The Andreas Ensemble

A group of singers dedicated to performing The Glorious Cathedral music of England and Europe

About the Andreas Ensemble

Why was it formed?

The Andreas Ensemble, first formed in Spring 2005 in Bishop Auckland, offers a wonderful opportunity for capable amateur singers to rise to the challenge of performing music from our glorious heritage of church music, the music of the great cathedral choirs of England and of Europe, alongside secular items like madrigals and part-songs.

The Andreas Ensemble is an occasional choir, performing not only in St. Andrew’s from time to time, but in other churches and locations around the region. It is by nature inter-church and inter-denominational and in no sense competes with parish choirs singing every Sunday in their own churches; indeed two of our members are Choirmasters in other churches some distance away.

Who sings in the Andreas Ensemble?

This is a friendly and enthusiastic chamber choir, which sets itself high standards of choral singing, drawing singers with a real love of church music from all over Co. Durham and from churches of all denominations, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Anglican and others, but including individuals not currently associated with any particular religious organisation.

Where does it meet?

The Ensemble rehearses each week, on Tuesday evenings 7.30-9.00 pm, in the striking medieval surroundings of Bishop Auckland's "mini-cathedral", the 13th century St. Andrew's, South Church, reputedly the largest parish church in County Durham.

What sort of performances does the Andreas Ensemble undertake?

The choir performs 5 or 6 times a year in a variety of venues and localities.

Performances to date in various different venues throughout the region have included not only concerts, but also full choral evensongs and other special choir services, Carols by Candlelight with mulled wine and singing at particular events like the Brancepeth Flower Festival, the Bowes Museum Christmas Market, a workshop exploring the Advent and Christmas Lutheran chorales and a concert for trumpet and organ.
Details of past performances and up and coming events are listed further down this page.
The Andreas Ensemble is also available to sing services in other churches of all denominations, for weddings and to take part in concerts and other festivities.

A lively and friendly group

The Ensemble is a friendly group, encompassing people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, who enjoy a good social life together in addition to their musical activity.

What about joining in?

If you are interested in joining the Andreas Ensemble, members are required to: a) have some ability to read music or be prepared to make an intensive effort to learn b) have a reasonable choral voice and be able, with training to sing in tune and in time. We are looking now to expand our numbers with new singers in all voice registers. If you would like to join The Andreas Ensemble or would like to find out more, please contact Brian Varley, BA(Oxon) ARCO, Organist of St.Andrew's on (01388) 606075 or email: brianvarley@orpheusmail.co.uk
We’ll be delighted to hear from you.

The Andreas Ensemble performing before a full audience at a concert in St. Andrew's, Bishop Auckland on May 3rd 2008 LINKS The Organ of St. Andrew's The Parish of St. Andrew with St. Anne Auckland Map showing location of St. Andrew's The Andreas Ensemble singing at the Church of the Ascension, Middlesbrough on Nov. 15th 2008 The Andreas Ensemble rehearsing in St. Andrew's on 26th Jan 2010	Interested to find out more? Contact Brian Varley by email Recent performances: Saturday, 15th November 2008 The Andreas Ensemble at the Church of the Ascension, Middlesbrough Sunday 14th December 2008 Nine Lessons and Carols with the Andreas Ensemble St. Andrew's, South Church, Bishop Auckland Sunday 21st December 2008 The Andreas Ensemble at the Bowes Museum Christmas Market Saturday, 25th April 2009 The Andreas Ensemble at St. Ives Leadgate Saturday 3rd October 2009 The Andreas Ensemble at St. Edmund's Sedgefield The Andreas Ensemble at Sunderland Minster Saturday 17th October 2009 at 7.30 pm The October programmes centred on Liszt's lovely Missa Choralis and included: Stainer: Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in Bb Tomkins: Holy, Holy, Holy & Above the Stars Russian Liturgical Music by Bortniansky and Rachmaninov together with musical interludes for organ and flute/oboe and piano plus a couple of festive hymns for everyone to join in singing. View our Programme for Sunderland Minster on Oct.17th Sunday 29th November 2009 at 3.00 pm The Andreas Ensemble at St. Anne's Bishop Auckland "Hymns and Anthems for the first Sunday in Advent" View our Programme for our concert of Festive Music for Advent Sunday at St. Anne's, Bishop Auckland on Nov.29th Sunday 13th December 2009 at 3.00 pm The Andreas Ensemble at St. Andrew's Bishop Auckland Service of Nine Lessons & Carols Order of Service for 9 Lessons & Carols on Dec 13th Sunday 28th March 2010 3 pm The Andreas Ensemble at the Bowes Museum Christmas Market Coming up: Palm Sunday 28th March 2010 3 pm The Andreas Ensemble at St. Andrew's Bishop Auckland The Crucifixion by Sir John Stainer (1840-1901) - "A meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer" A pageant in beautiful English choral music including hymns for all to sing with the choir Saturday 22nd May 2010 7.30 pm The Andreas Ensemble at Grange Road Baptist Church, Darlington Thursday 9th December 2010 7.30 pm The Andreas Ensemble at Auckland Castle Bishop Auckland Music Society Christmas Concert *Christmas carols for all to sing *Special Advent and Christmas choral music in glorious polyphony *Music for flutes and harpsichord	Dixit Maria: Hans-Leo Hassler (rec. 29 Nov 2009) Press STOP to avoid simultaneous playback of more then one track if current track not yet finished playing Now listen to some other live recordings of the Andreas Ensemble The Tree of Life: Paul Ritchie (rec. 29 Nov 2009) Mary's Magnificat: Andrew Carter (rec. 29 Nov 2009) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace: S.S.Wesley (rec. 29 Nov 2009) In dulci jubilo: Pearsall (rec. 13 Dec 2009) How far is it to Bethlehem?: Paul Ritchie (rec. 13 Dec 2009) See amid the winter's snow: Fr. P.A.O'Neill (Douai Abbey) (rec. 13 Dec 2009) O nata lux: Thomas Tallis (rec. 15 Nov 2008) Kyrie (Missa Choralis): Liszt (rec. 15 Nov 2008) Gloria (Missa Choralis): Liszt (rec. 15 Nov 2008) Benedictus (Missa Choralis): Liszt (rec. 3 Oct 2009) Above the stars: Tomkins (rec. 3 Oct 2009) Sanctus, Benedictus & Agnus Dei from 4-part Mass: Byrd (rec. 25 April 2009) Magnificat: Stainer in Bb (rec. 25 April 2009) Nunc Dimittis: Stainer in Bb (rec. 25 April 2009) Cwm Rhondda: faux-bourdon v.2 by BV (rec. 15 Nov 2008) Psalm 65 (Harvest) Magnificat: Purcell in G minor (rec. 15 Nov 2008) Nunc Dimittis: Purcell in G minor (rec. 15 Nov 2008) The Old 100th: Vaughan Williams (rec. 15 Nov 2008) Magnificat: Stanford in Bb Russian Liturgical music: We sing to Thee (Tebe poem): D. Bortnianski (rec. 15 Nov 2008) Exsultate Deo: Palestrina (rec. 15 Nov 2008) Praise ye the Lord, ye children: Christopher Tye (rec. 15 Nov 2008) Quelle est cette odeur agréable? (rec.14 Dec 2008 - 9 Lessons) Once in Royal David's city (rec.14 Dec 2008 - 9 Lessons) Quando nascette Ninno (rec.14 Dec 2008 - 9 Lessons) Es ist ein Kind gebor'n zu Bethlehem (rec.14 Dec 2008 - 9 Lessons) Lulajze Jesuniu (rec.14 Dec 2008 - 9 Lessons) Lieb Nachtigall, wach auf! (rec.14 Dec 2008 - 9 Lessons) It came upon a midnight clear (rec.14 Dec 2008 - 9 Lessons) The Cherry Tree Carol (rec.14 Dec 2008 - 9 Lessons) - certainly not perfect, but there are, we hope, some lovely moments to enjoy!
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