About Us

The Choir

Formed in 1991, the choir has had remarkable success not just as a vehicle for raising money for St Ann’s Hospice but as a choir which brings together over 100 people. Since its establishment 30 years ago, the Choir has raised over £800,000 for the Hospice. Thirty years later we continue to raise substantial yearly donations.

(See Gallery  for more pictures)

During our Christmas concert in 2023 concert John Pomphrey, Founder and Music Director of the Festival Choir, presented a cheque to Emma Dixon, Director of Clinical Services at the Hospice for over £12,600.  The total of this years fund raising.

Our second concert of the year is always in June. It is a fun and light-hearted Summer concert held at the Stockport Town Hall. The Choir has enjoyed singing music such as  Gilbert and Sullivan Choruses as well as George Gershwin, Rogers and Hammerstein and Cole Porter  pieces.  Nigel Ogden has previously joined us at the concert to play the wonderful organ at the Town Hall.

Due to our commitment to perform a high standard of disciplined singing, the Choir has had the opportunity to perform with the BBC Philharmonic and Hallé Orchestras. It has appeared on Songs of Praise twice, produced a CD of Christmas music and given concerts at the Royal Northern College of Music, the Bridgewater Hall and Manchester Cathedral.

 

John Pomphrey – Music & Artistic Director

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John studied music at the Northern School of Music and Bretton Hall College and worked in music education for over 35 years directing school music departments, examining Performance and Composing for Examining Boards, and leading choral workshops and festivals for primary and secondary schools. He was Assistant Chorus Master to the Hallé Choir for five years and has directed choral courses and workshops for the National Festival of Music for Youth, the BBC and the Royal School of Church Music. John still works as a specialist Vocal and Choral Adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals and is a Trustee/Director of ‘Youngchoirs’ – formerly the British Federation of Young Choirs.

John is Director of The Maia Singers and directs the voices of St Ann’s Hospice Festival Choir.