Choir will raise the roof of town church
EAGERLY anticipated and always greatly enjoyed are the performances of the Cantare Choir.
The members of this Rochdale-based choir for female voices, under the musical direction of Michael Betteridge, derive great enjoyment from ‘singing to a high standard in concerts and festivals across the UK (and beyond)’.
Our next opportunity to hear them will be on Saturday, July 8, 8pm to 10pm, at the Church of St Edmund, Clement Royds Street, Rochdale, at A Summer Evening with Cantare, with special guests Rossendale Male Voice Choir.
I recently caught up with Cantare’s Joanne Eaves to find out what else they are up to.
Not surprisingly, they are now focused on practising for their upcoming concert at St Edmund’s.
Joanne said: “We love singing at St Edmund’s, as the Friends group there is so wonderfully warm and welcoming.
“It is a unique, beautiful and architecturally important church - one of Rochdale’s hidden gems - and we like to be able to contribute to fundraising.
“The church no longer has a congregation, but belongs to the Churches Conservation Trust.
“The Friends have lots of plans for its maintenance, as well as wanting to promote and improve its use as a local arts venue.”
I attempted to elicit from Joanne a preview of the programme for A Summer Concert.
She said: “Without wanting to give too much away, it’s fair to say the programme will be very varied.
“We’re practising some really beautiful music, for example: a favourite, well-known spiritual, to send shivers down the spine, some brand-new songs, plus plenty of fun stuff too.
“We’re also honoured to be able to welcome as our special guests, Rossendale Male Voice Choir and we’re really looking forward to hearing the programme they’ve put together for us. It promises to be a night to remember.”
The future? She said: “Our next main concert will be at Christmas, but in the meantime we’re singing at a wedding later in July.
“Along with our musical director, Michael Betteridge, we are currently involved in an exciting, large-scale creative music project, Tram Tracks, which will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Metrolink and The Bridgewater Hall’s 21st Birthday.”
Is the choir still recruiting? She said: “Yes - although the choir has grown in number over the past year, we are still keen to welcome committed, enthusiastic singers.
“More details about the choir and how to join can be found on our website - cantarechoir .wordpress.com.”