Singers and players wanted

Singers and players are now being recruited for a singing event at Verdant Works.

The event, on Saturday 27 October, will be the culmination of the community music project Warp and Weft. This project, commissioned by Dundee Heritage Trust with money from Dundee' Weaver Craft, celebrates the 500^th anniversary of the weaving trade in Dundee.

The public singing event consists of a workshop to rehearse We Can Dance, We Can Swing, a ten-minute work for narrator, mezzo soprano, baritone, chorus, flute, violin and cello, written and composed by community musician Petra Vergunst.  The libretto is inspired by conversations with people who used to work in the jute industry or had family who did so, held during a Memories Weekend at Verdant Works last August.  

For the workshop on 27 October, community musician Petra Vergunst is looking for a mezzo soprano and a baritone to sing solo parts and a duet. She is also looking for people to play flute, violin, cello or any other orchestral instrument to accompany the singers. There will be no auditions, but it is expected that the soloists have some singing experience (e.g. in a choir) and can read music, and that the instrumentalists have reached grade 5 (or have equivalent experience) on their respective instruments. To join the chorus singing experience is not required. 

The soloists and instrumentalists are expected to be available for a rehearsal on Monday 22 October from 5 to 8 pm at Discovery Point and a further rehearsal on Saturday 27 October from 11 am to 12 noon at Verdant Works. The workshop itself will take place on 27 October from 1 to 3 pm, followed by an informal performance for friends and family at 3.30 pm. 

If you want to sing a solo part or play an instrument and would like to accompany the singers, please sent Petra Vergunst an email (petravergunst@hotmail.com) by Sunday 7 October. Singers of all abilities are welcome to join the chorus. If you want to join the chorus please contact Petra Vergunst by Wednesday 17 October. Participation in the singing event is free. 

For more information about the community music project Warp and Weft itself, please contact Dundee Heritage Trust’s Education and Community Outreach Officer Brian Kelly at education@dundeeheritage.co.uk.

Copyright text and image Petra Vergunst