Alverton Singers choir appeals for new members (From The Advertiser Series)

Alverton Singers choir appeals for new members

3:34pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News

AN ALL-female voice-choir is looking for new singers to join its ranks.

The Alverton Singers, based in Northallerton, sing a wide variety of music, from West End show tunes to Elizabethan madrigals.

Chairman Jennifer Allison said singers do not need to be able to read music, just be able to sing in tune and have a sense of humour.

She said: “We meet on Wednesdays in the Cottage Meeting Rooms in Northallerton Methodist Church from 7.15pm to 9.15pm, and we generally do two or three concerts a year with proceeds going to a nominated local charity.

“The choir was set up in 1982 by Elsie Coombs after leaving her role as pianist of the Male Voice Choir, and set up the Romany Ladies Choir.

“She had to leave in 1989 but asked Bob Barratt – who had been conductor of the town’s Male Voice Choir for many years – to take over.”

Mr Barratt changed the name of the choir to Northallerton Ladies Choir, and it kept that name until 2002 when Alex Jackson took over as musical director and changed the name to the Alverton Singers.

Under this name the group were joint winners of the Wensleydale Festival of Music and Speech in 2006 in the Ladies Choir section.

Joan Foster is now musical director, working with Jean Pocock (correct), who has been pianist since 1989.

Ms Allison said new members can visit www.alvertonsingers.org.uk or attend a session on a Wednesday evening.