Bells boost hope at
appealing concert
Wednesday,
22nd February, 2006
(Article published with kind permission of Northeast Press
Limited,
Sunderland Echo)
By
TREVOR HOYLAND
MUSIC
lovers are in for a treat this weekend ‑ and it could set the bells
ringing over Sunderland again.
The
Sunderland Symphony Orchestra is to stage a concert with the East End
Singa-long Chorus in response to the Sunderland Minster's Peals Appeal.
The
bells at the city centre church have rung out for almost two centuries,
but the equipment is badly damaged, and if it is not replaced clergy
fear they will be silenced for ever.
Campaigners are hoping the city will pull out all the stops to drum up
the £50,000 needed to repair the bell frame and buy another two bells to
improve the quality of the sound.
Sunderland Youth Orchestra opened the appeal last month by staging a
music and dance extravaganza at Sunderland Minster which raised about
£800.00.
At
7.30pm on Saturday the Sunderland Symphony Orchestra will stage another
fund‑raising musical evening, with the aim of raising enough to buy one
bell.
Rupert
Hanson, the orchestra's musical director, said: "Those attending will be
rewarded with an evening of popular classical music, commencing with
Beethoven's Leonore No. 3 Overture.
“We
have got Katrina Campbell, a very fine soprano, and Robert McBlane, a
fine flautist.
“In
connection with all this, it's the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth
and both will be performing works by the great composer.
"The
East End Sing‑a-long Chorus will also be singing The Hebrew Slaves'
Chorus and Jerusalem, as well as other old favourites.
"It's all part of Music for All, the big Hendon and
East End project to get people motivated to enjoy music and make it a
vibrant part of their lives."
Mr
Hanson added: "We are trying to raise sufficient money for one bell for
the Minster, which is £2,000.
"Leading church figures will be attending the concert, along with Denise
Robertson, the locally‑based agony aunt."
The
bells rang out at Christmas, but Canon Stephen Taylor has warned that
Sunderland could have the sound of silence if they are not replaced.
He said
the bell frame was cracked and unable to allow the existing eight bells
to be rung beyond 2005. The bells have also suffered damage over time
and are in urgent need of repair.
Tickets
for the concert (£5, £8 and £10) can be obtained from Mr Hanson on 0191
534 2413 or at Sunderland Minster.
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