Dance, music and song on the menu for the new year

A TRIO of Tuesday events are offering the dale a chance to stretch its musical muscles. 
Musicians Amy Purvis and Dan Kilford are starting a contemporary community choir and ukulele lessons at The Witham, in Barnard Castle.
Every Tuesday in term time will see the pair teach the four-string lute between 6pm and 7pm alongside other percussive instruments.
Between 7pm and 8pm a community choir accompanied by a live band will take centre stage.
The duo, from Newton Aycliffe’s branch of MusiKality Services, revealed they were looking to extend their reach across Teesdale. Mr Kilford said: “I will run the band and Amy will run the choir – we will be using local musicians.
“We have had a lot of enquiries so we’re going to sit down and work out where everyone will fit in.
“We want it to be as mad and fun as possible.”
The choir will have a “contemporary twist” using a live band to play hits from the likes of Coldplay and Snow Patrol. Ms Purvis added: “Sometimes people in choirs may not have had the opportunity to work with live musicians so it’s nice to be able to do that.
“Some people think of a choir as four or five part traditional hymns which is fine but we want to give it a modern twist.”
The pair said both the uke and singing lessons are open to those who might not consider themselves musical.
“Some people dismiss music from a young age if they cannot pick an instrument up quickly – the choir is quick and instant access to music,” said Ms Purvis. “The ukulele is a really in thing at the moment – it’s easy to handle and for all ages.”
Before the music, ballet and tap dance lessons are available for youngsters on Tuesday tea times with Rambert London trained professional Janie Lavell.
Sessions for four to eight-year-olds will be between 4pm and 5.30pm and ages nine and above from 5.30pm to 7pm.
Sarah Gent, from The Witham, was looking forward to the Tuesday treble bill.
“I am really excited by it all and I know a lot of people who are either in the band or the choir. It fits in really nicely with what we’re doing to give people access to the arts.”
Sessions start on Tuesday, January 10, and cost £5 each.   For more details contact Musikality on 07985 483566 or email musikalityservices@ gmail.com.