Huntingdon Choirs

With the popularity of the TV shows features choirs Gareth Malone's The Choir which spawned the the Christmas number one by the Military Wives Choir, I thought we might take a look at a couple of the choirs in and around Huntingdon.

Sawtry Chorale is a friendly local choir with 40 amateur singers who perform concerts for charity and fund-raising events in the Huntingdon to Peterborough area.

The choir was formed initially formed as an evening class by Peter Davies in 1986 with just 18 members, the group now helps to raise funds for local churches and other good causes, as well as promoting an enjoyment in music. Five of the original members still remain with the choir today.

The choir has grown over the years to it's current size and in 2004 Shirley Allen joined the choir as its current Musical Director.

The Sawtry Chorale have a wide and varied repertoire which includes classical and contemporary pieces, songs from the shows as well as spiritual and popular songs, many of which are arranged for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass voices.

After another successful year in 2011 the choir are now putting together the plans for summer concerts, details will posted on their website www.sawtrychorale.co.uk and here at Huntingdon People.

Huntingdon itself has the fantastic Huntingdonshire Philharmonic or Hunts Phil as it is more commonly known. If you haven't seen them, you are missing out.

The Hunts Phil perform a variety of choral and orchestral works to suit every taste and play about six concert each year. The next choral and orchestral concert is in March, on the 24th at the Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre where they will be Brahms.

The Choir of over 80 singers is highly regarded for its readiness to tackle an ambitious range of repertoire in varying styles and from all periods.

The Society always keen to attract new members and is looking for additional singers, French horn and string players. Details of performances and about joining can be found on their website www.huntsphil.org.uk and we will post upcoming concert details on Huntingdon People too.

I'd be keen to know of any other choirs or chorale group out there locally, so if you know of any or are in one. Post something about the group on here so we can all come along to a concert and enjoy.

Photo: mission geneva