A MONTH-long community musical festival got off to a roaring start in Barnard Castle with the launch venue, St Mary’s Parish Church, packed out.
The fast-moving concert on Monday, June 13, featured local groups and soloists of all ages and skill levels.
Members of the D’Ukes of Scarth ukulele band provided welcoming entertainment in the church’s foyer, while organisers had to hastily add more seating, such was the appetite for the performance which started with a video song.
The free concert featured 18 acts – from brass fanfares performed by the church’s
community orchestra to harmonised vocals from Barney Barbershop.
St Mary’s director of music and festival organiser Annette Butters said the aim was to offer “something for everyone” .
She added: “It was packed with quite a lot of new faces.
“We had more than 50 playing and singing and everyone was connected somehow. It was great to bring everything under one roof – not the usual venue they usually play at.”
The showcase concert provided the opportunity for those picking up an instrument for the first time to perform alongside accomplished musicians. The musical festival, which runs until Sunday, July 10, includes gigs from local bands and groups, lunchtime recitals as well as taster workshops and a Hymns and Pimms evening.
The community orchestra is next up, performing a “summer sizzler” on Saturday, June 25, at The Witham. The family concert will feature special guests from Green Lane School choir, with a pre-show foyer entertainment by Cream Tees. Tickets cost £8 for adults and £5 for under 16s.
A leaflet outlining all the community music festival events has been produced and can be picked up from St Mary’s Church but are also available online at stmarys
barnardcastle.org.uk. Most of the festival’s events offer free admission but donations will be welcome and money raised will be spent on music making at the church.
