About the Abbeydale Singers

 
 

38 years

Abbeydale Singers was formed by friends in Sheffield during 1986, under the direction of Kevin Haighton, and soon established a modus operandi with around 12 singers, able to accomplish at least eight part choral works for mixed voices. The choir has gradually expanded to our current size of 33 members, giving an excellent balance between younger and more experienced voices.

Musical direction

In January 2019, Kevin stood down as Musical Director of the choir, after over 32 years of dedicated service.

In January 2020, Lucy Joy Morris took over the baton and has led the choir through the pandemic. We are delighted to be back rehearsing and performing together in real life.

Abbeydale Singers have performed at a wide range of venues, including Hassop Hall, Sheffield Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, Sheffield City Hall, Crucible Playhouse and many other locations in the UK and overseas. They have enjoyed considerable success in choral competitions, most recently winning the prestigious Choir of the Festival award at the Isle of Man Festival of Choirs.

Memorable highlights include:

  • Isle of Man Festival of Choirs

    The choir won three trophies, including the prestigious Choir of the Festival.

  • Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts

    Winning two cups at the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts

  • Dublin

    Singing in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin for their Millennium Service.

  • Bangor International Music Festival

    Winning the prize for the choir which contributed most of the success of the Bangor International Music Festival.

  • Budapest

    Singing in the Matthias Church in Buda and St Michael’s Church in Pest on the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising.

  • Chatsworth

    Singing in the chapel at Chatsworth, raising money for the Edensor Church roof restoration fund.

  • Mrs Sunderland Choral Competition

    Winning the Huddersfield Centenary Trophy for the most outstanding choral performance in the prestigious ‘Mrs Sunderland’ Choral Competition with Ave Maria by Franz Biebl.

Our concerts

The choir gives two major concerts each year, one in the summer and the other at Christmas. It also has a strong commitment to the development of young musicians in the region, and through these concerts has provided a platform to young soloists, many of whom have gone onto successful musical careers.

  • Our first CD ‘A Fine Song for Singing’ was released in 1996 and our most recent CD ‘Christmas at Chatsworth’ was released in November 2010 in association with Chatsworth.

Join us

The choir rehearses weekly at Birkdale Prep School on a Thursday evening from 7:30pm to 9:45pm. If you are interested in joining the choir, please get in touch to arrange an audition or come along to a concert to see them in action.

The choir is available for formal and informal occasions, both indoor and outdoor – please get in touch to book the choir for your event.

We look forward to welcoming you to our next concert.