A performance of The Dream of Gerontius, with words by the Venerable John Henry, Cardinal Newman, and music by Edward Elgar, will be given on 29th November 2008 at 7.30 pm in Middlesbrough Town Hall. It is coincidental that this performance of Gerontius should happen at a time when the Venerable John Henry, Cardinal Newman, is very much in the news, as it seems that his Beatification is imminent. Read More

‘Carols for the Port’, the annual Carol Service which brings together people from all walks of life in the port of Tees and Hartlepool is to be held at St Mary’s Cathedral, Coulby Newham on Wednesday 10th December commencing at 7.00 pm. Read More

Presented by Cleveland Philharmonic Choir

• personal and musical memorabilia loaned by Elgar’s great-nephew
• information panels from the Elgar Birthplace Museum, near Worcester
• Ken Russell’s film
• music and images
• Elgar and Middlesbrough Town Hall
• The Dream of Gerontius performance by Cleveland Philharmonic Choir 29th November 2008, Middlesbrough Town Hall, with Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts, Anna Stéphany and Roderick Earle. Conductor John Forsyth.

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A free 5 week course for all ages, aimed at newcomers to singing and those who have not sung for a while.

Starting on Tuesday 23rd September, 7pm at the Main Hall, Brittain Building, Teesside University, Borough Road.

Call 01642 554405 or 01429 263943 for details.

Wednesday December 17th 7pm at St. Patrick’s Church, Thornaby

Wednesday, December 10th 7pm at the Holy Name of Mary Church, Middlesbrough

Wednesday December 3rd 7pm at St. Andrew’s Church, Teesville

One of the targets of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan was to encourage the singing of the Mass, especially on Sundays. However, a question which is often asked is what do we mean exactly when we talk about a ’sung Mass’? This is a question I’ve been asked to respond to.

The liturgical commission of the diocese of Brisbane recently noted that, ‘When congregational singing became part of liturgical celebrations after Vatican II, there was a tendency to fall prey to the ‘4-hymn syndrome’. Whereas the General Instruction on the Roman Missal says that, ‘In choosing the parts to be sung, preference should be given to those to be sung by the priest with the congregation responding…’ (#19). Therefore, it is the acclamations and responses which should be given priority in our musical repertoires. Read More

Bach’s Passion According to St John has great dramatic impact in any venue but in the magnificent surroundings of Ampleforth’s Abbey Church even more so. Through the impassioned narrative of the Evangelist sung by a solo tenor, the vivid crowd scenes given to the chorus and the deeply emotional arias that afford us time to reflect on these events, Bach unfolds the story of Christ’s trail and crucifixion. The performance to be given on Sunday 9 March promises to be an inspiring way of participating more deeply in the events of Holy Week. Read More

There is a Season … is a newly released CD to celebrate the 25 year old musical partnership of Sister Monica Butler (soloist) and Val Goldsack (singer and liturgical songwriter from Middlesbrough). Read More