FOUR choristers from Teesdale will be part of The Durham Singers choir when they perform the world premiere of a new work by composer Oliver Tarney.
Looking forward to the event are Heather Smith, Mike Stephenson, Marion Freeman and Mary Matthews who will be part of the choral concert Sim Alenu Shalom – Dona Nobis Pacem, at Durham Cathedral on Saturday, March 9.
The concert has the theme of global and individual peace and includes Mr Tarney’s piece Canticle of Elizabeth.
Ms Smith, who is from Hamsterley, said: “In the same concert we are singing Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, which recently featured on the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated film Maestro, and Dona Nobis Pacem, by Vaughan Williams.”
Ms Smith is joined by fellow dale singers Mike Stephenson, Marion Freeman and Mary Matthews.
Ms Smith added: “The four of us car share to go to rehearsals in Durham and make the effort to travel for the joy of singing with a really good choir that sings an exciting repertoire of well-known works and contemporary pieces.
“Marion moved to Barney from Kent and, having always sung in a choir, found out about The Durham Singers from the internet.
“Mary, from Cotherstone, and Mike, from Hilton, have also sung in various choirs but find the stimulating rehearsals and challenging work well worth travelling to Durham for, as do I.”
She added: “This will the first world premiere of a piece for all of us.”
The four were also part of Durham Singers last year when they performed Mr Tarney’s Magnificant, at Ushaw, to great acclaim.
His work has also been sung by The Sixteen, one of the top professional choirs in the country.
Tickets for the Durham Cathedral performance are £20 for adults, £15 for students and free entrance for under 12s.
Bookings can be made at Durham Cathedral or through durhamcathedral.ticketsolve .com.
