Shropshire Tourist Information and Visitor Guide

Voices in Harmony - click to enlarge!

Thousands of people tuned into the BBC series The Choir last year and watched in wonder as choirmaster Gareth Malone transformed the residents of South Oxhey into a polished Community Choir, capable of holding their own in concert on the stage of the Royal Albert Hall. But did you know that such a Community Choir exists right here in rural Shropshire?

Bridgnorth based Voices in Harmony was set up by their Musical Director, Jane Read, in 1999 and currently has 46 members, ranging in age from 10 year old Lydia Bond to Dave McAdam, 73. The Choir sing a range of traditional and contemporary ‘a cappella’ (unaccompanied) songs from around the world, as well as arrangements of pop classics such as Blue Moon and Tuxedo Junction. What all the songs have in common, regardless of their origin, is the most beautiful harmonies.

Office Manager Fiona Dean, who has been a member for 4 years, explains what the choir means to her, a view shared by many of the members.

“I love learning and singing a huge variety of new songs, in different languages and styles. Belonging to the choir has also helped me increase my social circle; I’ve made some lovely new friends.”

Friendship (and indeed love!) is to be found in abundance within Voices in Harmony, evidenced by the fact that the choir has sung at 3 members’ weddings in the last 4 years! Charity is important too, as each year concerts held by the choir raise money to bring safe water and support a Refugee School in Africa.

To celebrate 10 years together, Voices in Harmony is holding a special Anniversary Concert at Oldbury Wells School, 7.30pm on Saturday 30th January. Choirmaster Jane is busy rehearsing the choir for what promises to be a memorable evening.

“For this special concert we’ve chosen at least one song from each of the years that we’ve been singing together, so we’ll be singing lots of our favourites, including “Nkosi sikelel i’Africa”. We like that one so much that we sang it at every concert for our first five years! It seems to represent what matters to us - rich harmonies, giving us a window into another world, showing friendship and interest by singing the songs of another culture, building community through singing together.”

If you would like tickets for the Concert, or are interested in becoming a member of the Choir, which is open to anyone, call Jane on 01584 891 656. You never know, you too could one day sing at the Royal Albert Hall!