Page 3 - BYC Xmas Concert Program 2021

Our Junior Choir is essentially a new choir. We welcome so many new members who are incredibly enthusiastic and are supported by a great team. Eleanor, Tom and Gareth lead them with such enthusiasm and skill.
If you are having a bad day, it only takes a few minutes watching them to feel better about life. They are just brilliant!
Whilst BYC Children’s Choir East and West were able to access online learning and join in with rehearsals in the centre of Barnsley as we emerged from restrictions, we have essentially had to restart these two choirs. Sam, Rosie and Emma are developing the loveliest culture at West (Penistone) and we now have over 40 regular members attending. East (The Dearne) are now back up to numbers pre-pandemic which is fabulous, and Luke, Tom and Helen are working so hard to ensure that they have a great experience. The Central Children’s Choir has had the biggest changes, with a large number graduating up to the Intermediate Choir and a large number of Junior Choir members moving up into it. Eleanor, Michelle, Fiona, Zoe and Gareth have worked really hard with them and they are now starting to show real skill and quality in their singing.
The Intermediate Choir and Senior Choirs have also undergone a lot of change in personnel, and the volume and complexity of this music requires a real focus and attention. We haven’t let standards drop but recognise that we have needed to work in a slightly different way to ensure that they are able to access this music and feel confident. Luke, Sam, Rob and Gorgey certainly give their all and are an exceptionally gifted team who get the best out of our
young people.
Organising the concerts in a way that reassures audience members is important to us. The mitigations that we have put in place are far beyond what you would find in other events, and have taken some careful thought by the team. I’d like to pay tribute to those that have been involved in risk assessments and planning – it really has been exhausting work for the last 2 years. The team dealing with tickets have changed the way that they have worked. The pandemic makes change
a necessity, but actually has meant that we have become more efficient and effective in a number of areas.
Christmas Concert 2021
P3