The Choir
was founded in 1955 from members of the Choir of St.Nicholas's
Church, Beverley. It then became an evening institute activity
but owing to increased membership it became necessary to move
to larger premises hence our present home at Toll Gavel United
Church, Beverley. There have been a number of musical directors
over the years including the late Bob Carr, David Wilkinson (still
a
member), and the late Ian Brocklesby.
Our current
M.D. is Elizabeth Wilson who is not only well known in local musical
circles for her musical expertise but for her fine soprano voice.
Our accompanist is Mrs Pat Cave a talented pianist who is also
an active
member of the Choir Committees.
The Choir's membership is currently
around
58 and it has represented the town of Beverley at some
of the
Country's most prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall,
London
on several occasions, Bridgewater Hall and the MEN Arena, Manchester,
also
the Royal Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, not to mention a number
of visits
to Beverley's twin town of Lemgo, Germany.
The Choir has performed at venues large and small from Beverley
and Howden
Minsters to many small and less imposing places throughout the
County when
considerable sums of money have been raised for worthy causes.
For the last 13 years the Choir has presented weekly concerts for
SAGA
holidaymakers at the Bishop Burton Agricultural College but owing
to a
current rebuilding programme at the College these have been temporarily
suspended. However the Choir still performs at least 12 to 15 charity
concerts a year not only in the East Riding but occasionally further
afield.
To celebrate our 50th Anniversary in 2005 we produced both
a C.D. and a D.V.D. The former contains 15 popular pieces of music
entitled "Fifty
Golden
Years." The D.V.D. has
12 songs which accompany appropriate vistas of the East and North
Ridings of
Yorkshire. Both can be obtained from the Beverley Tourist Information
Office, Butcher Row, Beverley and also at Toll Gavel Church, Beverley.
On learning that H.M. the Queen had been given a D.V.D. player
by Prince
William for her 80th birthday one of our D.V.D's was sent with
birthday
wishes to her private secretary. Later a pleasant reply was received
from
Buckingham Palace wishing the Choir every success for the future
and
congratulating us on our 50 years of music. The Choir rehearses
at 7.15pm
to 9.0pm every Monday at Toll Gavel Church, Beverley when new members
are
always welcome.
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