Next month’s Edinburgh Fringe will provide a high profile platform for Ripon singer-songwriter Alannah Creed to unveil a newly-created repertoire of original songs.
Her Fringe debut will see the 20-year-old classically-trained singer perform 12 songs written in collaboration with her mother and co-lyricist Kathryn Creed, a counsellor and hypnotherapist, who is also a Reiki master teacher and practitioner.
The duo have combined their musical and therapeutic skills to compose pieces designed to be in harmony with the healing power of nature.
Living close to the Studley Royal Deer Park, where they regularly walk Yorkshire terrier Katie, there is plenty in the natural environment to inspire them.
Alannah and Kathryn Creed with Yorkshire Terrier Katie
Alannah told the Stray Ferret:
“The songs, which I describe as classically inspired pop infused with electronica, draw on many different uplifting personal experiences, such as seeing the sun shining through trees and hearing the sound of birds singing.”
She added:
“I believe that music is a superpower for stress relief, enjoyment and healing and I want those who come to my concerts to feel happy, empowered, energised and renewed. “
Pianist Alannah, who also plays acoustic guitar, is currently an unsigned artist but has been working with producer Grant Henderson at Loom Studios in Birstall near Leeds, with the aim of releasing her work this autumn or in the spring of 2024.
Her 11 shows at Edinburgh Fringe will be staged in venue six at the Lauriston Halls complex and before heading to the Scottish capital, she will provide a sneak preview of her original works in the Harrogate Theatre Studio on the evening of July 21.
Alannah will also perform her repertoire in Ripon Arts Hub on Allhallowgate all 8pm on August 4, where tickets will be available on the door.
Those who go to see her in Edinburgh, Harrogate or Ripon, can expect dramatic performances as she is also an actor and dancer who trained in Contemporary Performance at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, before studying acting at the Stella Adler Academy in New York.
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Harrogate choir’s ‘fabulous’ Edinburgh Fringe performance
A choir from Harrogate has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the first time, just three years after it was formed.
Sixty members of The Stray Notes travelled to the famous festival to give two performances in historic venues.
They performed in the early afternoon on Sunday at St Giles’s Cathedral on the Royal Mile, before moving on to Canongate Kirk later on.
Choir director Liz Linfoot said:
“It was really fabulous. We were excited, but we didn’t know what to expect.
“The two venues were beautiful. St Giles’s was a really big audience and they were so positive – we got some lovely feedback.
“Then Canongate Kirk was a bit smaller and felt very different, but again the acoustics were beautiful.”
The choir performed a wide variety of music, from a Bon Jovi medley to gospel and choral songs. They finished the concerts with Hey Jude, which got the audiences joining in, and One Day More from Les Miserables.
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The performances were the most prestigious yet for the choir, which formed in September 2019 but was unable to give concerts during the covid pandemic.
Since then, members have been able to travel to perform in Manchester and Liverpool, and are looking forward to getting on the road more in the future. Liz said:
“The choir just love going to difference places together – it’s a really sociable group.
“The idea of the Fringe was a suggestion from a choir member. We try to give them the opportunity to make suggestions so everyone feels like it’s their choir.
“We went up early so we had time for a meal out together and even a silent disco! Some people saw some shows and others just wandered around the city.”
The Stray Notes will be performing in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on Sunday, September 4 from 2pm, before its autumn term begins that week.
Liz said it welcomes new members and it particularly keen to hear from anyone with a lower voice. It is offering the first term’s membership free to tenor and bass singers.
Members do not need to be able to read music and previous experience in a choir is not necessary. if two singers join from the same household, the second gets their membership half price.