A very warm welcome to the website for The Fairfax Singers and our new 2023/24 Season

The Fairfax Singers have enjoyed singing as a choir since 1996, however many of our members have been singing for many years, both on and off stage with local Operatic Societies, Light Opera and Gilbert & Sullivan.

We sing ‘Choruses in Public’ and will gladly sing for anyone supporting a ‘good cause’.  We have helped raise money for local and National Charities and if your Charity or Good Cause would like a concert to raise the profile and hopefully some money, please get in touch via the ‘Contact Us’ page.

Variety is our aim and pleasure – from Ballads to Blues, Madrigals to Musicals, Sacred to Swing, Traditional or Trendy – Ancient or Modern we can cut our programme to suit your requirements.

We rehearse on a Tuesday evening 7.00pm – 9.00pm at The Queens Hall, 72, Main Street, Burley in Wharfedale, LS29 7BT with our Brilliant Musical Director – Martin Baker.

About Martin.….

In 1985 Martin graduated from the University of Huddersfield and was awarded the Hirst prize for Organ performance.  In the same year he was appointed Assistant Organist and Master of the Choristers at Bradford Cathedral.  He formed the Penistone Schools Area Choir comprising children from 43 of the feeder primary schools in the area, touring Germany and the UK.

Since 2004 Martin has been the Director of Music, Organist and Choir Master of St. Oswalds Church, Guiseley.  The church choir has sung at the Wakefield and Bradford Cathedrals, Derby and St. Albans.  The Organ Scholarship at St. Oswalds Church – overseen by him has been so successful this year, the current Scholar will shortly be entering Huddersfield University.

Martin enjoys a freelance career teaching organ, piano and singing.  He has accompanied the Fairfax Singers for 9 years and has become a stalwart of the Group.

And the singers……..

Fairfax Singers at Herncliffe Nursing Home in Keighley, September, 2023 – Yes – we sang outdoors, it was such a wonderful day and all the residents had chance to sit in the sun and be entertained.

and on a Sunny Sunday afternoon in Roberts Park in June of 2022 we were lucky to be able to entertain a large audience of music lovers of varying ages. For Several years, we have been part of the Saltaire Summer Music Programme in Roberts Park and also their winter programme in Shipley

 

 

 

This year we took part in a very similar event at the Ilkley Bandstand – on  a very windy day, but gloriously sunny – it was such fun, we really hope to do this again soon.

 

if this is the type of choir you are looking for,  new members –  with some singing experience are always welcome – please come and join us.  If your society has ceased to exist but you still have a desire to sing, we would love to see you, please get in touch  via the ‘Contact’  page.

CHRISTMAS SEASON 2023 as been a really busy time for us here at Fairfax Singers, our Yuletide season usually starts with a wonderful event:-

BRADFORD STAR MEMORIAL APPEAL in aid of the Lord Mayors’ Charity Appeal – and this year was no exception. A thoroughly enjoyable evening. The event is in celebration of those who wish to commemorate their lost loved ones by hanging a shining star on a wonderful Christmas Tree. Over the years, we have seen many people attend this ceremony in memory of their loved ones – our thanks go out to all those who organise this wonderfully well run evening.

 

 

ADDINGHAM PARISH CHURCH was our next venue on the 9th December and our concert of Christmas Music was much appreciated by the lovely audience. On this occasion we were privileged to have with us Guest artists Grace Middleton and Emelyn McCann. Two wonderful young musicians who are very much up and coming in their own sphere.
On one of the worst nights of the year, our Choir turned out in numbers to celebrate with the parishioners and friends of the Church. This is a wonderful venue and we are always made extremely welcome.

 

ST JAMES UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Our concert today was heartfelt, in fact more of a family event. We have much to be grateful for to the Doctors, Nurses and Staff at the Hospital as thanks to them our treasured Chairman was not only able to take part in our Concert today but was even a King in our rendition of ‘We Three Kings’ Well Done Dennis. A fantastic Tribute to all.

 

 

 

 

 

Soup and SongOur latest venture was a Lunchtime recital at St. Oswald’s Church, Guiseley. With our Joint Musical Director Martin Baker. Martin is Musical Director for both Church and Fairfax Singers, Soup was very tasty and very welcome, we were made very welcome and had a wonderful event singing amongst many of our friends.