THE annual York Community Choir Festival brings together 550 singers from 23 choirs in five concerts from March 7 to 10 at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York.
Weekday nights will see five choirs take turns to show off their talent while the Saturday will showcase eight choirs spread over matinee and evening concerts.
Taking part on March 7 will be In Harmony Ladies Choir, Osbaldwick Community Choir, Tutti Amici Youth Choir, York Celebration Singers and Sounds Fun Ladies Choir; March 8, Jubilate Ladies Choir, Chechelele, Spirit Of Harmony Barbershop Chorus, Euphonics Ladies Choir and Cantar; March 9, Jorvik Gilbert & Sullivan Choir, Dunnington Community Choir, Main Street Sound Ladies Barbershop Chorus, Hempland Community Choir and Supersing.
The March 10 matinee will feature Musicality Vocal Ensemble, Boroughbridge Community Choir, Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate Choir and The Daytones Barbershop Chorus; the evening line-up will be Track 29 Ladies Close Harmony Chorus, Tad Chorale, York Light Youth Choir and York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir.
Tad Chorale performing at the 2017 York Community Choir Festival. Picture: Michael J Oakes
David Stainton, one of the festival organisers, says: "The choirs are all from York and surrounding towns and villages. Some have more than 40 members, others have as few as ten. Every choir has its own story and ethos but the one thing they have in common is camaraderie and joy."
Festival founder Graham Mitchell says: "Each concert has a mix of performing styles; some choirs sing classical, some sing world music, and all sing a mixture of popular songs and anthems, and there is absolutely no repetition of songs in any one concert.
"If you like barbershop, it’s there; Gilbert and Sullivan, it’s there; pop songs, show tunes, jazz, folk songs from around the world – all there. Ages range from seven to 90 and they all share the love of singing and benefit from the wellbeing it brings them."
As the choir festival approaches, Graham adds: "Organising the festival demands a lot of work from a small team and a lot of attention to detail. Everything is well set for the concerts; I just hope one seven months' pregnant musical director doesn’t get too carried away when conducting her choir!"
Tickets for the 7.30pm evening concerts and 2pm Saturday matinee are on sale on 01904 501935 or at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk.
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