BBC grant for Chester women’s choir A Handbag of Harmonies

Feb 18 2010 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

A CHESTER choir has received a BBC grant to help celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The women’s choir A Handbag of Harmonies, which reached the final 15 of the BBC talent show Last Choir Standing in 2008, is one of 98 choirs in the country awarded a Choral Ambition grant from The BBC Performing Arts Fund, in association with Making Music.

Musical director Matt Baker, who helped to founded the choir in 2000, said: “ This funding will enable us to celebrate 10 very successful years with the highest possible quality showcase of our work.”

The £2,500 grant will help with training and development, including extending the acappella work of the choir.

Matt added: “The grant will not only benefit the choir but also the hundreds of participants in our outreach programmes.”

Robin Osterley, chief executive of Making Music, said: "Many congratulations to the winners, who have come up with such a diverse and interesting range of projects.”

Aled Jones, presenter of Radio 3's The Choir, said: "Funding for training and development is usually out of the grasp of amateur choirs.

"With the help of this fund, choirs across the country will be able to learn new skills, attract new members, revitalise their existing membership and help even more people enjoy the benefits of singing."

The BBC fund receives revenue from the voting lines of BBC One entertainment programmes like How Do you Solve A Problem Like Maria? and I’d Do Anything.

A Handbag of Harmonies will present a 10th anniversary concert in Chester later this year.