St Ann's Hospice Choir
St Ann’s Hospice Festival Choir was founded in 1995 and performs two fundraising concerts each year, one in the Summer and one for Christmas. All the money raised from our events goes to the local St Ann’s Hospice which supports communities in the whole of Greater Manchester and North Cheshire.
We are currently working to raise £50,000 to fund a bedroom at the new build Hospice in Heald Green. This much needed facility is under construction and plans are to open the new building in 2025.
Our Next Event
The Choir formed in 1995, following several very successful 'Voices for Hospices' events when local choirs came together to raise funds for the Hospice movement. The choir has had remarkable success, not just as a vehicle for raising money for St Ann’s Hospice, but as a choir which brings together almost100 people. Thirty years later we continue to raise substantial annual donations.(See Gallery for more pictures)
During our Christmas concert in 2023 concert John Pomphrey, Founder and Music Director of the Festival Choir, presented a cheque to Emma Dixon, Director of Clinical Services at the Hospice, for over £12,600. The total of last years fund raising.
Our second concert of the year is always in June. It is a fun and light-hearted Summer concert held at the Stockport Town Hall. The Choir has enjoyed singing music such as Gilbert and Sullivan Choruses as well as George Gershwin, Rogers and Hammerstein and Cole Porter pieces. Nigel Ogden has previously joined us at the concert to play the wonderful organ at the Town Hall.
Due to our commitment to perform a high standard of disciplined singing, the Choir has had the opportunity to perform with the BBC Philharmonic and Hallé Orchestras. It has appeared on Songs of Praise twice, produced a CD of Christmas music and given concerts at the Royal Northern College of Music, the Bridgewater Hall and Manchester Cathedral.
About Us
John Pomphrey – Music & Artistic Director
John studied music at the Northern School of Music and Bretton Hall College and worked in music education for over 35 years directing school music departments, examining Performance and Composing for Examining Boards, and leading choral workshops and festivals for primary and secondary schools. He was Assistant Chorus Master to the Hallé Choir for five years and has directed choral courses and workshops for the National Festival of Music for Youth, the BBC and the Royal School of Church Music. John has worked as a specialist Vocal and Choral Adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals and as a Trustee/Director of ‘Youngchoirs’ – formerly the British Federation of Young Choirs. John is Director of The Maia Singers and directs the voices of St Ann’s Hospice Festival Choir.
