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BRADFORD FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY is Bradford's largest choir and one of the North of England's longest established choral societies with roots dating back to the first Bradford Festival in 1853.  With a current singing membership of around 80 voices the choir perform all the major works in the choral repertoire at St George's Concert Hall and other venues in the Bradford area under the direction of their Chorus Master, Michael Baker.  We welcome applications from new singing members.  

The choir enjoy a busy season of concerts including major programmes in November and early Spring, concerts in the summer and at Christmas as well as Bradford's traditional Christmas performance of Handel's Messiah.   The Society has a series of lively social events throughout the year as well engaging in fund raising activities to help maintain the quality of their musical output. 

BFCS History The first Bradford Music Festival was held in 1853 and the choral content of the concerts was performed by a chorus recruited from as far afield as Leeds, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester and London. In addition to the local villages and the city itself. It is interesting to note that the alto section of the choir was made up of male voices only! The Festival was widely reported in the local and national press, including the Illustrated London News and The Times.

A second festival was arranged in 1856 and was held along similar lines to the 1853 event. After the Festival it was generally agreed that the ‘fine chorus assembled’ should not be scattered but embodied as a permanent orchestral association with regular meetings and rehearsals and, at a meeting held on 17^th November 1856, the Bradford Festival Choral Society was born. The first full concert was given the following year on Monday 11^th May. In the same year many members of the choir joined the Yorkshire contingent which traveled to the capital to take part in a concert held in the Crystal Palace.

By 1858 the choir’s reputation had grown considerably and had received glowing accounts in the local and national press and, in that year, this reputation eventually reached royal circles the choir were summoned by Royal command to appear before the Queen and her Court to perform a number of widely varying choral works. Several other engagements were arranged for the same period and the choir spent a full week in the capital. The program was repeated in St George’s Hall on the choir’s return to Bradford. The Society also sang on the occasion of the opening of Lister Park and Cartwright Hall in 1904.

The Society has always been proud of its association with many famous names from the musical world and the current Music Director, Brian Kay, formerly with the original King’s Singers, is the latest in a distinguished line that has included Sir Malcolm Sargent, Sir David Wilcocks, Sir Charles Groves and Richard Hickox.

The choir sings all the major religious and secular choral works from early times to the present day and engages internationally known soloists and orchestras to bring the very best musical experiences to the City. 

The season 2006/07 will bring the choir's 150th anniversary.  An ambitious program of celebratory performances is in preparation.   Visit this website frequently for up-to-date news.

Choral music for hire  We have an extensive library of choral music which is available for hire. Please contact our librarian, Oliver Downing Phone:01274 594659

Hire-a-Choir For a wedding or other special occasion HIRE-A-CHOIR for a touch of class.

We can offer you:

FOR MORE INFORMATION please contact Glenda Wray (01535) 652028                                                   

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