A series of concerts, which will link church and community and give amateur choirs the opportunity to perform with professionals, are taking place in churches across the Dales from Gargrave to Settle this June.
The Voices of Craven concerts will be staged from June 5th to June 25th, with Christian artists and musicians including Sarah Fox (June 5 and June13), John Bell of the Iona Community (pictured left) (June 22), the Ripon Cathedral Choir (June 19) and Swedish Jazz and Folk Gospel musicians, Anna and Andreas Andersson of the Scargill Community (June 8). More details of all the concerts below..
Vicar of Gargrave with Conston Cold, Revd David Houlton explains, “Voices of Craven grew out of discussions between Dales parishes to arrange a visit by Ripon Cathedral Choir - who are coming to sing choral Evensong for us at Kirkby Malham on 19th June. Out of that came the idea of running other events at other parish churches and, in parallel, running village choirs with local choir rehearsals.”
Among the objectives of Voices of Craven are to enjoy community singing, to build community, and to connect communities with their parish churches. For the Queen's official birthday, choirs will sing at parish choral services of celebration, as well as joining with professional musicians for a Grand Finale at Giggleswick school chapel at the end of the month (Sat 25th June).
Profits will be directed towards supporting music teaching, or possibly scholarships, for local young people.
All events except church services are ticketed - though tickets for the John Bell event are free.
.jpg)