Following the AGM held on 7-September-2022 the committee now comprises:
Chairman – David Henshaw Secretary – Kath Cawdell Treasurer – Shirley Searson Committee – Kathy Greig Committee – Michael Wilcockson Committee – Joy Walsh Committee – Anne Mellors
The full minutes are available here. We may co-opt others on to the committee as we know that some who wish to help were unable to attend the AGM.
A big thank you to all those who have served on the committee during lockdown, and a special thanks to Louise Hill who worked tirelessly as chairman and led the choir through 5 concerts raising approximately £50000 during her time.
Many of you have expressed a wish to continue singing as soon as possible and you will be wondering what is happening. It is unlikely that there will be any concert in 2021. The committee is making progress on finding a suitable venue, as we are unlikely to be large enough to fill the Cathedral post-Covid. The rehearsal night will probably change to a Friday evening, and we may perform a mid-year concert as well as a Christmas Concert in 2022. We will update you further when the dates and venue are finalised.
1-Sept update: There will be an AGM on 23rd September 2020, attended by committee members only, to tie up 2019 business. If you wish for something to be considered, you can give input to a committee member beforehand, though this meeting will of necessity be confined to essentials.
Due to the risks to our choir and committee members the committee have taken the necessary decision to suspend all activity this year. There will be no AGM, no Florence Nightingale Service and no Christmas Concert in 2020.
The normal series of events should resume in 2021 and our next Christmas Concert will be on 3-December-2021. Those of you on our mailing list will be notified of any news. or you can check on our website. To join our mailing list see the Contact-Us page.
Following the efforts of everyone who sold or bought concert tickets and prizedraw tickets, and those that gave so generously, we are proud to announce that we will be presenting a magnificent £10000 to The Combined Cancer Unit at this year’s AGM.
You can read more about this and other matters in the 2020 Newsletter, which also contains details of the AGM & Supper on 3rd April, and of the 200th Anniversary Florence Nightingale Service on 14th May.
You will need to read and reply to the newsletter if you wish to attend the AGM and/or supper, or sing at the Florence Nightingale Service.
What a fantastic Concert! Choir, Band and Saxophonist!
Last year’s guests, The Derby Youth Band conducted by Tom Jones, returned and were as great as ever with foot-tapping numbers such as Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and the gentler Mid-Winter. I particularly enjoyed Tom’s own lively arrangement of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.
I have to say that the special guest Alistair Parnell, with his various saxophones – including the amazing “aerophone”, was fabulous. He thrilled us with the atmospheric Gabriel’s Oboe, the aerophone violin sound of Schindler’s List and the rousing Santa Claus is Coming to Town; he received a standing ovation from some of the audience.
Derby & Burton Hospitals Choir themselves gave the best performance I have heard from them – with delicate singing in gentle carols such as Rutter’s Christmas Lullaby, foot tapping energy (& clapping) in other such as Disney’s The Bare Necessities, and big moments in finalé pieces such as God Bless Us Everyone. For me however, the highlights were the special arrangements for Choir, Piano and Saxophone of “My Heart Will Go On”, and “Unchained Melody”.
With over 500 in the audience and more than 120 performers, professionally compered by Richard Moulder, everyone I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed it – how will they follow that next year?
If you missed it – then you can listen to the choir pieces below:
A welcome return of the award winning Derby City Youth Band who proved so popular last year, plus… This year we have as special guest, the international saxophonist Alistair Parnell. Alistair will accompany the choir in some items and also perform some amazing solos. We guarantee you will be swept away by this performance! Do not miss it – Book now from our events page.
