St. George's United Reformed Church Orchestra and Ceilidh Band

 St George's URC orchestra and  SGURC Ceilidh Band and Morpeth  Country Dance Club.

The orchestra plays for worship once a month, usually the 4th Sunday meeting at 9.30 to practice before the 10.30 service .
It is free to take part.
 and the 'SGURC' Ceilidh  dance band plays for the Morpeth country dance club once a month, (second Saturday)  Meeting at 6.30 to practice for  the dance from 7.30 to 9.30.
It costs £2.50 to take part.
 SGURC also  plays for some events - recently the band played for a Christian Aid Ceilidh and raised over £400.
as well as similar events at other churches and village halls.
(but we are not availble for hire!!) 
Both groups combine to  play for special church events.

The  Morpeth Country Dance club welcomes dancers of all ages but mostly the fairly fit retired!!! - all dances are explained or 'called' - you dont need a partner but you do need a sense of humour

We are always pleased to see new members at  all these groups. We aim to include anyone interested in our music and willing to share the fun of playing , singing or dancing together.
Both regular and occasional players are welcome to both the church orchestra and the ceilidh band . We include beginners who can signt read a simple tune  through to semi-professionals.
Under 18s need to accompanied by an adult parent/ carer.
Please ask to be put on our e-mail list if you are interested in joining any of the events and we will send you details..For more information please contact Christine Oakes    for details of the orchestra and Shirley Forster for details of the SGURC ceilidh band and  Morpeth Country Dance Club.

​See the Calendar page for dates of upcoming events for all these groups 

Recent Events  with the Orchestra and Band are pictured above-
​ but we have a long history - see the pictures below!! 

The St George's Orchestra played at the Church Social in December 2023; here they are practising a Christmas Medley by Rose Reeve (courtesy Shirley Forster)

The ceilidh band was very busy on Saturday 21st August 2019. Not only did players join with a much enlarged orchestra for the induction service for Revd. Julian Sanders, but they then played at St John's Wideopen with caller Jared Johnson, who is putting the dancers through their paces in the photograph. This view from the band, courtesy Shirley Forster.

Orchestra playing for the Induction Service for the new minister at St George's Church, Revd. Julian Sanders, on Saturday 31st August 2019. We had a very good orchestra that day, as can be seen from the photograph. Photograph courtesy Gillian Irvine

Orchestra playing for the Women's World Day of Prayer on 1st March 2019 at Morpeth Methodist Church. This service was based on music and ideas from Slovenia and was very well received by the congregation. Photograph courtesy Shirley Forster.

Photograph sent by Gillian Irvine showing the band playing at the church service on 28th October 2018

Photograph sent by Gill Armstrong showing the Ceilidh Band playing for the 4th Morpeth Scout Group Ceilidh, with Jared Johnson at the caller.

Women's World Day of Prayer 2nd March 2018

A You-Tube film from Morpeth TV News showing the beginning of the ceremony with an introduction by Nora Campbell, this year's main church organiser. Photograph from Shirley Forster of the band and choir rehearsing on Friday 23rd February at St James' Church for the Women's World Day of Prayer. The service itself will be on Friday the 2nd March at 2.00 pm with the final rehearsal at 10.00 am. The photographs shows Harriet Gilfillan conducting the choir and the orchestra in the music which is themed this year on the country of Suriname.

Widdrington Ceilidh 2017; the photograph shows the band rehearsing before the evening began

The band played for evening service at Great Bavington on June 18th 2017 in glorious weather. They are seen here practising outside the historic church before the service.