We rehearse on Monday evenings in term time, from 7.30 pm in Bellingham Methodist United Reformed Church.

Everyone is welcome!

Now that we're coming out of the pandemic, we're singing again! Christmas is coming and we now meet in Bellingham MURC on Monday evenings at 7.30. Come and join in!!

The North Tyne and Redewater Choral Society

Delve into the history of the North Tyne and Redewater Choral Society and you will discover that the choir was created over 50 years ago by like-minded singers from all the local churches of the two valleys, who wanted to sing together at Easter and Christmas. For all that time, the choir has performed music up and down the Rede and North Tyne valleys, usually in one of the many beautiful churches to be found here. Singers are drawn from all of the many and varied towns, villages, farms and hamlets and many also come from further afield (Hexham and Corbridge, for example).

In effect, therefore, the choir belongs to these valleys and the surrounding areas and, by default, to you! There are many benefits to be gained from singing together and the choir now needs you to help fulfil its role.

You see, as with all groups like NTRCS, the march of time is relentless and membership numbers have begun to fall a bit. We are inviting singers who enjoy both the classical and some of the more popular repertoire to join the choir now and to help to give us a chance to continue our work.

There’s no audition, but it is worth remembering that the music is most often sung “in parts” (soprano – alto – tenor – bass) and from traditional music scores; however, the internet is proving exceptionally helpful these days by providing online help to learn choral pieces, and a number of our members already use these opportunities!

The choir also gives valuable opportunities to young singers and musicians starting out on their musical careers. Students on the York University Masters’ Course and, more recently, youngsters from the Miranda Wright Singers, have performed at our concerts. There have also been a number of professional accompanists and orchestras who have worked with the group.

The valleys and their neighbouring areas deserve their choir and the performances of music which NTRCS can bring, so please think about joining by coming to a rehearsal or getting in touch with conductor John Roper (pennyandjohn@gmail.com).

Rehearsals take place in Bellingham MURC at 7.30pm on Mondays, and the Christmas Concert 2022 will take place on Saturday December 19th, and will include music by Schubert and Bob Chilcott.