ABOUT US
ABBEY BELLES 2024
The Abbey Belles have been established for 30 years and continue to go from strength to strength.
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The present Musical Director, Catrina Webb, has been in charge since 2015 and has built on the work done by the previous Musical Director, Anne Turner. With the help of Helen Rainford, the Assistant Musical Director, and the Committees, the chorus continues to grow, improve and most importantly, have fun!
We pride ourselves on being a friendly, welcoming chorus who work hard and have a lot of fun together. We love to sing at any event.
THE EARLY DAYS
The chorus was formed in 1994 under the direction of well known local barbershopper Alwyn Pooley. He developed the chorus over several years until in 1999 Carol Lakin took over as musical director. During her time in charge the chorus became members of LABBS, the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers, and competed in their national competition for the first time, winning the trophy for the best novice chorus.
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In 2003, under the direction of Jon Walker, the chorus was delighted to qualify to sing at the association's national convention for the first time and also to win another trophy at Rothwell music festival.
EVENTS AND OUTINGS
The chorus has taken part in many interesting events over the years, including the 'musical beacon' for the Queen's Golden Jubilee on BBC1, and singing (in French) for Selby's town twinning association.
In 2005 the chorus won Arriva's 'Bag a Bus' competition and used the prize of a bus for a day to sing at Whitby Regatta.
In September 2007 the chorus had their first international tour, to Carentan in Normandy, where they had a wonderful time. More recently members of the chorus have travelled to Selby's German twin town Filderstadt.
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In 2010 the Abbey Belles took part in the inaugural Isle of Man Festival of Choirs, coming second in their class against choirs from all over the country.
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In 2011 Radio 4's iPM programme did a feature on the Abbey Belles, following the entirely unexpected mention of the chorus during the Radio 4 royal wedding coverage.
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More recently the chorus has provided incidental music for a production of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' in Selby Abbey, and taken part in the York 900 celebrations. They have sung at Castle Howard, York's Barbican Theatre and at many local festivals and events.
COMPETITIONS
In 2008 the chorus was fortunate enough to be taken under the hugely experienced wings of the White Rosettes from Leeds, who are one of England's top barbershop choruses, as a pilot of the LABBS mentoring scheme. With their help the Abbey Belles were thrilled to come 12th at national convention, a standard which was confirmed at the 2009 convention in Cheltenham.
In the 2018 convention, at Harrogate, the chorus continued their upward trajectory with their highest score ever. Which was improved upon again at Convention in 2023!