for the people, by the people

Registered Charity No 1149758

Vocal Point

Welcome to this, our fourth biennial collaboration which again features a splendid, and eclectic, mix of wonderful music. Since our formation in 2011 we have been privileged to work with many hundreds of enthusiastic singers, of all ages, who have worked so hard to achieve some spellbinding performances. Each choir willingly give of their talents throughout each year, presenting concerts in venues large and small raising many thousands of pounds for charities which support so much welfare in our communities and beyond. This year our event is in support of the proposed building of the Ark Cancer Centre and we are delighted that Mark Jones, their fundraising Director, has kindly agreed to host tonight’s event. I know you will generously support this very special charity at the end of tonight’s music making.

Organising this event involves many hours of dedicated discussion and labour so we count ourselves very fortunate to have an enthusiastic team led by Marilyn Wright as our Secretary.

Our choral workshop earlier this year was based on Handel’s “Messiah”, so it is appropriate that we end tonight’s concert with his “Hallelujah Chorus” - please sing along with us - I would be very surprised if most of you didn’t know it.

Sincerely,

David OgbornChairman, Basingstoke Festival of Choirs

Welcome toBasingstoke Festival of Choirs

Forthcoming ConcertsSaturday 6th October 7.30pmBasingstoke Hospital Male Voice ChoirConcert with Alton Community ChoirSt. Lawrence Church, Alton

Friday 19th October 7.30pmBasingstoke Male Voice ChoirWith guests Four Lanes Male Voice Choir, CornwallUnited Reformed Church, Basingstoke

Tuesday 23rd October 7.30pmBasingstoke Male Voice ChoirTaster evening for potential new membersUnited Reformed Church, Basingstoke

Saturday 27th October 7.30pmBasingstoke Ladies’ ChoirQueen Mary’s College, Basingstoke

Sunday 18th November 7pmBasingstoke Choral Society New London SinfoniaThe Peacemakers by Karl JenkinsThe Anvil, Basingstoke

Saturday 24th November 7pmBasing SingersOld Basing PantomimeOld Basing Village Hall

Sunday 9th DecemberBasingstoke Festival of ChoirsMayor’s Carols

Sunday 16th December at 3.30 pm Tadley Singers Christmas ConcertPamber Heath Memorial Hall.

Monday December 17th at 7:00 p.mOverton Choral SocietyAnnual Christmas ConcertSt Mary’s Hall, Overton

Friday 21st December 7.30pmKingsclere SingersCharity CarolsFieldgate Centre, Kingsclere

Basing Singers is a four part choir - currently we have about forty-fi ve members. We are named after the

village of Old Basing where we meet. However, members travel from as far away as Whitchurch, Cliddesden and Sherborne St John to sing with us each week, joining those who live nearer to Old Basing.

We enjoy singing a wide variety of music, sacred or secular, classical or pop, ancient or modern.

In March this year we were joined by members of“Ooh Mama” to give a performance of Handel’s Messiah. In November Basing Singers will be on the balcony of Old Basing Village Hall providing a musical chorus for the Village Pantomime. In December we will be singing Christmas songs and carols at various events.

In recent years we have been very pleased to welcome a number of younger singers to our ranks. We would be delighted if yet more young people would come and join us, as they will be the basis of choirs for the years to come.

Please see our website http://basingsingers.org.uk/ for more details, or phone our Secretary Mike Leaming on 01256 471493.

Basing SingersMusical Director: Stuart HickenAccompanist: Sheelagh HardingRehearse: Wednesdays 7.45 pm - 9.45 pm in the Parish Room, adjacent to St Mary’s Church,The Street, Old Basing, RG24 7BW Basingstoke Choral Society has been bringing

choral music to audiences in the area since 1889 and with around 160 members is currently one of the largest SATB choirs in the South of England.The choir not only specialises in well-known choral works from the repertoire but also performs more modern choral pieces.

The choir gives three concerts each year and is privileged to have The Anvil in Basingstoke as its main venue as well as performing regularly at Douai Abbey and Winchester Cathedral. We use professional orchestras and soloists at all our concerts and this helps us to bring music of thehighest standard to our audiences.

We also enjoy the opportunity to perform joint concerts with other choral societies. This gives us the opportunity to perform works demanding a large choir as well as singing in a variety ofvenues.

We are enormously fortunate in having David Gibson as our Musical Director and thanks to his commitment and inspiration we know we will be singing and performing for many years to come.Please visit us at www.basingstoke-choral.org.uk.

Basingstoke Choral Society Musical Director: David GibsonAccompanist: Mark KinkaidRehearse: Wednesdays 7.30pm - 9.30pm at The Vyne School, Basingstoke

SopranoSue BaileyHazel BallMaureen BannockEileen BeardAngela HammondEmily Hendren-AllwrightJoanna Jarrett-KerrDiane KingCarol LaightSusan MercyKate O’NeillMaggie PalmerJoyce SmithSue Wilson

Alto Jill BasingAnn GroomJanet JacksonPamela LunnMadeline McCammonKaren NicholsonJacqui SmithSue SmithHelen Thompson

TenorTim De’athPeter FoxTim FrawleyOliver Jarrett-KerrMark Offord

BassAlan BallNorman BannockKevin CurtisBob FarmerAndrew FrawleyMike JacksonRobert Jackson

Soprano 1Jo ChitteyPhilippa GeeRachel HollandSureya Vassallo

Soprano 2Yvonne HaighAngela HumphriesMarion McCannDenise WaringKaren West

AltoGill BaylisAmanda BrooksMoira BunceJackie HumphriesGill JonesSue SharmanJayne SmithEvelyn Stokes

TenorTony de JongTony ParnellRichard Staniforth

BassDavid CoppockMike GledhillJulian HawkinsPaul SherringtonRichard TannerPhilip Wheeler

It is hard to believe that BHMVC was only formed in March 2011. It began with, primarily, a group hospital workers as a means to combat stress through singing, and with the absolute approval of the Hospital Board, rehearses in the Hospital restaurant every Wednesday evening - much to the delight of people passing

through and patients coming down to the restaurant. Indeed the choir’s motto is: Sing for Health.

The choir has since grown considerably in strength and reputation, attracting a wide variety of new members, from both within and outside the hospital environment, ranging from those who have never sung before to experienced choristers from other choirs. As well as featuring many of the traditional male-voice-choir favourites, the choir’s extensive repertoire also includes music from the shows, light opera, and music from the 1980/90’s. This is thanks to the enthusiasm and drive of the Musical Director Mr David {Dai} Ogborn and the concert and rehearsal accompanist Mr Paul Wright. The choir has been fortunate to sing at some beautiful venues including Winchester Cathedral and All Saints Church Basingstoke, raising several thousand pounds for charity along the way.

If you think you might like to join us then do come along on any Wednesday evening to Basingstoke Hospital Restaurant to fi nd out more - we would love to see you. Rehearsals start at 7.30pm.

Basingstoke HospitalMale Voice ChoirMusical Director: David OgbornAccompanists: Steve Busby and Paul WrightRehearse: Wednesdays 7.30pm–9.30pm atBasingstoke Hospital Canteen

The choir was formed in 1964 and celebrated its 50th anniversary with a concert with Basingstoke Ladies Choir in November 2014. The choir, in its heyday, toured to America, Canada, Holland and Malta as well as to Basingstoke’s twin towns of Alencon in France and Euskirchen in Germany and, at its peak, numbered 98 choristers.

The choir today is much more modest but has a varied repertoire including a refreshing variety of songs for all tastes, including Male Voice Choir classics such as Llanfair and Gwahoddiad and choir favourites Speed Your Journey and You Raise Me Up. More recently we have tended to focus on more modern pieces and show tunes such as Bridge over Troubled Water, You’ll Never Walk Alone and Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. As a choir we continue to raise funds for charity from our concerts in 2017-18 we raised approx £2000 which was donated to Christian Aid, Samaritans and Hampshire Air Ambulance.

If you would like to join us please contact us via our website or come along on Tuesday evening at the United Reformed Church, London Street, Basingstoke from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Visitors are most welcome!

Basingstoke Male Voice ChoirMusical Director: Richard ChildressAccompanist: Brian BuddenAccompanist Emeritus: Paul WrightRehearse: Tuesday Evenings 7:30-9:30 at United Reformed Church, Basingstoke

TenorsSteve Busby Dave Cottrell David Foster Levent Kilic Ralph Magdamo Trevor MasonTim PriceGerry Thurgut

2nd TenorStewart Broadbent John Burtenshaw David Daley Andrew Long Mike Ramsey Charles Roach Denis Smith

BaritoneMalcolm Chappell Terry Cootes Phil Gowers Peter Greenhalgh Christopher Julian

BassDavid Evans Timothy Leadbetter Trevor Pitman Paul RisoeNick Ward

TenorsRichard FitzimmonsHarry SlingerGraham MidcalfMark OffordDon McNamaraMalcolm GallaniMick WoodageBrian Tarling

BaritonePeter BallDerek FrohlichMatthew DermodyTerry RiddleChris SeymourDerek Roberts

BassColin BoylingBob PurnellMark PeryerNick ThompsonJeff WilkinsonJulian NunnPhil Jubin

The Belles of St Martin’s choir is a ladies choir which was formed in 2012 named after the village church of St Martin’s Ellisfi eld.

We sing for pleasure, for festival services at the church, weddings and village functions. We enjoy singing popular classics as well as modern songs.

Currently we have 17 members, who all come from the parishes of Ellisfi eld and Farleigh Wallop.

� e Belles ofSt Martin’s Choir Musical Director: Neil Streeter/Theresa LunnAccompanist: Neil StreeterRehearse: Wednesdays 7.30pm – 9.30pmSt Martin’s Church, Church Lane, Ellisfi eld Kingsclere Singers are a community choir who

rehearse weekly, usually with a break in August.

Our style of singing ranges from light classical to pop, folk to sea shanties and everything in between. We sing in two and four-part harmony as well as in unison in order to include those who do not read music. If you think you would like to sing with us then come along and join us any time. No auditions, just a warm welcome!If you would like us to sing for you at any event then please get in touch. hazeloleary@hotmail.co.uk.We look forward to meeting you.

Visit us on facebook and @kingscleresingers.co.uk

Kingsclere SingersMusical Director: Hazel O’LearyAccompanist: Paul FreemanRehearse: Monday 7.30-9.15 Methodist schoolroom, George St, Kingsclere

SopranoTheresa LunnJacqui MatthewsJenny OutenGreta IddesonJulia AyscoughMeg FreemanPat GouldDoreen LonerganSusan Self

AltoCelia LunnJayne NasonRose TaplinLouise Gould

Soprano 1Georgi SelbyLucy HetheringtonRebecca HartMary BushnellJo Whitfi eldSheila ComleyJean GundryNorma Jackson

Soprano 2Carole-Anne DykesMaggi WilliamsLucie ZabellKathryn MercerCatherine PryceJanetta KennedyAnnie Gardner

TenorKeith Williams

AltoJess Craker-KnottEnid RylettMandy LarbySue SimpsonGay WallerOlivia O’SheaLiz MartinGill Gardner

Bass 1 Don Freeman John Liddeatt Ron Walker Brian WattsGraham Winter

Bass 2Chris MercerJason WinterAlan Clements

National Anthem

O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff

Welcome by Mark Jones (The Ark Cancer Charity)

The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi

¡ Cantar !by Jay Althouse

I’d Like to Teach the World to Singby B. Backer, B Davis, R Cook and R Greenway arr. Milt Rogers

Meistersinger’s Marchby Richard Wagner

You Raise Me Up by Brendan Graham & Ralph Lovland arr. Roger Emerson

Morte Christeby Isaac Watts and Emrys Jones

St Mary’s CE Junior School ChoirHey Mr Miller by David Machell, Joe Garland and Andy RazarHow Far I’ll Goby Lin-Manuel Miranda arr. Ed lojeskiGospel MedleyTraditional American gospel

Over the Bright Blue Sea and Sir Joseph’s Barge is Seenfrom HMS Pinafore by WS Gilbert and A Sullivan

As Long as I have Music by Nancy Price and Don Besig INTERVAL

The Anvil Chorus from Il Travatore by Giuseppe Verdi

Vocal PointHow Far I’ll Goby Lin-Manuel Miranda arr. Ed lojeskiHouse of Gold by Twenty Øne PilØtsVictorious by Panic at the Disco

When the Saints Go Marching In Traditional arr. Denys Hood

Deus Salutis Welsh Hymn Tune arr. Mansel Thomas

Chanson de Matinby Edward Elgar

Skyfallby Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth arr. Paul Langford

Kuimba by Victor C Johnson

Rhythm of Lifeby Dorothy Fields and Cy Coleman arr. Richard Barnes

Adiemusfrom Symphonic Adiemus by Karl Jenkins

Hallelujah Chorusfrom Messiah by George Frederick Handel

Voices Together! Programme

Thanks for your wonderful support

ARK Cancer Centre Charity is proud and honoured to be the chosen charity of the 2018 Festival of Choirs ‘Voices Together’ concert.

Musical events, including several featuring Basingstoke Hospital Male Voice Choir (BHMVC), have helped Ark’s ongoing campaign to raise £5million for the much-needed local NHS cancer treatment centre which will serve people in the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) area.

Largely being funded by HHFT, the centre will be built on the existing Basingstoke hospital site.

Ark’s £5m will ensure that complementary therapies and support services can be provided in a calm and uplifting environment alongside radiotherapy and chermotherapy treatments.

World-renowned consultant liver surgeon Merv Rees, who is a trustee of Ark Cancer Centre Charity and president of BHMVC, said: “I am grateful to everyone involved in the 2018 Festival of Choirs ‘Voices Together’ event for their support in raising further awareness of, and funds for, Ark and the cancer treatment centre project.

“Tonight’s concert will be a splendid evening, and thank you to everyone for their generous contributions to the bucket collection at the end of the evening.

“Every pound counts, and brings Ark closer to reaching its £5m goal which will be crucial in ensuring the new centre can deliver the care and support that will make a massive difference to cancer patients and their loved ones.”

You can read all about Ark’s story so far by going to arkcancercharity.org.uk.

Ark Cancer Centre Charity

Ooh Mama Ladies Choir is based in Chineham, Basingstoke with a membership of approximately 50 ladies. Originally founded as a choir for mums the choir is now open to all ladies who love to

sing. Ooh Mama’s primary purpose is to be a network for women and a social group where you can have fun and get that all important “me time”. Regular concerts take place throughout the year with an aim to raise money for local charities. There is no requirement to read music or audition, just a love of music and singing.

Ooh Mama meet every Tuesday in Chineham at 8pm and always welcome new members. For more information fi nd us on Facebook or visit our website oohmamachoir.org.uk

Ooh MamaMusical Director: Kate BarrettAccompanist: Hannah Lindsey-ClarkRehearse: Tuesday Evenings 8pm–9.30pm atChrist Church, Chineham, Basingstoke Numbering around 40

singers, the choir presents at least 3 concerts a year. We participate every year in the Winchester County Music Festival, coming together with other choirs, a professional orchestra and soloists to perform in either Romsey Abbey or Winchester Cathedral.

Overton Choral Society has developed strong links with the Sängerkreis Euskirchen Choir from Germany, participating in exchange visits every four years. We have also performed with other choirs in The Anvil and other venues.

Overton Choral Society evolved from a Glee Club in the early 1900’s. One of the earliest Music Festivals was inaugurated in Winchester in the 1920s and under the batons of the Misses Portals, OCS participated for many years, winning several competitions. Members of OCS pride themselves on being a friendly welcoming group who actively encourage young musicians, whether instrumentalists or voices of any age, to participate in concerts. OCS also enjoys singing lighter works.

Overton Choral Society Musical Director: Paul TimmsAccompanist: Nicholas Hussey Rehearse: Mondays 7.45pm–9.15pm at St Mary’s Hall, Overton

Soprano 1Kate BarrettSaskia RuncimanJanet BallLaura WilliamsDenise HillAntonia DurrantRose CrumpCerys ByrneCaroline CavillCharis RandallErin KirbyRachel KimberHeather McCallumMegan Bowers

Soprano 2Caroline GrahamTanya SidleyLiz BuckleyLisa BallardElaine MontegriffoDana HerbertJo MellorJulia MackenzieRichenda PowerSamantha FletcherVicky Oldfi eld

AltoAlison WallCorissa HuntHelen ToddCarrie BennettHannah Lindsey-ClarkClaire BowersLizzie SpencerSue DukePat GaultSusan MulroyNicola HickenSue ElliottLiz JolliffeCathy WandsMaggie Chiverton

SopranosLyn HardySue TeagleJulia HodgsonNicky NicklinDee Spenser BassPaul Timms

AltoBrenda BondCathy RobertsonAnna Williams TenorIan HaynesIan Pryce

The Steventon Singers is an off-shoot of the Steventon Players. The Steventon Players, formed in 2004, are an all-age (currently 2 to over 80!) group of villagers, families and friends who come together primarily to stage an annual show or pantomime in the village, although they have also appeared at The Anvil! For one of the smallest villages in the Borough, the range and depth of talent within Steventon is quite remarkable, so it is not unusual for more than a quarter of the residents to be involved in the Players’ productions.

The enthusiastic singing which is invariably a feature of the productions has gradually encouraged many of the members to want to get together on a more regular basis just to sing for fun, and so a ‘community choir’ was born. Meeting typically twice a month the Steventon Singers now have a regular attendance of over 20 members, many of whom do not read music and are completely new to ‘non-unison’ choral singing. They enjoy exploring a wide range of music in a variety of genres and styles. Whilst rehearsals are mainly a happy mixture of fun and fellowship, preparing the music for this evening’s concert has also involved a great deal of hard work and commitment

Steventon SingersMusical Director: Marilyn WrightAccompanist: Paul WrightRehearse: Fortnightly Tuesdays 7.30pm – 9pm at Steventon Village Hall

Tadley Singers is an SATB Community Choir formed in February 2011. With an emphasis on enjoyment through singing, the choir has now grown to 100 members who enjoy performing a widerepertoire from Mozart to modern popular music.

Through their concerts the Choir supports local charities helping to raise much needed funds. We are a non-audition Choir and have attracted many members who have not previously sung in a choir or cannot read music, as well as those who are in other choirs or choral societies.

If you would like us to perform for you in order to raise funds for your charity or are interested in joining us please contact:Marian Goss 01189 816505

Tadley Singers Musical Director: David OgbornAccompanist: Michael Kenning Rehearse: Wednesdays 2pm-4pm at Methodist Church, Newchurch Road, Tadley

SopranoSindy CoppinJan Everton BrowneKaterina DrewRosina FordeJulia FosterValerie KenningJackie OsmondChris SmithBarbara StewartCarla Woolnough

AltoSue BrinsleyRomy DodgsonLinda SennittJackie Ward la Pointe

TenorDave FosterIan Stewart

Bass Richard CoppinJeff DodgsonAlan DrewMike Everton BrowneTony FabianLinton Hall-DavisGeoff LawJohn Smith

Soprano 1Susan BoothWendy CapelHelen FollettMaria GalegoOlive KirbyKathy LingChreanne M-SmithCarol TaylorSuzie Wrighton

Soprano 2Margaret AllenNicole CaldicottDorothy CarrMonica ClarkPauline DyehouseJudith GoodchildTracey GrigoleitJo HardwickJill O’sullivanAnn RichardsMiriam StewartRita Trotman

AltosCelia AlderChristine AngwinBett BaldockLiz BoddyJune BojieAnn ConnollyAnn Ellis

Eleanor GardnerMarian GossPenny Griffi nJoyce HarrisonRhoda HazeldeneNorma HetheringtonSheena HoldenJean JohnsonShona LaurieGeraldine LewisMaureen McBarronBetty SmithJean SpencerJoan Thomas

TenorDave BallWarwick LovegroveDenis Murtagh

BassRalph BennettMalcolm ChappellTony HoldenDave Spencer

Music is a long running tradition at St Mary’s Church of England Junior School, Old Basing. The majority of pupils play musical instruments in the school ranging from piccolo to double bass. There are a range of musical clubs available including the school orchestra, band, recorders and ukulele club. The school music groups regularly perform around the local area in music festivals, concerts and events.

All pupils at St Mary’s sing and play music every week with many opportunities to perform and compose with activities such as learning the melodeon, playing samba, performing in musical theatre and composing movie music. Music runs through the very centre of life at St Mary’s where pupils are encouraged to have creative, challenging and enquiring minds in a culture of learning and laughter. The choir performing tonight is formed from the older children in the school ranging from 8-11 years old.

St Mary’s CE Junior School ChoirMusical Director: Ruth MaloneAccompanist: Jo Chittey

The Point is a purpose built youth centre for young people aged 11-19 in Tadley and the surrounding areas. The Point offers a safe space for young people from Monday to Friday, with a variety of projects to take part in, have fun, meet new friends and learn new skills.

Vocal Point, named by the young people, was formed back in February of 2018 as one of the many projects offered by The Point. The aim was to give young people the opportunity to be in a vocal group where they get to choose the music they sing.

Vocal Point runs every Wednesday evening in term time from 19:30-21:00 with a cost of just £1 per week. Years 6 - 13 welcome.

Vocal PointMusical Director: Kate BarrettAccompanist: Hannah Lindsey-Clark Rehearse: Wednesdays 7:30pm - 9pm,The Point, Tadley

Aimee Oliver Alice Anderson Alice Franklin Amaya O’Sullivan Amelia Gillings Amelia Jordan Amelia MayAna Patel-Potter Angus Haldane Anna Eustace Archie Hammond Cerys Atkin Charlotte O’Neill Charlotte Stephens Daisy Sutherland Daniel Medalla Darcey Richards Edward Anderson Edward Golding Eliane Stephens Emily Powell Estee Conde-Roberts

Finlay Domloge Holly Brett Imogen Edwards Imogen Kane Imogen Pyrke-Moran Imogen Selwyn Isaac Conde-Roberts Isaac Sylvester-Bradley Isabella Goudie Jennifer Eustace Jessica Croxon Joshua Cooper Kitty Sylvester-Bradley Lilly Leavey Lucie Clark Lucy Franklin Lucy O’Neill Maisie Rogers Marcel Elie Margarita Vasilyeva Matthew Curtis Max Carter

Megan Fisher Mia Smithson Nick CrowdyPasha Cobbett Poppy RobertsSamuel Vines Sophia Watson Sophie Binks Sophie Palmer Sophie Ward Tom Welsh-Smyth Tomas Jones Willow Vallery

Carly Emma Felicity Gracie LaraMeesha MeganOscar Poppy

Heritage Light OrchestraMusical Director: Neil Streeter

The orchestra was formed in 2013 for a one-off charity concert for The Basingstoke Lions. Tonight’s concert will be their 16th and their third time of accompanying a Basingstoke Festival of Choirs concert.

Most of their concerts have been for charities in both the Basingstoke and Newbury areas, but have also included playing in Winchester Cathedral for the 25th Anniversary service for Saint Michael’s Hospice, and accompanying Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society’s 60th anniversary concert in June of this year.

The players are drawn from musicians that Neil has got to know through both his teaching in Hampshire and Berkshire and through his work as a percussion player with many local operatic societies and orchestras.

Many of the players teach their instruments or play for youth orchestras or at conservatoires of music. Their experience enables them to sight read music quickly, allowing them to perform with a minimum of one rehearsal – two rehearsals for a concert is often a luxury.

In their charity concerts they are joined by local experienced singers to give a programme of light orchestral and show music.

ViolinsVicki Stapleton (Leader) Jenny Arthur Juliet Balch Sue Bint Harold Kershaw Vanessa Kershaw Marilyn Kilgour Rachel Lancaster Julia Rowntree Felicity SalterDayl Wallace

ViolasKen KilgourLalage Cochrane Karen Middleton Bob Perry

CellosSuzanne Coates Sally Ann Swift Liz Muir Fiona Turnbull Double BassesPhil Unwin Jocelyn O’Brien Flutes/PiccolosKay Gibbs Jane HodgsonHannah Lindsey-ClarkKate Barrett

OboesClive EvansSarah Dineen ClarinetsCharlotte Barlow Anne SmithRosalyn JonesMarilyn Wright BassoonsRobert Smith Roy Oldham

HornsSimon Haynes Katie SmithSteve Turvey

TrumpetsAndy SmetsLol Warburton Andrew Willis TrombonesTom Gibbs Nick Kershaw Alex Turvey TubaDaniel Barnes

Timpani and PercussionWendy HardingChris LittleNeil Streeter

Chairman: Dai OgbornSecretary: Marilyn Wright

Treasurer: Mike Pearce

The Basingstoke Festival of Choirs (BFOC) was formed in 2011 to provide a forum for choirs in theBasingstoke area and to assist in a variety of choral activities, promoting Basingstoke as a centre ofchoral excellence.

Their fi rst collaborative venture was for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 when, before asell-out Anvil audience, they presented music from across the 60 years of her reign. In July 2014 thechoirs once again joined forces in the Anvil, this time to pay tribute to the fallen of WWI. In 2016,accompanied by the Heritage Light Orchestra, they acknowledged Her Majesty the Queen’s 90 thbirthday with a musical tour of the British Isles. There are now twelve choirs actively participating inBFOC and tonight’s chorus is drawn from a total membership of over 500 singers. Membership isopen to all choirs in the Borough. Full details can be found on its website at https://bfoc.co.uk/

Basingstoke Festival of ChoirsBasingstoke Festival of ChoirsBasingstoke Festival of Choirs