Were you a member of Blackburn Bach Choir?

Can you help us find David Livingstone? 

He is one of over 300 singers who were once members of Blackburn Bach Choir (1965 – 1978), also known as the John Bertalot Singers (1978 – 1983), The Renaissance Singers (1983 – 2021) and currently Blackburn Chamber Choir.

With the choir about to celebrate its 60th anniversary, current singers are issuing a public appeal for former members to get in touch and come and join the birthday party!

“We’ve got contact details for most of our singers but have lost touch over the years with quite a few – and we’d like them to know about the celebrations so they can come along,” said Alan Crameri, choir chair.

Blackburn Bach Choir was formed on 20th May 1965 by the then Blackburn Cathedral organist John Bertalot. He invited applications from people interested in joining his choir and he had too many! He wanted singers who “had a sense of humour and could read music with their eyes shut!”. 26 people were selected from the applications.

The choir won the BBC ‘Let the Peoples Sing’ choir of the year competition two years running, in 1966 and 1967, earning the title of best choir in Great Britain.  It has been conducted by successive Cathedral Directors of Music, the post currently held by John Robinson.  It has gone on to make records/CDs and has regularly appeared on BBC radio 3 and 4.

The diamond anniversary event will be in the Cathedral crypt on Saturday 17 May – and all past and present members and supporters are welcome.  After a short concert celebrating the choir’s repertoire over the years, with a chance for everyone to sing, there will be Afternoon Tea and lots of catching up!  World-famous organist and choir trainer Dr John Bertalot, the choir’s founder, is guest of honour.

People can contact us at blackburnchamberchoir.com or email blackburnchamberchoir@gmail.com