The WESLEY SINGERS

Guiseley

The choir after their performance of Olivet to Calvary at Guiseley Methodist Church on Palm Sunday 2023. Front row: Barry Jordan (conductor), David Wilks (organist). Howard Clinkard (tenor), Dominic Rose (baritone)

Next concert: Saturday 20th April - Southgate MC, Elland at 2:30pm Concert and Tea

logoHon President: the Revd Kerry W. Tankard, Chair of the Yorkshire West District

The Wesley Singers is a choir of about 38 members who come from various churches within the Yorkshire West Methodist District.  The group was formed in 1985 under the direction of David Carr specifically to introduce the new hymn book, Hymns and Psalms.  Now, more than 30 years later, the choir gives ten or more concerts each year as well as taking part in worship services.  The Wesley Singers is pleased to accept invitations to sing in chapels throughout the Yorkshire West District (and beyond!). Its concert programmes are based on sacred music together with lighter secular items, solos, readings and humorous monologues. 

Barry; click to enlargePat; click to enlarge
Barry & Pat Jordan, our conductor and accompanist

Pat and Barry Jordan Biography

Pat and Barry Jordan met at Bretton Hall College of Education whilst teacher training.  Their first home was in Pudsey where Pat taught at the Grammar School and was organist at St Andrew’s Central Methodist Church.  Barry taught music in schools in Bradford and in 1978 became choirmaster at St Andrew’s, a post he held until 1990.  During this period he was also Musical Director for both Rawdon Amateur Operatic Society and Buttershaw Amateur Operatic Society.

Pat taught piano at Bradford Grammar School from 1988 to 2013 and was the accompanist for Otley Choral Society from 2000 to 2017.  She has accompanied the Wesley Singers since 1988, and in September 2003 Barry joined the Wesley Singers on the retirement of their founder conductor, David Carr.  Barry became deputy conductor for Otley Choral Society in 2008 and from September 2015 was musical director for both Ilkley and Otley Choral Societies, retiring in April 2017 after conducting a total of 18 major concerts for the two societies.

Pat and Barry live in Calverley where Barry is Organist at the Methodist Church.  In 1998 they joined with other musicians and the choir at the church to give a palm court concert.  The ‘Palm Court Quintet and Singers’ gave 79 concerts between 1998 and 2016 at churches in the Leeds Bradford area.  Pat and Barry are also members of the Dalehurst Trio which regularly gives concerts and performs music for flute, violin and piano.

Here's the feedback from some recent concerts:

Our heartfelt thanks to you all for a wonderful concert at Leyburn last month. We thoroughly enjoyed the music and the humorous interludes. What a lovely way to spend a summer Saturday afternoon in music and fellowship. (Leyburn Methodist Church, July 2023)


Thank you once again for the most enjoyable and impressive concert yesterday afternoon. We are most grateful to you and your singers for coming to Baildon. We knew the standard would be high, but you exceeded even our highest expectations.

Many people told us at church this morning how much they had enjoyed the concert.


Thank you and The Wesley Singers for providing us with such a wonderful rendition of JH Maunder's 'Olivet to Calvary'.  It was a long time coming, having been planned, as you know, for Easter 2020, when Covid unfortunately intervened, but it was well worth the wait.

It was lovely to have a packed Church and to be able to sing with gusto the four congregational hymns, ably led by The Wesley Singers.

Please pass on my thanks to The Wesley Singers and also to David, Howard, Dominic, Cathy and Terry for their valued contribution and, of course, to you, Pat and Barry, for all your hard work in making it the
success it was.  It certainly set us up for the journey through Holy Week to Easter Day.

You will be pleased to know that the total amount of the retiring collection for 'Embrace the Middle East' is £450.


Thank you so much for a wonderful evening, everyone present thoroughly enjoyed both the music and mirth. It was worth the long wait and we hope you will be able to visit us again soon. Trinity Methodist Church, Harrogate March 2023


We had some wonderful comments from our congregation this morning about yesterday's concert - outstanding, great selection of carols, something for everyone, lovely singing. In addition we made a total of £558 for WYDAN.

Thank you to the Wesley Singers for giving us at Chapel Allerton Methodist Church a very successful afternoon.


People keep stopping me to say how much they enjoyed the wonderful afternoon concert you gave us. It was indeed a thoroughly splendid time with you. Thank you for your musicality, your time, your skill and humour. You are a truly creative group and we benefitted from your many gifts.  Revd Kathleen Wood, Bedale Methodist Church


Thank you for an excellent concert that was thoroughly enjoyed by all - great music and genuinely funny interludes. Andrew Stokes, Morley Central Methodist Church_______________

Barry and Pat, 
We really enjoyed the performance of The Wesley Singers at Northcliffe Church on Saturday. Many people have commented to us on how much they enjoyed the concert. Please pass on our thanks to all involved. Your suggested title of "Music and Mirth" was an excellent choice as we all laughed so much and of course thoroughly enjoyed the singing and excellent piano playing.
The money raised will go to our special fund-raising pot and help towards one of our planned projects at Northcliffe.
I hope you have a lovely holiday.
Best wishes, Gwen and Tim

 


 

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