About the Choir
The Bedford Messiah Choir maintains a tradition which stretches back over 80 years. Since 1937, singers from local church choirs and choral societies have gathered together annually to sing Handel’s Messiah.Thanks to generous local sponsorship and loyal audiences, the choir has been able to donate at least £1000 every year to a local charity. Our annual performance of Handel's Messiah takes place in Bunyan Meeting, Mill Street, Bedford on the eve of Advent Sunday.Anyone is welcome to join the choir; there is always an influx of new members each year.
Charity Fundraising
Every year the members of the choir nominate and vote for a local charity. It’s always a hard decision with so many worthy contenders.
The chosen charity is promoted on our Facebook page and on our website. The charity is given the opportunity to showcase their activities at our annual concert. Concert attendees often have the chance to speak to the charity’s representative individually, after the concert.
Over the past five years we have raised over £8,000 for local charities.
BMC Charity for Autumn 2024
Project 229 are a pro-active, multi-agency community centre for people of all ages. (charity number 1178577)
Project 229 run, host and support the start-up of services to meet the needs of local people. Services range from crisis support all the way through to which empower people to counter isolation, build relationships, resilience, develop life-skills, be supported / support others, grow in self-esteem, make positive changes and feel more part of the community.
Services and activities range from crisis support (i.e. Debt support (CAP Money) and Foodbank distribution), low to medium level support (i.e. family support services countering isolation, adult learning, wellbeing programmes) through to social activities which help people to build better community connections and relationships (i.e. healthy activities, crafts, special interest groups, sports etc.)
For more details visit their website HERE
Our Sponsors
The choir is a registered charity (no. 1117616) raising funds via membership fees, concert tickets and donations. One of the key areas of funding is sponsorship.
We are grateful that every year, people sponsor the choir by generous donations or by providing their services free of charge. We also receive generous sponsorship from companies or organisations.
If you know of companies, organisations or individuals who would be willing to sponsor us please use the link below.
Please contact us HERE if you can help.
People
Janet Welsh
Conductor
Janet has gained diplomas from the Royal Academy, Trinity College and the London College of Music in piano and singing. Janet retired from teaching after 33 years of service in Harper Trust Schools. She has received multiple awards for music and fund raising in the community
As well as the Messiah Choir she also directs the Kempston Musical Society and the Ouse Valley Singers.
Janet has brought her love of music and choral singing to thousands of people, raising in excess of £250,000 for charity.
Richard Heyes
Organist
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Richard studied at the Royal Academy of Music. He was awarded an Organ Scholarship to Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge in 1979, and gained the A.R.C.O. Diploma with the Durrant and Sowerbutts prizes in 1983.
Richard is Organist and Choirmaster at the Parish Church of Sts. Peter & Paul, Newport Pagnell. He is also the Musical Director of the Sherwood Choral Society in Bletchley, the Dunstable Ladies' Choir and the Weston Warblers near Olney.
Richard teaches piano at Bedford School, the Harpur Music School in Bedford and privately throughout Bedfordshire