President:
Sarah Walker, CBE
Vice Presidents:
Joan Davies, Paul Foster, Terry Moore-Scott, Audrey Turner, Cedric Virgin
Honorary Patrons:
Brian Kay, Anthea Steel
Emeritus Members:
Mr B Atkinson, Mrs M Burgess, Mr J Davies, Mrs E Ferguson, Mrs S Gayler, Mrs J Grant, Mr L Green, Mr R Kay, Mr S Pine
Background Information
The Cheltenham Bach Choir celebrated the 60th anniversary of its foundation in 2006. We are privileged to enjoy the active support of our President, Sarah Walker, a former chorus member. Under the direction of Stephen Jackson and Assistant Conductor, Tim Morris, the musical standard has risen steadily to the point where the choir is regarded as one of the best in South-West England.
Our accompanist is Robin Baggs.
We aim to study and perform a wide variety of works and our programmes have a degree of adventure and originality, including the commissioning of new works. Each year the choir presents at least three major concerts, venues including Cheltenham Town Hall, Tewkesbury Abbey and Gloucester Cathedral, plus one or two Christmas concerts given in local churches.
We currently have over 100 singing members. One of our recent programmes included a concert for young people, which involved 250 performers from Gloucestershire and Bath. The highlight of our 60th anniversary year was a performance of Bach's St Matthew's Passion in Gloucester Cathedral accompanied by the Cambridge Baroque Camerata.
Our reputation is known outside our local area and as a result we have been invited to take part in a number of prestigious events, including Carmina Burana in the BBC Proms, an Opera Gala in Birmingham Symphony Hall (with the Hallé Choir), Beethoven's 9th Symphony as part of the Cheltenham International Music Festival, and two appearances in BBC Songs of Praise in 2004.
Through the twinning of the town of Cheltenham with Göttingen in Germany, links have been developed with a local choir in the town and the CBC regularly exchanges visits with its opposite numbers.
In common with many other choirs, the Cheltenham Bach Choir faces rapidly escalating costs. We have excellent relationships with a number of locally based companies, both large and small, but competition for funding is fierce and we are always pleased to hear from organisations who would like to discuss supporting our work.
Admission to the choir is by audition and members may be subject to re-audition after three years.
Rehearsals are held throughout the year on Tuesday evenings, from 7.15 pm to 9.45 pm in Cheltenham. For most of its concerts the choir operates a minimum attendance rule.