A song for every occasion

Press Release: for immediate use

The Buxton Festival owes its reputation to the opera that is presented every July. The Festival Fringe also has 37 music events this year and there are songs and singers to suit every mood and every occasion.

If it is the pure sound of the human voice that you are after there are several a cappella offerings. At last year's Fringe four young men from Soweto dazzled and delighted. Happily Simply Soweto Encha are back for four shows at St John's Church. Buxton's own Kaleidoscope Community Choir will be doing an open rehearsal whilst the Bel Canto singers promise a joyful summer programme with a tribute to those who died in the First World War along the way. Peak District favourites, the mighty Tideswell Male Voice Choir will have a rich and varied programme and will pack St John's. Two smaller groups will provide cake to accompany their singing; the Ordsall Acapella singers return for their fourth visit and Fringe debutants ChorAlchemy, from Derby, promise jazz, folk, pop and choral classics.

Fringe regulars the City of Manchester Opera will be singing a programme of much-loved choruses, arias and excerpts – some semi-staged. Smaller in scale will be an intriguing programme of 20th century song by composers such as Berg and Strauss; soprano Laura Monaghan will be accompanied by pianist Mark Cartwright.

The worlds of folk, pop and jazz are strongly represented in the programme. The Buxton Festival Fringe reaches well beyond the town and some performances will take place in the New Mills Spring Bank Arts Centre. Among them will be Trace Taylor and her band with a stirring mixture of originals and covers. Over three lunchtimes at the Railway in Buxton Aprille and the Shower will entertain with their bluegrass songs and music.

If its jazz that you are after ARKangel will be performing some of the songs closely associated with Ella Fitzgerald. A bit more left-field, but eagerly anticipated, is Sam Slide's Trombone Tunes, Trombone Talk. Buxton-based Sam will show the full-range of the 'bone' and be telling stories from his own life.

Club Acoustic is a long-standing part of the Buxton music world – where singers and musicians meet regularly. A sample of what is on offer will be heard at the Old Clubhouse. Other 'folky' sessions can be heard from Cathy Rimer (at the Green Man Gallery) and the Raintown Seers – a trio drawing on British and American folk traditions.

One of the great English pop albums is The Kinks' Arthur. Will Hawthorne will be performing all the songs – thoughtful, intelligent, witty and tuneful. Pretty much perfect. Darren John Poyzer is a Falklands veteran and a songwriter. He promises a passionate set of First World War-themed musical theatre. Sideways Band take inspiration from the blues of BB King, the songwriting of Bob Dylan and Tom Lehrer in what should be a heady mix.

Finally there are two 'festivals within a festival'. At St Peter's Church, Fairfield there is a week-long music festival with something for everyone. The Buxton Tap House also has a week of live music and the best beer brewed in town!

Fringe chair Keith Savage said, “There is a mouth-watering programme of music-making over the 19 days of the Fringe – much of it by local musicians. This is testament to creativity in the area. To our many guest musicians we promise a warm and friendly welcome.”

NOTE TO PRESS

For further information, pictures or interviews about the Fringe Send message to Marketing or tel: 01298 79351