The Cleeve Singers is a mixed choir that meets at Downend Folk House (The Barn), Overndale Road, Downend, Bristol. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 until 9.30 pm.
The conductor, Jonathan Edwardes, is a great guy who makes the whole learning experience a lot of fun. It’s not possible not to be captivated by this man.
At Christmas the choir holds two or three carol concerts along with handbell ringers who also meet at the Barn.
In July there is a further concert at the Barn to show off the latest music that the singers have learned. We try to provide a wide range of material for these concerts.
In addition there are concerts that just ‘crop up’ during the year.
The choir’s year starts in September and goes on until the following July - that’s lots of weeks of enjoyment interspersed with a few gems of pleasure when we give concerts. Choral singing is very much a team game.
It is enormously satisfying to work together to give a performance that audiences love.
HISTORY OF THE CLEEVE SINGERS OF DOWNEND
Originally formed as an Evening Class at Downend Folk House under the name of the Lincombe Singers through amalgamation in 1987 with the Fishponds Singers the choir became known as The Cleeve Singers (after Cleeve Hill in Downend).
Pianist, Joan Quick, was in place quickly followed by David Short as Conductor who gave their services free for twenty-five years. People wishing to join the four part choir paid an annual subscription to the Barn and Class which is inclusive of music. Now, the choir members pay as stated under FEES, but additionally a termly (3) charge is made by the choir which fluctuates depending on the membership number, to pay for the MD’s services.
2011 both Conductor and Pianist retired; the choir under their leadership had at one time been sixty strong. During that year the long standing Secretary became very ill which added to the problem of trying to fill the positions.
The climate had changed and although well established, Cleeve generally are only well known in the Downend area, conductors and pianists were at a premium, Bristol having many choirs.
The present Secretary has been a member of Cleeve since 1993. Enjoying singing and through joining other Choir Workshops contact names etc. were noted, which is how Jonathan Edwardes and his wife Sharon came to take on their respective mantles at Cleeve. The choirs singing improved under their guidance.
December 2024 Cleeve Singers were saying goodbye to Jonathan & Sharon Edwardes and it was time to again find a new MD. January 2025, we are happy to have the expertise of Marysia Gorska-Saj as MD, she has been the Musical Director of Fairford Choral Society and Bristol & Avon Police Choir.
The Choir is now deemed to be a Club of the Barn. Virtually, all publicity is done by the Choir Officers. We have a Summer Concert at the Barn to support its upkeep, being a community establishment, run generally by volunteers. There is one Concert at Christmas, and collections are made in addition to door money (tickets being moderately priced) for a charity. Apart from choir appearances, such as the Mall and over the last four years (not including 2020 due to Covid) at Dryham House Church to promote Cleeve, engagements are generally by invitation. The choir has presently become an SA one through retirement of the men, a situation which we wish to rectify.
Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m. around 35 times a year at Lincombe Barn, Downend BS16 2RW. Why not join us!