We are a mixed voice adult choir, with some 70 amateur singers from many different walks of life who are all passionate about singing. We sing a classical repertoire, from William Byrd to today’s composers, performing four concerts over the season, including our very popular Christmas Festivities; we are usually accompanied by the Bury Camerata and/or our super pianist or organist. There are also occasional other concerts and events such as Come and Sing! and compact concerts, a one hour concert “out of town” on a Sunday afternoon, and charity sing-outs.
Our professional Director of Music is Royal Conservatory of Madrid trained Juan Ortuño, assisted by our professional accompanists, pianist Jonathan Ellis and organist, Elin Rees. Our concerts are varied with a wide repertoire of primarily choral music, old and new.
Singing is for everyone. It is a cultural, collective activity and fosters well-being. We are open to all sections of the community, welcome new singers, young and not so young, and encourage our audiences and the wider population across the borough and wider district to enjoy and become involved in choral music.
The Society has a long connection with the civic authority of Bury and since 1902 The Mayor of Bury has been a Patron (and usually attends our concerts!). BCS has a long line of distinguished Chief Patrons and we are delighted that since March 2018 Sir Mark Elder CH CBE has been our new Chief Patron.
Chief Patron - Sir Mark Elder CH CBE
Our Chief Patron is Sir Mark Elder CH CBE. Sir Mark is the Music Director of the Halle Orchestra, Principal Artist of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and conducts many of the world’s leading orchestras as well as conducting in the major opera houses.
We are delighted and honoured that Sir Mark agreed to be our new Chief Patron in March 2019; he is the third Knight of the Realm to be Patron of the Society following in the footsteps of former Patrons, Sir Malcolm Sargent and Sir Charles Groves.
Juan Ortuno
Spanish conductor Juan Ortuño is enjoying an exciting career in the UK, where he is principal conductor of the Sheffield Symphony Orchestra and the Gorton Philharmonic Orchestra.
Jonathan Ellis began learning the piano at the age of three.
Jonathan Ellis
Jonathan Ellis
Jonathan Ellis began learning the piano at the age of three.
Elin Rees is the Organist at Bury Parish Church, a freelance accompanist, and piano and organ soloist.
Schubert: Magnificat in C, part 3
Juan Ortuño conducting Bury Choral Society, the Bury Camerata, organist Elin Rees and soloists Alicia Hill, Laura Wood, Joseph Buckmaster and Peter Lidbetter
Leeming: Cotton Mills (2013)
World premier performance of Zakiya Leeming's "Cotton Mills", specially commissioned by Bury Choral Society in celebration of its 175th season. Words by C. Richard Miles. Performed at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, on 12th May 2013. Conducted by Sinead Hayes.
Mozart: Requiem, Requiem Aeternam
Juan Ortuño conducting Bury Choral Society, the Bury Camerata, organist Elin Rees, and soloist Alicia Hill
Mozart: Requiem, Lacrimosa
Juan Ortuño conducting Bury Choral Society and the Bury Camerata
Mozart: Piano Concerto no: 26, 3rd movement
Soloist Jonathan Ellis, with Juan Ortuño conducting the Bury Camerata
Vivaldi: Gloria, opening
Juan Ortuño conducting Bury Choral Society, the Bury Camerata and organist Elin Rees
Maurice Duruflé: Ubi Caritas - One of four motets (composed 1960)
From the choir’s concert, November 2019
Louis Vierne: Messe Solennelle (1901)
From the choir’s concert, November 2019
Gabriel Fauré: Cantique de Jean Racine (1865)
From the choir’s concert, November 2019
Just an Hour – Fauré’s Requiem
On Saturday 20th November the Bury Town of Culture Open Day concluded with Bury Choral Societies concert in Bury Parish Church. Titled In Memoriam the programme was put together to remember the recent struggles of the pandemic. The following day the choir performed a...
Entente Cordiale!
The advanced publicity promised a large scale opening to the new season but, unfortunately, Elgar’s The Apostles has been postponed. However, the somewhat lighter weight mix of English and French music, including a stunning rendition by Elin Rees of Vierne’s Finale, 1st Organ Symphony…
Judas Maccabaeus
Those who attended Bury Choral Society’s performance of Handel’s rarely sung oratorio Judas Maccabaeus at All Saints Church, Stand, enjoyed a real treat. The choir of about sixty (a few more tenors would be helpful), with good diction, and most attentive to the...
Of Kings & Queens
Performed: 16th March 2019 Following the 20th Century English music of Bury Choral Society's concert commemorating the ending of the First World War and the joyful bagatelle of the Christmas Festivities, the choir demonstrated their versatility with a concert of...
Bury Choral Society, c/o 166 Tottington Road, Bury, Lancashire. BL8 1RU.