We don’t mean to blow our own trumpet, but the Song of the Skerne music project sounds pretty amazing!
Young people in Darlington have been working with professional composer Sarah Freestone, lyricist Katie Doherty and musicians from Opera North to create and record a brand new piece of music, inspired by the Skerne river.
Lockdowns may have thrown a few challenges our way but following recording sessions in Leeds and Darlington, we’re thrilled to share an exclusive online premiere of the film Song of the Skerne performed by the young people of Darlington, Sarah, Katie and the Orchestra of Opera North.
#TEAMHaughton were tasked with capturing shots of the River Skerne. These pics will be used as inspiration for the next #SkerneMusic workshop.
The film premieres on 12th August 2021 @ 7:30pm.
Through a series of creative online workshops earlier this year, young people from Haughton Academy in Darlington took a journey along the River Skerne to explore the river’s evolving environment and rich history – from Romans to railways via marshland and the Durham Ox.
They created lyrics and musical ideas thinking about the river ‘then, ‘now’
and in the ‘future’ with some incredibly thoughtful contributions. The creative team then weaved these ideas together into a moving and uplifting song about our river!
Our artistic partners, Darlington Hippodrome and Orchestras Live are welcoming the Orchestra of Opera North to the Hippodrome on 7th November 2021 for a very special afternoon of music, including the live premiere of Song of the Skerne.
The Hippodrome are also currently hosting an exhibition about Song of the
Skerne including some of the beautiful photography created by Haughton students.
So put 7th November 2021 in your diary to sit back and enjoy the film and join us all for the live performance!
The film premieres on 12th August 2021 @ 7:30pm.
Music of the Skerne is produced by Orchestras Live in partnership with Orchestras Live Darlington Hippodrome, Durham Music Service, Opera North
Composer / Arranger: Sarah Freestone
Lyrics: Katie Doherty
Students of Haughton Academy, Darlington
Orchestra of Opera North
River Rea Films
Working together with our funders National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Creative Darlington, and Scops Arts Trust.
