Lakeland Sinfonia Christmas Charity Concert is five star festive treat (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Lakeland Sinfonia Christmas Charity Concert is five star festive treat

6:10pm Monday 12th December 2011 in Music news By Adrian Mullen, Arts correspondent

ONE of the most highly anticipated concerts in the region’s music calendar is on Saturday (December 17) - the Lakeland Sinfonia’s Christmas Charity Concert.

Philp Sutherland has installed himself as the Sinfonia’s ‘Mr Christmas’ having successfully taken over the festive podium last year from popular conductor Wyn Davies.

Philip is the musical director with English Touring Opera and on the staff at London’s Royal College of Music.

This year’s Christmas cracker is the Lakeland Sinfonia Concert Society’s 30th charity performance and promises to be a fantastic night of light classics and seasonal music.

Led by violinist Philip Routledge, the Lakeland Sinfonia ensemble is joined by in-demand soprano Catrine Kirkman and local harmony group Kentside Singers.

Tim and Pam Keegan are LSCS trustees and booking secretaries and part of the eight-strong team of volunteers who put together each Sinfonia season.

Explained Tim: “For 30 years, since Kendal’s Leisure Centre opened, the Christmas Charity Concert has been a popular date in the events calendar. Throughout that time, the Lakeland Sinfonia orchestra has been the mainstay, with virtually all the players giving their services free. A good many local charities have benefitted, with over £110,000 being raised. And the trustees have held true to the original concept of at least one of the good causes involving young people.”

The society is in its 37th season having previously been at the town hall and parish church prior to the leisure centre opening.

Each series features six subscription concerts plus extra performances such as those by the BBC Philharmonic (January 14) and Halle (February 25) orchestras.

Funding is also crucial.

Continued Tim: “For a number of years we have received sponsorship from South Lakeland District Council, businesses and private supporters and we are most grateful for that support. The biggest grants have been from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. This is on a three year cycle, and we have an application with them now. This income is vital for us to be able to bring such good quality music to the area. We wait with bated breath.

“Another major concern is the future of lakes leisure Kendal. This is the only concert venue here and the funding and future of Kendal’s leisure centre seems uncertain.”

Meanwhile, BBC Radio 4 has a feature on Maurizio Malagnini’s Running in the Clouds - which is inspired by fell running in the Lakes - at 11am tomorrow (Friday).

The January 14 BBC Philharmonic concert will be the World Premiere of Maurizio Malagnini’s piece.

For LSCS tickets telephone 01539-722533.