Features

Peterborough Youth Choir

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It’s barely been in existence two years, but an expanding group of singing youngsters has already begun to make its mark in Peterborough. What’s more, had it not been for the city’s long-established and award-winning Peterborough Male Voice Choir, this inspiring project might never have happened... PAUL PRENTICE reports

As Christmas approaches, Peterborough Youth Choir (PYC) – a mixed age-group Peterborough Youth Choir, which welcomes both boys and girls – is preparing and rehearsing for its biggest and most high-profile gig yet. They will be providing young performers for the big-name productions that London West End impresario Bill Kenwright is bringing to the city’s Broadway Theatre, including the long-running Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice production, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Gracing the stage between 17 December and 5 January, Joseph has enjoyed sensational reviews, and continues to enjoy huge success across the country with standing ovations at every performance. The star-studded season of shows kicks off with a grand opening at the 1,200-seat Broadway Theatre on 30 October, with a production of Evita starring Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow, which runs until 9 November. Another Rice/Lloyd Webber hit, this extraordinary musical features some of the biggest hit songs ever written, including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night Of A Thousand Stars, Another Suitcase In Another Hall, Oh What A Circus, You Must Love Me and many more. Bill Kenwright Ltd’s Commercial Director Steve Potts says: ‘I have heard great things about the Peterborough Youth Choir and am looking forward to are committed to developing emerging talent and this is a wonderful opportunity to do just that.’

The young singers are provided with professional direction and support, and given the opportunity to perform on stage in high-profile, prestigious productions with outstanding professional musicians

The story begins in 2011, when PYC was formed by the renowned Peterborough Male Voice Choir, in order to provide local children and young people with the opportunity to learn to sing free of charge (there are no membership fees, with PYC being subsidised by PMVC and sister choir Peterborough Voices). From the outset, the young singers would be provided with professional direction and support, and given the opportunity to perform on stage with PMVC in high-profile, prestigious productions with outstanding professional musicians. Led by international award-winning choral conductor Will Prideaux, PYC rehearsals are assisted by accompanists Matthew Jones and Liz Hallam as well as a dedicated team of DBS checked adult chaperones.

Already, the prize-winning youngsters have performed with the late Bernie Nolan, legendary soprano Lesley Garrett, the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band (as immortalised in the 1994 film Brassed Off), and the multiaward winning Aurin Girls’ Choir from Hungary. In 2013 alone, the young choir has grown to include over 110 children age seven and over from 15 schools in and around the city. In March, they won distinctions at the Peterborough and Oundle Music Festivals, and the following month undertook their first residential training…

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