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Bury Bach Choir singing again 

Members of the Bury Bach Choir have started having socially distanced rehearsals in the Apex concert hall.  The choir numbers about one hundred members, but due to limitations imposed by the current situation fewer than forty have been able to start singing together at this stage (see photos). Nevertheless, this is a milestone after such a difficult nine months and is welcomed by the entire choir. The rehearsals are being live streamed so that those members unable to attend can join in from home.

The choir’s Chair, Tess Wright, said “We are delighted to be able to start singing again, and hope soon to be able to announce details of our 2021 concert programme”.

The choir’s last concert was Verdi’s Requiem, performed in St Edmundsbury Cathedral on 7 March 2020. Since then, despite not being allowed to sing together, choir members have been busy with many other activities including online voice coaching from the choir’s Co-Presidents Graeme Danby and Valerie Reid; online lectures from the choir’s Music Director, Philip Reed; a continually active WhatsApp group; and a weekly zoom meeting when choir members chat together and discuss plans. 

As always, the choir’s committee has been highly active, holding everything together and making sure we are ready to perform again when the conditions allow.  

A significant event has been the retirement of alto singer Pam Reed, the choir’s Treasurer for the last fourteen years. During this time, she has been a key member of the management team and has contributed immensely to the choir’s ability to do what we do - make music for the people of West Suffolk. She is replaced by tenor Richard Fletcher. 

The saddest event during the year has been the death of James Recknell, the choir’s outstanding accompanist. Details of his work for the choir over many years are here on the choir’s website. We plan to dedicate a concert to him in due course. We are extremely fortunate that the immensely talented pianist Christopher Moore is happy to take his place until we appoint a new accompanist.

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