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.

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@BedworthChoralSociety.info .

MEMBERS' NOTES

Being a member of Bedworth Choral Society 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 Choral Society - 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.

Mike & Pat Hobday

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

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.

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

The Choral Society is pleased to be associated with the Heart of England Community Foundation, an organisation from which we have been both beneficiaries and fund raisers.  There follows a little about the H of E foundation and what its ethos is and how we as a society have been involved them.

For some in Coventry and Warwickshire, life is relatively comfortable. There are others, however, who face disadvantage and discrimination. The Foundation believes that small community groups have a vital role to play in creating a fairer society and the charity’s unique strength is their knowledge of these grassroots organisations. Since 1995, the charity has donated over £3 million to almost 2000 local projects, in sums ranging from £80 to £10,000.

The funds come from people who want to make life better in Coventry and Warwickshire, from individuals putting something back into the area where they grew up, to companies showing that they care about their local community. They are supported by people from all walks of life.

Is there anything that you can do to help the Foundation?

We, the Bedworth Choral Society,  have benefited twice with donations from this Foundation. We received a grant to buy copies of Messiah in 2003 enabling us to perform it at the Civic Hall, Bedworth in October 2003 raising £6,000 for the Mary Ann Evans Hospice.

Also we were experiencing difficulty without a piano or organ at some places and poor quality ones at others.  In 2004 the foundation donated money for an electric piano to help us in our performances.