Yorkshire Youth Choirs

The York Youth Choir is now in its second season, and draws on the 16 to early twenties age group. About 30 strong, its members represent both private and state schools, the University, St. John's College, The College of Law, and the city's work force. Two founder members have been awarded Oxbridge Choral Scholarships, and two similar awards have been made to this year's members. The choir has already given several well-received concerts at various venues in York.

The choir's director, Andrew Carter, is well known as a choral composer and conductor. Oxford University Press and Banks Music publish his original works and arrangements, and in November 1989 Philip Ledger conducted Andrew's especially commissioned setting of the 'Benedicite' at the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh. He is in great demand as a festival adjudicator and he lectures and gives master classes throughout the country. Founder and conductor for 17 years of York's award-winning Chapter House Choir, Andrew has since worked in New Zealand and Australia, and makes his first tour of America this summer.


The Bradford Youth Singers was formed in September 1989. It was felt that Bradford lacked a centrally-based youth choir which could feed into the adult choirs of the district. The choir is fortunate to enjoy the support of the Bradford Festival Choral Society and Bradford Music Promotions. Its aim is to provide a well-balanced musical experience for young singers aged 12-18. The choir's fIrst term was highly successful and included 3 appearances with the Bradford Festival Choral Society. Future appearances already planned include a concert with the Jayess 87 Queensbury Band, and a guest appearance on a recording to be made later this year.

The choir's conductor, Malcolm Walker, is a well-known Bradford musician. He is both a singing member and an officer of the Bradford Festival Choral Society, and has for some years sung with the Bradford Choristers, a group of boys and men who perform church music to Cathedral standard. Equally at home singing alto, tenor or bass, he also enjoys playing the trombone for relaxation.


The City of Leeds Youth Choir was founded in September 1989 in response to the considerable growth in choral work within the city's high schools. With the City of Leeds Youth Orchestra, concert band and brass band, it completes a quartet of centrally- based ensembles under the auspices of the Education Authority, aiming to give young musicians an opportunity of enjoying instrumental and choral music of a high standard. The choir gave its first performance at the Leeds Schools' Music Association's Christmas Concert in Leeds Town Hall, and is due to perform Sir Peter Maxwell-Davies' s "First Ferry to Hoy" in the presence of the composer in the Leeds Festival in July. In its first year, the choir has received generous sponsorship from Opus 44 and Nicholas Haines Ltd.

The Choir's conductor, Lynn Hudson, is well known in Leeds for her association with Lawnswood School - a school with a high reputation for music making within the city. A music graduate of Leeds University, Lynn is more widely known as the conductor of 'Opus 44', the female voice Chamber Choir from Bingley. Last year this ensemble won the Choir Challenge in the centenary 'Mrs Sunderland' Music Festival in Huddersfield, and the Yorkshire Television premier award for the most outstanding performance in the Wharfedale Festival.


The Huddersfield Choral Society Youth Choir was founded in 1986, and has already performed over 20 concerts. With almost 140 members aged 13 - 21 it is probably the largest Youth Choir in the country. Although it falls under the auspices of the parent choir whose name it bears, it is artistically and administratively independent. However, to ensure that the highest standards are maintained, the team of adults who organise and train the choir, must all be singing members of the Huddersfield Choral Society. Following a highly successful concert tour of the Isle of Wight 2 years ago, the choir is to visit Germany for a similar tour next month. The choir is delighted to be hosting today's unique event.

Conductor Kenneth Rothery is a well known local musical personality. As well as singing with the Huddersfield Choral Society, he is conductor of Holmfirth Choral Society and the Honley Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and is organist and choirmaster at Parkwood Methodist Church. A former schoolmaster, he took early retirement in order to concentrate on music-making. He is a committee member of the 'Mrs Sunderland' Musical competition and teaches music to the Huddersfield Branch of U3A. He is in great demand as a speaker at local organisations, and regularly takes 50 - 100 of his musical friends by coach to Leeds or Manchester to see Opera North productions and other shows.