St Ann’s Hospice Festival Choir in preparation for 27th annual Christmas concert

St Ann’s Hospice Festival Choir will take to the stage at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, on Friday 6^th December for their 27^th Christmas concert.  The choir will be joined by the Loreto Preparatory School Choir to entertain families with a programme packed full of seasonal music and carols, raising valuable funds for the Cheadle charity in the process. 

Founded by Music Director John Pomphrey, St Ann’s Hospice Festival Choir has raised more than £700,000 since it was formed in 1991.

Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive of St Ann’s Hospice, said:

We are so grateful to John and his amazing Festival Choir for their support over the last 27 years. The time that they dedicate to supporting St Ann’s and the amount that they have raised for us over the years is truly incredible and we can’t thank them enough.”

 Dr Barbara Murray has sung in the choir for 15 years. She said:

There will be around 100 of us performing along with 60 children from the Loreto Preparatory School Choir and the most wonderful brass ensemble, Corus Brass who play the most beautiful and uplifting music. John Pomphrey is a superb and well-respected musical director, with a great sense of humour. He is accompanied by concert pianist Chris Ellis, whose incredible talent combines to make us proud to be part of this annual fundraiser on behalf of the hospice. John likes to engage the audience and encourages audience participation, it’s a true family event.

“I joined the St Ann’s Hospice Festival Choir in 2004, not long after my husband died. Going to practice on Friday evenings after a stressful day in my practice helped me so much at that time. As a doctor, I can appreciate the therapeutic benefits of singing with a group of people with a common purpose. This year’s concert is on the anniversary of my husband’s death, so it’s going to be especially poignant for me and I’ll be thinking of him throughout what I’m sure is going to be a wonderful evening.”