer has brought free performances by (among others) the Northumbrian Pipes of Robson's Choice; The Alnwick Pipers Society; Gregorian Chant; Northumbria University Choir and Newcastle Sinfonietta; The Standing Stones and The Fitzsimons Choir.

And this is all on top of the Priory's annual festival, which ran to much applause over two weekends in July, and a production of The Mowgli Stories in June.

The climax of the programme will bring two of the region's best choirs to the Priory.

At 2pm on Sunday, August 23, the Coldstream-based Andante Chamber Choir (pictured below) will open their new season with a performance they're calling Choral Progress, in reference to the ancient tradition of the King making a royal progress to various parts of the country. This will be a choral progress which moves up-country to the Scottish Borders.

The 20-voice choir present unaccompanied music from five centuries - sacred polyphony from Tallis, Victoria and Byrd to part-songs and folk songs from more recent times by such composers as Rachmaninov and Grieg.

The following weekend, on Saturday, August 29 at 2.30pm, will see a return to Brinkburn by Tyneside's Fitzsimons Choir, directed by BBC Symphony Chorus member Kieran Fitzsimon.

One magical Priory, two terrific choirs and it's free to any who cares to visit.

Coldstream-based Andante Chamber Choir