Guardian News

Holmes Chapel all set to make music

By David Morgan

8:20pm Thursday 18th March 2010

FIVE hundred performers and singers from every corner of the community will descend on Holmes Chapel at the weekend for a unique music festival.

The village is hosting an event called Holmes Chapel Makes Music featuring schools, church groups and professional musicians in a series of concerts between March 19 and 21.

Around 1,000 people are expected to attend the festival at Holmes Chapel Leisure Centre which will be officially opened by the Bishop of Chester.

The event, that has been praised by the master of the Queen’s music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, has been arranged by the Holmes Chapel Singers to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice, the Donna Louise Hospice Trust and Hope House Hospice. But the organisers also want to bring together people of all ages to promote the musical talent the village offers.

Sue Speakman, spokesman for the Holmes Chapel Singers, said: “Holmes Chapel Makes Music is a wonderful opportunity for collaboration between a whole range of groups in the village and beyond.

“It showcases the wonderful talent we have in this part of Cheshire, young and old. It’s unique for the village and the first time the village has had a musical weekend.”

The original idea was conceived by Philip Crookall, musical director of Holmes Chapel Singers, following a number of successful workshops the group held in the village.

“We wanted to do something bigger,” added Sue, from Cranage. “Based on the workshops, we expect it to be really vibrant and fun.

“It’ll be a lovely experience. We’ll have young people from school and older retired people who have performed in choirs all their lives singing together.”

The event will also aim to highlight the need for a custom-built concert hall in Holmes Chapel.

Sue said: “Such a venue would be in great demand and would enhance the social and cultural heart of the village.

“It would be a wonderful investment in the talents of the community and the future of the village. Longer term we hope that is something the village aims for.”

Rundown of the weekend: Friday – The weekend starts with a concert from Holmes Chapel Primary, Hermitage Primary and Holmes Chapel Comprehensive schools at 7pm.

Tickets cost £3 (£2 concessions) and are available from the schools.

Saturday – Holmes Chapel Singers will host a ‘Come and sing’ workshop, culminating in a performance of Carmina Burana, by Carl Orff, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £10 but young people are invited to join free of charge. To register or buy tickets, call Sue on 01477 532540.

Sunday – Holmes Chapel Music Society will host The Albion Quartet, students from the Royal Northern College of Music playing a selection of work from Mozart, Mendelssohn and Beethoven at 3pm. Tickets are available from Jane Perrins on 01477 532540.

Then the whole event will finish with a free concert called Songs of Praise at 7pm. It will bring together St Luke’s Church, Knutsford Road Church and St Mary’s Church as well as Holmes Chapel Chorus and Holmes Chapel Singers.

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