Latest News

A Concert for St Faith's Church, Belper Lane End
The sun was shining for a wonderful evening on Friday, 12th March at St Faith's Church, Belper Lane End where had been asked to sing in support of their fundraising for the upkeep of their beautiful building.
Nicki had, once again, prepared a great programme. We had a Jamaican song of welcome, This is Me from the Greatest showman and Hey Big Spender as some highlights from the first half and there were wonderful lyrics from Cindy Lauper's True Colours in the second half, together with a fabulous arrangement of Be Thou My Vision. The encore of Hail Holy Queen from Sister Act included a reprise for the audience to join in - it was a great evening.
We had been given a lovely warm welcome and the audience were treated to a well performed, varied programme of songs and solos, some fun facts about the choir and, also some lovely fresh baked refreshments provided by the church.
I think that everyone there had a great evening. Jennifer Howe

A Concert for The Hill Methodist Church
Sonara Singers held their first concert of the New Year at The Hill Methodist Church at Kirkby-in-Ashfield on Saturday, 23rd March 2024 in aid of funds for repairs to the church's roof.
Several new pieces were sung in the programme and there were solos from members of the choir.
Musical Director was Nicola Hunt, accompanist was Theresa Mills and the evening was introduced by Jennifer Howe.

Christmas Carol Concert
Sonara Singers celebrated Christmas with a Carol Concert at St. Andrews Church, Swanwick on Saturday, 16th December with their special guests Matlock Brass Band. There was a great evening of Christmas music from both the choir and the band, and many Christmas Classics were covered with the audience joining in at times. Coffee, tea and delicious homemade mincepies were served at the interval.

Musical Director for the choir was Nicola Hunt with accompanist Teresa Mills.
Musical Director for Matlock Brass Band was Chris Banks and the evening was presented by Jennifer Howe.

A Visit to Ada Belfield Home, Belper
We had lovely start to our Christmas performances - a great selection of Christmas songs and carols at Ada Belfield Home on 2nd December. Thanks to our treasurer Pam for arranging this, and the team at Ada Belfield for making us so welcome. We know we couldn't possibly have sung everyone's favourite, but I think that we must have covered quite a few as so many of the residents and guests joined in. We are looking forward to our next performance - for Hearing Help UK and also our concert at St Andrews Church, Swanwick on 16th December with Matlock Brass Band. Jennifer Howe

Come and Sing
Sonara Singers hosted a Come and Sing event on Saturday, 16th September.
"What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon - singing with friends.
Thank you to everyone who joined us.
Our wonderful musical director Nicola Hunt, together with our accomplished accompanist Theresa Mills lead us through exercises and songs to warm our voices, and a great choice of songs before we put what we were learning together with This is Me. We also performed a beautiful arrangement of Amazing grace and an unforgettable version of Hey Big spender.
There were plenty of homemade cakes and conversations in the break, and I think we all learned a lot about our voices, and also about our friends.
Thank you to everyone involved" Jennifer Howe

A Concert for Ripley Music Festival
Sonara Singers gave a concert at All saints Church, Ripley as part of the 2023 Ripley Music Festival on Friday, 14th July. There was a varied programme with some great songs and there were solos given by Dee Hill and Christine Middleton. A duet was sung by Eileen Griffiths and Nicola Hunt and there were reading of amusing poems by Jan Whysal and Carol Chamberlain. The musical director was Nicola Hunt and accompanist Teresa Mills, introductions were made by Jennifer Howe.

A Summer Concert

Saturday, 8th July saw a welcome return for Sonara Singers to St. Peter’s Church Belper for a joint Summer Concert with The Rockabillies Choir to raise funds for Hope for Belper, which supports the Food and Community Hub.

What an amazing evening we had with the Rockabillies and Nicola hunt. The music from both choirs was outstanding, our feet were tapping one minute, and we were moved to tears the next with a great range of pieces from the choirs and soloists Nicola Hunt and Dee hill, who also performed a duet with her husband Phil.

Amusing ditties were given by Jan Whysall and Helen Beresford. Sonara and the soloists were accompanied by Teresa Mills and the evening was introduced by Jennifer Howe.

A huge thank you to everyone involved, especially Nicki who performed incredible solos and is Musical Director for both choirs. The event raised £1124 for Hope for Belper.

NAC Midlands East Region Concert

This year Sonara Singers were proud to host the NAC Regional Concert, the first since COVID. Five choirs took part at St Peter’s Church, Belper on Saturday, 20th May 2023, the programme was presented by Jennifer Howe, and the choirs taking part were:

Alfreton Male Voice Choir

Rock and Soul Singers

Rolls Royce Ladies Choir

Bestwood Male Voice Choir

Sonara Singers

The Massed Choirs

This meant that there was a varied and a well performed programme, which ended with the massed choirs singing “You raise me up” lead by our own Musical Director Nicki.

( Photographs are courtesy of Ian Webster)

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