Barnham Broom Group Youth Choir

History

The Barnham Broom Group Youth Choir was established in May 2002. At that time, a boys’ choir was in existence at Southburgh. Two 10 year old local girls, Alex Herring and Becky Howard, felt this was unfair and petitioned strongly for the establishment of a girls’ choir. Rev’d Rachel Jackson agreed to lead the new choir which subsequently amalgamated with the boys’ to become the current Youth Choir. Since then it has gained considerable recognition locally for its contribution to church services and local events, such as concerts and weddings.

In 2007, the Choir fulfilled a total of twenty-one engagements. This was reduced to fifteen in 2008 to allow the Choristers time to study for the Royal School of Church Music exams.  The Choir performed on many memorable occasions in 2008. In October they participated in the Vaughan Williams Celebration Service at Hardingham. The same month they sang at the Westfield Church Wedding Celebration Service. This special event was attended by many of the couples who had married in the church over the years and included an exhibition of photographs and wedding  dresses. The Choir also performed with Anna Mudeka, a local musician specialising in African drumming, at the Westfield Christingle Service.  

Meetings & Membership

Choir members are aged between 7-18 years with boys  and girls equally welcome. They meet every week for rehearsal during term-time at Chase Farm Barn, Southburgh. Meetings begin at 5.45pm and end at 7pm. Choristers are provided with white t-shirts and blue sweatshirts for the girls and blazers for the boys to wear when performing.  The Choir also have use of dark red choir robes for formal occasions.

A wide range of music is sung and enjoyed by the Choir, from Abba to Mozart, traditional songs to Latin chants. Sight reading and music theory are developed informally as new material is learnt and all choristers are given a theory workbook to consolidate their knowledge. Music is provided by the Jackson family and the Barnham Broom Young Musicians Fund. The Choir enjoy two parties a year, one in July and a second at Christmas when they gather for a concert with parents and friends and celebrate!

Awards

Eight choristers have passed the Royal School of Church Music examinations and will be presented with medals at Norwich Cathedral on June 14 2009. The Diocese awarded a Youth Task Force Grant to fund associated expenses and all eight candidates passed with flying colours.

Alex Herring, Jess Storey and Lucy Rodford of Cranworth & Southburgh were all awarded the prestigious Bishop’s Chorister Silver Award. Thomas Jones, Beth Storey, Alice Nixon, Zeta Dell-Smith and Samantha Bailon successfully attained the Dean’s Bronze Award.

Interested in learning more...............?

The Choir is always keen to recruit members to the group. Young people with or without musical experience will be made most welcome. There is no charge for attending and members are sometimes paid for their performances. Parents and Carers are warmly invited to encourage the Choir by attending services and concerts.  Those with musical skills can always help with singing or accompaniment.  Please contact one of the Team if you would like to come along and meet us.

Musical Director & Team

The Musical Director is Revd. Rachel Jackson  and she is assisted by Jane Howard, Rachel Marrs, Debbie Jones and Angela Cook. Choir activities are insured under the Barnham Broom Team Office Policy and all helpers have full CRB validation. Please feel free to contact any of the team on the numbers shown below if you require any further information:

Revd. Rachel Jackson    01362 821032

Jane Howard                  01953 851215

Angela Cook                   01362 821458

Diary dates:

The Choir have a full calendar of provisional dates for 2009:

7 June 10am Thuxton dedication of repaired bell

14 June 6.30pm Choral Festival Norwich Cathedral, presentation of medals to choristers

27 June 4pm Ashill Church, wedding service

26 July Southburgh Church,Handel Celebration

1 August Southburgh Festival of World Music, Burton Manor Farm Barns

September Reymerston Harvest Festival

27 September Cranworth Harvest Festival

5 December Thuxton Church and Dereham-Wymondham Railway Carols

December Hardingham Church Carol Service