colne orpheus 2019

Choirs sing out for sponsor support

by Eric Beardsworth

Organisers of a massed choirs and band concert are on the look-out for sponsors to help boost funds for a hospice.

Nearly 300 singers from seven East Lancashire choirs will join the 2nd Rossendale Scout  Band in “Brass and Voices for East Lancashire Hospice” on Saturday, March 28, at King George’s Hall, Blackburn.

The concert will celebrate the National Association of Choirs centenary, and the audience will include representatives of choirs from all over the country, mayors and mayoresses from seven boroughs, and a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire, Khalid Saifullah.

The organisers hope to raise £3,000 in sponsorship to cover the cost of hiring the concert hall.

“The more we raise in sponsorship, the more of the ticket money goes to the hospice,” said Eric Beardsworth, spokesman for the choirs’ organising committee.

“The concert will be a high-profile event, and it’s the highlight of the National Association of Choirs centenary conference weekend at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel.

“Singers of all ages are taking part, there’ll be a great variety of choral singing, and we hope to get support from all over East Lancashire.”

Colne Orpheus and Nelson Arion male choirs, who were founder members of the National Association of Choirs in 1920, will be joined by Blackburn People’s Choir, Nelson Civic Ladies’ Choir, Rossendale Ladies’ Choir, Rossendale Male Voice Choir and Vocalise Youth Choir from Blackburn.

East Lancashire Hospice is offering sponsorship packages of £1,000 and £500, and businesses are also being invited to advertise in a glossy concert programme.

East Lancashire Hospice, opened in 1984, was the area’s first palliative care centre, and helps make a difference to people coping with a life limiting illness, at a time when they need it.

Any businesses interested in supporting the event can contact Jennifer Quinn, at jennifer.quinn@eastlancshospice for full details of sponsorship packages.

Concert tickets are on sale now at £10 adults and £1 for accompanied children aged 16 and under, from King George’s Hall, phone 0844 847 1664 or 01254 582579. Online and out-of-hours bookings add a £1.50 Ticketmaster fee.

Tickets are also sold at Platform Gallery, Clitheroe.