All together now!

DID YOU KNOW?

The record for the longest continuous vocal note is 2 minutes 1.07 seconds! It was set by US singer Richard Fink in Las Vegas in 2019.

Hands up if you shed a quiet tear watching Military Wives, about the triumphs of a women’s choir on an Army base? Or, like the Shire team, found yourselves glued to Britain’s Got Talent cheering local choir Johns’ Boys?

Tune in and hum along as we meet some of the region’s top singing groups.

Ever since Gareth Malone burst into our living rooms with his series The Choir back in 2006, the way we think of choral music has changed. Now almost every town has a choir, ranging from Welsh male voice choirs (of which many are no longer all-male!) to rock choirs performing acapella versions of popular hits.

So what choirs do we have in Cheshire, Shropshire, Mid and North Wales then? Quite a lot, it turns out!

Bostock Singers

Bostock Singers is a 60-strong mixed voice choir – that’s soprano, alto, tenor and bass, or SATB – based in Hartford, near Northwich. The group was founded in 2009, and is directed by Nicola Howbrigg and accompanied by Alison Megicks.

“Our repertoire is wide ranging, from musical theatre and pop through to classical and comedy,” explained choir member Sue Clough. “We feel that fun, laughter and friendship are important parts of our choir life, as well as singing and performing.”

Each year the Singers choose a charity to support and they have raised over £4,000 in the past four years.

“Our performances vary from local events to more formal concerts, and we have also performed at the Eisteddfod in Llangollen,” said Sue. “We occasionally enter competitions, and earlier this year we won the mixed voice class at the North Wales Choral Festival.

“Our members love the feel-good factor that being a member of a choir brings, and how it lifts your spirits no matter what else is going on in your life. The team spirit, camaraderie and support from being in a choir is unlike anything else.”

Enquiries: membersecretary@bostock-singers.co.uk

Johns’ Boys

Johns’ Boys was established in 2016 to perform at a special Noson Lawen evening at the Stiwt Theatre in Rhosllanerchrugog. The event was to pay tribute to two of the area’s most influential conductors, John Glyn Williams and John Tudor Davies – the two Johns that gave Johns’ Boys their name.

The group’s local ties are strong: Aled Phillips, the conductor and founder, is director of music at Oswestry School, and Sam Snowden, one of the original members who still sings with the choir, is a music teacher at the school.

Following appearances in international competitions and on television, Johns’ Boys most recently captivated the judges on Britain’s Got Talent performing Calum Scott’s ‘Biblical’, progressing to the live semi-final rounds with an enchanting cover of ‘Falling’ by Harry Styles. They have several exciting engagements booked, including a special concert at Wrexham’s William Aston Hall on 23rd September.

Email: enquiriesjohnsboys@gmail.com

Castle Belles Choir

Elaine Buckland is the musical director of Castle Belles Choir, who have just celebrated 10 years of singing and performing together.

“We are an all-female choir based in Mid Wales,” explained Elaine. “I am immensely proud of the ladies in the choir as they have helped to raise over £30,000 for good causes during our time together.”

Castle Belles means such a lot to its members, who refer to the choir as an extended family, a friendship support group, where nobody is judged. Gwyneth Burrell has been a member from day one, and it was she who approached vocal and performance coach Elaine to form the choir.

“I was working as musical director for the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton at the time and was also leading their youth and adult choirs,” explained Elaine.

“We are privileged to perform at the most amazing venues and for amazing audiences. Every Christmas for the past eight years we have sung at Weston Park, last summer we sang at a charity event for Lord Hague at his beautiful home in Mid Wales, and we also perform regularly at Powis Castle.”

Enquiries: castlebelles@gmail.com

Decibellas

Founded in 2010 by “a group of women who love to sing”, Decibellas has grown into a choir of 70 upper voices. The group is based in Tarporley, Cheshire, and its members range in age from 30 to 85.

“Our repertoire caters to a wide range of tastes, including musical theatre, pop favourites, secular and spiritual pieces,” said Helen Arnold, who handles the choir’s marketing. “In January 2022, our charity application was accepted, formalising our commitment to supporting other charities and providing a public benefit to our members and the wider community.”

Decibellas hold two ticketed concerts every year in the beautiful St Boniface Church in Bunbury, one in July and a Christmas concert in December, but they are also open to performing at all sorts of other events too. For several years, they have been invited to sing at St Luke’s Hospice’s Light Up A Life memorial concert, and they were thrilled to be part of The Platinum Proms at Chester Cathedral last year to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee.

“We were also asked to perform at the inauguration of last year’s High Sheriff of Cheshire, Jeannie France-Hayhurst, who is also a Decibella in our Soprano 2 section,” said Helen. “In fact, not only do we sing in Cheshire, we have taken the choir to Italy and to Budapest, and another international tour is in the pipeline for 2024.”

Enquiries: decibellas@gmail.com

The Marches Choir

The Marches Choir was founded in September 2000 following a performance of Handel’s Messiah to celebrate the Millennium. The choir on the night numbered almost 150 local people, some of whom already belonged to other small or church choirs, and others who had never sung in a choir before. They were joined by the choir of Bedstone College and guests from the Phoenix Singers, Shrewsbury. The performance was conducted by Richard White, and accompanied by the Ludlow Orchestra, with four professional soloists.

DID YOU KNOW?

“Many who took part in that memorable performance expressed a wish to continue singing together, and the newly formed choir’s first concert took place that December with a balanced choir of 80 singers, some of whom are still in the choir today,” said choir secretary Philippa Whitaker.

“During its first years the choir enjoyed the input of many different guest conductors, but in 2015 it appointed Alistair Auld as full-time conductor. Concerts are accompanied by The Marches Sinfonia, and the soloists are young professional singers.”

The choir gives two major concerts a year, in April and November. In December it holds a very popular ‘Big Christmas Sing’ with carols for both choir and audience. These concerts are given by kind permission of the PCC in St. John’s Church, Bishop’s Castle, with its excellent acoustic. In November 2022 they gave a celebratory 21st birthday performance of Messiah – a year late because of Covid!

The summer months see a smaller but still very enthusiastic membership. “The repertoire for the summer concert is often based on choruses from opera and operetta and the concert is given in the ballroom at Walcot Hall, by kind permission of Robin and Lucinda Parish,” explained Philippa. “This year we included Handel’s Coronation anthems ‘Zadok the Priest’ and ‘The King Shall Rejoice.’”

Enquiries: phwhitaker@fastmail.co.uk

Natural Voice

Roxane Smith runs Natural Voice choirs in Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Welshpool – and anywhere she’s invited!

“It is so much more than just singing together,” she said. “Joining one of my choirs means you join a community of kind people. You may hear about an event that’s going on locally and team up to go to it, or you may need someone to feed your cat or water your plants while you’re away. One day you may need a shoulder to cry on, or people to know and care about what you’re going through.

“But let’s talk about the singing! The harmonies are always lush, and learning the songs is always fun. There is no fear of ‘getting it wrong’ and absolutely everyone is welcome regardless of experience. A lot of my choir members have come to me fearing their voice is ‘not good enough’. But somehow we make an amazing sound even though the vast majority of singers are keen amateurs. I say it’s a mystery! It always delights me what a wonderful sound we create together, but in fact I offer tips to relax the voice and body and set us up to make a full and joyful sound.”

Coming to one of Roxane’s choirs and singing and laughing for an hour and a half will lead you to feeling uplifted, energised and optimistic. “Be careful, it’s addictive!”

A highlight of Roxane’s year is Sing For Water, which she has co-directed since 2006. A massed choir performs as part of Thames Festival every September to raise money for Water Aid.

Enquiries: roxane@roxis.co.uk

One Achord

There has been a ladies choir in Malpas for many years. As times and tastes in music changed, the choir has evolved, with a new name One Achord and under the guidance of musical director, Steve Roberts.

“We are a group of 30 ladies who meet once a week to rehearse,” said Laura Carter. “We sing in four parts, and enjoy a wide variety of music. One Achord have sung at Reaseheath College, Eaton Golf Club, village halls and churches – there is always positive feedback and we are invited to return.”

The choir also supports community events, particularly at Christmas, and participated in the Coronation weekend.

“Our choir is not just about developing our technique and repertoire, it’s about supporting all our members. Being there for each other is such an important element of who we are,” added Laura.

“In the words of Ella Fitzgerald: the only thing better than singing is more singing!”

Visit: www.oneachord.org.uk

Rock Choir

Rock Choir was the first contemporary choir of its kind, offering an accessible and inclusive experience for amateur singers with no musical background. Founded in 2005, Rock Choir is the world’s largest contemporary choir and has several groups in the Shire region, in Cheshire, North Wales and Shropshire.

Founder Caroline Redman Lusher is the creative director and responsible for Rock Choir and the team behind it. Choir leaders deliver weekly Rock Choir rehearsals in their local communities and lead local performances and events.

Visit: www.rockchoir.com

The Tatton Singers

Starting with six members in 1976, The Tatton Singers now number over 80 and perform a range of repertoire from classical choral works to folk songs and original pieces by new composers. It’s a friendly SATB choir which has, under the inspiring direction of John Powell and the support of accompanist Tim Kennedy, developed close associations with professional orchestras and soloists who perform in their concerts.

Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening in the beautiful space of St John’s Church, Knutsford, with lively training that enables the choir to present the community with accomplished and powerful music. Concerts always feature a sociable finale with drinks!

The Tatton Singers comprise experienced amateurs, novices, students and trained singers. All are enthusiastic and committed to singing diverse and stimulating pieces. New singers are very welcome to come along to a few rehearsals before auditioning.

The choir performs four concerts a year, and holds a popular singing day each May. A Christmas concert is performed with children from one of the local schools, and is always a highlight of the year.

“Being a part of The Tatton Singers is a very important part of my life, both musical and social,” said choir member Paul Beswick. “The opportunity to sing some wonderful music under the inspirational leadership of John Powell means that even after a very stressful day at work I always leave St John’s on a Tuesday evening on a bit of a high. I suspect there are a lot of others who feel exactly the same.”

Enquiries: rosiebee@talktalk.net

Valley Military Wives Choir

Valley Military Wives Choir in Anglesey were delighted to be part of the Military Wives Choirs 10th Anniversary concert series at Lincoln Cathedral last September.

“It was a fantastic experience to sing in such a stunning venue with 15 other choirs,” said choir secretary Jennifer Brooksbank. “We also recently joined with Military Wives Choirs from Shawbury and Stafford to perform at the British International Tattoo in Wrexham.” Closer to home, Valley MWC was honoured to be invited to sing at a service in Holyhead to celebrate 200 years of HM Coastguard Service.

“We are always looking to welcome new members, so if you would like to give it a try please do pop along,” Jennifer added. “We are open to wives or partners of current serving military personnel and veterans, serving personnel (including reservists), veterans, immediate family members of serving personnel (mothers, daughters, sisters), and women who are employed within the military community or an organisation that provides direct service to serving personnel and their families.”

The choir is part of a network of over 75 Military Wives Choirs across the UK and abroad whose main purpose is to provide support for women in the military community. Its motto is ‘Sing, Share, Support’.

“There are no auditions; you don’t have to be a fantastic singer and there is no need to be able to read music,” explained Jennifer. “We have a wonderful musical director who keeps us all in tune. We sing a variety of music and there is always a cup of tea and a slice of cake. It’s a great chance to get away from it all for a few hours and make new friends.”

Visit: www.militarywiveschoirs.org