NEWS: ENRICH CREATES A CHOIR FOR A DAY

Steve Roberts pictured.

The Barnsley Charity “EnRich” is offering local people the opportunity to sing in a choir for one day only… led by a world-class conductor. The man in charge of “EnRich Your Voice” is one of the Charity’s patrons – Steven Roberts – who has worked with such illustrious performers as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lesley Garrett CBE and Jose Carreras in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Chair of Trustees Josie Whiteley said, “This is a very rare opportunity to spend a day working with an expert such as Steven to create a Gareth Malone-style choir. Anyone aged 16 or over is welcome to join us, even if they are a nervous singer or have never been in a choir. I’m sure the day will be hard work but in a very enjoyable way”.

All participants pay £10 for their ticket for the event which starts at 10am on Saturday February 21st at Barnsley College’s Old Mill Lane site. A short, free performance will be held at 5.30pm for family and friends to see what has been created in just one day. Those taking part must book their ticket in advance due to a numbers limit. Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/enrich and there is no additional booking fee.

Before 2006, Steven worked at Barnsley College and during 17 years at the College he held a number of posts including Head of Performing Arts and Music, Head of Quality and Director of External Relations. He said, “I was honoured to be asked to be a Patron of this wonderful Charity which will help support Barnsley people who love the performing and creative arts. I knew Rich T well and he would love the idea of “EnRich Your Voice” which will be a wonderful opportunity for local people to get together and enjoy singing for a day”.

Steven is Conductor and Musical Director of Altrincham Choral Society, Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir, Honley Male Voice Choir and Unlimited Voices. He is also an adjudicator member of The British and International Federation of Festivals and regularly adjudicates throughout the UK.During his career Steven has conducted many choirs and has also been chorus master working with the Hallé Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for concerts with thereformed ELO.
Alongside his choral work he has conducted the Manchester Philharmonic, Derbyshire Sinfonia, the National Festival Orchestra, the Yorkshire Wind Orchestra, Black Dyke Band anda variety of other bands and ensembles.He has conducted at the Royal Albert Hall, London and also in many international, sacred settings including St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City and Montecassino. He became a Life Member of the Royal Philharmonic Society in November 2013 and is very proud to be Guest Conductor for the amazing Barnsley Youth Choir.

EnRich is a Barnsley Charity which supports and promotes the development of any specialism in performing and creative arts for Barnsley. The charity was set up in memory of Richard ‘Rich T’ Tolson who was the Head of Music and Performing Arts at Barnsley College until his death in September 2013.
To keep up to date with all announcements from EnRich, follow their facebook page www.facebook.com/EnRichCharity.