SHEFFIELD FOLK CHORALE AT BAKEWELL PARISH CHURCH FRIDAY, 11 JULY

On Friday, 11 July the Sheffield Folk Chorale will make a welcome return to All Saints’ Parish Church, Bakewell, to perform a 25th anniversary concert.

The choir was set up by Graham Pratt in 2001, since which time it has performed in over a hundred venues, including Derby Cathedral, Sheffield Cathedral, Castle Howard, Brodsworth Hall, to name but a few. The concerts are informal, yet informative, with background introductions to the songs to give them context.

Graham is a songwriter and arranger of proven record. He has spent most of his life writing for small a cappella groups and larger choirs. Together with his wife, Eileen, he was active on the folk circuit for over 30 years. Now, he concentrates on running the Sheffield Folk Chorale, arranging all the material in four part harmony as well as writing some of the songs. Mainly concentrating on traditional, less well known folk song, the choir does branch out to include music hall and some contemporary pieces.

One review, by Mick Ryan, stated “The Sheffield Folk Chorale is the best of the lot. Their precise intonation, clear diction and appropriate use of dynamics make the songs work as stories. It is this narrative drive which some choirs lack, and which this choir possesses in abundance – which is to say that Graham really understands folk song.”

The concert will begin at 7pm. Tickets are £8, available from the Little Vagabond bookshop, from Dot on 07752 674719 or on the door.