VOCAL GROUPS

Bolton Music Service has a wide range of Vocal Groups:

Raise the Roof

Calling All Boys !
A Vocal Band that is just for boys Aged 9 - 13 years, Come & join the Band which meets every Thursday 4.00 - 5.00pm at St Joseph's RC High School, Horwich.

Little Lever Training Choir

The choir is for all children in Year 3 to Year 6.
Practices are every Monday from 4.00 - 5.00pm at St Theresa's RC Primary School, Little Lever and are free of charge!

Turton Training Choir

This choir is suitable for beginners who wish to sing with a group. It meets a Harwood Meadows CP school and the repertoire includes many "fun" items as well as traditional songs.

Westhoughton Training Choir

This choir is suitable for beginners who wish to sing with a group. It meets a St George's CEP School, Westhoughton and the repertoire includes many "fun" items as well as traditional songs.

Bolton Junior Youth Choir

The choir meets at Bolton Music Centre on Thursday evenings from 6.00 to 7.30 and contains boys and girls from Keystages 2 and 3.It welcomes children who have an interest in singing and can sing a simple melody accurately and confidently. During rehearsals the children will learn and practice new songs and play musical games to develop their singing skills.
Children usually are invited to join us for a trial period of 3 or 4 rehearsals before becoming a member. At the end of this time, each child will have a vocal assessment prior to becoming a member. Children whose voices are not quite ready for the challenges of BJYC will be given advice about how to develop their singing and other training opportunities.
There is a "tuck shop" break during the rehearsal when children are able to buy a drink and a snack or they may bring their own. Parents of the children in the choir operate a rota system to make sure there is adequate adult supervision and support.
The Choir performs mainly in and around the Bolton area but we also occasionally perform at an away venue. At certain times of the year we are a little more busy than at others but there are generally 3 or 4 concerts/events per term.

Bolton Youth Choir

The BMS Singers

The BMS Singers are our senior choir and are made up of young adults who have some experience of choral singing. Rehearsals take place every Tuesday at the Music Centre from 7.00 - 9.00 pm. Singers need to have some knowledge of notation and should be between 16 - 30 years old (SATB). The Repertoire has breadth and balance ranging from unaccompanied madrigals to popular songs and embraces orchestrally accompanied choral works.
Residential Courses
Workshops are held in centres around the country annually usually culminating in concerts held in the local churches.
The choirs are active members of Sing for Pleasure which is an organisation made up of people who greatly enjoy singing together in a non-competitive atmosphere and who wish to encourage choral singing at all levels. Singers, conductors, teachers, students, music lecturers and advisers all play a part in the movement and membership is open to choirs and individuals.
Jane is the Head of Bolton Music Service and she has directed The BMS Singers (formally Bolton Youth Choir) for 14 years. Jane is Chair of Sing for Pleasure North and is dedicated to creating opportunities for young people to make music.
Performances
Regular performances are given in local churches, The Victoria and Albert Halls and in the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. Other venues include Wakefield Cathedral and the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
After-dinner entertainment
The choirs sing at many different functions to a frequently delighted audience who support the choirs financially.
History and such
The BMS Singers was founded in 1986 by Duncan Fraser who were then known as Bolton Youth Choir. Rob Wilding directed the choir from 1987 -1990 when Jane Hampson became the conductor. Jane is assisted by Elaine Lowe who is the accompanist for the choir.
The repertoire ranges from madngals to modern classical works and embraces popular songs.
The choir enjoy singing in a variety of venues. In September 1998 they toured Belgium singing in the Cathedrals of Brussels and Ghent. Closer to home they have given performances in the Bndgewater Hall, Manchester and are frequently asked to sing at evening functions and events in and around Bolton. In July 2000 they sang in the Music for Youth National Choral Festival and in September2000 enjoyed a special residential weekend in Huddersfield with a performance of Sacred Choral Music in Wakefield Cathedral. In August 2002 the choir toured Normandy and highlights being concerts in Rouen Cathedral and St. Catherine's in Honfleur.
The choir is an active member of Sing for Pleasure and singers often attend holiday courses, concerts and Sing Days.