“to sow a seed for what may be to come in the future.”
To conclude our 2012 performances the Junior Choir are featuring in the CBBC “Carols by Candlelight” concerts in the Pump Rooms. See the “Concerts” page for more information.
The Junior Choir was formed in 2001 by Nigel Perrin and the CBBC as a non-school club where children over the age of eight could discover the pleasure of singing together in a group, whilst learning some basic technique. It was, as Nigel put it, “to sow a seed for what may be to come in the future.” In September 2008 Nigel handed over the baton for conducting the choir to Simon Carr-Minns, which was passed on in September 2009 to Adrienne Hale, then two years later to Jamie Knights.
With the emphasis broadly on fun, the choir typically learnt light music, with some harmonies, including songs from musicals and films, but were equally be taught classical pieces to sing with the adult choir when the occasion arose. The children, in their distinctive purple T-shirts, performed alongside the adult choir at two professional concerts a year, one of which was the very prestigious “Carols by Candlelight” in the magnificent Pump Rooms.
Penny the Pig
RAISING MONEY: The CBBJC have helped raise money for the Afgan Heroes Charity through their performance on the single “Forever Young” – A Song For Wootton Bassett, written by Alan Pettifer. Click here to watch the video and for further details on supporting the charity.
We have also helped to raise £4,200 for the Royal United Hospital in Bath by performing at a Charity Garden Party.
Towards the end of 2012 the Juniors collected spare pennies in “Penny the Pig” to support the chosen charities at the 2012 Carols by Candlelight concerts in the magnificent Pump Rooms in December.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Jamie Knights was a scholar at Wells Cathedral School and gained a First Class Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music at Bath Spa University. Jamie is a widely respected musician, always in demand in the cultural city of Bath. He has been associated with the City of Bath Bach Junior Choir since its conception in 2001 as their accompanist. Jamie teaches Music at Kingswood School and is also their permanent “Musician-in-Residence”. He has been a singing tutor at Curtain Up! Theatre School, and vocal accompanist of the annual Kingswood Eisteddfod since 2008. www.jamieknights.co.uk
ACCOMPANIST: Frances Ringer has just finished her degree in Music at Bath Spa University, studying piano, but mainly harpsichord. She accompanies numerous high-profile choirs both within and outside the Somerset area, including Bath Chorus and the North Curry Choir, as well as being Musical Director/Accompanist to her own choir, The Accidentals. Frances will continue her studies in London next year to study Piano Accompaniment.
