Open the Book

Take a peek inside a 600+ year-old choir book and sing some of its music.

Newcastle University Library holds The Petre Gradual, a 370-page 14th-century manuscript.

Spend an afternoon with English church chant and sing from copies of the original manuscript.

All voices welcome. No prior experience necessary.

Led by Jonathan Adams, director of Silver Plainsong and of the Benedict Biscop Gregorian Choir.

This workshop, planned for Sage Gateshead for March 2020, was cancelled, but the possibility of running it in future still remains. Watch for fresh plans OR suggest a time and place to us.

CONTACT the Choir

Workshop Days

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, plans for workshps have been on hold for many months, but now, in October 2021, we are planning again. If you have a venue to suggest, do get in touch.

Some previous workshops:

Sunday 27 May 2018

Bede Museum at Jarrow Hall, Jarrow

Workshop: 11am to 4:00pm
Performance: 3:00pm

Saturday 28 April 2018

St Thomas’ Church, Haymarket,

Newcastle upon Tyne

Workshop: 11am to 3:45pm
Performance of chant in St Thomas’ Church: 5pm

Saturday 9 September 2017

ELSDON, Northumberland

Workshop: 11am to 3:45pm
Performance of readings and chant in St Cuthbert's Church: 5pm

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Our chant workshops are open to all.

A workshop day stands on its own. It is offered for people who want to try plainsong for the first time and those who love the chant, but don't want the commitment of regular rehearsals.

Join in for the pleasure of singing with others and exploring music still vibrant after more than a thousand years. No experience necessary – all voices, any faith or none.

The usual pattern of a day includes rehearsals morning and afternoon to prepare for a short performance in late afternoon or evening.

You might like to suggest a place for a workshop – let us know via the CONTACT US page.