What is a “Come and sing” weekend?
It’s a wonderful weekend designed for all who love a good sing, regardless of age or experience. You will also enjoy wholesome food, tremendous friendship and the outstanding location of Harrogate Ladies College. We begin on Friday evening with the first of seven sessions and the course ends at tea-time on Sunday. Our focus
will be on an Introit, a Psalm setting and a large-scale Anthem
culminating in a huge Choral Evensong of Easter music at St Wilfred’s Church, Harrogate. Friends and
relatives will be most welcome at the Evensong where of course, admission will be free!
Who will be directing the weekend?
The weekends will be directed by our two “Come and Sing” favourites.
Andrew Padmore has been a Director of Music in Secondary Schools and a Cathedral Organist & Master of Choristers, but now divides his time between choral conducting and singing teaching. As a choral director he has conducted on 3 continents; he has worked with diverse forces from small chamber choirs at the BBC, to the largest of choral societies e.g. Huddersfield Choral Society. He is Conductor & Artistic Director of the Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir and has recently become Conductor of the Harrogate Choral Society. He is in great demand as a guest conductor and master-class clinician. As a singing teacher he coaches a wide range of vocal abilities and is frequently consulted by professional singers with vocal problems. He adjudicates and has judged at International Choral Competitions, and is also an examiner for ABRSM grades and diplomas, as well as mentoring on their professional development course for singing teachers. Away from music, Andrew enjoys driving fast sports cars, is the proud owner of an ebullient Springer Spaniel called 'Morgan' and two rather special tortoises.
Gareth Green achieved his first musical diplomas at the age of fifteen. Three years later he collected the Dixon and Turpin prizes for FRCO and was already engaged as a recitalist around Europe. Gareth held Organ Scholarships at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London; Worcester College, Oxford University; Canterbury Cathedral. In 1983 he became Assistant Organist at Wakefield Cathedral. In 1985, he was appointed Director of Music at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, leaving in 1990 to pursue his free-lance interests as an organ recitalist, choral conductor, accompanist, adjudicator, composer/arranger and Associated Board examiner. Gareth is also now an Associated Board trainer and an international co-ordinator. He has worked for BBC Religious Broadcasting as a musical director for `Daily Service` and as an organist & pianist on `Songs of Praise`, `Sunday Half Hour`, BBC Chorister of the Year finals etc. Gareth has released various recordings, both as a soloist and choral accompanist, and his musical endeavours have taken him as far a field as America, Bermuda and Singapore. He offers consultation lessons at his home in South Yorkshire and also teaches theory of music online. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, walking, swimming and consuming blue Yorkie bars.
How will we spend our time during the weekend?
| Friday | |
| Afternoon/early evening | Sneaton Castle will welcome “Come and Sing” participants. |
| 5.30pm | Bar open. Introductions |
| 6.30pm | Dinner |
| 7.30 - 8.30pm | "Come and Sing" session one |
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| Saturday | |
| 8.15am | Breakfast. |
| 9.30am | “Come and Sing”, session two |
| 11am | Coffee is served. |
| 11.30am | “Come and Sing”, session three - `Putting it together so far`. |
| 1pm | Lunch is served. |
| After lunch | Free time to relax, to chat, or to explore the surroundings. |
| 5.30pm | “Come and Sing”, session four. |
| 6.30pm | Dinner is served |
| 7.30pm | An informal light-hearted soirée, during which “Come and Sing” participants are invited (if they so wish) to contribute a musical or other item in the best or worst possible taste. |
| 9.30pm | Relax until you are ready to retire for the night. |
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| Sunday | |
| 8.15am | Breakfast. |
| 9.15am | Clear rooms. |
| 9.45am | “Come and Sing”, session five. |
| 11.15am | Coffee is served. |
| 11.45am | “Come and Sing”, session six . |
| 1.00pm | Lunch is served. |
| 2.15pm onwards | Rehearsal at the concert venue. |
| 4.00pm. | Concert. |
| 5.00pm | We say our fond farewells until we meet again. |
What are the attractions of Harrogate Ladies College?
Situated 20 miles north of Leeds and the same distance west of York, Harrogate is a well known spa and floral resort famous for amenities as diverse as the Pump Room, `Bettys` café tea room, the Valley Gardens, the Conference Centre and stylish shopping facilities. The College occupies a large area of land in the middle of Harrogate, within ten minutes' walk of open country in one direction and the thriving town centre in the other. Some of the splendid houses built for 19th century Bradford mill owners are now used by the school as residential accommodation. Facilities at the College are good and, while there are no en suite rooms, all the bedrooms are very close to numerous, excellent bathroom facilities. Home made food is offered and special diets can be accommodated on request. During the weekend there will be opportunity to enjoy the buildings and grounds of the College.
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How do I get to Harrogate Ladies College?
View Larger Map |
The postal address is: Clarence Drive, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 2QG and the College is located on the corner of Clarence Drive and Duchy Road. By Public Transport: Leeds/Bradford International Airport is 8 miles away, Manchester Airport is 90 minutes away, trains take under two hours from Kings Cross to York (30 minutes from York to Harrogate) By Road: the M1/A1 motorways come to Wetherby, 8 miles south of the town. |
How much will the weekend cost?
We are pleased to be able to offer this “Come and Sing” weekend at a most competitive price. Besides the “Come and Sing” sessions, the fee includes accommodation, all meals, mid-morning and mid-afternoon refreshments. You are asked to send a non-returnable deposit for £50 with your application and the balance is payable by January 31st, 2008 for the April weekend. Applications will be received after this deadline subject to places still being available. Applicants are strongly advised to take out holiday insurance. Depending on which option you select, prices work out as follows (inclusive of VAT):-How do I secure my place?
Simply print out and complete the application form and send it with your cheque for the deposit payable to 'Music Matters' to: -Karen Burnage, 'Come and Sing' Administrator, 15 Pashley Croft, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 0LD.
We will acknowledge receipt of all applications and monies received. You are advised to book early in order to avoid disappointment. In the case of the course being over-subscribed, names will be placed on a waiting list in the order in which applications are received.How can I contact you if I have any queries?
You can contact Karen Burnage, the “Come and Sing” Administrator, on 01226 752738 or email Music Matters Courses at info@mmcourses.co.uk