Julia Armstrong, Sheffield Telegraph, Thursday 13 December 2018
Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus are celebrating a hat-trick by having the third track from their Christmas CD featured on Classic FM, this time a local carol.
The Chorus, once again with the internationally acclaimed Black Dyke Band, is one of five winning entries selected for Classic FM’s popular 5-7pm Drivetime slot by Classic FM and Making Music, the UK’s membership organisation for amateur music groups.
The five winning entries will be played in the week commencing 17 December, one entry per day.
It’s a hat-trick for Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus. Having already had 2 tracks from their Christmas CD featured on Classic FM, this year it’s the turn of a local carol – the title track, Awake, Arise!
“Never heard of our local carols? You’re missing a treat,” quipped Sue Pennington, a singer with the Chorus, resident of Wortley and a long-time advocate of the local carols.
“You’re more likely to hear these songs in our pubs than churches, but we thought it was high time to let the nation in on our secret,” laughed Sue.
Awake, Arise! is a joyous call to arms that contains a unique image – “…The self-same moon was shining that now is in the sky…”, reminding us of the Christian story of the little babe born on this earth, just two thousand years ago.
The Chorus’s festive album includes a selection of carols unique to Sheffield as well as some well-loved Christmas favourites, like O Holy Night.
Paul Henstridge, Chairman and Tenor said “Surprisingly, this is only the second recording we ‘own’, so we’re thrilled to now be sharing a 3rdtrack from it on national radio”.
With over 5 million listeners tuning in each week, Classic FM is sure to bring the track to a wider audience.
“Now, all we need are similar listening figures for our Bach B minor Mass on 6 April, and our performance of Wilby’s Holy Face on 9 June, and we’d be laughing!” said Paul.
Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus’s ‘home’ venue of the City Hall has a capacity of over 2,000 but they are always popular, so whether you prefer Bach with the Royal Northern Sinfonia, or Wilby with the Black Dyke Band, early booking is advised.
And as a special treat from the Chorus and the Band, anyone with a Christmas carol concert ticket who books for the Holy Face by the end of February, can get a £5 discount for the Holy Face concert.
As Paul said: “After all, ‘tis the season of goodwill!”
Julia Armstrong, Sheffield Telegraph, Thursday 13 December 2018