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Performing 'Elgar by the Sea' at Christchurch Lancaster 16th June '08 with Rose Martin (violin)

Review of June Concerts
'Elgar by the Sea - Music for Morecambe'
 

'Great setting to rejoice brilliant musical contribution'
'This was a centennial celebration of the composer's association with the town, performed by the Lancaster Singers and led by Denis McCaldin.
Elgar's music is enduringly popularand he is rightly regarded as the first and greatest British composer of orchestral music, especially symphonies,
It is his large scale works such as the Enigma Variations and the Pomp and Circumstance Marches that are best known, which is why it was such a treat to hear some of his smaller pieces, choral, vocal and instrumental. There were part songs and motets competently sung by the Singers under Denis McCaldin's suave and assured direction. There were also pieces for violin and piano excellently executed by Rose Martin and Andy Plowman respectively and some solo songs beautifully rendered and articulated by Wendy Sharrock (Saturday) and Clare McCaldin (Sunday).

Elgar's association with Morecambe and its nationally renowned Music Festival in the early 1900s was fruitful and developed as a result of the initiatives taken by by Canon Charles Gorton, Vicar of Morecambe at the time. It was very fitting that Saturday's concert was given in Morecambe Parish Church as a centennial commemoration of the composer's contribution to the musical life of the town.

The church has a generous and warm accoustic.
This was a varied, rewarding and most enjoyable evening with high levels of musicianship very much in evidence.'
Michael Nunn

 
The associated exhibition at the Lancaster University Library on Elgar's links with Morecambe entitled
'Somewhere further North - Elgar and Morecambe'
continues to 15th September and is very informative.  Entrance to the exhibition is free.

About the Lancaster Singers

Over more than 30 years Lancaster Singers has grown to a 70 - strong mixed voice chamber choir.
What unites us all is a love of music and performance and the pursuit of
musical excellence. We have all had a short informal audition and although some musical literacy is expected, we believe the variety of our musical backgrounds adds to the diversity and flexibility of the group.

Our repertoire has included most of the great choral master-pieces.
We perform as an a capella group through to large scale works with orchestra and we normally give five or six concerts a year which are held in a variety of venues ranging from large concert halls, where we perform with professional orchestras and soloists,  to tiny village churches.

If you are interested in joining us there are limited vacancies for new members.
Some useful information about the general terms of membership are given on the 'news' page of this web-site
Please contact
 Chris Haughton, Chair,
at
Inversanda, Rosslyn Ave, Preesall, Poulton le Fylde,
Lancashire, FY6 0HE
Tel: 01253 811360
E-mail: chris.haughton@tiscali.co.uk