Choral Societies and other choirs

Alnwick & District Choral Society

Alnwick Choral Society perform a wide range of choral music from Mozart to John Rutter and lots in between. We have 2 to 3 performances per year often with full orchestra, and annually team up withthe Reg Vardy Band for a Christmas Extrvaganza at Alnwick Playhouse.

Leader: Colin Start
Sessions: Wednesday, 7.15pm
Venue: Alnwick South First School
Information: Elaine Bowden elaine@alnwickchoralsociety.co.uk www.alnwickchoralsociety.co.uk

Alnwick Stage Musical Society

Alnwick Stage Musical Society, formed in 1986, was the brainchild of local solicitor Norman Luke and Civil Servant Paul Toward who also produced and musically directed the Society's first production, The Sound of Music, in March 1987.
Since then the company has gone from strength to strength and performed many musicals including Kiss Me Kate, HMS Pinafore, and Annie get Your Gun. As well as 'big shows' in March at Alnwick Playhouse we often put on a summer show in July which could be a concert-style performance of a variety of songs or a mini-musical like Nunsense which was performed in July 1999 and also, by popular demand, in in 2000!
Members of the society also enjoy socialising at (or after) Tuseday night rehearsals, theatre trips, barbecues or any other excuse! Contact us if you would like to find out more. 

Sessions: Tuesdays, 7.30pm
Venue: Alnwick South First School, The Avenue, Alnwick
Info: Teresa McQuillen 01665 710296
 info@alnwickstagemusical.co.uk  www.alnwickstagemusical.co.uk

Antiphon

A small mixed adult choir based in the Tyne Valley specialising in singing renaissance church music in it's original setting and surroundings. Singers must be good sight readers and able to hold a part with only one or two voices per part.

Leader: John Roper
Sessions: Tuesday, 7.45pm
Venue: St John Lee Church Hall
Information: Judy Lloyd pepper.kent@btinternet.com
www.antiphonchoir.co.uk

Argus Singers

A mixed voice choir singing anything and everything from Bach to Billy Joel! We meet approximately every three weeks on a Saturday afternoon in Chester-le-Street

Leader: David Harris
Sessions: Every third Saturday afternoon
Venue: Chester-le-Street Methodist Church
Information: Sharon Murray 01207 520841
www.argussingers.org.uk 

Arnside Choral Society

A very friendly mixed-voice choral society with a membership of around 50 who are currently enjoying a reputation for top quality concerts in and around Arnside in Cumbria.

Leader: Ian Penwarden-Allan
Sessions: Tuesdays, 7.30pm
Venue: Arnside WI Hall
Info: tracie@penwarden.org  www.arnsidechoralsociety.co.uk

Berwick Male Voice Choir

Leader: Robin Cheer
Sessions: Wednesdays 7.00 - 9.00
Venue: Methodist Church, Walkergate, Berwick
Information: James Blythe 01289 382442
www.berwickmvc.org

Bishop Auckland Choral Society

Bishop Auckland Choral Society was founded in 1956 and at present has 32 members. Our Musical Director, Venera Bojkova has been our leader for 11 years.

Leader: Venera Bojkova
Sessions: Tuesdays, 7.00 - 9.00pm
Venue: Bishop Auckland Town Hall
Info: Sophie Hassall ndentx@yahoo.com
www.bachoral.org.uk

Bishopwearmouth Choral Society

The choir performs three concerts per season with the very best orchestras and soloists.

Leader: David Murray
Sessions: Wednesday 7.30 - 9.30
Venue: Sunderland Minster
Information: David Murray david.murray10@btinternet.com

Bishopwearmouth Young Singers

A choir of young people aged 9 upwards. We sing a mixed repertoire and give concerts regularly. Affiliated to Bishopwearmouth Choral Society, Sunderland.

Leader: Eileen Bown
Sessions: Monday, 7.15 - 9.00pm
Venue: Ewesley Road Methodist Church, Sunderland
Information: Eileen Bown eileen.bown@btinternet.com

Cappella Novocastriensis

Cappella sings in churches throughout the North East as well as giving several major concerts each year. These concerts frequently promote unjustly neglected music: programmes have ranged through works from the Eton Choirbook  to specially commissioned works by John Joubert, the choir's president. The choir also features other contemporary composers such as Tavener, Gorecki and Lauridsen.
Cappella also gives a number of performances of early music with period instruments provided by Newcastle Baroque. Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 have been performed on two occasions in Durham Cathedral.
Every December the choir gives a candlelit concert of Christmas music in the church of St Willibrord with All Saints, Newcastle Quayside.

Leader: Eric Cross
Sessions: Wednesday, 7.00 - 9.pm
Venue:King's Hall, Newcastle University
Info: member@noblechoyce.wanadoo.co.uk www.cappellanovocastriensis.com

Durham Choral Society

We are a mixed voice choir of over 140 members which performs a varied repertoire of Choral Music from Bach to Peter Maxwell Davis as well as specially commissioned works by new composers. We sing two major concerts a year to full orchestral accompaniment in the prestigious setting of Durham Cathedral and one of Festive Music with the Riverside Band in Elvet Methodist Church.

Leader: Richard Brice
Sessions: Wednesdays 7.30 - 9.45pm
Venue: Durham Johnston School, Durham City
Info: contact@durhamchoralsociety.org.uk
www.durhamchoralsociety.org.uk

Durham Singers

We are a versatile choir of about 50 members that aspires to professional standards of performance. Members join through audition. Each year we prepare three concerts which are held in Durham City, but we may be found entertaining audiences across the North East, often at the invitation of local music societies and charities.
We enjoy singing music of the High Renaissance as much as we do romantic part-songs and lighter arrangements. We also perform major works with small professional ensembles: 2009 will see us performing Bach's St John Passion and Christmas Oratorio.

Leader: Julian Wright
Sessions: Mondays
Venue: Durham City
Info: www.durham-singers.org

Durham University Voices

Durham University Voices is a recently formed music group and aims to provide a good quality non-auditioning choir for keen singers. The choir covers a wide variety of styles of music, from jazz, to classical pieces, to musicals. Anyone is welcome to join who is roughly grade 5 standard, or has some experience singing in choirs. the group provides a relaxed, enjoyable environment to sing in and aims to have at least two main performances a year.

Leader:Tom Newall
Sessions:Fridays, 7.30 - 9.30pm
Venue:Grey College Chapel
Info: voices.society@dur.ac.uk

Enkelit

Enkelit are a small, upper-voice choir based in the North-East of England. They formed in 2003 primarily to sing the beautiful a cappella music of Finland.

Leader: Richard Pomfret
Sessions: Usually one Sunday a month, 10.30 - 4.30
Venue: Varies between York and Newcastle upon Tyne
Information: info@enkelit.org.uk
www.enkelit.org.uk 

Felling Concert Choir

A mixed voice choir of about 50 singers. Repertoire varied - show tunes, ballads, spirituals, songs from musicals, traditional. Five or six concerts a year. Available to sing at weddings.

Leader: Elaine Marley
Sessions: Wednesdays, 7.30-9.30pm
Venue: Felling Methodist Hall
Info: Eric Young, ericyoung77@talktalk.net
www.fellingconcertchoir.co.uk    

Felling Male Voice Choir

Felling Male Voice is one of the premier male voice choirs in the country. With a membership of nearly 80 men and growing, Felling perform throughout the UK and abroad. Felling proudly boasts a young and talented musical team which is leading male voice singing in the region. 
Leader: David Conway
Sessions: Fridays 7.15 - 9.30pm
Venue: Heworth Grange School, Felling 
Information: Ken Dixon 01207 283584
secretary@fmvc.org
www.fmvc.org 

Fitzsimons Choir

We sing choral services at Newcastle Cathedral during vacations, and elsewhere by invitation; also occasional concerts and other special events. Our attitude is friendly, but also efficient and professional. singers need a flexible voice (not necessarily trained) and good sight-reading or ability to prepare.

Leader: Kieran Fitzsimons
Sessions: Variable - just before events
Venue: Newcastle Cathedral and athers
Info: Kieran Fitzsimons kieranfitzsimons@btinternet.com
fitzchoir.mysite.freeserve.com

Gainford Singers

The Gainford Singers is a group of 30 adult singers established over 25 years ago. The choir gives concerts in Gainford Parish Church andhas toured in Europe and the USA. All voices are welcome. Noe experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn. 

Leader: John MacKenzie
Sessions: Mondays, 7.30 - 9.00
Venue: Gainford Primary School
Information: John Mackenzie 01325 730280
john.mackenzie1@virgin.net    www.gainfordsingers.co.uk  

Hexham Abbey All-Age Service Choir

Open to all. Some previous experience of singing and reading music is useful. Informal audition. Services are more informal than other abbey services, and accompanied by an instrumental group.

Leader: Hugh Morris
Sessions: first Sunday of each month. Rehearse at 9.30 for 10.00 service.
Venue: Hexham Abbey
Information: Hugh Morris 01434 602031
hughmorris@talk21.com 

Hexham Abbey Chamber Choir

For ladies, girls and men. Some previous experience of singing and reading music is essential. Informal audition. The choir has given a concert in Hexham Abbey as well as important services. The choir often socialises after rehearsals or events.

Leader: Michael Haynes
Sessions: two rehearsals  for each concert or service (one per term)
Venue: Hexham Abbey
Information: Michael Haynes 01434 606169
michaelhaynes@btopenworld 

Hexham Abbey Choir (boys & men)

Boys: aged 7 - 14. no experience needed, but after a training period firm commitment is required.
Men: some previous experience of singing and reading music is essential. Informal audition. The choir has recorded a CD, and sung in many cathedrals and important services. There is a social calendar, and boys receive a small amount of pocket money.

Leader: Michael Haynes
Sessions: Mondays 5.20 - 6.30 (boys)
Wednesdays 5.50 - 8.20 (boys & men)
Sundays (rehearsals & services) 9.20 - 11.10 & 5.50 - 7.30 (8.10 men)
Venue: Hexham Abbey
Information: Michael Haynes 01434 606169
michaelhaynes@btopenworld 

Hexham Abbey Choir (girls)

Girls: aged 10 - 16. Some experience preferred, but not essential.  Informal audition. The choir has given a concert in Hexham Abbey and sung in Carlisle and Ripon cathedrals, as well as important services at the abbey itself. The girls have a social calendar, and receive a small amount of pocket money.

Leader: Michael Haynes
Sessions: rehearsal and service most Thursdays 5.20 - 7.30
Venue: Hexham Abbey
Information: Michael Haynes 01434 606169
michaelhaynes@btopenworld 

Hexham Abbey Festival Chorus

The choir performs one concert per yer in September, as part of the Hexham Abbey Festival. Rehearsal are between April and September only. The choir has expanded hugely in the last few years and membership is now well over 100. As a result new members are welcomed by audition only. Recent performances with outstanding soloists and orchestras include Verdi Requiem Sea Symphony Poulenc Gloria Durufle Requiem and Bach Magnificat.

Leader: David Murray
Sessions: Thursday, 7.30 - 9.30pm
Venue: Corbridge Middle School
Information: David Murray david.murray10@btinternet.com               

Hexham Orpheus Choir

The Hexham Orpheus Choir performs 2 major concerts each season, plus additional smaller works through the year. We operate a no audition policy, providing a platform for people from various musical backgrounds to come together and perform a wide variety of music from Renaissance to contemporary sources.
Many choir members also belong to other choirs in the area, with some performing as soloists in their own right. Glenn Davis also leads the Priory Singers, Tynemouth, enabling us to join forces and perform larger choral works from time to time.
The choir has an active social calendar, and new members are always made very welcome.

Leader: Glenn Davis
Sessions: Wednesday, 7.30 - 9.30pm
Venue: St Joseph's School, Highford Lane, Hexham
Information: Tony May info@hexham-orpheus-choir.org.uk
www.hexham-orpheus-choir.org.uk 

Lanchester and District Choral and Operatic Society

Produces an annual show in February and a choral concert in July. Actively recruiting - no auditon required. 

Leader: David Hughes
Sessions: Fridays, 7.15pm
Venue: All Saints Catholic Primary School, Lanchester
Info: s.murray101@durhamlea.org.uk
www.lanchesterchoral.co.uk

Lemington Male Voice Choir

Lemington Male Voice Choir is one of the leading male voice ensembles in the north east with a membership of over 80 singers. The choir performs regularly all over the region and with top class soloists. The choir is always looking for new members so please come and join us on a Monday evening.

Leader: Simon Fidler
Sessions: Mondays 7.15 - 9.15pm
Venue: West denton Community Centre
Info: daveandmocurd@yahoo.co.uk

Low Fell Singers

Formerly the low Fell Ladies Choir the choir was formed in 1941 and has worked alongside our good friends, Felling Male Voice Choir, as one of the leading amateur choirs in Gateshead. We perform regularly. Our repertoire is extensive - classical, opera, traditional, spiritual, musical theatre - and we always aim to present a vried programme. We are always delighted to welcome new members.

Leader: Jean Stephenson
Sessions: Mondays, 7.15pm
Venue: Hardman Centre, Dryden Road, Low fell, Gateshead
Information: lowfellsingers@googlemail.com www.lowfellsingers.webs.com

Merse Singers and Orchestra

Founded 10 years ago, the Merse Singers and Orchestra principally provides an opportunity for amateur singers to get together and sing in Berwickshire and North Northumberland. Specialises in classical music and in organising 'Come and Sing' weekends in baroque music with orchestras playing period instruments. All ages welcome.
Leader: John Ward
Sessions: Mondays, 7.15pm
Venue: Paxton Village Hall (near Berwick)
Information: John Ward christine.ward@onetel.com

Mid Northumberland Chorus

Mid Northumberland Chorus is a choir for local people who wish to sing for pleasure. Music performed is of major and minor classical works of varying difficulty and both ancient and modern. From time to time we commission new works. We are 80 voices strong and are always seeking to find new singers, and of course everybody is welcome to come along to our regular concerts and other events.

Leader: Paul Toward
Sessions: Wednesdays in term time. 7.30pm
Venue: Chantry Middle School, Mitford Road, Morpeth
Information: Eurgain Sanderson 01670 817531
mail@midnorthumberlandchorus.org.uk
www.midnorthumberlandchorus.org.uk 

Newcastle Choral Society

A mixed choir of about 100 voices, established in 1954. The choir has a wide repertoire from light music to major classical, and performs at least three times a year, usually with professional soloists and orchestra.

Leader: Mark Anyan
Sessions: Mondays, 7.30 - 9.30pm
Venue: St John's Church, Kingston Park, NE3 2HB
Information: enquiries@newcastlechoralsociety.org.uk www.newcastlechoralsociety.org.uk

Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir

The choir, of some 90 plus members, was founded in 1915. Three concerts are given annually, one of works by J.S. Bach, one of British music, the third a contrasting programmme. Throughout its history, the Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir has been based in the Music Department of Newcastle University.

Leader: Eric Cross
Sessions: Monday, 6.30 - 8.30pm
Venue: King's Hall, Newcastle University
Info: Rose Haslam, vrhaslam@btinternet.com www.newcastlebachchoir.org.uk

Northern Praeclassica

The Northern Praeclassica is a chamber choir, nominally of about twenty-five members, based in Newcastle upon Tyne.  It was formed in 1973 to perform music of the 16th Century, but the repertoire has since been extended to embrace music of all periods. Sacred and secular, accompanied and unaccompanied, large and small scale works all appear on the Choir’s programmes.  In a typical year the Choir stages three concerts, of which one is on a larger scale, given in aid of a charity, often attracting local external sponsorship.  The choir welcomes applications from appropriately experienced singers to join.

Leader: Simon Fidler
Sessions: Mondays, 7.30 - 9.30pm
Venue: 13 Lily Crescent, Jesmond
Info: les.brunton@yahoo.co.uk
www.northernpraeclassica.homecall.co.uk

Prudhoe Gleemen

A 37 strong Male Voice Choir

Leader: Mike Summers
Sessions: Monday, 7.15 - 9.00pm
Venue: Prudhoe Methodist Church
Information: Neville Fairbairn shenev@surefish.co.uk  

Ryton Choral Society

We are a mixed voice choir of 55-70 members. We give three concerts per year usually presenting one of the great choral works. Mendelssohn - Elijah, Bach - B-Minor Mass, Handel - Messiah, are just some examples of the performances we have given.

Leader: David Murray
Sessions: Tuesdays, 6.45 - 9.00pm
Venue: Ryton Comprehensive School
Information: Caroline Warburton rytonchoralsociety@hotmail.com  
www.rytonchoralsociety.org.uk

St Mary's Singers, Ponteland

A mixed choir of mixed ability where new members are always welcome (especially tenors!). The main aim is to enjoy singing together. We have performed works including Christmas Oratorio; Messiah; Elijah; Masses by Haydn; Requiem of Mozart; works by Puccini, Purcell, Rutter, Pergolisi. We have two annual concerts with soloists and orchestra.

Leader: June Reed 01661 825899
Sessions: Thursdays 8.00 - 10.00
Venue: St Mary's church, Thornhill Road, Ponteland
(St Mary's Parish Church on 3rd Thursday of the month)
Information: Jean Fellowes-Prynne 01661 823423 

Warkworth Village Choir

Leader: Jon Scott
Sessions: Mondays 7.30-9.30pm
Venue: War Memorial Hall, Warkworth
Information: Elaine Bowden 01665 830373 

Wigton Choral Society

Wigton Choral Society has acquired an enviable reputation for imaginative programming of music sacred and secular from the 15th to 21st centuries performed to a high standard. Two main concerts a year, plus an Evensong, performing at Cumbria Rural Choirs annual concert and occasional other performances. CD released December 2002

Leader: Ian Hare
Sessions: Thursdays in term time. 7.30pm
Venue: Nelson Thomlinson School (music department), Wigton, Cumbria
Information: Sue Allan 016973 44363
sue.allan@virgin.net
www.wigtonchoral.org.uk