Royal Northern Sinfonia musicians play Wark Town Hall on Saturday 24 October at 7.30pm: Barber, Janáček and Nielsen, with tickets £15 or £10 concession.
Musicians from Royal Northern Sinfonia, the orchestra based at The Glasshouse in Gateshead, will play Wark Town Hall & Mechanics Institute at 7.30pm on Saturday 24 October. It is part of a new partnership between the orchestra and the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme, which takes professional performers into village halls across the North East and Cumbria.
Tickets are £15, or £10 for concessions, on Highlights’ listing checked on 14 October. The evening runs to 105 minutes and is recommended for ages 12 and over.
What they are playing
The Glasshouse says six musicians will play; Highlights’ own listing describes the line-up as a woodwind quintet. The programme, as both organisations publish it:
- Samuel Barber, Summer Music (about 11 minutes). The Glasshouse says it “does what it says on the tin”, conjuring “warm, hazy days with chirruping birdsong”.
- Leoš Janáček, Mládí (about 17 minutes). The title means “youth”: the piece captures a 70-year-old Janáček looking back on his childhood and drawing on Czech folk traditions.
- Carl Nielsen, Wind Quintet (about 23 minutes), which Highlights says “really lets each one shine”.
- Ferenc Farkas, Ancient Hungarian Dances.
- Malcolm Arnold, Three Shanties, “complete with a drunken sailor cameo”, in The Glasshouse’s words.
Why a village hall
The partnership is meant to bring the orchestra’s players to people who would otherwise have to travel to Gateshead to hear them. James Thomas, Executive Director of Royal Northern Sinfonia and Classical Music at The Glasshouse, said:
“We’re really pleased to be working with Highlights to bring Royal Northern Sinfonia musicians into the heart of rural communities across the region. Live music has an incredible ability to bring people together, and this partnership gives us the opportunity to reach new audiences and share the experience of hearing world-class musicians perform in intimate, local settings. We’re looking forward to building on this collaboration and bringing more music to communities in the years ahead.”
Kate Lynch, Artistic Director at Highlights Rural Touring, said:
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Royal Northern Sinfonia to bring outstanding live music to rural communities across the North East and Cumbria. For many people, travelling to larger venues isn’t always easy, so these concerts create valuable opportunities to experience exceptional performances close to home. They also celebrate the vital role that community venues play in rural life, bringing people together to share memorable cultural experiences in welcoming local spaces.”
Highlights works with more than 85 rural communities across the North East and Cumbria, supporting volunteer promoters to bring subsidised touring shows into community halls. It is funded by Arts Council England and supported by Northumberland County Council and Westmorland & Furness Council.
The rest of the tour
Wark is the last of three dates on The Glasshouse’s listing. The same programme plays Cotherstone Village Hall in County Durham at 7.30pm on Thursday 22 October and Maulds Meaburn Village Institute in Cumbria at 7pm on Friday 23 October, at the same prices.
What it means for you
If you live in the North Tyne valley, this is a chance to hear Royal Northern Sinfonia’s players without the drive to Gateshead. Book through Highlights or The Glasshouse. For more dates across the county, see what’s on in Northumberland this month.
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