Youngster shares love of Northumbrian music at Azure Garden Centre

Posted by The Journal on Dec 3, 09 04:17 PM in News

Chloe Corrigan A young musician from Northumberland has been sharing her love of traditional regional music in a series of performances.

Chloe Corrigan, 12, from Fieldhead, near Morpeth has been playing the Northumbrian small pipes at festive events at Cramlington's Azure Garden Centre.

The Rothbury Middle School pupil first started playing the historic instrument when she was just nine years old, with the average age of players around 70.

She became interested after hearing renowned small pipe artist Kathryn Tickell on the radio and grew increasingly fond of the music after her family moved North from Jesmond five years ago.

Chloe took on what is effectively a dying art form under the guidance of Longframlington-based pipe maker David Burleigh, and traditional Northumbrian pipers, the late Tommy Breckons and, more recently, Malcolm Sargeant.

Since first picking up the pipes, her skill has developed rapidly, and she has won numerous competitions.

The youngster has performed at a number of local festivals and gatherings, where she continues to impress audiences with her renditions of Northumbrian tunes, many passed down through generations.

Her father John said: "A lot of musicians crack up in front of an audience - she plays her best. She loves it."

For more information, call (01670) 733 762 or see www.azure-gardencentre.co.uk

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