Choral singers who just love singing the great choral music of Bach, Handel, Purcell, Tallis, Byrd, Tomkins and Palestrina will have a great deal in common with the members of the Andreas Ensemble.
Founded in 2005, this is a friendly and enthusiastic chamber choir, which sets itself high standards of choral singing and offers the opportunity to rise to the challenge of performing cathedral-style music alongside madrigals and other choral settings from England and Europe.
The Andreas Ensemble draws its singers from all over the region, from Jarrow in the north to Barnard Castle in the south and Teesside in the east, brought together by a great love and enthusiasm for the joy of singing together and the glory of the choral sound. Rather than keeping it to themselves, members are welcoming new members to the choir.
This Christmas the choir is performing a number of baroque pieces with the Cobweb Baroque Strings, including Bach’s masterpiece Cantata 140. The Andreas Ensemble meets every Tuesday for rehearsal, from 7.30pm – 9pm, at St. Andrew’s Church, South Church. They sing in public around 5-6 times a year.
If you might be interested in finding out more about singing with the Andreas Ensemble, an Open Evening is being held on Tuesday, 18th September from 7.30pm at the church.
Brian Varley, who directs the Andreas Ensemble, said, “Why not give me a ring, email or come along to our open evening and see how you like what we do. You could also Google our website for more background and to listen to our recordings”.
Contact Brian on 01388 606075 or email brianvarley@orpheusmail.co.uk.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
