ABOUT US

The origins of the Choir trace back to a small street in the village of 'Lemington', which can be found situated on the western outskirts of Newcastle, close to Newburn. The year was 1946 & that street was Montague St, but known locally, perhaps somewhat whimsically, as 'Church Street' - not surprisingly, becasuse so many of the local folk were 'church-goers' & there was more than one church serving so small a community. Initially named the Lemington Gospel Singers, the choir has ,over time, expanded & now has a very varied repertoire.

It is a registered charity & the majority of concerts are given in support of other charites & good causes. It has sung in all major Churches & Cathedrals in the North East area, released 2 CDs & in the last few years has toured Belgium and Germany. It was also a great privilege to participate in the 'Last Post' Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres & also to sing the Mass in Ypres and Cologne Cathedrals.

PRESIDENT

Professor Graeme Danby

Graeme Danby was born in Consett, County Durham and studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

As Well as being Principal Bass at ENO Graeme is regularly heard at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Glyndebourne Festival and recently as Somnus in Semele for the Vlaamse Opera in Ghent and Antwerp.

On Television Graeme has appeared at Somnus (Semele) and Czar Ivan (Candied) both produced for the BBC and Brander in The Damnation of Faust for Channel 4. His Radio broadcast includes A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Magic Flute, 1984 and War and Peace for Radio 3, while he is also regularly heard on the popular Friday Night is Music Night on Radio 2 with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

His recordings include The Marriage of Fargo, Graeme Danby Sings Stories of the North East with the Northern Sinfonia and Will Todd’s acclaimed Oratorio Cuthbert with the Hallé Orchestra.

Graeme combines a busy operatic career with regular performances at the Royal Albert Hall, Barbican, The Sage Gateshead and with the Hallé Orchestra.

 

MEMBERS

 

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

David Conway

DEPUTY MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Mike Scott

ACCOMPANIST

Tracy Dixon

ASSISTANT ACCOMPANIST

Philip Chapman

CHAIRMAN

John Dixon

VICE CHAIRMAN

Mark Donnelly

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

David Curd

SECRETARY

 

TREASURER

Douglas McKay

CONCERT ORGANISERS

Roy Barton / David Bucknall

Public Relations Officer

Brian Smiles

TENOR LINE

Roy Barton, Larry Campion, Mark Donnelly, Paul Downey, Ian Hebron, Arthur Hogarth, Noel Johnson, John Kingston, Andrew McNeil, John Merrit, Ken Mood, David Sutherland, Jack McElroy

2ND TENOR LINE

Jeffrey H Bell, John Blaylock, Harry Brearley, Tom Briggs, David Bucknall, Pete Davis, Ken Dixon, Derek James, Ian Marr, Les Mason, Fred Nixon, Brian Smiles, Fred Pattison, Ralph Pitchford, Frank Ruddy, Joe Wilson, Frank Wylie

BARITONE LINE

Joe Bellas, Don Burn, David Curd, Tom Lackenby, Ian McMurtry, Gerald Martin, Alex McConnell, Jim McGee, Bill Oliver, Alan Sanderson, Mike Scott, Jack Smart, Eddie Watson, Maldwyn Younger

BASS LINE

Will Apedaile, Stewart Bell, Ron Charlton, Tom Davidson, John Dixon, Malcolm Dunsire, Syd Graham, Michael Goonan, David Hall, John Harbottle, Bill Lillico, John Mawdesley, Douglas McKay, Ian Pyle, John Shill, Brian Swailes, Henry Taylor, Derek Walton, Joe Watson, Wilf Wright