Update for Winter 2022 – Summer 2024
Bollington Festival Choir, founded at the time of the first Bollington Festival in 1964, is soon to celebrate its 60th anniversary. Only Covid has ever prevented it meeting and performing, and once restrictions were eased, the Choir was back from September 2022 with its normal programme of three concerts, Messiah for All, and a public Singing Day.
The Choir now looks forward to two years with;
- November 27 2022 – The Promise of Advent – a concert featuring the music of Hans Leo Hassler – his motet and mas Dixit Maria, and music by 14 composers working between 1500 and 1750 who were inspired by Martin Luther’s hymn Nun komm der Heiden Heiland – Come Thou Saviour of the Nations. With strings led by Nicola Bright and Rosalind Hall, continuo.
- December 11 2022 – Nine Lessons and Carols at St Oswald’s with carols from the Choir and congregational hymns.
- December 13 2022 – Messiah for All in aid of East Cheshire Eye Society. Back to it’s full glory in the Arts Centre, with Kerry Firth, soprano, and chamber orchestra led by Nicola Bright.
- Spring 2023: Easter music by Donald Judge, Felix Mendelssohn and Georg Frideric Handel (including the most uplifting arias and choruses from Messiah.) Concert on March 26, With Kerry Firth, soprano, John Bush, trumpet, and strings led by Nicola Bright.
- March 11 2023: Public Singing Day and on June 18 2023, Concert featuring Charles Gounod’s St Cecilia Mass.
- Autumn 2023: Music from across Europe celebrating secular Winter and spiritual Advent, including a new work by Donald Judge – Missa Brevis: Carols, Canons and Chorales. And of course, Messiah for All!
- January 2024: Concert celebrating a decade of singing since the 50th Anniversary.
- May 2024: Bollington Festival 2024 concert. Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and other baroque delights – postponed from April 2022!
Bollington Festival Choir was founded in 1964 by Dr John Coope MBE (1928-2005) who conducted it for 37 years before handing the baton to Donald Judge, a member since 1976.
Known for its friendly atmosphere, new members and audiences are assured of a warm welcome. Anyone can join without audition, and see how rehearsals go before proceeding.
Always renowned for its adventurous programming, the Choir’s repertoire blends well-loved composers and pieces with the less familiar and the contemporary, including occasional works specially written by Donald Judge. The Choir has an excellent accompanist, Rosalind Hall. As well as soloists from the Choir, outstanding guest vocalists and accomplished instrumentalists are often engaged for concerts.
Forthcoming events feature on the Events page.
For all Choir events, the current season’s leaflet, and full information please visit the Choir’s website or call 01625 511881.
