‘Silverdale Renaissance’ is a group of friends and neighbours in North Lancashire who came together in 2023 with the idea of organising a really special event to celebrate the end of Covid lock-down restrictions. Our first concert featured the well-known early music group The Gesualdo Six. It was a sell-out success and many people urged us to organise more similar events.
‘There was certainly a buzz at the concert. It just shows what an enthusiastic and able group of people can achieve.’ (Concert-goer)
Since then we have put on 4 more concerts and a singers’ workshop, all exciting, well-attended events featuring early and baroque music. The 2024 workshop, delivered by The Gesualdo Six, got rave feedback:
‘What a fantastic opportunity to sing with a world class group of singers who made me feel I can sing’
‘Very collaborative feel to the workshop and very well organised.’
‘More of these, please, so that we can spread this appreciation to the next generations.’ (Workshop participants)
Our next venture is our most ambitious yet. We want as many local people as possible to be able to enjoy the fabulous I Fagiolini in concert, however the costs of putting on an event like this are substantial. We are a not-for-profit organisation, entirely staffed by volunteers, and up to now barely breaking even. Any loss has to be borne by the organisers personally. We need to raise funds so that we can be sure of covering our costs, and also so that we can keep ticket prices down to an affordable level in order that as many people as possible are able to come. Additionally, the age profile of our audience tends to be older and we want to invest in the future by encouraging more young people to take part. We will offer them concessionary ticket prices to both events and there will also be some low-price tickets available for seats with restricted view of the performers. These have been well-received:
'I bag the two middle seats on the altar steps the moment booking opens and we enjoy every aspect. And we've made friends with the people who have sat next to us for the two most recent concerts. So please don't abandon that seating option!'
Musicians, too, have welcomed the opportunities the series offers them: every group we have hosted has asked to come back.
‘[Silverdale is] fast becoming a hub for exceptional music-making that reaches far and wide!’ (Owain Park, Director of ‘The Gesualdo Six’)
