Christmas with Will Todd

Media Release – for immediate release

Internationally renowned jazz and choral composer, and local “boy”, Will Todd will return to Durham on Saturday 16th December to perform his very own Christmas music with Durham Choral Society, Durham Music Youth Choirs and Northern Spirit Singers.

Accomplished pianist Will, will head up a jazz trio with local musicians, Isaac Conroy on bass and John Bradford on drums, and the three choirs will perform elements of Will’s Christmas in Blue, individually and as one big choir.

Congregational carols will be accompanied by a brass quintet composed of local schoolchildren from Durham Music Service.

Proceeds from the concert will go to Durham Music Trust who provide musical opportunities for youngsters in the area.

Tickets are available on https://www.wegottickets.com/event/598196, from choir members and on the door (if seats are still available). £15 per adult, £1 for those in full time education.

We are trialling a reduced-paper programme this year and a full programme for the event can be seen/downloaded by scanning  

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Editor's notes

Editor’s Notes:

Will Todd – Will Todd was born in County Durham, attended Durham School and joined the choir of St Oswald's Church, Durham under its choirmaster David Higgins. He went on to study music at the University of Bristol. His music is valued for its melodic intensity and harmonic skill, often incorporating jazz colours and his choral music is much in demand from amateur as well as professional performers. See Will Todd Composer Conductor Presenter for more information.

Durham Music Trust - Durham Music Service provides musical opportunities for young people throughout County Durham and Darlington. They are supported by the two Local Authorities and by funding from Arts Council England, local schools and other public and private sector funding. They are one of the biggest Music Hubs in the country and they provide high quality and inclusive musical opportunities for 18,000 pupils per week from over 300 schools across Darlington and County Durham. Will Todd is a patron of the Trust. See Our mission and objectives | Durham Music Trust for more information.

Durham Choral Society – Durham Choral Society is a mixed voice choir with around 120 members who share a love of Choral Singing. Although they are an amateur choir, they are encourage by their dynamic musical director to achieve ever higher standards. They sing twice a year in Durham Cathedral. See About | DurhamChoralSociety for more information. 

Durham Youth Choirs – Durham Youth Choirs perform a variety of styles of music in outstanding venues across the north-east and beyond. There's no individual audition - just go along and give it a go, and they'll help you decide which part best suits your vocal range. See Durham Music Youth Choir | Durham Music Trust for more information.

Northern Spirit Singers – Northern Spirit are an amateur chamber choir based in Durham City who have been making music together in the North East since 2000.  In 2014 we were awarded Adult Choir of the Year as part of the BBC Choir of the Year Competition and regularly perform around the North East and beyond.  Our Alumni have recently formed our London sister choir (unsurprisingly named Southern Spirit Singers); they have just released their first Album which is available on Spotify and other streaming services.  Our Directors are Richard Bruce, Clare Lawrence Wills and Katherine Hambridge. See Northern Spirit Singers for more information.