Choirs from across Europe share skills, ideas and a concert at Heptonstall

Thursday, 27 March 2014

One of West Yorkshire's most innovative and adventurous chamber choirs is taking part in an exciting European project run by Grundtvig, a pan-European lifelong learning programme.

Grundtvig's Singing Omni Level (SoL) scheme sees nine choirs from seven countries sharing music and participating in workshops and concerts. The Hepton Singers are the only UK choir involved and will be hosting its own workshop for the weekend of 4-6 April, culminating in a free public concert on Sunday 6 April, part of the Yorkshire Festival which runs from 27 March to 6 June 2014 and is the first ever arts festival to precede the Grand Départ in its 111 year history.

This is the second time a group of choirs from across Europe will be working together to share skills, ideas and enthusiasm for contemporary choral music.

Hepton singer Sally Dawson, who attended the first SoL workshop in Bordeaux in February, says the experience has been fantastic so far: "There have certainly been challenges in communicating, choosing repertoire and making decisions but that is part of the process of learning. Bordeaux was a really great experience."

 

"It was wonderful singing with others in their language."

 

The SoL repertoire has been chosen to reflect the diversity of the countries participating and the languages spoken. Most of the composers chosen are alive and some will be involved directly in the project. The 6 April concert will comprise music from the project and existing Hepton Singers repertoire. The Hepton Singers rehearses in Hebden Bridge, directed by Alison West, and performs around four times a year, its principal concerts being in Heptonstall Church. David Bartlett is directing the SOL choir for the 6 April concert.

The concert takes place at Heptonstall Parish Church on Sunday 6 April at 4pm. Tickets are free and will be available on the door.

For more information on the choir visit the Hepton Singers website.