Community

Hereward Harmony Charity Concert

It was the Christmas of 1987 when a group of friends got together for the evening and ended up having a sing-song around the piano. One or two had ‘a bit of a bent’ for music and started to harmonise their voices. It so happened that David Bache, one of the people present, had a lot of previous musical experience and on the strength of that evening’s harmonising suggested they form an ‘acapella’ singing group. And so, Hereward Harmony was born!

In a good cause

Just over a year ago one of our members collapsed with a severe stroke. He was lucky in that he was sensible enough to have his attack in Bretton, close to the General Hospital, and so received quick attention. Since his stroke he has made good progress, recovering some speech and movement thanks chiefly to his determination, his family’s support, his doctor’s skills and the help of the charity, the Stroke Association. This is a charity set up to research into reducing the effects and occurrence of strokes and to support the victims of stroke attacks and their families. John, our member, recently completed a sponsored walk in Ferry Meadows on behalf of the Stroke Association and this has inspired us to organise a Charity Concert to be held at the Fleet on 13 May 2017. We hope you’ll join us to enjoy the singing and support a great cause.  Charity concert, 13 May, The Fleet, Peterborough

The story so far…

Hereward Harmony are now Peterborough’s only male acapella chorus singing in the traditional Barbershop style. The chorus, consisting of around 20 members comprises bass, baritone, lead and tenor voices, all of which are needed to achieve the close harmony desired. We are always on the lookout for new members. At this point many men tend to think: ‘Well I can’t sing and I can’t read music, so that rules me out…’ NOT SO! Everyone can sing – some better than others admittedly – but everyone can sing. Don’t think you are alone and don’t think you are going to make a spectacle of yourself.

All our members felt a little unsure when they first joined, but it quickly wears off. We are not an elitist, starchy club – our members come from all walks of life. We are a friendly bunch and we will make you feel welcome. You will be taught in the ways of Barbershop singing and will receive weekly training with the aid of music scores, teach tapes and an inspiring chorus director. If you have 10-15 minutes a day and two and a half hours on a Thursday evening to spare, this could be for you. It’s not all practice, practice, practice however. We perform as a chorus several times a year in and around Peterborough at a variety of events – birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, retirement parties, fundraising charity events, store events and concerts.

You may have seen us perform at the Fleet, John Lewis, Dobbies Garden World, Huntingdon Garden Centre, Peterborough Town Hall for the Mayor, the Key Theatre, Cathedral Square, Whittlesey Festival, March Festival… the list goes on. We have also competed in the Annual British Association of Barbershop Singers National Convention. In 2014 we came first in our division.

We meet every Thursday evening from 7.30 to 10pm (including a tea break) at Napier Place Community Centre, Orton Wistow, Peterborough, PE2 6XN. Our practise evenings are open to visitors so just turn up, have a cup of tea and listen. Maybe you want to join up? Or book us? Either way come along and see what you think.

If you want to chat and ask questions first, call Brian McDonnell on 07740 987127 or Email Alan Lund at

Leave a Reply

Comments are closed.

Register an Account