£1000 donation to Crisis Centre

Although the Christmas concert took place as a live-stream only, the majority of people who had bought tickets were happy to donate the money to Andover Crisis & Support Centre.  As a result the choir was able to present a cheque for £1000 to the Centre in mid-January.  Pictured here are Elaine Oates (Senior Project Worker at ACSC) and choir committee member Tim James.

Background

The group was formed originally in 1971 with friends getting together to sing Christmas carols to the accompaniment of an antique portable harmonium. The instrument itself has long been left behind but the group has gone from strength to strength and established itself as a successful local chamber choir, becoming Andover Chamber Choir in January 2022.

Often singing without accompaniment, the Harmonium Singers specialised in smaller-scale choral repertoire from the 16th century to the present day, both sacred and secular.  Thoughtful sequences of words and music with a particular theme or spiritual dimension  became a feature of programmes.  The group often performed for local community or charity events in and around Andover.  For more details see About us.

On reaching its 50th anniversary the choir has decided to change its name as a new chapter begins with a new musical director, Andrew Wyndham.

A new website is in preparation, but the choir has already started rehearsals for its next concert in the spring (see below) when the name will be different but the faces, friendships and joy of making music will be the same.  Watch this space!