People, Organisations and Materials
Looking for a music teacher or a group to join? Interested in finding some materials that could help you? Wondering if anyone has a keyboard available to borrow? Scroll down to the relevant section to find out what’s on offer.
If you know about someone or something that should be included, get in touch. Together we can make this a useful reference point.
MUSIC TEACHERS
BRIAN ARTHUR | Guitar & Mandolin
From his home in Warkworth, Brian offers guitar and mandolin lessons. He specialises in classical guitar playing, but also teaches the full range of guitar styles – electric, finger-style jazz, acoustic folk from both sides of the Atlantic and blues. Students learn to read music as part of their lessons.
Brian has experience teaching students of all ages and levels, and is happy to work with anyone who wants to make progress with the guitar in their life, whether or not they have played before.
Email: brian.arthur@hotmail.com
Mobile: 07751 644268
Home: 01665 712532
CHARLES LUXFORD ARCM / Singing Teacher and Vocal Coach
Charles says: “It has to be admitted that I have over 40 years of professional performing and teaching. During that time, however, I’ve learnt a lot! Instilling confidence lies at the heart of my teaching: listening and encouraging, establish empathy and understanding, the core. Helping inspire a pupil to appreciate the breadth, the qualities and potential within their voice is hugely rewarding - mutually. I live in Alnwick, am happy to travel and for keen pupils with bulging diaries, I also teach online.”
Email: baritone@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07717 026333
ANDREW TAYLOR | Saxophone & Clarinet
Andrew lives in West Thirston, and teaches saxophone and clarinet. He is happy to work with people whatever their, age, level or motivation for leaning – purely for pleasure or aiming for the ABRSM exams up to Grade 8.
He will teach people how to read music and the theory of music if required. Students can have lessons in their own homes, or at Andrew's, in evenings or day time. With a lifetime of playing and teaching under his belt, Andrew has a wealth of experience. He believes that fun and enjoyment are key elements for success.
Email: andrew@solosax.org.uk
Mobile: 07832249699
Home: 01670 783693
www.solosax.org.uk
www.facebook.com/AndrewTaylorSoloSaxophone
MARGARET WATCHORN | Piano & Singing
Margaret teaches piano and singing, working mainly with adults and more advanced students. She can offer one-off singing sessions for people whatever their level of experience, who would like to test the water or learn a little more about technique.
Email: margaret@watchorn7.plus.com
FURTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
There are a couple of websites which list music teachers all over the UK, including Northumberland.
CHOIRS, ORCHESTRAS & BANDS
If you are able to travel, there's a variety of amateur music groups within 10 miles of Felton. For much less than the cost of a gym membership you can make music with other adults. Most amateur groups rehearse once a week and give several concerts a year. Some place more stress on performance than others, so it is worth thinking about what you really want and finding the group that suits you.
Many of the choirs in the area are strongly rooted in their community, contributing to local events and most choirs:
Are for mixed voices, but there are some just for men or women
Sing a range of music, but some specialise in a particular type of music
Meet in the evenings, but some have day time practices
Use printed music, but do not usually require members to read music – though it helps. Increasingly choirs make use of sound tracks to help people learn their parts.
Choirs & Singing Groups
Bridge Singers
Felton's very own choir for mixed voices, the Bridge Singers rehearse a wide range of music including specially written works by its director, Cheryl Camm.
Christmas and summer concerts and a number of other performances around the area.
Rehearsals are on Monday evenings, 19.30 to 21.30 at Gallery 45, Main Street, Felton.
For more information contact: bridgesingers@gmail.com
Alnwick Silver Singers
The Silvers Singers started off as a joint initiative between 20,000 Voices and Sage Gateshead. 20,000 Voices set up five Silver choirs in Northumberland, while Sage Gateshead focused on a wide range of activities in Tyneside. “Silver” is the title Sage Gateshead gives to all its activities running in the daytime for people aged 50+. Currently the Alnwick and Wooler Silver Singers are still supported by 20,000 Voices, while two of the other choirs have become independent.
New members are warmly welcomed. The choir will be celebrating their 10th anniversary at the end of the year.
The group runs on Fridays from 13.15 to 14.45 at Lindisfarne Adult Learning Centre in Alnwick.
For more information contact Anne;
Tel: 01665 579200 or email: anne.suggate@btinternet.com
Alnwick and District Choral Society
One of the larger choirs in the area the Alnwick Choral Society tackles major works and gives around 4 concerts a year.
Rehearsals are on Wednesdays 19.15 – 21.30 at Swansfield Park First School, Alnwick.
Contact 01665 604878 or 07478 316245
Gillie@ alnwickchoralsociety.co.uk
www.alnwickchoralsociety.co.uk
Harbour Lights
If Amble is a good location for you, try the Harbour Lights. A small, mixed voice group, they practise on Thursdays, 19.30 – 21.30, at St Cuthbert's Church Hall in Dovecote Lane.
Phone 07594 729819 for more information
Email: viva_vocals@btinternet.com
www.facebook.com/HarbourLightsCC/
Singing for the Brain
Singing for the Brain is an approach developed by the Alzheimer's Society. It brings people together in a friendly, fun and social environment. Based around the principles of music therapy, the stimulating sessions include vocal warm-ups and singing a wide variety of familiar and new songs. Sessions are on the third Thursday of each month 13.30 – 16.00, and are for people with dementia, their carers, family and friends.
www.alzheimers.org.uk/info/20172/your_support_services/765/singing_for_the_brain
Warkworth Village Choir
This smallish mixed voice choir meets on Monday 19.30 – 21-30 at the War Memorial Hall in Warkworth. It is open to local residents and those from further afield who would like to join. It sings a varied repertoire and gives concerts locally.
Contact 01665 830373 for more information or see their website https://sites.google.com/site/warkworthvillagechoir
Coquetdale Chamber Choir
A small mixed voice choir which sings music by composers of the past and present.
Sing Morpeth
With around 90 members, Sing Morpeth is a large community choir with an ethos of accessibility and inclusivity. Songs come from a range of styles, and the choir gives some concerts.
Rehearsals are in the day time; Tuesdays 10.30 to 12.00 at St James Centre, Wellway, Morpeth
Coquet Singers
The Coquet singers are based in Rothbury, with rehearsals in the United Reform Church on Mondays from 19.00 to 21.00.
They are a mixed voice community choir and celebrated their 10th Anniversary two years ago. They sing a wide variety of music including local songs, sacred music, folk songs and music that goes with a swing, generally in three or four parts. Concerts are given periodically in the local villages and towns. New members are always made welcome.
For more information contact:
Phone: Chris Butterworth on 01669 621955 or Louise Kirkwood on 01669 621954
Email: louise@roughlees.com or c.butterworth@btinternet.com
Coquet Concert Band
This band was formed in September 2019, and attracts experienced players (Grade 5+) of woodwind, brass and percussion who enjoy collective music making and perfoming to a high standard. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 7.30 – 9.30pm in Swarland, under the leadership of Andrew Taylor.
Email: coquetconcertband@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coquetconcertband/
New Voices
Despite its title, New Voices is a well established small mixed voice community choir. The choir is celebrating its 21st Anniversary with concerts and a choir dinner. Repertoire is varied both in style and difficulty. New singers are always welcome.
Rehearsals are on Tuesdays, 19.45 – 21.30 in St Robert's Church Hall, Morpeth.
For more information, contact Josie on 01670 524045.
Mid Northumberland Chorus
If you want to sing larger scale works, the Mid Northumberland Chorus could be for you. Rehearsals on Wednesdays, 19.30 at Chantry Middle School in Morpeth. Tenors are always welcome, for other voices there may be a waiting list to join.
Voice Male
A choir for men that meets at Morpeth Methodist Church on Wednesdays, 19.30 – 21.30. They are keen to attract new members. They sing a wide range of music, but specialise in folk music from our region. Concerts and foreign tours!
Tel: 01665 579200 for more information
Email: gwyntomos@btinternet.com
Website: www.voicemale.org.uk
Werca's Folk
This is a women's voices choir, singing a wide repertoire of world, folk and popular music. Performances are around the region, often focussing on social issues. Rehearsals on Thursdays, 19.30 – 21.30 in the Community Room at St George's Hospital in Morpeth.
Email: sandra.kerr@songsharers.net
www.facebook.com/WercasFolk/
Ashington Male Voice Choir
Joining this choir means one also joins the long tradition of British male voice choirs in mining areas. Rehearsals on Wednesday evenings, 19.00 at Bomarsund Welfare Stakeford. Public and private performances.
Tel: Contact Colin on 01670 815534
Email: prowcc@googlemail.com
www.ashingtonmalevoicechoir.org/
Medieval Mixture
A small mixed voice singing group concentrating on early music. Rehearsals are about monthly on Saturdays, 10.30 – 12.30 in or near Morpeth.
www.medievalmixture.org.uk
INSTRUMENTAL GROUPS
Alnwick Playhouse Concert Band
This is a band with woodwind, brass and percussion players, giving several concerts a year. Rehearsals are on Mondays at 19.30. New members need to be at least grade 4 standard.
Contact 01665 603196 or 07767 487812
Email: katyluke@outlook.com
www.alnwickplayhouseconcertband.org.uk
Cobweb Orchestra
This orchestra is part of a regional network of open-access orchestras. Lots of events to take part in. Players of all instruments are welcome. The orchestra meets on Tuesdays from 19.30 to 21.30 at St James' Community Centre in Morpeth
Alnwick Guitar Group
If you play classical guitar, can read music and would like to make music with other players, this could be the group for you. No concert-giving – just playing for the pleasure of it. The group meets on alternate Mondays at 18.00 in St Michael's Church Hall, Alnwick.
Phone Ray Humphrey on 07895 466277 for more information.
Alnwick Stage Musical Society
Members work towards one major show a year in Alnwick Playhouse and a summer concert. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays at 19.30 at Swansfield First School, Alnwick. New members are welcome whatever the contribution they would like to make.
Email: info@alnwickstagemusical.co.uk
www.alnwickstagemusical.co.uk
OTHER RESOURCES
Instrument Repairers
Sue and Derek Belshaw, who live in Swarland undertake basic servicing and repairs of woodwind and brass instruments.
Contact them by email at: sanddbelshaw@gmail.com
Sheet Music
Jilly Woolston was left a substantial collection of music, mainly for piano, by her friend Frances. It is classical, and includes work by many major composers, such as Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert. There are anthologies of Baroque and Romantic Music, Russian, French and a considerable collection of ABRSM easier piano pieces series, nearly 100 in the set.
If you would like to borrow something, contact Jilly to find out whether it is in the collection. If there is demand Jilly and I will look at how we can make a catalogue.
Email: jilly@rural-plans.com
Materials To Download
At present there are none of these.