Whilst the audience arrived for our concert on Saturday 18^th March weighed down by the many troubles going on in the world, by the time the concert finished they left uplifted.

When Haydn wrote his Nelson Mass in 1798 his world was similarly in turmoil but on Saturday we could enjoy a splendid concert which brought together the power of choral singing and individual virtuosity.

Bishopwearmouth Choral Society provided the first part of the concert singing Haydn’s ‘Te Deum’ and his ‘Nelson Mass’, very ably supported by a professional orchestra and soloists, all directed by David Murray. This was very well received by the audience and has since been described as wonderful, splendid and breathtaking as some members of the audience had simply not personally experienced a full choir and orchestra in action. The concert was an excellent example of what Bishopwearmouth Choral Society has been providing to the good people of Sunderland for the last 74 years.

The second half of the concert was an opportunity to savor the individual virtuosity of Bradley Creswick playing Beethoven’s ‘Concerto for Violin and Orchestra’. With excellent support from the orchestra, Bradley created an atmosphere of musical interest and calm which was very warmly recognised by the audience at the end. An excellent evening by and for everyone.

There will no rehearsals on the following dates :

Wednesday 22^nd March

Wednesday 29^th March

Wednesday 5^th April

Wednesday 12^th April

Hope that you enjoy Easter and look forward to seeing everyone on our return on Wednesday 19^th April 2023. It would be very helpful if you arrive a little early on the 19^th to enable scores for the new work to be distributed.

A Saturday evening concert in Sunderland Minster, starting at 7.30 p.m., conducted by David Murray.

As the last in our 75th Anniversary season, this concert will feature some of the great popular songs from America, and indeed the UK, which emerged as our popular culture evolved in the latter part of the twentieth century. Written by people such as Gershwin, Jerome Kern and the Carpenters, they have been arranged by David Murray, our Musical Director, for each section of the choir and will be a change from our more usual repertoire and sing some popular song repertoire instead.

Special guest appearance of Emma Fisk & James Birkett – Guitar and Violin – bringing together their shared knowledge and love of early jazz styles to present an entertaining programme associated with and inspired by the first great jazz violin and guitar partnership, Venuti and Lang.

Tickets – £15.00 for Nave (£8.00 concessions for full-time students and on income related benefits) or Gallery (limited view) £8.00. Accompanied under 16s free. Tickets will be available from members of the Society, at the door (cash or card), or on-line from www.wegottickets.com/BCS – who also have a direct link on the home page of this website.

Doors open from 6.45 p.m. Apart from seats marked for Patrons, there are no allocated seats.

A Saturday evening concert in Sunderland Minster, starting at 7.30 p.m., conducted by David Murray.

The concert will consist of the Christmas section of Handel’s Messiah and a mix of lovely Chilcott and Rutter favourites.

A Saturday evening concert in Sunderland Minster, starting at 7.30 p.m., conducted by David Murray.

Content to be confirmed.

We seek to plan the proposed programme of concerts for the future as far ahead as is feasible. This may mean that the arrangements and contents of concerts listed here may need to be varied later, but each will be confirmed later by posts on this website

All dates are 7.30 p.m. on Saturdays in Sunderland Minster, unless otherwise noted.

June 15th 2024 – Great American Songbook – Arrangements by David Murray, our Musical Director, of more modern artistes such as the Carpenters.

December 14th 2024 – Christmas Concert – The concert will consist of the Christmas section of Handel’s Messiah and a mix of lovely Chilcott and Rutter favourites.

April 12th 2025 – Hayden ‘Creation’

June 14th 2025 – Brahms ‘Requiem’

December 13th 2025 – Britten ‘St. Nicolas’

A Saturday evening concert in Sunderland Minster, starting at 7.30 p.m., conducted by David Murray.

This concert will be the second in our 75th Anniversary season and will feature Edward Elgar’s ‘The Music Makers‘ and ‘Sea Pictures’ with Hubert Parry’s ‘I was glad‘

Tickets – £15.00 for Nave (£8.00 concessions for full-time students and on income related benefits) or Gallery (limited view) £8.00. Accompanied under 16s free. Tickets will be available from members of the Society, at the door (cash only), or on-line from www.wegottickets.com/BCS – who also have a direct link on the home page of this website.

Doors open from 6.45 p.m. Apart from seats marked for Patrons, there are no allocated seats.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the choral society, David Murray will conduct the choir, world recognised mezzo-soprano Sarah Pring, and the orchestra in Elgar’s iconic cantata.

The libretto is the ode by Arthur O’Shaunessy. Elgar identified himself as the ‘dreamer of dreams’ in the opening lines of the poem and the work as being semi-autobiographical. In doing so he referenced a number of his earlier works – the Enigma Variations, Land of Hope and Glory to mention just two.

The following is the proposed programme of concerts over the coming years. Actual content may be subject to change or additions and all concerts will be advertised as individual items in due course. All dates are 7.30 p.m. on Saturdays in Sunderland Minster unless otherwise noted.

April 4th 2020

St. John Passion – Bach.

June 20th 2020

Requiem – Brahms

December 5th 2020

Messiah – Handel.

March 27th 2021

Petite Messe Solennelle – Rossini.

June 19th 2021

Requiem & Cantique de Jean Racine – Faure, Panis Angelicus – Franck.

December 4th 2021

Content to be confirmed.

A Saturday evening concert, in Sunderland Minster, starting at 7.30 p.m., conducted by David Murray.

This concert will be the first in our 75th Anniversary season and will feature Fantasia on Christmas Carols and Serenade to Music, both by Ralph Vaughan Williams, with special guests and a range of musical surprises.

Soloist – Anna Dias

Tickets – £15.00 for Nave (£8.00 concessions for full-time students and on income related benefits) or Gallery (limited view) £8.00. Accompanied under 16s free. Tickets will be available from members of the Society, at the door, or on-line from www.wegottickets.com/BCS – who also have a direct link on the home page of this website.

Doors open from 6.45 p.m. Apart from seats marked for Patrons, there are no allocated seats.