| The CHAD Singers of Pattingham |
The CHAD Singers
are a mixed choir of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses, with
a varied repertoire including religious, popular and show music,
available for most types of fund raising functions.
Our aim is to 'Sing for charity' whilst enjoying the music and
the company.
If you are looking for a musical ingredient in your next fund
raising event, why not invite the CHAD SINGERS ? Call Sue Penny
on 01902 700136 for more information.
Formed in 2001 by the current Musical Director, John Fellows,
the choir of about 45 singers is based in the picturesque South
Staffordshire village of Pattingham, near Wolverhampton.
Welcome
to our new Musical Director, Colin Harper
 Following the retirement
of the choir's founder and Musical Director, John Fellows, the
newly appointed MD is Colin Harper.
Colin is the organist and choirmaster at St Chad's Church, Pattingham
and has a vast experience in music having taught and performed
in many places around the world.
He will begin conducting rehearsals starting on Wednesday 11th
January in the Village Hall at 7.30pm. For this first rehearsal,
the choir will be working on two new pieces. 'Kalinca', a Russian
song, (download music >>), to be followed by
Haydn's 'The Heavens are Telling' (download music >>).
(Colin
more
info
>>) |
Celebrate Christmas with
the Chad Singers Chad
Singers held their annual Christmas Concert in St Chad's Church
on Wednesday 14th December.
An audience of over 200 watched the choir perform traditional
carols and several brand new choral pieces including 'The Night
He was Born' by Bob Chilcott, 'Shepherd's Pipe Carol' and 'Christmas
Lullaby' by John Rutter, the beautiful 'Sleep, Baby, Sleep' by
Andrew Goddard, a Christmas Medley of popular tunes and rousing
renditions of the '12 days of Christmas' with the odd animal
and bird sounds and finally 'We wish you a Merry Christmas'.
During the interval, the audience was served with seasonal fruit
cake, mince pies and mulled wine.
 The concert was performed
in aid of the South Staffordshire First Responders, the choir's
charity for this year with the amount of £480 being raised.
The
concert is the last one to be conducted by our Musical Director,
John Fellows, who is retiring from the position. John started
the choir over ten years ago and has worked intensely over this
period arranging most of the choir's music, taking the regular
rehearsals being both conductor and accompanist, being a committee
member and leading the singers through the many concerts that
have been performed over the years. We understand John will still
be part of the choir as a tenor singer and we all wish him our
very best wishes for the future.
Our new Musical Director will be Colin Harper, the Church Choirmaster
and Organist and we welcome him to Chad Singers in the new year. |
 Another successful
Concert...
Yet
another successful Concert featuring the very popular second
half 'Last Night at the Proms' was a complete 'sell-out' at our
Concert on Saturday 8th October 2011. A maximum audience of 150
filled the Village Hall in Pattingham.
The first half included popular items such as The Anthem from
Chess, The Rythym of Life, Over the Rainbow, West Side Story
and solos from Eileen singing 'From a Distance' and Mike Hayward
performing an immaculate solo of 'If I were a Rich Man' from
Fiddler on the Roof. The second half saw a rousing performance
of the 'Last Night of the Proms' with enthusiastic participation
from the audience and a brilliant Britannia leading us through
'Rule Britannia'.
The concert was in aid of the choir's chosen charity for this
year, the South Staffordshire 1st Responders with a generous
amount of approx. £1350 being raised. Thanks go to our
audience and all those involved in the performance and manning the bar and interval
catering. |
|
Our NEW group
photograph...
Thanks
to you all for coming in your official choir outfit and your
patience whilst the group photograph was being arranged and taken.
I think you'll agree that the effort was worth it !
To view an
enlarged version, click here
To download
a PDF copy, click here
|
 We celebrate our
10th anniversary...
The CHAD Singers of Pattingham
have now been performing to raise money for charities for 10
years and to celebrate this anniversary, the choir performed
a special Concert entitled 'Hopes and Dreams'.
The celebratory Concert took place in St Chad's Church, Pattingham
on Saturday 9th April 2011 starting at 7.30pm., a fitting venue
as this is the place where the choir began, after an event called
'Hopes and Dreams'. The choir's name was derived from Choir
of Hopes And Dreams (CHAD).
The first half of the Concert represented 'The Passion of Easter'
and saw the choir singing The Hopes and Dreams hymn followed
by a special version of the Lord's prayer composed by Paul Ibberson,
whose parents Liz and Henry live in Pattingham. Henry was the
excellent MC for the night.
This was followed by the Wolverhampton Girls' High School Ensemble
playing Menuet and Badinerie by Bach.
 After this Mike
Richards played three classical guitar pieces by Tarrega
and Carcassi. The choir then performed Faure's Requiem, fulfilling
a challenge they had set themselves some years ago. Afterwards,
John Fellows, the choir's Musical Director agreed that "this
performance was the best I have heard performed by a choir in
the village". The soloists were Mary James, soprano and
Ron Beardsmore, baritone.
After the interval during which the audience was treated to a
glass of wine and a piece of special 10th Anniversary cake, baked
by Sue Riches, another villager from Pattingham.
The second half of the Concert entitled 'The Triumph of Easter',
included more pieces from the Choir, a solo of the Toccata/Symphony
5 by Widor by organist, Colin Harper and additional performances
by the Ensemble and Mike Richards. The choir's final piece was the resounding 'And
the Glory of the Lord' from Handel's Messiah.
Judging by the many compliments given after the evening and more
in the form of emails received by John Fellows, the very special
Celebratory Concert proved to be total success and emphasied
the many talents exhibited by the CHAD Singer's Choir with the
many guest singers, the pupils and teachers in the Wolverhampton
Girl's High School Ensemble, organist and accompanist Colin Harper
and classical guitarist, Mike Richards.
Thanks go to all the performancers and the many helpers working
in the background whose efforts made the event a true success
and a night to remember.
Over it's 10 years, the choir has raised over £16,000 for
various charities including West Midlands Air Ambulance, RDA,
Wolverhampton Multi-Care, Penn Hall and many others. This year's
chosen charities are local and include the First Responders.
Download
a copy of the Concert Programme
>>Programme
Cheque
presentation...
Following the successful 'Hopes and Dreams' Concert, the profits
made at this event were donated to St. Chad's Church in Pattingham.
A cheque for just under £1300 was presented to Revd. Maureen
Hobbs, the Priest-in-charge at St. Chad's by the choir's Chairman,
Alan Hickman, accompanied by the choir's new Treasurer, Sue Penny.
This presentation took place at 11.00am after Morning Service
on Sunday 29th May. |
 Christmas
Concert 2010
On
the evening of Wednesday 15th December in St Chad's Church, Pattingham,
the CHAD Singers performed their 2010 Christmas Concert to an
audience of over 160 people.
The cantata 'Born a King' by John W.Peterson took up the first
half, with a selection of traditional carols and Christmas songs
filling the second half, including two songs composed by our
Musical Director and Conductor, John Fellows. Mince pies and
mulled wine were served in the interval.
Proceeds of the event were for the choir's chosen charity for
2009/2010, The Midlands Air Ambulance.
Thanks go to all those who helped in anyway to ensure that the
concert ran smoothly. |
 A
90th Birthday...
At
the rehearsal on Wednesday 20th October 2010, Ann Hawkins, a
member of our choir for many years, celebrated her 90th birthday.
She was presented with a special birthday card, in which was
the musical score for a unique version of 'Congratulations',
specially composed for Ann by our Musical Director, John Fellows.
The choir sang this to Ann, this performance being recorded on
the choir's new Zoom recorder. The audio file will be available
for download shortly. Many, many congratulations, Ann. |
Singing Tips... A NEW section offering a series of
helpful aids to improve your singing. more info >>
Singing
is good for you... Studies show that singing can improve your well-being. more info >> |
We win 'Grassroots' grant...
At
the last rehearsal on Wednesday 22nd September 2010, our Chairman,
Alan Hickman announced that he had been successful in gaining
a grant of £2100 from the Staffordshire Community Foundation
under the 'Grassroots Grants' scheme. This will be used for a
professional audio recorder to be used in practices and concerts,
together with kitting the choir with a uniform. The design has
been decided and includes a red jacket for the ladies, worn with
a black camisole and the CHAD Singer's scarf, whilst the men
now have red ties and bows, which will worn with diner suits
for special occassions. |
New Sponsorship for 2011
The
Midcounties Co-operative, through their shop in Pattingham, have
awarded Co-operative membership Community Funding to the choir
for a year with a donation of £250.
Our sincere thanks to the company for their kind support.
Visit their website at www.midcounties.coop |
New Sponsorship for 2011
We are extremely grateful to the
Dudley Building Society who have agreed to sponsor the
choir for a further 12 months. This sponsorship helps us to defray
some of the choir's running costs so that more funds can be dedicated
to our chosen charity. Visit their website at www.dudleybuildingsociety.co.uk |
|
|
 Cheque
Presentation for RDA...
On
Thursday 12th November 2009 several members of the choir visited
the stables near Pattingham where Alan Hickman, our Chairman,
presented a cheque for £1747.31 to the children who benefit
from the RDA. This impressive sum had been raised by the choir
at their Christmas and St George's Concerts during 2008/9.
The chosen charity was RDA, the riding for the disabled association
which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to
enjoy a safe, healthy, therapeutic and recreational sport, using
horses.
|
 Two St George's Concerts...
Brewood on 18th April...
Our
first St George's Concert this year, was held in St Mary's and
St Chad's Church in Brewood on Saturday 18th April 2009.
We had been requested to perform this concert to help raise money
for their Organ Appeal.
The
Church was full and the audience enjoyed a first half which consisted
of four songs from 'Merrie England', together with the ladies
singing a specially arranged version of 'In an English Country
Garden'. After a reading of a poignant poem by Joan Fellows,
the men performed a medley of World War 1 songs... a popular
item in the repertoire.Thanks go to all those who were involved
in this concert. Click
Video >>
|
 ...followed by Pattingham
on 25th April
The
Choir performed the same concert on Saturday 25th April, but
this time in the Pattingham Village Hall.
Mike Richards was again our Master of Ceremonies and did an excellent
job, informing the audience of some of the background to the
songs being performed, all with a subtle touch of humour.
After the interval, during which a Cheese and Wine Supper was
served, the 'Last Night of the Proms' finale was performed with
lots of audience participation, waving their flags whilst singing
to the stirring patriotic music.
Over £1000 was raised for this year's charity from the
sales of tickets, the raffle, programmes and song sheets plus
the bar, and we thank everyone for their kind generosity and
all their help in staging these successful fund-raising concerts.
Cheque
presentation...
After the interval, Matt Ward (centre), the Marketing Manager
of the Dudley Building Society, presented a cheque for £500
to John Fellows, our Musical Director (left) and Alan Hickman,
our Chairman (right). This is for a sponsorship of the choir
for a year and will help to offset some of the running costs
of the choir, such as hire of the rehearsal room each fortnight
and some of the new music sheets.
We are extremely grateful to the Society for their kind generosity
and will promote their name at all choir performances. Visit
their website at www.dudleybuildingsociety.co.uk |
 |
 |
About RDA, our charity
for 2008/9...
After the interval, Sylvia gave an insight of what the RDA does
for the handicapped. She gave a moving account of how the association
benefitted a local child and explained afterwards that she could
have recalled countless similar stories that would have taken
most of the evening to tell. Thank you Sylvia.
To find out more about the
Association, click on www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk
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|
 'Sing-along'
Concert at Pattingham Club
On
Saturday 28th February 2009, the choir performed a concert for
the members at the Pattingham WM Club of music from the Shows,
popular songs and an audience 'Sing-along'.
Thirty six
members of the choir performed the Concert to an audience of
around 60 and a generous sum was raised for the choir's fund.
It's likely that this event will be repeated in the future.
|
A
Christmas Concert for 2008
Our Christmas
Concert on 17th December 2008 held in St Chad's Church in Pattingham
was another success, raising more for this year's charity, RDA
- Riding for the Disabled.
The church was full with over 200 people and a representative
from RDA gave a short talk of how the charity helps many disabled
people in so many ways. The large audience enjoyed the concert
and the mince pies and mulled wine served during the interval.
Thanks to all those who were involved in this very successful
event.
Our sponsors were... Sainsburys - Pickwick Ovens
With the money raised at this event, together with the that collected
on Saturday morning on the 20th December, when the choir sang
carols and Christmas songs outside the Pattingham Shops for an
hour and a half, a total approaching £1000
was raised for this year's charity.
Adding this with the amount raised at the Christmas Concert in
Claverley means that to date a total of approximately £1150
has been placed in the RDA Charity account. |
|
Christmas
Carols and Songs at Claverley
At 9.00pm on Friday 12th December
2009, the CHAD Singers performed an hour long concert of Christmas
Carols and Songs in the Village Hall in Claverley to help raise
funds for the Hall.
To an audience of approximately 90, who had all enjoyed a Christmas
meal, a mixture of well-known carols, popular songs and choral
pieces was performed by 37 members of the choir.
The performance obviously went
well as the Choir was presented with a cheque for £150
for their charity, which this year is the Riding for the Disabled
Association.
An encore was also requested, so for a second time the rousing
'We wish you a Merry Christmas' was performed.
The Master of Ceremonies for
the night and also our Chairman, Alan Hickman, thanked the Claverley
audience for their invitation to sing in their Village Hall and
the kind contribution to our 2009 charity.
|
Cheque
Presentation to Wolverhampton Multi-Care
 On
Tuesday 5th August 2008, a group of The Chad Singers visited
the home of Wolverhampton Multi-Care in Hilton Street, when our
Chairman, Alan Hickman presented a cheque for £1776.41.
This represented the year's dedication of the choir to raise
funds for the charity and was achieved by the choir's Christmas
Concert and Carol singing, plus the very successful and popular
'Last Night of the Proms' Concert held in Pattingham Village
Hall in April 2008.
We thank Mary and her colleagues for making us so welcome to
the home and for providing excellent unexpected refreshments.
We hope that this contribution will ease the large costs of running
the home and wish all involved in its operation, our very best
wishes for the future.
See
the 'Thank You' letter... |
Rutter
by Rutter Concert - Our visit to Symphony Hall  
On Saturday 7th June 2008, a group
of around 40 of the Chad Singers attended the 'Rutter by Rutter'
Concert held at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham. |
'Last Night of the Proms' Concert -
Another £1000 raised...
What a
night !!! Saturday 26th April 2008 saw another spectacularly
successful CHAD Singers Concert on a 'Last Night of the Proms'
theme.
With a choir some 40 strong, the evening was introduced by our
Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Mike Richards, who in resplendent attire
started in true 'Music Hall' tradition giving the details of
the first half of the concert which was a musical tour of the
British Isles. With some audience participation, we visited Ireland
with 'Danny Boy', 'Cockles and Mussels, 'Phil the Fluter' performed
by three 'Irish' singers and a musical distraction with Paddie
Owen's Band with their performances on penny whistles, drums
and various accompanying sounds of a vintage car horn, whistle
and sliding whistle. Scotland was visited with 'Loch Lomond',
'Mull of Kintyre' and 'The Skye Boat Song'. Back to England with
performances of 'Ilkley Moot Baht 'at', 'In a English country
garden' (sung by the Ladies), 'Scarborough Fair, and 'Rose of
England'. Wales was not left out with 'All through the night',
and a 'Medley of Welsh favourites' performed by the men of the
choir, with some sung in Welsh !
After a Cheese and Wine Supper interval, the concert resumed
with the ceremony of placing a wreath on the bust of Sir Henry
Wood.
We then enjoyed an energetic 30 minutes of 'Last Night of the
Proms' with everyone joining in the festivities singing with
full voices and lots of flag waving. The evening ended with 'God
save the Queen' and 'Auld Lang Syne'.
Just over £1000 was raised for our charity of Wolverhampton
Multi-Care, which will be added to the sum of £725 raised
at Christmas. We were pleased to have Mary Gittings from Wolverhampton
Multi-Care in the audience who gave a short address outlining
how the charity operates in helping those who care for the severely
handicapped.
We would like to thank sincerely all of those who helped in any
way to make this event most enjoyable and successful.
Order
your DVD video disk...
A video taken by Janet Bramall has now been edited and is available
on DVD disk at a cost of £4, which will be donated to our
charity. Contact Mike Coope (700973) for your copy of this memorable
evening.
more
info & photos >>
Christmas 2007... £725 raised
Our
Concert on 19th December 2007 held in St Chad's Church in Pattingham
was a success raising some £515 for this year's charity,
Wolverhampton Multi-Care. The church was packed with over 200
people and Mary Gittings gave a short talk of what Multi-Care
was about and its future plans. The large audience enjoyed the
concert and the mince pies and mulled wine served during the
interval. Thanks to all those who were involved in this very
successful event.
Our sponsors were...
Muras Baker Jones Chartered Accountants
Asda - Pickwick Ovens - Waitrose.
  On the following Saturday,
the 22nd December, we performed Christmas carols outside the
Pattingham Shops. Despite the cold, damp weather, we collected
£205 over the two hours of singing, which again will go
to our 2008 charity, Wolverhampton Multi-Care.
We were joined by a young Flautist who performed 'Away in a manger'.
Click picture for video...
John
Daimond retires...
 The
Priest-in-charge at St. Chad's Church in Pattingham, John Daimond,
retired at the end of December 2007 and to mark this, the Churchwardens
organised a 'Farewell and Thank You Lunch' in the Village hall
at 12.00 noon on Sunday 30th December.
Over 200 villagers attended and the CHAD Singers gave a special
performance of three songs including a specially written version
of 'A whiter shade of pale' to mark the occasion.
photos >>
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