In this section you will find reports on our concerts, singing days, social events and other aspects of Barnby life in the past few years.
Spring 2025
Spring Concert
Our Spring concert was accompanied by the talented Musica Nova led by Jem Bradley. The two charming soloists, both singing with The Barnby Choir for the first time, were soprano, Hannah O’Brien and baritone, Charles Murray. We hope to be able to work with them again.
February 2025
Singing Day
We were delighted to welcome Keith Orrell to lead our Singing Day which was a resounding success.
December 2024
Seasonal events
Members of the choir entertained diners with Christmas carols at Bramhall Methodist Church’s Over 60s lunch. This early invitation to spread Christmas cheer was well received and the singers appreciated the delicious cakes and refreshments provided.
read moreJune 2024
Concert celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Wilmslow Wells for Africa
Our recent concert marking the 40th Anniversary of Wilmslow Wells for Africa was a resounding success to a full house.
March 2024
Spring Concert
Our Spring concert was a tremendous success enjoyed by those performing and by our appreciative audience.
February 2024
Singing Day
The Singing Day was a tremendous success with almost 40 singers from near and far joining together to rehearse and perform the three pieces chosen and led by our good friend Keith Orrell.
December 2023
Seasonal events
Our performance of Bob Chilcott’s Christmas Oratorio was a first for The Barnby Choir and was thoroughly enjoyed by singers and audience alike. The beautiful harmonies and recurring phrases were woven together with help from our soloists Kamil Bien (tenor) and Hannah Bennett (mezzo-soprano) with Gabi Lipshen on flute.
May 2023
Summer concert and Review of the Year
For our summer concert we returned to St Bartholomew’s Church in Wilmslow with firstly, a selection of traditional church music and then, after the interval, some lighter and ‘fun’ items, including a very amusing version of The Teddy Bears’ picnic, complete with assorted bears! Accomplished solos from our versatile conductor Lloyd, on piano, and accompanist Tom, on organ, added to the variety and enjoyment.
March 2023
Spring concert and launch of Friends
Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Buckner’s Mass in D minor provided the substantial programme for our orchestral concert at St Michael’s Bramhall. It was a challenging and exhilarating evening, shared with the ever excellent musicians of Musica Nova, led by Jem Bradley, and our four outstanding soloists, Eleanor Garside, Rhiain Taylor, Matt Mears and Terence Ayebare.
February 2023
Singing Day
Our Singing Day on Saturday 11 February was a great success. Thanks to all those singers from across the region who joined us for the day to tackle Will Todd’s amazing Mass in Blue, and especially to our good friend and maestro Keith Orrell, Musical Director of the William Byrd Singers and the Liverpool Welsh Choral, and choral director of the Pennine Spring Music Festival, for his tremendous enthusiasm and expertise in leading the day. Also to Katherine Stonham, accompanist extraordinaire, who magnificently captured the mood of this exhilarating work.
December 2022
Seasonal events
This month saw our first full Christmas concert since 2019, an exciting programme featuring Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, by turns lyrical and dramatic, and the well-loved Ceremony of Carols by Britten. Plus of course the usual mix of carols old and new, with much lively audience participation! Thanks to our instrumentalists Tom Pieczora (piano), Louise Thomson (harp) and Andrew Vogler (percussion), and to the capacity audience at Wilmslow United Reformed Church for their enthusiastic support.
May 2022
Fundraising success, summer concert and anniversary dinner
A major fundraising effort in the spring, generously supported by many members, was topped by bass Gavin Mendham who, with his friend Ian Smallwood, completed a sponsored cycle from Wilmslow to John O’Groats, raising a total of £1,000 for the choir.