Introducing the Choir

Newstead Abbey in Nottingham is the ancestral home of internationally-renowned poet Lord Byron. 

There are some 20 people in Newstead Abbey Singers.  The choir started out around Christmas 1959 as friends singing carols in Newstead Abbey grounds, collecting for the Sue Ryder Foundation. Our busy concert schedule still includes fund raising - we've helped raise thousands of pounds for charities and local organisations. 

Newstead Abbey Singers' music ranges from Monteverdi, Palestrina, Vittoria and Bach through Mozart, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Faure to Ireland, Holst, Rutter, Goodall, Chilcott and Bullard.  With madrigals and Cole Porter, Gershwin and Beatles songs; carols and folk songs the world over; songs from Carousel, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady; plus specially commissioned works, our repertoire enables us to tailor programmes to suit each occasion.

Click to hear "African Noel" by Ronald Kaufmann.

May 2010 saw our Golden Anniversary Concert, at St John's, Carrington.  Accompanied by our String Ensemble, we sang Pergolesi's Magnificat, Faure's Cantique, and Monteverdi's Beatus Vir; plus several a capella items. In June we sang folk songs in Southwell Minster as part of the "Gate to Southwell" Festival, partnering Sheffield Folk Chorale.  In July, on a rather breezy day, we gave an afternoon concert in the grounds of Newstead Abbey - a delightful return to our inspirational home.  December 2010 saw us singing our Carol Concert in Carrington, to round off our Year.

Over the years, we've performed in concert venues and churches throughout the Midlands and in Europe, developing strong links with Karlsruhe Konzertchor, Germany and Estelots Choir, Menorca.  Why not book us for your special event, wedding or other celebration?  Our Concert Schedule is shown below.

Click to hear John Tavener's "The Lamb"

We're always delighted to talk to any experienced singer interested in joining us.  We rehearse Friday evenings in an informal, friendly atmosphere twice a month in Easthorpe Hall, Southwell and in choir members’ houses or other venues. Contact any Choir member or the Musical Director to find out more; telephone numbers and our email address are given below.

Our Musical Director is Nicholas Thorpe, Director of Music at Wellow House School, Senior Lay Clerk in Southwell Minister Choir and Chairman of Midlands Region, Association of British Choral Directors.

The Singers are a registered charity and members of Making Music – The National Federation of Music Societies.

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