Making Merry at the Alum

We really raised the roof at the Alum Ale House on Thursday 11th June! Which was some feat as we were in the depths of the cellar bar! As ever Margaret C hit the right note with a round of drinks at the start

Three cheers for Jane who managed to divert us from our drinks for a good hour of singing which took us from Botswana, to the Slavic Mountains on horseback, to the deep south of America and back again to the banks of the Tyne. It was just the right occasion to welcome new members

And get to know those we've sat beside for some time a little better

And some who've known each other a little longer

Apologies for any omissions…just learning!

I'll be sure to catch you next time!

Calf Close House

Singing at Calf Close House - Thursday 4th December 2008
(See map for directions)

Friends and Family Night - Thursday 11th December 2008
We meet for a run through at 6.45 and sing for our audience at 7.30 p.m.Tickets are available from Margaret at £3.00 for adults and £2 for all concessions. There will be refreshements and a raffle during the interval. As it is a festive occasion would singers please wear black with red accessories (instead of the usual turquoise) if possible please.

Singing at South Shields Folk Club - Sunday 21st December 2008
We will sing a set at the folk club, which takes place at the Westoe Cricket Club. Times not available yet. Dress code, red and black as at all our Christmas performances.

Chronicle of Performances and Collaborative Workshops

All 'performances' listed were by The Custom Voices Choir. However, many of our members are also part of the North East Gospel Choir, which is a collaborative choir formed by 20,000 Voices which is also led by our fantastic leader Sharon Durant. The choir has been formed by a culmination of individual singers and choirs from across the North East of England.

The Sage also plays a prominent role in supporting community choirs and often holds workshops and events in association with both 20,000 Voices and Folkworks and frequently gives individuals the chance to get involved with professional productions or performances.

Without the commitment and support of all of these fantastic organisations, including The Customs House, it would be fair to say that most of our choir members would never have had the opportunity to become part of so many unique events and without the dedication of our leader Sharon Durant, never been able to perform and give so much pleasure to the community.

Due to the vast amount of workshops, both past and present held by all organisations, it would be impossible to list everything that the choir members have been involved with or indeed, have future commitment to. For further information, please visit the websites of 20,000 Voices and The Sage, which you will find on our 'Some Useful Links' page.

2003

19th July 2003

Folkworks
Performance in support of Sweet Hone in the Rock, City Hall Gateshead

22nd August 2003

20,000 Voices Event
Berwick Music Festival - North East Gospel Choir performance at Lindisfarne Priory

21st September 2003

20,000 Voices Event
North East Gospel Choir - Workshop and Performance, Hexham Abbey with Scott Stroman and LD Frazer

2004

19th June 2004

Performance at the annual Westoe Village Fayre, South Shields

Jun-04

Performance – Geordie Night at the Mission to Seamen, South Shields

18th July 2004

20,000 Voices Event
Singing day - A day of workshop and performance

16th December 2004

Performance - Carols with the Choir, Family night, Customs House

30th September 2004

Official Launch Party and Performance of CustomVoices at The Customs House, South Shields

28th November 2004

Performance at Customs House - 10th Year Anniversary Gala Evening

2005

Apr-05

Performance for The Sciroptimist Society, Springs, South Shields

14th April 2005

Performance at St Peter's Church Community Hall, South Shields

23rd April 2005

20,000 Voices Event
Gospel Workshop at St Columba's Church, Wideopen

May-05

Performance – backing vocals with local band Dialect, Customs House, South Shields

20th May 2005

Performance and Ceilidh with Pie and Pea supper at Sutton Trust Hall, South Shields

12th June 2005

20,000 Voices Event
Workshop and evening performance with Jilly Jarman at Bowes Village Flower Show

18th June 2005

Performance at the annual Westoe Village Fayre, South Shields

26th June 2005

20,000 Voices event
Singing the Summer, workshop for Maritime music with Sue Hollingsworth and Katherine Zeserson at The Sage

Jul-05

Performance of Gospel Music on the concourse at The Sage, Gateshead, prior to live show by Mavis Staples

3rd July 2005

Performance at South Tyneside Multi-Cultural event at the Bents Park, South Shields.

14 & 15th July 2005

Performance The Guild of Lilians, 'Get Up And Tie Up Your Fingers', Customs House, South Shields in collaboration with The Sage Gateshead,

23rd July 2005

20,000 Voices Event
Workshop and performance at the Berwick Jazz, Blues and Gospel festival.

7th November 2005

Performance in aide of the Association of Secretaries, Swallow Hotel, Gateshead

Oct-05

20,000 Voices Events
Gospel Workshop & Performance with Scott Stroman

1st December 2005

Performance our annual Christmas Family festival, Customs House

15th December

Performance on the concourse at The Sage, Gateshead, prior to live show by The London Gospel Choir

2005

Jun-06

Performance at The Pride of South Tyneside Awards, Customs House

24th June 2006

Newcastle and Gateshead Street Festival community performers in and around the river bank.

29th June 2006

Performance Making the Leap – MTL Book Launch, at The Attic, Ouseburn

16th July 2006

Performance for 'The Festival of Nature' at the cliff tops at Souter Lighthouse.

Sep-06

Performance in aide of English Heritage at St Nicholas' Cathedral in Newcastle

12th December 2006

Performance of Christmas reportoire for The Siroptimist Society, Town Hall, South Shields

14th December 2006

Performance our annual Christmas Family festival, Customs House

2007

19th June 2007

Performance at The Pride of South Tyneside Awards, Customs House

23rd June 2007

Performance at the annual Westoe Village Fayre, South Shields

8th September 2007

Performance in aide of English Heritage at St Nicholas' Cathedral in Newcastle

18th-22nd September 2007

20,000 Voices Event
Performance in Alan Bennett's 'The Lady in the Van' at The People's Theatre, Heaton

29th September 2007

The Sage, Gateshead Event
The Big Sing – choirs come together for workshops and performance

13th December 2007

Performance at Cheviot Court, Residential Home, South Shields,

15th December 2007

Performance in aide Comrades of Children Overseas (COCO) at the Winter Wonderland Ball, Art Works Gallery

20th December 2007

Performance of our annual Christmas Family festival, Customs House