“I wish I had a river I could skate away on”
Joni Mitchell / River
The River Runs is the final commission in the Mill Race Cultural Programme and will celebrate the musical heritage of the mill race area through song. Choir leader and voice specialist Loz Kaye will work with local singers and choirs in a series of workshops that will lead to an ‘installation of song’ at St. John’s Church on Saturday 24 February 2024 and form part of the final event at the Grand Theatre on 5 March.
This commission is also a part of Lancashire: County of Song 2024 – a year-long celebration of the breadth and diversity of grassroots singing in the county. See more: www.countyofsong.co.uk
Who can come to the workshops?
River Runs singers
We are looking for people to join a River Runs choir to perform as part of transforming St. John’s Church into a space flowing with voices… You don’t need any particular musical or singing experience, just need an open mind and enthusiasm! We’ll create a piece together that is about 10 minutes long and will repeat several times through the ‘River Runs’ event.
There will be three workshop rehearsals in Lancaster before the event. We are asking people to come to at least one of them, or more if you can, to get familiar with the piece.
We are happy for families and young people to join, and the age guidance is 11+. People under 15 should be accompanied by an adult.
River Runs recording
We’ll also be running a recording workshop – creating sound with voices to be recorded to form part of the soundscape for the River Runs event. For this you don’t need any sort of musical or singing experience, but we will be using voice. Bring a sense of adventure and fun! You don’t need to take part in the event itself to be part of this workshop.
Again, we are happy for families and young people to join, and the age guidance is 11+. People under 15 should be accompanied by an adult.
Dates and times
The recording and workshops will take place at the following times and places. Note that the workshops are at different locations!
Saturday 27 Jan at 12:30 – 14:30: “River Runs” recording session
(Lancaster Library, the Sanctuary upstairs)
Saturday 3 Feb at 11:00 – 13:00: “River Runs” choir rehearsal 1
(The Gregson Centre, Main Hall)
Thursday 8 Feb at 18.30 – 20.30: “River Runs” choir rehearsal 2
(Friend’s Meeting House, The Social Room)
Saturday 17 Feb at 11:00 – 13:00: “River Runs” choir rehearsal 3
(The Gregson Centre, Main Hall)
How to book
You can book on to one or more workshops by contacting millrace@lancasterarts.org
If you are interested in being in the River Runs event at St. John’s Church on 24 February, please let us know and we will confirm details.
