The Night Choir sings its way to a Gateshead Award
On 26 June 2024, Night Choir won the Gateshead Award for Best Music Group. Huge thanks to the Gateshead Awards and everyone who voted for us.
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music called out for people to become part of the Night Choir in 2023. The goal was to work towards an extraordinary performance in Gateshead at the biggest classical music festival on the planet, BBC Proms.
All abilities and ages over 18 could be part of the Night Choir family. It didn’t matter if folks were experienced singers, could read music or had a burning desire to join a choir for the first time; they just had to love singing.
From March 2023, nearly 300 singers met weekly. With the Voices of the River’s Edge (VOTRE) youth choir and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia, the project welcomed new members with open arms under the guidance of conductors Grace Rossiter and Tim Burke.
For some, joining our Night Choir took courage as they’d never done anything quite like it. After meeting, like-minded people counted down the days to catch up with their friends. It was fun, but the choir also learned about music, singing techniques like breathing, and how musical arrangement works.
Along with all the technical stuff, members often felt great about themselves and had a good sense of well-being. The physical and mental health benefits of singing together are well documented, and this project proved that.
Li from the Night Choir dreams of a singing career, but being in a choir means so much to her; they’re like musical support groups for Li. They’re a warm hug in tough times and when they’ve experienced anxiety. Li knows they can come to sing and let go of anything upsetting them. They say,
“We’re all there for the music. We’re all there to sing together. I have people on the same wavelength as me. They all want to sing like me, and we’re part of a close-knit group.”
Watch Li's story here.
The Night Choir worked on a programme of classical and contemporary choral music. The theme was night-time – thoughts, feelings, and dreams as the clock ticks from evening to midnight to morning. A brand-new commission, Whin Lands by Kristina Arakelyan, rooted the choir firmly in the North East.
Over the weekend of 21 – 23 July 2023, BBC Proms at The Glasshouse rocked the region. It was the first BBC Prom weekend outside London in its 128-year history. Whether it was someone’s first time at a Prom or a lifelong fan, they took in the wonder of a BBC Proms event made right here in the North East.
Saturday 22 July, saw the Night Choir storm a sold out Sage One. Choral arrangements like Depeche Mode’s Enjoy the Silence, Radiohead’s Exit Music (For a Film) and My love dwelt in a Northern land by Edward Elgar meant there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
“It was beautiful. I found it one of the most beautiful northern things I’ve ever seen.” Eleanor, audience member
Having the event in Gateshead meant more people could be part of the world’s largest classical music festival without needing to travel or find accommodation. Promming (standing) tickets started at £8, giving an inclusive option for friends and family of the choir and local music fans in general.
The concert was also broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, reaching a new audience beyond the building, bringing Gateshead and the region to listeners nationwide.
“The second Prom of the evening was Night Choir… This. Was. Magic. Some of these singers were performing on stage in a choir for the very first time but their timing was immaculate. They’ll never forget it. Nor will I. It was so good.” Cultured North East
This one-of-a-kind experience sparked a wildfire of enthusiasm in participants to continue choral singing. All Night Choir members had an invitation to audition to join the Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia. Singers have gone on to join regular choirs at The Glasshouse, as well as joining the Chorus.
Because of its success, our Night Choir has paved the way for more mass participation projects in Gateshead: Share our Stage: A Child of Our Time invites non-professional players and singers to join Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia to perform Michael Tippett’s choral masterpiece A Child of Our Time in Sage One.
Having the Night Choir at such a monumental event as BBC Proms added another element to what Gateshead offers as a cultural destination, putting us firmly on the maps of music makers nationally and internationally.
