Our projects

Here's a flavour of some of the things we've done

March 2009

Music in the Minster's first ever "pageant" was a mixed show of solos, songs and acting. We performed scenes from Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas – a tragic love story ending in Dido's death from a broken heart; Bob Chilcott's sports themed A Sporting Chance for brass quintet and singers ("cool and groovy" in the words of one of the singers!) and The Lambton Worm – a legendary beast around the north east.

"Great fun for audience and performers"
– audience member

Students from Monkwearmouth Community High School, Bishopwearmouth Young Singers and adults from the community learnt to sing and act together for this fab show. Over 50 people took part in total, aged from 8 to over 65, supported by 11 professionals.

Some of them told us "This is the best choir I’ve ever been in" and "I made loads of new friends". That's good enough for us!

Making Opera was the first of several pageants leading to a big community opera in 2010. Each pageant will show off work with the community, directed by a professional music and theatrical team. If you're into music you can be part of it – watch this space for more info on your next chance!

"If Saturday night was just a start, I look forward to the future"
– Moira Johnston, Sunderland Echo

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Noye's Fludde
by Benjamin Britten, staged in Sunderland Minster in 2007.

"I wish I could do it again!"
– Nathan, Castletown Primary School

Noye's Fludde is a 16th century play set to music written in 1957. It tells the story of Noah building his 'shippe' and filling it with animals. Following God's instructions, Noah, his family and the animals survive the storm to find dry land again.

Benjamin Britten's opera was written for a cast and orchestra mainly of amateurs and children, so we staged the work with a cast of 114 young singers and instrumentalists aged 7 - 16, 8 adult amateur performers and 16 professional performers.

"I've always sung, but I've never done anything like this"
- Sally, 16

Workshops and rehearsals took place during evenings and weekends, as well as during school hours at two schools, Castletown Primary and Hillview Junior School. The rehearsals took 3 months and ended with 3 live performances in Sunderland Minster in February 2007.

"Talent fluddes this production"
- The Journal

"Wonderful performance!"
– Audience member