Top UK-male trio – Blake – are seeking a local North East-based choir to accompany them onstage for a live gig this summer in South-East Northumberland.This fabulous ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity will see the choir singing alongside Stephen Bowman, Humphrey Berney and Ollie Baines (aka Blake) for one of their two shows this June at The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth.
The Classical BRIT Award winning trio have sold over one million records worldwide and have performed in front of thousands of people in some of the most exclusive venues including Buckingham Palace, Wembley Stadium and more recently in front of The White House.
The winning choir will take to the stage at The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth on Sunday June 7th to perform five songs with Blake and also sing a solo number of their own.
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Humphrey Berney of Blake said: “We want to give a choir the opportunity to perform with us, to sing in front of an audience they may not normally have access to.
“All three members of Blake have sung in choirs from an early age, and that experience has been a central part of our musical life. We want to encourage more people to join their local choirs, no matter what age they might be, and benefit from all of the positives joining a choir can bring.”
Blake, who formed after reuniting on Face Book, like to mix eclectic classical and pop songs with rich harmony vocals. The band’s debut album, Blake, was launched to critical acclaim going straight to number one in the UK classical album chart and also into the Top 20 pop chart with over 100,000 copies being sold in just three weeks.
During this massive success Blake’s upbeat version of ‘Swing Low’ was chosen as the Official Anthem of England Rugby for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Later on, the sporting theme continued as they performed a rousing rendition of their 1492 Conquest of Paradise during the opening ceremony at Wimbledon.
In 2008 their highly anticipated second album, And So It Goes, was released and went straight in at number 12 in the UK pop charts and Number 1 in several classical charts around the world.
Humphrey adds: “We hope this will be an experience the choir really enjoys, singing material they may not have known before and taking away memories which will inspire them to carry on singing!”
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To enter the competition local choirs will need to send a video or audio clip of their material to admin@thephoenixtheatre.
Address: The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth, 37 Beaconsfield Street, BLYTH, Northumberland, NE24 2DS.
The closing date will be 12noon on Saturday May 16th with the winning choir being announced on The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth’s Face Book page the following day. The chosen singers will be sent the selected songs and then on the day of the show be given the chance to rehearse with Blake.
Richie Ross, theatre manager at The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth said: “We always have a phenomenal response by audiences when Blake return to Blyth; as they know that time and time again they will be entertained with a stunning show.
“We are thrilled that Blake have agreed to invite a local choir to perform on the second night at The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth – which will provide a wonderful platform to showcase the singing talents of North East performers. It also represents the Theatre’s vision to offer unique opportunities for people living in and around South East Northumberland.”
Also…on the opening night (Sat 6th June) The Phoenix Theatre Blyth’s very own Young Phoenix Theatre Company will be providing the guest choir vocals with the competition winners appearing the following evening.
Blake will be performing at The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2015 commencing at 8pm with tickets priced at £23 that can be purchased from the box office by calling 01670 367 228, online www.thephoenixtheatre.
For further information about Blake please visit their official website www.blakeofficial.com
The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth is supported by Northumberland County Council.