Spotlight — The Brixi Singers

When and where did you form?

The Brixi Singers — formed in 1994 in Bolton — are a chamber choir of 22 singers. There is a 50 year age range and the choir is wholly amateur. Members are auditioned and have to be proficient in sight singing.

What is your sound and who are your influences?

They perform a huge range of types of music — large sacred works, eg, Handel`s Messiah, Bach`s B Minor Mass, Carl Orff`s Carmina Burana (either alone as a group or in collaboration with other groups) and smaller sacred, classical pieces. Also lighter music — selections from shows, eg, Les Miserables, South Pacific, Oliver and jazz pieces, folk songs, spirituals and other popular songs.

What is the biggest concert you have played to date?

The choir have undertaken five European concert tours — to Normandy and Brittany, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Paris and the Rhine Valley.

One of the most wonderful experiences was performing a concert in Notre Dame, Paris, to an audience of several hundred tourists and the most moving experience was singing for the daily service of remembrance at dusk at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

The choir have also performed concerts in Oxford, The Lake District and on BBC Radio Manchester.

Is there anything unusual or interesting about the band?

They have had several pieces specially composed for the group. The Brixi Singers regularly sing at weddings and charity concerts. They have also sung at Masonic evenings. As well as performing locally, the choir aims to reach further afield to a wider audience.

Forthcoming concerts?

The next concert is at 7.30pm on Saturday at St Brendan`s R.C. Church, Longsight, Harwood.

This is a mainly light programme with one or two interesting classical pieces included.

On October 17, they will be performing Mozart`s Requiem and other works, with orchestra, at Christ Church, Didsbury, Manchester, and the Christmas concert is on Friday, December 18, at Rivington church.

For more information, call 07862736766.