From Pub to Pulpit, Saturday 17th June
We're delighted to be hosting the much-praised From Pub to Pulpit concert tour, marking the 150th birthday of Ralph Vaughan Williams.
In the concert, we all turn folk songs into hymns with Cumbria Festival Chorus, an a capella folk group – Broomdasher; a folk chamber trio – Coracle; and the whole audience, in a rousing tribute.
You probably know that Vaughan Williams was an avid collector of folk songs, who used the tunes of some of the most popular folk songs for hymn tunes in the Hymnal he edited in 1906.
We recreate that musical journey from pub folk song to church hymn, with folk group Broomdasher singing the folk song; instrumental trio Coracle, led by Belshazzar’s Feast’s Paul Hutchinson picking up the tune from them and then all of us singing the hymns.
We have such a strong musical tradition here and it will be wonderful to hear as many voices as possible sing songs such as “The Keeper”; “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”; “’Tis Winter Now the Fallen Snow” and “He Who Would Valiant Be”, to make this concert very special.
Tickets are available from our Bookings page or from 01539 733944.
In the concert, we all turn folk songs into hymns with Cumbria Festival Chorus, an a capella folk group – Broomdasher; a folk chamber trio – Coracle; and the whole audience, in a rousing tribute.
You probably know that Vaughan Williams was an avid collector of folk songs, who used the tunes of some of the most popular folk songs for hymn tunes in the Hymnal he edited in 1906.
We recreate that musical journey from pub folk song to church hymn, with folk group Broomdasher singing the folk song; instrumental trio Coracle, led by Belshazzar’s Feast’s Paul Hutchinson picking up the tune from them and then all of us singing the hymns.
We have such a strong musical tradition here and it will be wonderful to hear as many voices as possible sing songs such as “The Keeper”; “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”; “’Tis Winter Now the Fallen Snow” and “He Who Would Valiant Be”, to make this concert very special.
Tickets are available from our Bookings page or from 01539 733944.
Matthew Coleridge's Requiem
Cumbria Festival Chorus invites you to come and sing Matthew Coleridge's Requiem on 30th September in St Thomas's Church, Kendal, conducted by Matthew Coleridge, with cellist Vivienne Pooley, organist Ian Pattinson and percussionist Doug Dawson.
Dorset-based composer Matthew has made his Classic FM Hall of Fame debut in 2023, entering at no 86 on this year's chart.
Click HERE for a flyer and application form
Dorset-based composer Matthew has made his Classic FM Hall of Fame debut in 2023, entering at no 86 on this year's chart.
Click HERE for a flyer and application form
Royal connections ... !
We are excited to learn that our Patron, Roderick Williams, has been invited to sing at the Coronation of His Majesty
King Charles III, and has also been commissioned to write a new piece of music for the Coronation.
King Charles III, and has also been commissioned to write a new piece of music for the Coronation.
About Us
Cumbria Festival Chorus is a large-scale, county-wide choir drawn from all communities in Cumbria and beyond. Our events are open without audition to all enthusiastic singers committed to developing the rich heritage of the British choral tradition.
Our aims are:
Our programme includes:
Our organising committee is entirely voluntary and has many years' experience of planning large choral events. We have no paid staff and our funding relies on subscriptions, sponsorship and funds from grant-making bodies.
Our aims are:
- to encourage young people to continue an interest in choral singing after leaving school
- to provide a platform for young soloists and instrumentalists to make great music
- to widen and explore the repertoire of larger-scale choral and orchestral music
- to encourage new ways of presenting choral music so that it is accessible
Our programme includes:
- choral workshops
- training days for choral singing and conducting
- a major choral festival weekend in the same year as the historic Mary Wakefield Festival
- collaboration with other music events through the sharing of resources and expertise
Our organising committee is entirely voluntary and has many years' experience of planning large choral events. We have no paid staff and our funding relies on subscriptions, sponsorship and funds from grant-making bodies.
