www.inspirationuk.com

Inspiration and Northern Sinfonia present

Music Director: Gary GriffithsNarrator: Julia Partington

Sail On Titanic

Saturday 31 March 2012Hall One at The Sage Gateshead

The massed voices of Inspiration present

Here’s ToThe Heroeswith Northern SinfoniaIn recognition of Help for Heroes and encapsulating all that is best aboutthe Olympic Spirit, an epic concert for the winner inside all of us. Olympicthemes and patriotic blockbusters, with stirring anthems and heroicvisions. With the moving ‘Wherever You Are’ made famous by theMilitary Wives’ Choir and John Williams’ ‘Hymn To The Fallen’.‘Jerusalem’, ‘You Raise Me Up’, ‘Dare To Dream’ and more…

Saturday 14 July 2012, 6pm, The Sage GatesheadTicket Office: 0191 443 4661www.thesagegateshead.org

WelcomeWelcome to this Sing Together: Inspirationat The Sage Gateshead ‘Sail On Titanic’performance. This is the 10th Inspiration Choirconcert that we have presented here at The SageGateshead, each with a different theme, but allwith the same energy and enthusiasm. As thisApril marks a 100 years since the tragic sinkingof the RMS Titanic, tonight’s concert contains acollection of pieces, specifically about the ship,as well as others inspired by the sea. Not only hasthe sea inspired musical works for generations, but there has also been a longtradition of music aboard ships to help with the physical labour and to keepspirits up with rousing choruses.

There will be plenty of rousing choruses of a slightly different nature on Tuesday5th June when we will be marking a more joyful anniversary; the 60thanniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. ‘Join in and Sing: Celebratethe Queen’s Diamond Jubilee’ is a chance for anyone to learn well known choralpieces with a royal flavour. The day is especially designed to encourage peoplewho have never sung before to give it a go. Simon Fidler will teach all the songsduring the full day workshop, before everything comes together in a free sharingperformance for friends and family. At only £6, what better way is there to spendthe Bank Holiday?

Katherine ZesersonDirector of Learning and Participation

On 10 April 1912RMS Titanic sailed from

Southampton with 2,200passengers and crew. Four days

later she collided with aniceberg and sank. Only 700 souls

survived. 14 April 2012 marksthe 100th anniversary of

that tragic event.

Emotionally chargedCelebrate is perhaps not the right word when talking about the sinking of

RMS Titanic. It is 100 years since that fateful night and it seemed appropriate

to mark the occasion somehow. Most of you will have seen the magnificent film

version, and some of you may have seen the very powerful and atmospheric

stage musical. We have included music from both of these in tonight’s concert.

We have also widened our scope a little with songs about the sea itself and the

rivers that flow into it.

Again I hope I have stretched the singers, especially with the opening of

Vaughan Williams’ ‘Sea Symphony’, one of the most arresting openings in the

classical choral repertoire – ‘Behold The Sea Itself’. They have certainly risen

to the challenge, as always.

After the huge success of our Christmas concert, this term has been completely

different. Much more emotionally charged in some places; dare I say it, more

dramatic. There have been tears. And as always, lots of laughter. The spirit in the

rehearsals has been as uplifting as ever as we piece together what we hope will

be a dramatic and enjoyable concert for you.

It’s so good to have you with us.

GaryTitanic received six ice

warnings on the day of thecollision. The wireless operator,

who was preoccupied withtransmitting passenger

messages, ignoredthem all.

Northern Sinfonia, orchestra of The Sage Gateshead, has built a distinctivereputation as a fresh thinking, versatile orchestra, performing repertoire spanningthree centuries and regularly commissioned new work.

“The Sage Gateshead has become one of the world’s most admired centresfor music and Northern Sinfonia has raised its game to match.”Richard Morrison, The Times

The orchestra’s work includes concerts, broadcasts, recordings, national andinternational touring with its Music Director Thomas Zehetmair, PrincipalConductors Simon Halsey, John Wilson and Mario Venzago and guest artists.

Northern Sinfonia regularly appears at leading venues throughout the world andat major festivals, including a residency at the Hong Kong Festival in 2009.

Northern Sinfonia musicians are part of The Sage Gateshead’s wide rangingLearning & Participation programme, which offers opportunities for everyone to make music of all kinds, whatever their age or ability.

Projects away from the classical mainstream include working with the Pet ShopBoys at a shipyard in North East England, a concert with Sting performing brandnew orchestrations of his hits, and being invited by harpist and singer JoannaNewsom to join her UK tour launching her critically acclaimed album Ys.

CDs recorded by Northern Sinfonia at The Sage Gateshead include Sibelius’Symphonies 3 & 6 and Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto – “Thomas Zehetmair bringsthe work alive marvelously – four stars”; Brahms and Schumann – BBC Musicmagazine’s Disc of the Month, “Zehetmair’s daring success”; and Mozart PianoConcertos with Imogen Cooper – five star reviews in Classic FM magazine andThe Sunday Telegraph.

For more information visit www.thesagegateshead.org

Mark DeeksPianistMark works as a part-time lecturer in music atNew College Durham. Having played piano for 29years, Mark has built up a weath of experience asa freelance performer, musical director, arrangerand teacher. In 2011 he co-wrote and starred in‘Monopolise’ a comedy musical by BBC’s AlfieJoey, and will be the MD for ‘West Side Story’ atWhitley Bay Playhouse this April. Mark is therehearsal pianist and assistant arranger forInspiration, regularly works as a function pianistand his debut album of folk-influenced, acoustic songs was released in 2010.Mark holds the Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in piano teaching, is currently studying for a PhD with the University of Leeds,looking at Nordic National Identity, Heritage and Mythology in Heavy Metaland has recently started to have some of his research published. For moreinformation, or to hire Mark, please visit www.piano-player-newcastle.co.uk.

Gary GriffithsInspiration Music DirectorI have been singing for as long as I can remember.Wolverhampton Grammar School was my majormusical influence – School Choir, Choral Society,Musical Theatre Group, Jazz Band – alongside theYouth Orchestra (where I was principal oboist) andthe Concert Band (principal percussion).

When it came to University it had to be music, andso to York. Three wonderful years of constantmusic making also included being Chorus Masterfor York Light Opera, and Musical Director for Pickering Musical Society.

I was by now (mid–90s) a tenor (yes really) in the Choir of York Minster with all thatentails; daily services as well as many world tours, concerts and recordings. After 18years , I left and became part of the creative team behind the formation of SingLive.

Now, with Inspiration as my sole focus, I really do have my dream job. Weeklyrehearsals are a joy. Our trips around the country and abroad are like taking afamily on holiday – even if it is a rather extended family of 400. And I do think ofthe singers as just that. My musical family.

Inspiration teamSue MitchellThere is always much planning and organising todo behind the scenes with Inspiration for concertday itself, for charity concerts and for otherevents. Working with Inspiration is very rewarding,especially when a plan comes together. Buildingon the success of the men (didn’t they soundgreat?) in the Christmas concert, everyone wasasked to bring a man to the first few rehearsalsthis term to see if they would like to join up. I hadvisions of the ladies stopping men on GosforthHigh Street and dragging them into TrinityChurch! I’m sure that didn’t happen, but we have welcomed some new recruitswho have become affectionately known as the ‘try before you buy’ men. Ofcourse the knock-on effect is more room needed on stage. So a bit of re-jiggingand everyone has a place. Some have now decided to join us on our latest venture –Edinburgh Festival in August 2012 for an exciting weekend of singing and more…

Cliff LeeSigned Song InterpreterCliff is an experienced BSL communicator whohas worked with The Sage Gateshead since 2004.Amongst other projects, Cliff has set up severalsigned song choirs within the North East. Healso runs courses for teachers and other trainersand facilitates Sign Song workshops acrossthe community.

Cliff holds a BSL Level 3 certificate, and has justcompleted a teaching degree. In his spare time heis learning to play the piano and enjoys nothingmore than looking after his twin grandsons.

Cliff has been working with Inspiration since they started in 2009. He lovesworking with the choir and is looking forward to introducing more people tothe joy of song through the beauty of sign language.

Mallory SmithMallory is part of the little team of volunteers takingregisters, answering queries and doing their levelbest to make sure things run as smoothly as possibleduring rehearsals and on concert day. Big thanks toSheila, Jill, Lindsay, Anna, Ann, Pam and Dorothyfor all their help – we couldn’t do it without you.

We are now into our second ‘term’ of rehearsals atour lovely new rehearsal venue in the Trinity Churchat Gosforth. While we are laying out registers, therest of the choir are usually to be found in the cafein the entrance area, enjoying homemade cakes,scones and hot drinks. A sort of ‘pre voice warm up’ warm up!

Sometimes we have got a little too warm – so it’s been helpful to imagineourselves in the vicinity of a large iceberg, or floating under the sea, to cool off.Imagination has been a useful tool this concert, as we’ve had to get into role asJamaican lobsters and pirates – and that’s just the women!

Hope you enjoy sharing this epic voyage with us – ‘all aboard’.

Julia Partington NarratorJulia has appeared with Northern Sinfonia asvocalist and presenter in a series of concertsand recordings of Gerard McBurney’s ‘Sing Holly,Go Whistle and Ivy’, an extensive work whichchallenges young children and their families toengage in classical orchestral music through themagic of nursery rhymes.

In her role as The Sage Gateshead’s Early Yearsand Family Learning Strand Leader, she has mostrecently co-created and performed in a range ofconcerts especially devised and presented for family audiences. These include;‘Songs In A Suitcase’, ‘Toucan Canoe’, ‘Eleanor And Julia In An English CountryGarden’ and the ‘Whirligig’ series. A graduate of Newcastle University, Julia hastoured nationally as a solo vocalist with early music chamber ensemble ‘Lyra’.She has also appeared on the concert platform alongside renowned artists suchas Emma Kirkby, Mhari Lawson and Lynne Dawson.

OvertureNorthern Sinfonia

Sail On TitanicYeston

Showboat MedleyKern and Hammerstein

Let The River RunSimon

Pirates Of The CaribbeanZimmer and Badelt

Northern Sinfonia

Poor Wandering OneGilbert and Sullivan

Anne Marie Gardner withHelen Sidaway, Siona Gaffney,Denise Saunders and Kirsten Walton

Hail PoetryGilbert and Sullivan

Lawrence Straker and Pirates

Down By The RiversideTraditional

ShenandoahTraditional

To Be A CaptainYeston

Lawrence Straker

No MoonYeston

Behold The SeaVaughan Williams

The Last FarewellWhittaker

Patrick Love

Suite From Titanic The MovieHorner

Under The SeaMenken

Lady Of The SeaLakeman

Sand And WaterChapman

Laura Straker

Down To The River To PrayTraditional

Deep RiverTraditional

Into The WestWalsh, Shore and Lennox

Sara Morgan

Eternal FatherWhiting and Dykes

Titanic FinaleYeston

Sail On TitanicPart one Part two

Titanic carried 1,178 lifeboatseats. The legal requirement

was 962. A total of 2,208 lifeboatseats were needed. The law at thattime based the number of lifeboats

required on the gross registeredtonnage of a ship, not her

passenger capacity.

The ship’s band playedmusic up to the last few

minutes before Titanic sank. None survived. The last songsthey played included ‘Songe

d’Automne’ and the hymn‘Nearer My God To Thee’.

The temperature ofthe Atlantic at the time

of sinking was 31°F. CharlesJoughin was the only person to

survive the ice cold Atlanticwater. He reportedly had

been drinking heavily.

Our singersLynn AdamsonCarolyn AngleseaRay AngleseaLouise AntonsAngela ApplebyBarbara ArmstrongBarbara BainbridgeSue BarnesKim BarryAnne BartleMoira BellAnna BellwoodLindsay BellwoodAnjanette BerriePeter BerrieMargaret BolamGraham BolamDon BradfordJoan BradfordClare BraysonChris BriggsPeter BroughamWinifred BrownTrish BryansDiana BuchanLiz BuchanGraeme Caddies-GreenGloria CainCarol CapaldiElizabeth CarrKirsty CarrMaureen CarraharSheila CarruthersClaire ClarkeDoris ClaveringSimon CoatsworthCatherine CorcoranLinda CorrieBarney CoyleLorraine CraigSusan CraigsMargaret CriddleLinda CruickshankBryony CufflinSharon DalbyPatricia DavidsonMark DaviesIrlane DavisonTim DeveauxDavid Dick

Elizabeth DinningRoger DinningSusan DinningColin DobsonHilary DobsonIrene DolanAudrey DonaldsonEileen DoughertyJeffrey DoughertySusan DoveAileen DrummondLinda DuckworthLyall DuffusSteven DuncanBecky DunnEva EdenMandy ElkinAnn EllisHayden EllisJohn EmmersonGlynis EvansJennifer FalconerJean FalkousJoanne FawcettCarolyn FentonHeather ForsterTony FoxSiona GaffneyAnne Marie GardenerChristine GardnerEvelyn GardnerJoyce GibsonJudith GibsonElaine GiffordMaureen GilroySandie GinksBob GladwinRose GoldieBrenda GrahamDavid GrahamJean GreenwoodDorothy GregoryAlison GriffinJeannie GriffinClare HaganMargot HaighCynthia HallVivienne HallPauline HankinsonJill Hanna

Jill HardmanLesley HehirGerald HendersonElizabeth HewettRachel HillCarol HindhaughAlan HobsonJulie HobsonJudith HodsonPeter HollandDawn HolmesHelen HolmesPeter HopkinsJoy HoughtonJoanne HullNancy HullMichael HumbleJean HumphreyAdrian HunterIrene HutchinsonHelen JeffersonAngela JesneyAngela JewittNicola JohnsonTrudy JohnsonGrenville JonesAnn KaiserSheila KendallPatricia KiddSheila KimberSusan KnottLiz KreibichStephen LangleyJean LatimerAlyson LawsGill LiskHayley LlandroMo LovattPatrick LoveWendy LowdenPatricia LoweryBilly LowtherNorma LukeAnne LyonDebbie MacQueenGill MarshallMaureen MarshallBarbara MasonPeter MastersonRachel Masterson

Anne MaughanDavid McBethSue McCarthyElizabeth McCoullWill McCoullJames McCoyGlynis McGlenDorothy McGuinessSusannah McKeagIrene McLaneCatherine McNaughtAnna MeikleAndy MellonSue MellonPatsy MillenSheila MillenElaine MillsSusan MitchellChristine MonksErica MorganSara MorganSue MorganGeorge MossopJohn MuirVivienne MuirJanice MylroiAnna NardiniAnne NoblePat O’ConnorLouise OkelloCate O’NeillJames OrangeHeather PageMonica ParkerDavid ParkerDerek ParkinJill ParkinPam PattersonRon PattersonAnn PaxtonHelen PearceVal PickeringRichard PickersgillChristina PinderJeff PlattJudith PlattSheila PlattSheila PriceLynne PringleAnni Proud

Helen PryorSophie QuinDorothy RaeSandra ReayJanet RichardsonAlison RiggDawn RitchKathleen RobertsLynn RobinsonBarbara RoperFiona RoutledgePatricia RoxboroughAlison RussellDenise SaundersKatherine SaundersVeronica SchubelerLorraine Scott

Margaret ScullionPauline SibbaldHelen SidawayHelen SmithJanice SmithJudy SmithMallory SmithMaureen SmithLiz SolomanMargaret SpeddingAnn StephensonLaura StrakerLawrence StrakerSue StrakerMichael SuddesHelen SwalesSandra Swinburn

Janice TaylorStan TaylorHilary TemperleyStephen TemperleyPauline ThirlawayMarie ThomJoanna ThompsonJulie ThompsonNorman ThompsonDaphne ThorntonTony ThorntonSakeenat TijaniPamela TomlinsonBrenda TonksSarah ToogoodRebecca TrevarrowJill Turnbull

Maddy UptonShiela UrwinJennifer WadeLorrane WadeSuzanne WalkerBronwyn WaltonKirsten WaltonSarah WatlingMarie WaughCatherine WelfordMary WellingtonAnne WemyssMerle WhiteClaire WhitfieldAnnie WilksSuzanne WilliamsAnne Wood

Historically RMS Titanicis known as the ship thatwas called ‘unsinkable’.

However, even though she wascalled so in news stories afterthe sinking, neither The White

Star Line nor Harland andWolff ever declared

her unsinkable.

In the final momentsit was reported thatpassengers rode the

exercise bicycles in thegymnasium to pass time

before the ship sank.

An interview with…Sue Mitchell has been a singer and Rehearsal Manager withInspiration since it began. Here she tells us more about her new rolewith Inspiration, as Director of Community Involvement, and explainsthe intricacies of ‘seating Sudoku’.

How did you first get involved in singing – and in singing with Inspiration?

I’ve always loved singing but like many of our singers, the formal singing stoppedwhen I left the school choir. I went to University as a mature student and gotinvolved in the mature students society (anything but mature!) which was a riot,and involved many a dubious karaoke session in a local hostelry. Believe it or notthis sparked my interest in singing again so I actively looked for opportunities tojoin a choir. I have been with Inspiration since its inception and I like to think myvoice at least, has matured and improved under Gary’s direction, since mystudent days.

You’re now Director of Community Involvement for Inspiration – can you tell uswhat that entails?

Yes, that is about taking responsibility for making events happen and gettingInspiration out into different communities to give the singers a variety of experiences,while being able to raise money for charity. Ideas for fundraising performances maycome to us as requests from individual singers, from organisations, or equally besomething that we would like to do. Gary understandably wants to showcaseInspiration in as many places as possible. We’ve been to Disneyland Paris andimpressed them so much we have been invited back. We are off to perform atEdinburgh festival in August and will raise money for ‘Help for Heroes’. My job asDirector of Community Involvement is to run with Gary’s ideas and turn theminto reality.

You’ve organised Inspiration concert trips to Paris and Edinburgh – what do youthink has been your biggest challenge so far?

Oh without a doubt, it has to be organising the Bateaux Mouche for 300 peopleon the Seine! All organised two weeks before we arrived in Paris, as the venue wewere due to sing at couldn’t accommodate us. There was a tense moment (atleast I sensed it was tense as I’m not fluent in French) when I suggested we takethe band on board and again when I was told in no uncertain circumstances wehad twenty minutes to get everyone on board before we had to sail – no marginfor error then?

What is the most unusual request you’ve had from Gary?

Believe me there have been many! However, one that sticks in my mind waswhen Gary announced that he had hired a racecourse so that we could bringthe two choirs together for a Christmas fundraiser. Nothing unusual in that, untilhe suggested that ‘we’ could arrange a pantomime horse race on the track, withpeople placing bets on those poor souls who were coerced into taking part.A furlong of the track he suggested, but on seeing how long a furlong was andhaving stupidly agreed to be the rear end of a pantomime reindeer, I quicklysettled for half a furlong and I think we came a credible fifth out of ten.

What exactly is the ‘seating Sudoku’?

This is a phrase Mallory and I came up with when trying to do a seating plan forconcert day. You take 300 singers and find them all a seat on the stage in voicetype, next to their friends, sisters or other relatives. You then have to factor ineveryone’s different requirements – those who might need a rail in front of them,those who can’t be too high up, those who need to be on the end of an aisle,those who are small and need to be at the front, those who are tall so need to beat the back… you get the picture?

You sing in the Soprano 2 section in the Inspiration Newcastle choir. What is itabout the singing experience that keeps you coming back for more?

I have a very busy day job at Newcastle University. Singing is an escape, a completestress reliever. I don’t have to be anyone’s work colleague, nor do I have to beanyone’s mum or daughter, I can just be me! Singing is such a thrill. I never sleepafter rehearsal, as songs are spinning round in my head and I’m sure I learnwords in my sleep, as I often wake up singingthem the next day.

Singer stories

Titanic was originallydesigned with only three

funnels (smokestacks). Theaftmost funnel was added for

aesthetic reasons to give it thefeeling of ‘power and grace’.

It only functioned asan air vent.

My heart is full againI persuaded my daughter to come and sing with us because I know she loves

music. She came under slight duress (a deal we made) and has not looked back

since. The day of the Christmas concert 2010 was the day she was setting off to

go travelling round the world. I took her to the airport in the morning and arrived

at The Sage Gateshead full of emotion. I didn’t know whether I would be able to

sing or would dissolve into floods of tears as soon as I opened my mouth,

because I was finding it difficult to speak coherently, let alone sing.

I met a lovely lady from the Leeds choir in the foyer of The Sage Gatehead, who

said to me, “put her in a safe place in your mind until the concert is over, then

allow yourself to think about her”. It worked up to a point. Our beautiful children

think they are invulnerable and that they can cope with anything – it is only with

age we begin to see the pitfalls of life. I spent the next few months with my heart

in my mouth until her safe return. Now every week I see her on the other side of

the balcony or the stage, singing her heart out. The singers who surround her

have welcomed her with open arms and my heart is full again.

Anonymous

Singing means happyBorn in Edinburgh, the youngest of four daughters, music has always played a

huge part in my life. I remember as a child being encouraged by my parents to

sing my ‘party piece’ at family gatherings. This eventually encouraged me to sing

in competitions at secondary school and many years later, following my move to

the North East in 1992, to join a local barbershop chorus where I happily sang for

over ten years. Ready for a ‘bigger’ challenge, I started singing with Gary and

now have the pure joy of singing in The Sage Gateshead. Our singing has taken

us to many places; even to Paris twice and later this year, we will be performing

in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a real treat to be singing in my home town. My

parents are both 95 years old now and I am praying that they will be able to see

us in this performance; it would be a very special occasion indeed.

To sing with Inspiration is a privilege, it gives me endless hours of love, hard

work, therapy, friendship and best of all – Gary is such a ‘fun-guy’ to be with!

Helen Pryor

Programme designed by Penny Wilson E: pw@penny-wilson.co.ukProgramme printed by Potts Print (UK) Ltd www.potts.co.ukPictures courtesy of Mark Savage, Sally Baitch, Yorkshire Post Newspapers,Michelle Bedell, Disneyland Paris and David Tiernan.

Thanks to…Special thanks as always to everyone who helps with the smooth running ofInspiration. To Sue and Mal (and all their team of helpers), Mark (where would webe without him?), Chris, Penny, and especially to Sally, Katherine, Craig, Fiona,Britta and all at The Sage Gateshead for their continued support.

North Music Trust is registered in England as a company limited by guarantee, number 4044936 and as a charity, number 1087445.

Dates for your diary‘Here’s To The Heroes’ with Inspiration and Northern SinfoniaSaturday 14 July 2012, The Sage Gateshead

Ticket Office: 0191 443 4661www.thesagegateshead.org

‘Here’s To The Heroes’ with Inspirationand The Orchestra of Opera NorthSunday 15 July 2012, Leeds Town Hall

Box Office: 0113 224 3801www.leedsconcertseason.com

14 years prior to theTitanic tragedy, author

Morgan Robertson wrote anovel called ‘Futility’ . This fictional

novel was about the sinkingof the largest ship ever built

after hitting an iceberg inthe Atlantic Ocean.

Titanic’s doctors carriedtwo cures for seasicknessonboard – beef tea and

smelling salts.