THIS weekend, 150 young singers from across County Durham will join the Gabrieli Consort and players in a concert at Durham Cathedral in a performance of Haydn’s ‘The Creation’.

Entitled ‘RE-CREATION’, this project forms part of Gabrieli’s nation-wide advanced choral training programme – Gabrieli Roar – culminating in performances of Haydn’s The Creation in venues across the country and engaging with more than 1,000 singers from UK youth and school choirs.

As with all Gabrieli Roar projects, Re-Creation’s young singers will stand side-by-side with Gabrieli’s world-class professional singers, accompanied by one of the finest ensembles in Europe.

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The event in Durham will feature young singers from Egglescliffe School; St Thomas More Catholic School Chamber Choir; Durham Music Youth Choir; St Bede’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester; and St Leonard’s Senior Choir in Durham.

These young voices will join force with Gabrieli’s renowned orchestral musicians, together with internationally acclaimed soloists Anna Dennis (soprano), Jeremy Ovenden (tenor) and Neal Davies (bass).

Re-Creation is an ambitious remodelling of Gabrieli’s established and successful Roar programme, aiming to reinvigorate youth choirs across the UK who have faced acute challenges during the pandemic.

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Gabrieli’s artistic director, Paul McCreesh, said: “We're sure Re-Creation, our Gabrieli Roar project, will have significant impact.

“We're designing a great 'choral re-boot' across the country for the many young singers who've been unable to sing very much during the pandemic.

“I can't wait to hear the thrilling sound of massed young voices in Haydn's wonderful masterpiece.”

The project, which features an advanced training programme led by Gabrieli Artistic Director, Paul McCreesh, is supported by a series of partnerships with Music Education Hubs, regional Cathedrals, performing arts organisations, choral festivals and centring around local youth and school choirs.

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Designed to navigate difficult and ever-changing restrictions around social distancing and gatherings, Re-Creation will lead the regeneration of youth choral singing; the start of Gabrieli Roar’s ambitious new 6-year strategic plan to expand to a nation-wide programme.

Gabrieli’s general manager, Madeleine Cowell, added: “Teenagers have arguably felt the impact of the pandemic more than most, with school interruptions, lengthy periods of lockdown and restrictions on social gatherings.

“As a result, the need for Gabrieli Roar and ‘live’ choral opportunities has never been greater: COVID-19 has presented a unique opportunity for Gabrieli to engage meaningfully with more young people through choral music.

“Now, more than ever, choral singing and in particular our ‘Re-Creation’ programme has the power to unite communities, driving our collective commitment to provide transformative and exceptional musical experiences for young singers.”

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