Lakes Choir wins international choir festival award (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Lakes Choir wins international choir festival award

6:00pm Monday 23rd July 2012 in Gig and concert reviews By Adrian Mullen, Arts correspondent

THE newly formed Lakes Choir has landed the International Choir Festival Supreme Award at a choir festival staged at the Birmingham Symphony Hall.
Put together by Naomi Bewsher and Ann-Marie White, who run Stagecoach theatre schools in Cockermouth, Carlisle, Kendal and Lancaster, it was the first public outing for the choir since its inception in January, competing in the festival against ten long established choirs.
The 50-strong singers were led by their vocal teacher Hannah Fleming and accompanied by pianist Terry Fleming, performing two contrasting pieces - Bob Chilcott’s Can you hear Me? and Didn’t it Rain, arranged by Michael Neaum.
“From the very first rehearsal session the students came with focus and determination,” explained conductor Hannah Fleming. “They have worked tirelessly to reach a very high standard in such a short space of time. To have the opportunity to perform at the Symphony Hall is a memory that will stay with our children forever.”
Added Ann-Marie: “We have lots more exciting projects in the pipeline such as choral examinations, a trip to Euro Disney and a special Cats tribute at the National Indoor Arena. We are taking on another five new voices and will be auditioning in September.”
The event also included a ‘massed choirs’ performance of six pieces, conducted by Paul Leddington-Wright from the BBC’s Songs of Praise, also featuring the Land Rover and Jaguar Brass Band.
The choir meets once a month at Kendal Town Hall. For further information telephone 01539-730849.