Choral society take on Broadway

The Bishopwearmouth Choral Society’s summer concert will be performing hit songs from the shows when it takes place at Sunderland Minster on Saturday when they present ‘Side by Side by Sondheim’.

Although primarily concerned with choral works, the society has been encouraged to try other musical genres in order to develop their musical repertoire.

Voice coach Pippa Anderson, from Newcastle University, has been working with the choral society to help the members lose their ‘Mackem accents’ and develop an ‘American Broadway’ style for Saturday’s concert performance.

This musical revue by the legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim will only be the second time the society has performed the work.

The concert will include songs such as the ever popular ‘Send in the Clowns’ with other pieces from the composer’s most famous musicals ‘Gypsy’, ‘West Side Story’ and many others.

The songs in the revue are woven together by the Narrator, performed by David Timson, who will explain the background to each musical number and which show it comes from.

The concert will be conducted by David Murray, accompanied by two pianos, and there will be solo performances from singers Anne Marie Owens, Laurie Ashworth and Adrian Powter.

‘Side by Side by Sondheim’ takes place on Saturday at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost from £8 to £14 and are available from choir members, on the door or book online at www.wegottickets.com/bcs