In its present form Westbury Singers started singing in 1995. The culture has been one of social involvement and enjoyment and this is a very important part of the choir.A group of friends originally started singing in 1989 under the name of The Top Note Adult Choir. In 1995, the change of name to Westbury Singers, a new musical director and a different place to rehearse, marked a significant change. A constitution was written and positions on the committee were formalised.
In the autumn of 2001, the first overseas concert trip was made with a five day tour to Hannover. Five concerts were performed. The host choir in Hannover was The Canta Nova Choir and a concert was sung in conjunction with them and made way for a return visit later.
In May 2003, Westbury Singers were asked to accompany The Central Band of The White Russian Army formally known as The Red Army Band for their concert in Bristol's premier concert hall The Colston Hall. It was a priviledge to be asked to be the choir from Bristol to accompany them at our own stage of development.
The process of the "band call", the management of arranging the concert programme, merging band with choirs and guest artists was very exhausting. The concert was very illuminating for many who had not performed on the big stage before.
October 2003 brought the return visit of The Canta Nova Choir from Hannover to Bristol. They stayed for a week and gave three concerts. Two were at different schools in Bristol and the third was a joint concert in Clifton Cathedral. The Canta Nova Choir performed for most of the concert but Westbury Singers were allowed to join them for two numbers at the beginning and two at the concert's conclusion. Their trip ended with a barn dance jointly held with a caller who called in German.
One year on in October 2004 the choir was travelling again, this time to Oporto, Portugal.
Westbury Singers had been involved to a small degree with The Bristol City Council in their celebrations of the official twinning of our two cities. It was good luck and fortuitous that Oporto had already been chosen to visit on the next overseas trip. A fuller report can be found on News webpage.
The start of our year commencing in September 2005 saw David Richards step down as Chairman after five years. David's contribution was invaluable to the choir during early stages of growth. Whilst various committee members fulfilled their own functions to maintain continuity, David brought a sense of direction and calm during these early years. Thank you David for your contribution.
Ken Thawley, our Vice Chairman took over as Chairman and the choir wish him success during the next decade. Ken's "Baptism of Fire" was to celebrate -
WESTBURY SINGERS 10TH ANNIVERSARY
The December concert on 10th December 2005 at Westbury on Trym Baptist Church marked the 10th Anniversary as Westbury Singers. The choir had grown faster and larger than most would have anticipated. At the same time it had retained the original culture of singing for charities combined with a strong social involvement of singing members, their families and friends.
The concert was a great success. Held at our place of rehearsal, Westbury on Trym Baptist Church it was full and a near sell-out. The choir's contribution contained many light moments, including a birthday cake with individual statues of choir members on the icing. Proceeds on this occasion went to Children's Hospice BABE appeal and over £1000 was taken.
Here's to the next 10 years.
In June 2007, there was a celebration at Bristol Zoo to commemorate 60 years of "twinning" between cities, Bristol Hannover and Bordeaux. Bristol is credited as being the first city in the UK to foster the "twinning" between another city and so it was very touching that some friends from Canta Nova in Hannover were able to return to Bristol and join in the celebrations as well. Again we were able to put on an informal BBQ especially for them before they returned.
