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The choir consists of people of all ages and backgrounds from all over the region. No auditions are required - just a desire to sing with like-minded people and the opportunity to sing solo and in small groups! We are a friendly group who just enjoy making music. We are eager to welcome new members in all voice ranges and all ages and if you or your friends are interested and would like more information please contact Colin Simmons on (024) 7637 4152 or email Colin on colin@bedworthsingers.co.uk .
The choir is over thirty years old. We perform all types of music from “Oratorio” to “Music from the Shows”. We raise money for a number of charities including the Mary Ann Evans Hospice.
| Rehearsals | Take place at Canon Maggs School, Derwent Road, Bedworth, CV12 8RT each Thursday (usually during term time) from 7.30 - 9.30 pm. |
| Subscriptions | These are reviewed annually at A.G.M. (currently £45 p.a.). Payment may be made annually or termly in January, May and September. New members are allowed one free term before paying any subscription. |
| Music | All music is purchased using choir funds and remains the property of the Bedworth Singers. Copies are loaned free of charge to members to perform. |
| Concert dress |
Men will
normally wear black dinner jackets, black trousers, black shoes, white
shirt and black or coloured bow tie. Ladies will normally wear choir
uniform (provided by the choir) of floor length black skirt, white or
coloured blouse and black shoes. Any jewellery worn should be
unobtrusive.
Dress code may vary depending on the type of performance, but will be decided by agreement of the members prior to the event. |
| A
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION
Being a member of Bedworth Singers is not just a personal pleasure, but it brings pleasure to others through the music that we learn to sing. The music is not the only pleasure, for the choir is also a social event in our lives. Having retired from the music group to which my husband and I belonged, we found that we missed singing together. Just over a year ago a mutual friend suggested that we try the Singers - she told us when and where the practices were held and, best of all, that there would be no ordeal by audition! We were made very welcome and everyone was friendly. The practices are stimulating, interesting and a pleasure. The choir are trained to a high standard, and people who have heard us say what a lovely sound we make. During the short time that we have been in the choir we have sung a great variety of music, from classical to pop, to very appreciative audiences. We are accompanied by a talented and knowledgeable pianist, but have also performed with Bedworth Brass and an orchestra. We always look forward to practice and performance nights and return home satisfied, feeling the time has been well spent.Mike & Pat Hobday |
HOW
THE PRESENT SOCIETY BEGAN
Early in 1974, Bedworth Rotary Club set out to see whether there could be a revival (1) of choral singing in the town. Bill Evans, headmaster of Canon Maggs School and a Rotarian, approached Gerald Haigh (2) to be the prospective Musical Director. Eighteen people attended a public meeting held in the old Bedworth Council Chamber on Friday 8th March 1974 (by candlelight during a power cut), and expressed support. The first practice was held on 14th March in the Small Hall at Bedworth Civic Hall, with about 20 members. The choir’s first public performance was on 19th October 1974 at Leicester Festival of Music, where it gained second place in the Small Choral Societies Class. The first public appearance in Bedworth was at a concert in Bedworth Methodist Church on 12th December 1974. By the first AGM in April 1975, membership stood at 44. NOTES: (1) There had been a previous Choral Society which faded away during the 1950’s. (2) Gerald Haigh, B.A., M.Ed., LRAM Jean Batts |
| EARLY
BEGINNINGS
BEDWORTH CHORAL SOCIETY started in April 1974 by Gerald Haigh and Bill Evans. Bill Evans was head teacher at Canon Maggs School. Gerald Haigh was Deputy Head. Most of the members were either teachers or parents of children at the School. We had rehearsals at Canon Maggs and did a lot of festivals. Gerald Haigh was the Musical Director. |
WHY
I JOINED BEDWORTH
CHORAL SOCIETY
In the Autumn of 2003 we sang with an augmented Bedworth Choral Society in a performance of ‘Messiah’. We were very impressed with both the choral direction and administration in the build-up to the concert. This combined with the friendly atmosphere of the Society led us in January 2004 to the decision of resigning from another large Midlands choral group and permanently joining the Bedworth Choral Society. We never regretted the decision and have enjoyed every minute since. Rankin and Pat Berry |