The Caedmon Choir

The Caedmon Folk Choir was started in 1987 by Eddie Upton who was Folk Musician in Residence with Gateshead Council's Arts Development Team. Eddie developed a number of projects, three of which (a monthly Ceilidh Club, a Ceilidh Band workshop, and the Caedmon Folk Choir) are still running today. All three projects have changed and developed but are still inspiring local people to dance, play, and sing.

Eddie first taught the choir a repertoire of harmony songs from the English folk tradition including songs from the Sussex-based Copper Family, Sheffield carols, shape note songs, and other favourite carols and songs for all seasons. The choir’s first concert was a celebration of Christmas and included some of the choir members’ other talents; solo spots included dance, poetry, and instrumental pieces. From 1987 until 1989 rehearsals only took place in the Autumn term each year, in preparation for a concert in Gateshead each Christmas.

When Eddie’s residency ended the choir was taken on by the Gateshead Libraries and Arts Service. It was funded through the Library Development and Area Arts Fund and was provided with a permanent rehearsal space in the Caedmon Hall in Gateshead Central Library; this funding continued for a number of years.

September 1990 to December 1997
At the end of Eddie Upton’s residency the choir members were keen to continue, and in September 1990 Sandra Kerr, who is known to many as the voice of Madeleine in the BBC's children’s TV series ‘Bagpuss’, took over as Musical Director. She came for one Christmas concert and stayed seven years! With Sandra’s arrival the choir started rehearsing all year round and their repertoire was extended to include international as well as local folk songs and protest songs.

Events during Sandra’s time with the choir included:
· the production of a cassette, ‘Gentle Angry People’
· a concert with the Vermont Singers in 1993
· a concert with Leon Rosselson
· a concert in Newcastle Playhouse
· an entry in the ‘Choir of the Year’ Competition in 1995
· an exchange with a choir from Exeter in 1995
· the choir took part in the Four Seasons in Woodland project in 1996 and 1997 with the late Keith Morris who was Gateshead’s Composer in Residence in association with Visual Arts Year.
· several appearances at the International Kite Festival, held in Washington, Tyne & Wear, in July each year
· a number of appearances at the annual Gateshead Spring and Summer Flower Shows
· A short performance during the Carols at Ryton Cross event, held on the last Tuesday before Christmas in Ryton Village; taking part in this event each year has now become one of the choir’s traditions
· Christmas performances at Ikea in Gateshead, and in Newcastle’s Eldon Square shopping centre

During this period the choir also commissioned the production of a banner.

January 1998 to July 2001
Sandra Kerr resigned from leading the choir in December 1997 due to pressure of work, and Katherine Zeserson replaced her at the beginning of the next term. Under Katherine’s leadership we broadened our repertoire to include songs from Eastern Europe and Finland as well as more African songs. We also gave an afternoon’s performance at the National Trust property at Cherryburn when they introduced their Folk In The Farmyard summer Sunday afternoon series of events. This has now developed into another annual choir tradition with a shared choir picnic taking place between performances, usually (but not always) in warm July sunshine.

We have also more recently become known simply as The Caedmon Choir.

Other performances under Katherine’s leadership included
further appearances at the Washington International Kite Festival and the Gateshead Spring and Summer Flower Shows
further Christmas performances at Ikea, Gateshead and at the Carols At Ryton Cross event
a performance of John Kirkpatrick’s ‘Chariots’ with John Kirkpatrick and his band in Hartlepool Little Theatre in December 1998
involvement in the nationwide Big Sing on Newcastle Quayside as part of the Millennium celebrations during event which we appeared on national television for approximately 1.5 seconds!