RockWall

Alzheimer's Society Christmas Carol Concert on 10th December 2019 in the beautiful Sheffield Cathedral

Minerva sang a selection of Christmas songs for the sell out audience.  Check out our Facebook page to see videos of this event. Minerva Chorus on Facebook

On 3rd December 2019 we performed a medley of winter songs, and a few Christmas carols with family, friends and invited guests at the Staveley Centre.

Concert at Storrs Road Methodist Church 16th November 2019 with Katy Strudwick's young musicians

Successful World Record Attempt for Children in Need 7th November 2019 at Crucible Theatre Sheffield

Concert with Ireland Colliery Band at St John's Church Walton 5th October 2019

Singing in Chesterfield Library 29th June 2019

Concert 16th June 2019 at Chesterfield Library as part of the Andrew Marples lunchtime concert programme.

Saturday 23rd March 2019- Concert with Minerva Chorus and Katy Strudwick Flute Ensemble.

Saturday 9th March 2019 at Elder Yard Unitarian Chapel as part of the Andrew Marples lunchtime concert programme.

Minerva performed some of their new repertoire items - Danny Boy, 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) and Scarborough Fair to a very appreciative audience.

Saturday 8th December 2018- Rose Hill URC Chesterfield - with Phoenix Concert Band

Saturday  November 17th 2018 Chesterfield Library with Finest Hour and 4 on Demand

 Saturday October 20^th– Staveley Speedwell Rooms – 7.30pm   Concert with Ireland Colliery Chesterfield Brass Band and Bella Siempre - listen to our ensemble performance of Danny Boy click here

photo Helen Rowan

16th June 2018 Spring Concert at St John's Church, Walton Back Lane along with students of Katie Strudwick to raise funds for the Friends of Somersall Park

Photo Helen Rowan

24th March 2018  at Holymoorside URC Church

17 March 2018  at Elder Yard Unitarian Chapel in Chesterfield

 On 3rd December 2017 we performed a medley of winter songs, and a few Christmas carols with family, friends and invited guests at the Staveley Centre.

photo Andrew Allport

11th November 2017 concert at St Peter's Church, Holymoorside 'A Time to Remember', an evening of reflections and remembrance celebrated in word and song.

 2nd July 2017 we sang for family, friends and invited guests at Holymoorside Village Hall

26th November 2016  Winter Mixture, a concert of seasonal songs and readings, as part of Holymoorside Arts Festival.

photo Andrew Allport

 Covid-19 update

At present Minerva Chorus are not rehearsing or performing in concerts.

We are awaiting advice on when it is safe to sing together again as a group - until this clarification comes we are meeting up on Zoom and singing on our own, learning new material for when we are allowed to sing together again.

We are looking for a new musical director.    Sadly Nigel Williams our much loved Musical Director has left us recently.  We are now on the search to find someone to fill his shoes.

If you or anyone you know is passionate about a capella, with experience of directing a chorus and looking for a new challenge please get in touch via our website or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you are interested in finding out more about the role please read the Role Description  If you would like to apply for the position please complete this Application Form

Support the appeal for a new piano for Chesterfield Library

​Donate to the JustGiving page here

Celebration and renewal - a letter from Andrew Marples

Since 1990 anyone has been able to come along and listen to a high-quality Saturday lunchtime concert in Chesterfield Library Theatre. I co-founded them to provide musical performances that were free of charge and at a time of day when transport wouldn't be an issue. All the concerts are organised voluntarily and they run solely on audience donations. No funding of any sort is received. They are well-supported with an average of 100 people coming along each week. I organise 16 concerts a year and have done this for 30 years. To celebrate this, and to ensure the series can continue well into the future, I am raising £9,000 to buy a replacement for the worn-out grand piano in the Theatre.

The piano is used in 80% all of the lunchtime concerts and is a vital community resource - many other groups use it for their events too. Over the years I estimate almost 450 Saturday lunchtime concerts have been performed of every style (classical recitals, choir concerts, jazz sessions, folk groups, orchestras, young performers platforms, etc) using over 5,000 musicians and listened to by close to 50,000 people. They are truly community events and a cultural lifeline for so many people and especially the older generation. Most of the performers are local (within 50 miles) and many have been several times, as they enjoy the experience so much. I have personally performed as pianist, singer or conductor in at least 120 concerts as well as dealing with all the administration and attending physically running every concert. The piano is the centre-piece of the concerts and we can only continue if we have a new instrument. The funds have to be raised by public donations. Please donate to this appeal and secure free music for the future - come to a concert if you are in the area and see what it's all about. Find details of the concerts in Chesterfield library or online at: www.visitchesterfield.info

We are officially Guinness World Record holders!

Caroline, Sue, Linda, Anne, Lynne and Catherine took part in the Guinness World record attempt at relay singing, on 7th November at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.

Along with 384 Sheffield schoolchildren and other local choirs we successfully set the world record for  the number of people in a singing relay (one word each person, singing four songs).

All in aid of Children in Need.

 £1,070 raised for Derbyshire Stroke Centre

 Some members of Minerva Chorus and Ireland Colliery Chesterfield Brass Band  presenting a cheque for £1,070 to the Derbyshire Stroke Centre.

 We are delighted to welcome new Chorus Members  Mandy, Gilly, Bec and Helen

We have added some new audio clips of our reportoire onto the About Us page here's a taster -

Somewhere over the rainbow

We are currently welcoming applications from potential new members, however successful applicants may be placed on a waiting list if we have enough people already singing in that voice part.

Please complete the form on the Contact Us page if you would like to join, or ask us anything about our chorus.

History

The inaugural rehearsal of Minerva Chorus took place at Wadshelf Village Hall in September 2015.

See our calendar pages for details of our forthcoming concerts in 2020

We are a small, friendly group of women who love close harmony unaccompanied singing.  We rehearse in Walton, Chesterfield, on Monday evenings and sing a mix of songs from a variety of eras and genres.  We are committed to working together to improve our vocal techniques and produce a quality sound. 

We aim to perform several times a year in the North Derbyshire and South Yorkshire area, including at least one performance to support a charity or community group of our choice.  Please see our Events Page for more information on our recent and planned performances, and if you are interested in inviting us to sing at your event please contact us

We are open to applications from women who wish to join our chorus - from all voice parts, Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1 and Alto 2.  There is no requirement to read music as we provide tracks to help learn the songs.   Please see our How to Join Us us page for more information.

Under the inspiring direction of our Director of Music, Nigel Williams,  and Chorus Director, Janeen Parker, we take on some challenging repertoire and set ourselves the highest standards of performance.  Please see our About Us page for more information.

We are also on Twitter (@MinervaChorus) and Facebook, and you can contact us from the website.