The Gospel Requiem Tour

  Andy's 'A Gospel Requiem' presents some thoughts about death from a humanist

  perspective. It roughly follows the format of a traditional requiem mass with nine

  sections mapping out an emotional and philosophical journey exploring the nature

  of mortality.

  The texts are all taken from the traditional Gospel repertoire; some are lyrics to

  familiar songs; others are compiled from a variety of sources. The same is mainly true of the music although Andy also composed some original material using the same idiom.   From 2005 to 2007 the Scratch Choir and the Cobweb Orchestra took the Requiem on tour in the North East.

At the end of the tour, Nonie wrote:

'I felt excited at the prospect of another Cobweb and choir production for International Hospice Day at the Lamplight Theatre in Stanley. It still seems like a bit of a dream that we actually sang it in Hall One of the Sage, Gateshead not to mention Durham Cathedral. Apart from these splendid venues I treasure in particular the memories of the warm and welcoming, smaller venues where the reduced touring Gospel Requiem was so well received, and much needed funds were raised for the roof of Framwellgate Methodist Church, and charities such as Water Aid and Breathe Easy. ..'

Angel and Amber Kotwall, the young soloists, who touched everybody with their clear and plaintive voices, wrote:

'I loved the songs and the music, everybody was so comforting and nice. I have learnt so much from it and the experience will be there, with me, for ever' (Angel)

'To be honest it has changed my life. I was very shy when I heard there was going to be quite a lot of performances. Now I have dared to go for solo parts at school - something I would not have dared to do before participating in the Gospel requiem Tour'. (Amber)

('A Gospel Requiem' is published By Andrew & Andrew Music Publishing Ltd. See www.andrewandandrew.org for a full list of publications).