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 2025
Elisabeth Curtis Centre, Riding School for the Disabled
The Elisabeth Curtis Centre is a purpose built riding centre for the Disabled in Bromham, Bedfordshire. They offer a range of activities with horses including riding, horse care and are launching carriage driving and 'tea with a pony'. They have provided therapy through riding since 1975. They are a member of the Riding for the Disabled Association with a focus on Bedford Borough.
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.
Accompanist
Richard Heyes
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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
Justin Waters Organist
Justin studied piano, cello and organ at New College, Oxford where he was a chorister, and at Wellington College, Berkshire. His love of music culminated in a Music degree at Sheffield University, where he was Organ Scholar and studied piano with Danielle Salamon. His music career continued as organist at Wells and Blackburn Cathedrals, and at the RNCM in Manchester, where he studied piano, organ and harpsicord. After several years in cathedral music, he decided to change career and read Computing Science, obtaining an Msc from London University. He now works as a Management Consultant and has been involved with all sorts of different projects, from helping to deliver the ‘Boris Bike’ scheme to installing finance systems at MoD sites. He now enjoys music as a hobby, playing for and conducting various choirs and ensembles, and loves accompanying.