The Bonchurch Village Singers will be holding a concert at St John’s Church in Wroxall next month.
This is a free concert and there’ll be refreshments available on the night, plus a retiring collection.
Programme
There’s a wide selection of music being covered by the Bonchurch Village Singers including West Side Story, The Music’s always there with you, Shenandoa, I Believe, I’m always Chasing Rainbows, Moonriver, Sing a Song of Sixpence, Unchained Melody, Boehemian Rhapsody and Irish Blessing.
Background
The Bonchurch Village Singers were formed in January, 1997, when John Reece, who at that time was one of the proprietors of the Pond Stores in Bonchurch, suggested to a number of the villagers the idea of forming a choir. His idea was for a light-hearted group to sing just for fun.
John received a favourable response to this idea and so he approached the choirmaster of the St.Boniface Church, the much loved and lamented Ian Snow, and asked him if he would be interested in becoming the piano accompanist for the group.
Ian expressed some reservations that enough men would be interested but he agreed that, should at least five men come forward to sing, he would gladly take the position.
As a result, a meeting of all interested parties was convened in the Church Hall on the 22nd January, 1997 to which a very encouraging 48 people attended, including 20 men. At this meeting, the Bonchurch Village Singers was born.
Soon after the Singers were formed, they were fortunate in discovering the late Merrick Hankinson, an experienced choir master, who soon brought a semblance of order to the singing and who introduced the group to four part harmony.
The Singers’ first concert took place on the 24th July, 1997 in the Church Hall, Bonchurch. One of the songs they sang was a traditional Maori Song, Po Atarau and they actually wrote to the New Zealand High Commissioner for the words and correct pronunciation of the song, which we know as Now is the Hour.
During 1997, in their first year, the Bonchurch Village Singers gave a remarkable six concerts in total, the monies donated being given to various charities. Since that time, the Singers have consistently given concerts on a regular basis in many and varied venues across the Island. Unfortunately, no accurate record has been kept over the years to list the monies raised for charity by the Bonchurch Village Singers, but the figure will certainly run into many hundreds of pounds.
During the past 11 years, the Singers have sung at countless weddings, including one in July 2000 when the guest of honour was none other than Sir Cliff Richard.
On the 6th January, 2001, they were joined by John Holder, an experienced conductor, who took over as Musical Director.
Since that time, under John’s direction, the singers have gone from strength to strength, improving beyond recognition and tackling songs as diverse as Mozart and the Beatles.
Over the years, the Singers have entered a number of musical competitions such as the Ventnor Music for Fun Festival and the Isle of Wight Musical Competition and have won trophies for their performances.
The Bonchurch Village Singers are always on the look-out for new voices.
Anyone interested will be made very welcome at their weekly practices at 7.30p.m. in the Church Hall, Village Road, Bonchurch or can ring the singer’s chairman, Tony Townsend for further information on 01983 856431.
