Join Our Choir

The choir is seen here performing Howard Goodall's Psalm 23, the popular theme music from The Vicar of Dibley, with our professional guests, soprano Helen Massey and accompanist David Jones. Christopher Cromar conducts.

Here's what some of our choir members say.

Carol T - Second Soprano: I had always wanted to sing in a choir but there were so many excuses like the need to look after my four children, work commitments and countless other 'more important' things. But really what stopped me, if I'm honest, was a lack of self-confidence. Eventually I ran out of excuses and plucked up the courage to enquire about joining the choir and the next thing I knew I was at a choir rehearsal night.

Although I already knew a couple of choir members I was still rather nervous but looking back now I realise it was quite misplaced as I was made to feel extremely welcome by other members and before I knew it the choir had become a part of my life.

My first concert was the Christmas Concert which we performed at Congleton Town Hall. I have to admit that I suffered a little from stage fright. It was the first time in my life I had performed in front of a proper audience and even though I was just one of over 60 voices it felt like all eyes were on me. But I got through it and as we performed the final piece I remember being excited that I had, at last, achieved a life long ambition.

Since then my singing has improved enormously – I've even sung a small solo part in one of our concerts – and I feel a great sense of pride in belonging to a choir which is not only run in a professional manner but produces top quality concerts for the people of Congleton.

Carol H - Alto: I used to sing in choirs, but long working hours put paid to that. A couple of years ago I downshifted to part-time work and began looking round for a choir to join. Some were very specific about which voices they wanted, (only tenors and sopranos), whereas the CCS website just said 'can you sing in tune and read music', with an invitation to come and try.

I did; I got a very warm welcome, and have since met so many new people. After a couple of weeks, my 'audition' was very low key and friendly, which quickly dispelled any nerves, so I am now signed up. I have enjoyed the last couple of months; the Christmas concert and the chance to sing at other venues, including Advent at Swettenham and Carol Singing at Styal, which provided quite a variety. I am now looking forward to 2012.

Quentin - Bass, and Rachel - Alto: We have both enjoyed singing for a long time. Ages ago, I (Rachel) sang with Doncaster and District Choral Society, where I remember singing a solo in 'The Holly and the Ivy'. More recently, we both sang in a chamber choir called 'The Elizabethan Consort', based in Alsager, which Quentin conducted from 1996 until 2004.

Since then we have done a bit of ad hoc singing here and there, and eventually decided we wanted to start singing again regularly. We knew two members of CCS, and we could both make Monday rehearsals, so things came together this year and we thought we'd take the plunge!

We knew after the first week that we wanted to stay, if accepted, because everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and Christopher Cromar was inspiring as a conductor. So we're very happy to be members.