Trifter

THE Sage Gateshead is the latest addition to the revitalised quaysides at Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead. It is a futuristic building that was designed by Lord Foster as his first foray into conceiving buildings for showcasing the performing arts and the Sage is intended to be as much a centre for learning and participation as it is for performances.

The music Centre stages many different types of music ranging jazz through folk and experimental to the classical composers. The performers cover the spectrum from local school bands and choirs to the BBC Concert and the BBC Singers, Lesley Garrett and the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

A number of regional bands are based at the Sage. One is the Northern Sinfonia who have staged the Creation by Haydn and Symphony Number 7 by Sibelius there.

Folkworks preserves the folk traditions of the country. Examples have included the Waterson Family, Martin Wyndham-Reed and Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies. There are frequent ceilidhs in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall to the music of the young folk band, 422. Traditional celebrations are continued in such events as the Holy and the Ivy with Wassailing and Hunting the Wren. Fireside Tales for Christmas is a collection of stories, myths and legends combined with carol singing and seasonal music.

The Northumbria Saxophone Quartet stages jazz sessions which range from South African Township Rhythms to seasonal tunes and the latest jazz. Jambone is an event being Saga’s own Youth Jazz Band.

Northern Sinfonia is occasionally augmented by special guest performers such as Evelyn Glennie, Bradley Cheswick and Julian Lloyd Webber. The orchestra often supports the singing of local secondary school choirs.

The St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra plays music by the greatest Russian composers such as Rachmaninov and Stravinsky. The Sage Gateshead brought the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, who play entirely on traditional Chinese instruments to Tyneside.

Other orchestras to perform at the Sage Gateshead have included the London Symphony Orchestra, Halle, BBC Scottish Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Orchestra, the Orchestra of the age of enlightenment and Northern Sinfonia’s junior section, Young Sinfonia.

A traditional music form in the Northumberland and Durham Coalfields were the brass bands. The sage is observing this by presenting the Grimthorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band with soprano Amanda Roocroft. It is also staging a massed brass band concert with three of the region’s leading bands.

CoMusica Showcase teams young musicians with some of the most exciting contemporary musicians.

Other events include Planet Music Workshops, a Jazz for Everyone weekend, Open Voices and a number of festivals. The sage is holding day and evening classes.

The Sage has three performance halls and a music education centre. There is a high tech music information and library service. Explore music in the John and Margaret Herbert Space. The Barbour room is a very special space entertainment and other events which can hold up to 300 people.

It works with various groups, schools and pre-schools to foster music in the region and has a degree programme (BMus Honours in Folk and Traditional Music) that was developed by Newcastle University. More details on this course can be obtained from 0191 222 6736. Bands from the Sage stage events in various venues throughout the region to bring music to the people.

The Sage has disabled access throughout and guide dogs are welcome.

Tours of the Sage are held at 12:00 and 17:30 each day, but these must be booked in advance. The Sage does have a gift voucher system for tickets. The entire building is non-smoking and late comers to any performance will only be admitted during the next available break.

The Sage has bars, a café which serves a variety of light meals and snacks and a brasserie with waiter service, One of the bars serves guest real ales and meals can be obtained all day from hot bacon rolls and fresh coffee for breakfast in the café to late last orders in the brasserie.

Private boxes are available and the Barbour Room can be booked for events, conferences and meetings. The Sage is licensed for marriage ceremonies or blessings.

There is nearby car parking with overflow parking a short walk away. A number of disabled parking spaces are situated near to the sage’s entrance and next to the lifts. The Sage has adjacent lockable cycle racks. Transport company Nexus has offered free travel on the Metro system on production of a ticket for Sage performances.

The Sage Gateshead is located between the Tyne Bridge and the Millennium Winking Eye Bridge.

More details can be obtained from 0191 443 4666 and the phone number of the box office is 0870 703 4555