Choirs in Harrogate
Choirs in Harrogate
Not Another Choir – Visit the website here
2023 was a phenomenal year for Knot Another Choir, filled with not only successful charity fundraising but also enchanting performances in unique venues. As we step into 2024, the excitement continues to build. We’re gearing up for our first high-profile competition at The Manchester Annual Choral Competition (MACC) in March, hosted at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music. June will see us embark on our maiden international journey to participate in The Limerick Sings festival in Ireland. Throughout the year, we have performances lined up at various captivating locations.
If you have a passion for singing, we currently have openings for gentlemen and younger singers, both male and female. We’re offering free spots for individuals aged between 18 and 25. Interested in joining our vibrant choir? Shoot us an email at iwanttojoin@knotanotherchoir.co.uk.
Check out snapshots from our unforgettable performance at St John’s Church, Knaresborough, where we raised funds for Variety – the children’s charity.
For a complete list of our performances in 2024, head over to our “New Events” page.
Who are we? We are a thriving mixed community choir based in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, boasting over 100 members. In 2019, we achieved charitable status, and we were thrilled to welcome Craig Lees as our Musical Director.
Choirs in Harrogate
How are we funded? We rely on membership fees to keep the harmony flowing.
When and where do we meet? Every Thursday night at 19:30 at Trinity Church Hall, off Briggate, Knaresborough.
How do I join? Typically, we run two taster sessions at the start of each term, but due to the choir’s popularity, we are currently only accepting Bass singers.
Our Musical Director
Craig Lees is not just our Musical Director; he’s a contemporary vocal coach, choral leader, and arranger. As the Principal Lecturer on the Popular Music Degree at Leeds College of Music, Craig founded the LcoM Contemporary Pop Choir in 2014. He’s the driving force behind Leeds Contemporary Singers, a nine-piece vocal harmony group that rose to fame as winners of BBC One’s Pitch Battle. [Check them out here!](link to the performance) Craig’s coaching extends to working with chart-topping artist Will Young and internationally acclaimed artist Marc Almond.
Craig regularly conducts large workshops across the UK and beyond. He has delivered projects for leading voice technology manufacturer TC-Helicon and teaches on the Performance Academy Program at ‘Mind The Gap Theatre Company’. Internationally, he has presented on the topic of choral pedagogy.
Special Thanks
A big shoutout to the Two Ridings Community Foundation for their recent sponsorship.
Heartfelt thanks to Knaresborough Town Council for sponsoring our journey to compete in the Manchester Annual Choral Competition (MACC) at The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) on March 3, 2024. We’re proud to represent Knaresborough with 86 of our choir members.
And finally, don’t miss our captivating performance of Silent Night at Ripon Cathedral and the joyous moments captured at Harlow Carr Gardens on 17/07/2022. Many thanks to S. Fairley for the fantastic picture where Craig looks like he’s about to take off.
They told us to be quiet backstage, but they didn’t say we couldn’t dance. Enjoy the sight of KnAC grooving to Titanium sung by Local Vocals from Ossett.
Knot Another Choir CIO Registered Charity Number 1182311
Choirs in Harrogate
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Lucy’s Pop Choir Harrogate – Visit the website here
Our Harrogate Choir meets on Wednesday nights at The Crown Hotel.
Wednesdays, 7:30 – 9pm, The Crown hotel, Harrogate, HG1 2RZ
Choirs in Harrogate
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Welcome to The Stray Notes – Visit the website here
No auditions! Everyone’s welcome at The Stray Notes no matter the skill level, we have plenty of time to teach. Choose from two rehearsal nights each week, Wednesday or Thursday evening, or even attend both! We have a huge variety of performance opportunities and organised social events playing songs we all know and love.
Highlights So Far
Harrogate Christmas Market (December 2023): Once again, we brought the festive cheer to the Christmas market with an outdoor singing event filled with Christmas songs and carols.
Christmas Concert (December 2023): Our concert at Wesley Centre was a magical blend of our choir’s repertoire and joyous festive songs and carols, warmly embraced by our audience.
Fountains Abbey (November 2023): Singing our full Christmas repertoire in the enchanting floodlit Cellarium at Fountains Abbey was a truly memorable experience.
Valley Gardens Bandstand (September 2023): Bathed in late summer sunshine, we sang outdoors, not just for the joy of music, but also for a good cause—raising funds for Frank’s Fund, our chosen charity for the year.
Summer Concert (July 2023): The annual summer concert at Wesley Centre showcased a diverse range of music from our choir repertoire, delighting an appreciative audience.
Royal Hall Anniversary Open Day (May 2023): Joining the anniversary celebrations at the Royal Hall was a thrilling experience for our choir.
Wetherby Beer Festival (April 2023): A lighthearted and enjoyable experience for the choir at the Wetherby Beer Festival.
Southport Choir Trip (April 2023): Collaborating with G:Force choir, we had an incredible workshop, an evening concert, a joint meal, and lots of harmonious singing!
Ripon Cathedral Spring Fair (April 2023): Our voices echoed in the Quire of the Cathedral, creating a beautiful musical atmosphere in this stunning setting.
Harrogate Community Choir Festival (March 2023): Singing alongside other local community choirs at Harrogate Theatre was a joyous experience, and we’re excited for an even bigger event planned for 2024.
New Year Party (January 2023): We kicked off the year with our annual New Year celebration at the Masonic Hall in Harrogate.
Christmas Concert 2022 (December 10th, 2022): A festive extravaganza where we performed from our repertoire, sprinkled with seasonal favorites, receiving an enthusiastic reception from the audience.
Starbeck Lights Switch On (November 2022, St Andrew’s Church): Bringing our voices to illuminate the Starbeck Lights Switch On event at St Andrew’s Church.
The Edinburgh Fringe (August 2022): A memorable performance at two iconic Edinburgh locations, complemented by attending fringe events and a unique Walking Silent Disco through the streets of Edinburgh.
Harrogate Summer Choir Concert (July 2022): Our Summer Concert at St Peter’s Church featured a diverse repertoire, including an acapella rendition of ‘Take on Me,’ a Ukrainian Lullaby, and a rousing performance of ‘One Day More’ from Les Miserables.
Choir Twinning (May 2022): Hosting G-Force Gospel Choir from Formby, we engaged in joint workshops, performed a short concert, and shared an Italian meal at Gianni’s Brio Restaurant.
New Year Party (March 2022): Despite initial COVID-related postponements, we eventually sang and danced the night away at our New Year Party.
Liverpool Choir Tour (Oct ’21): A weekend in Liverpool filled with choral workshops, vocal techniques, a Beatles bus tour, and an unforgettable musical experience.
The UK Choir Festival (Feb ’20): A weekend in Manchester included Junkyard Golf, a canal-side meal, a workshop with choral experts, and an enjoyable choir party night with Steve Cook.
Christmas Party (Jan ’20): The choir’s first Christmas party at The Crown Hotel in Harrogate, where we donned our posh frocks and tuxedos to dance and sing the night away.
Christmas Spectacular (Dec ’19): Performing at the Christmas Spectacular in Ripon Cathedral, both independently and with the Ripon Brass Band.
The Big Switch On (Nov ’19): Our debut performance at Harrogate’s Big Switch On, capturing attention and earning praise from the Harrogate Advertiser.
Harrogate and District Volunteer Oscars (Nov ’19): Inaugurating our presence with an entertaining performance at the Volunteer Oscars, honoring the outstanding individuals of the Harrogate community at the Old Swan Hotel.
Choirs in Harrogate
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Harrogate Choral Society – Visit the website here
If you are an experienced singer, you will recognise that we sing to a high standard, and we welcome new members into all of our sections. If you are a novice singer, interested in the challenge of learning how to sing, we will support you to this level in a surprisingly short period of time. If you are interested in joining then follow the link below to get in touch and we will add you to our lists!
An Introduction to Harrogate Choral Society
Our esteemed President and Principal Guest Conductor is none other than Brian Kay, a former Kings singer and renowned broadcaster. Guided by his expert baton, we have delivered captivating performances of Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, and Bach’s Mass in B Minor. Adding to our musical tapestry, Terry Bramall graces us as our Patron, sharing a profound love for music with our society. In a heartwarming tribute at our 2022 AGM, we honored Marilynne Davies for her years of dedicated service by appointing her as Vice President.
In the vibrant Autumn of 2021, we welcomed David Lawrence as our new Music Director, embarking on a delightful journey through our first season together. Thomas Moore, our Deputy Music Director and principal Accompanist, enhances our musical excellence. Accompanied by these outstanding musicians and the skillful Christine Alp as Deputy Accompanist, we find ourselves truly fortunate.
A picture of harmony, the Society is led by a committee presently co-Chaired by Paul Jackson and Amy Moseley.
Our concerts come alive with the inclusion of professional soloists and the accompaniment of talented musicians, including past collaborations with Manchester Camerata, The Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, and the Band of the Royal Marines, Scotland.
In recent years, we proudly supported the Halcyon singers—a group of young voices aged 14 to 18—who, as integral members of the HCS Family, enriched our Wednesday evening rehearsals. Having ventured forth to pursue university studies, their legacy remains woven into the fabric of our society.
Adding to our musical diversity, the all-female choral group, Beati, consisting of ten voices, graces various functions with a repertoire ranging from madrigals to show tunes. Their biannual fundraising concerts contribute to local charities, creating a platform for young aspiring musicians to join them in musical harmony.
Choirs in Harrogate
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VOCALIS – Visit the website here
Vocalis is a popular chamber choir in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
We are a mixed-voice choir of experienced and enthusiastic singers, singing both accompanied
and unaccompanied music from the fifteenth to the twenty-first century.