The Barnby Choir About Us

We are a mixed voice choir of soprano, alto, tenor and bass comprising around 70 members. We are based in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in the South Manchester area of the UK. Our conductor is Peter Stallworthy.

The Barnby Choir was founded by Bertie Barnby in 1945 for 'the enjoyment of making music, and to ensure accurate and meaningful performances', and we are proud that this season we are celebrating our Diamond Jubilee – 60 years of singing.

We meet every Tuesday evening from 7.45 to 10.00 pm for rehearsals at Wilmslow Methodist Church. The choir has been a registered charity since 1996, and is affiliated to Making Music, formerly known as the National Federation of Music Societies.

Foundation

In 1945, the Rev Ron Jones, Curate of Stand Church in Whitefield, near Manchester, formed a music club. It included six singers who met for rehearsal under the direction of the reverend Bertie Barnby, and they gave their first concert on 6th September 1945. The programme included 'The Marv'llous Works' and 'The Heavens are Telling' from Haydn's 'Creation'. This group grew rapidly and soon became known as 'The Barnby Choir'.

Bertie Barnby and Manchester Cathedral

click on photo to go to Manchester Cathedral website

Bertie Barnby came from a musical family. His father was a professional musician and Sir Joseph Barnby was his great uncle. Bertie won an exhibition to Christ College, Cambridge, where he read English and Theology. He was on the staff of Manchester Cathedral from 1946 to 1950 and whilst he was there the choir rehearsed in the Cathedral and gave performances of major choral works. The first full work they performed was Bach's St Matthew's Passion. Mr Norman Cocker was the organist. This was the first performance of its kind given in the Cathedral after the war.

From North to South Manchester Jenny, one of our altos

In 1950, Bertie moved to St Aidan's Church in Sudden, Rochdale. As well as giving performances of oratorios and other music of a similar nature in local churches, the choir regularly took part in the 'Epilogue' which was broadcast each evening on the radio. In 1956, Bertie's church choir and The Barnby Choir went to West Germany together where they toured for two weeks giving concerts of both secular and sacred music. The organist at that time was Mr Ronald Frost, who is now Organist and Choir Master at St Ann's Church, Manchester, and who was Chorus Master of the Hallé Choir for many years.

When Bertie moved to Bramhall in 1956, the Barnby Choir used his church, St Michael's, as a base for rehearsals and concerts and although some of the members from North Manchester left, many new singers joined the choir.

Wilmslow becomes the New Base

In 1976, Bertie moved parish again. For the first time he left the Manchester area and moved to West Kirby. This meant that he was unable to continue running his choir, after 31 years.

Bertie Barnby Retires

In 1982, Bertie retired and moved to Scarborough where he enjoyed a full and active retirement. After his move to West Kirby in 1976, he was made Life-President of the choir and he continued to take a lively interest in its activities. He came to choir's Golden Anniversary Concert in November 1995, and in March 1996, although extremely unwell, he attended the Golden Anniversary Dinner. Bertie died in November 1996.

Leadership after Bertie Barnby

When Bertie Barnby moved to West Kirby, a committee was formed to run the choir. Paul Bryan, who had been the accompanist and organist of the choir for several years, took over as conductor for two seasons, until he obtained the post of Director of Music at the Choir School at St John's College, Cambridge.

His successor was David Greensmith, also a graduate of St John's College, Cambridge, who had come to Wilmslow in 1977 to be headmaster of Thorngrove Comprehensive School. He was a professional musician, organist and choirmaster, whose charisma and enthusiasm for making music inspired the choir until he was obliged to change his career in 1990 and relinquish his position as conductor.

David's wife, Ann Greensmith, then took over. Ann is also a professional musician and teacher and was trained at the Royal Academy of Music. In 1993, Ann resigned as conductor, having obtained a post in Leamington Spa, but David did not live to move there with her. Sadly he died suddenly, at the early age of 55, from a heart condition known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. In 1994 the Barnby Choir performed a charity concert in aid of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, in memory of David.

Andrew Dean, who was Director of Music at Manchester Grammar School, took over from Ann Greensmith in 1993 and remained with the choir until May 1999. He was succeeded by Peter Stallworthy, our present conductor, whose appointment began at the start of the 1999/2000 season.

Genealogy

We have had numerous enquiries about the Barnby family line, several from the USA. While we do not have any information ourselves, Barrie Clifford (click here to contact Barrie) would be happy to field any enquiries. Barrie has done research into the Barnby family history. If you have any links to Barnby genealogy, we would be happy to mention you. Please contact us with information.