The Choir was formed in 1987 by a small band of enthusiasts
in the Derbyshire Dales, the main aim being to enjoy singing
together and to add to the musical life of the area. Since that
time the Choir has grown into a highly successful group of choristers
from many areas of Derbyshire.
A founder member and President of the Choir is the Rev
Reg Dean, who celebrated his 107th. Birthday in November
2009. Despite failing eyesight he rarely misses a rehearsal
or concert but sadly we are no longer privileged to hear his
lovely 2nd bass voice.
The Choir rehearses weekly at the Strutts
Centre, Belper, throughout the year, under their Musical
Director John Lloyd,
Principal Accompanist Bill
Templeman, who ensure that the Choir maintains a full and
varied programme of music, rehearsed to a very high standard.
The Choir performs at around thirty events annually, supporting
a wide range of charities and increasing its good reputation
and popularity both on the concert platform and concert arena.
In recent years the Choir has undertaken Concert Tours to Aberporth,
Pembroke, Barnstaple, the Isle of Wight, the Dordogne region
of France, Clonmel in County Tiperary, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
and Harleston, Norfolk. We have just returned from our 2009
tour to Cornwall with performances at Bodmin, Penzance and the
Eden Project.
The Choir has twice shared the concert stage with the Band of
Her Majesty's Royal Marines School of Music in Derby Cathedral,
with The Band of The Grenadier Guards at Derby Assembly Rooms
and with The Syd Lawrence Orchestra on two occasions. The
Syd Lawrence Orchestra is led by our President's son, Christopher
Dean.
Link to: Cornwall
2009 by Ken & Audrey Harvey
Link to: Testimony
of a Dalesman by the late Maurice Evans
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