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BOLLINGTON
FESTIVAL CHOIR
BOLLINGTON FESTIVAL CHOIR and CHILDREN'S MUSIC THEATRE
The Festival Choir, founder, Dr John Coope MBE, is conducted by
Donald Judge
and has a superb new accompanist, Andrew Cummings. In 2003 the choir
gave
performances of Honegger's oratorio 'King David', and a selection
of works
in a programme entitled 'Pearls of the Baroque'. The choir also
joined
forces with Buxton Musical Society for a memorable performance of
Elgar's
'The Kingdom'.
Reviews of our concerts have been most favourable, including appreciative
comments about the Choir's sweet tone and the adventurous, exciting
programme planning. Special mentions too, for the splendid musicians
in the
ensembles that have accompanied us, and for our soloists, all exceptional
students from the RNCM.
On December 7th 2003, the Choir presents a Christmas Concert in
Bollington
Methodist Church. The programme will include Charpentier's charming
'Messe
de Minuit', Malcolm Williamson's 'The Winter Star', and carols both
familiar
and unfamiliar, some with audience participation. A brass ensemble
and organ
will add to the excitement and festive feeling.
On Tuesday December 16th the Choir hosts its annual 'Messiah for
All': last
year, the Arts Centre was packed to bursting point for this joyous
singalong.
On April 25th 2004, the Methodist Church will resound to the sounds
of 'Te
Deum' a short but exhilarating piece by Dvorak, and Brahms' wonderful
'German Requiem.'
Over the weekend of June 26-27th 2004, the Choir will give two
concerts
locally (venues to be announced). We hope to include the entertaining
'Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo' by Michael Flanders (of Flanders
and
Swann) and Joseph Horovitz.
The Choir rehearses on Tuesdays, 8-10 pm at Bollington Arts Centre,
and the
2003-4 season begins on September 2nd. New members who are competent
singers
with some sight-reading ability are assured of a warm welcome.
BOLLINGTON CHILDREN'S MUSIC THEATRE
2002-3 was a splendid season for the Music Theatre: we performed
Peter
Maxwell Davies' 'Cinderella' and Malcolm Williamson's 'The Happy
Prince' to
large, appreciative audiences. We also sang songs based on the psalms
with
the Festival Choir, and performed Thomas Pitfield's 'Russian Folk
Songs'
with the Northern Chamber Orchestra at the Silk Heritage Centre
in
Macclesfield.
Next season will be pretty spooky! In September 2003, rehearsals
begin for
an exciting new musical based on the Dracula myth. 'Transylvaniamania'
is
the latest of many pieces written for BCMT by its director, Donald
Judge.
The character 'Dracula' is based on Vlad Dracul, a 14th century
Romanian
warlord, renowned for his ferocity. Recently, Donald travelled to
Romania in
search of inspiration, visiting Vlad Dracul's birthplace and climbing
1500
steps to a ruined castle built by him. The sun was shining and the
only
flying objects were birds, bumble bees and butterflies, and it was
hard to
imagine either a war raging or 'Dracula' up to no good. So don't
worry -
there'll be more humour than real scares in this version of the
story, to be
performed on November 30th in the delightful theatre at Bollington
Arts
Centre.
Set in the present day, Daisy Dracula and her family run a Dracula
Theme
Café in the ruined castle. Business is booming - until all
is threatened by
the arrival of fearless vampire hunter Griselda Garlic and her henchman
Stan
the Stake. Convinced that Daisy's family are real vampires, they
determine
to destroy their livelihood, and their lives. But Daisy has some
powerful
friends, including werewolves and Frankenstein's monster. And when
all else
fails, modern Romania's communist overlords, whose statues lurk
in the
forest.
And in 2004, the spooky theme continues with David Bedford's atmospheric
setting of the classic 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner'.
There are many children's drama groups, but BCMT is probably unique.
Rather
than spoken dialogue, songs and music tell the story. There are
solo parts
for the more confident, and always plenty for the chorus. Members,
who are
currently aged 8-13, come from a wide area. We're particularly keen
for more
boys to come along! There are no auditions and the atmosphere is
relaxed and
friendly.
