Blog Posts

In memory of a much-loved choir member

2/3/2017

PRESS RELEASE
Monday, February 6, 2017

A Bath singer has set his sights on running the London Marathon in memory of a fellow choir member.

Simon Kale (aged 48) sings in both the Bath Male Choir and the mixed-voice Bath Chorus. Tony Pickett who lived in Frome was a fellow member of both choirs with Simon for many years.

Last July Tony Pickett died after suffering a massive heart attack whilst out cycling. In his early 60s Tony had recently retired and 50 members of Bath Male Choir attended his funeral to sing in his memory.

Simon explains;

“Grenville Jones, our choir leader, approached Tony’s partner explaining that the boys in the Male Choir wanted to support a charity in his memory this year. She suggested the British Heart Foundation and we were able to obtain a place in this year’s London Marathon. I’m now in full training, which will include running the Bath Half Marathon, and there is already fantastic support through members of both choirs, family and friends as I aim to cross the finishing line on Sunday April 23 and raise at least £2,000 for BHF.”

Simon is Managing Director of Nicholas Pearson Associates and lives at Oldfield Park with his wife Heather and three children Hamish, Alfie and Lucy.
Grenville Jones said;

“Tony was a much loved member of both choirs and sang in the bass section for many years. His sudden death came as a tremendous shock to all who knew him. I am sure that all his friends in both choirs will support Simon in his London Marathon run.”

Details of Simon’s JustGiving page can be found on www.bathmalechoir.org

ENDS

Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 07778 282934.

Keynsham concert on May 28th

5/10/2016

PRESS RELEASE

Picture shows Bath Male Choir performing recently in Bath Abbey

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Bath’s celebrated Male Choir will be performing a free admission charity concert at St John’s Church, Keynsham, on Saturday evening May 28.

Bath Male Choir received national acclaim when they reached the finals of the BBC’s Last Choir Standing television series. Founder conductor is Bath’s Mr Music, Grenville Jones. Since that time they have sung around the world including a visit to Japan in November 2014. They were special guests at the prestigious Bacchus Festival, the first English male choir to perform there.

On remembrance Sunday, November 13, this year they have been invited to sing at the Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony, which will be part of a tour including a concert in Bruges.

For their performance in Keynsham they will be joined by another of Grenville’s popular choirs, the 90 strong Bath Welcome Choir, who rehearse every Wednesday evening at the Bath Community Academy in Rush Hill.

The Keynsham concert starts at 7.30pm, doors open at 7.00pm. There will be a retiring collection for the Golden-Oldies Charity supporting the two regular sessions that take place in the town.

ENDS

Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 07778 282934.

Bath Male Choir come to Abbots Bromley School

10/5/2015

PRESS RELEASE

Monday October 5, 2015

One of the leading male choirs in the UK will be performing at Abbots Bromley School on Saturday October 31.

Bath Male Choir reached the final stages of the BBC’s Last Choir Standing series in front of an audience of millions. At that time the judge Russell Watson dubbed them the ‘Wall of Sound’ and they have since sung all across the United Kingdom and last year undertook a hugely successful tour of Japan.

The concert, which starts at 7.30pm, also features The Heath Chorus from Uttoxeter, conducted by Helen Morgan.

Anne Griffiths is a member of The Heath Chorus and leads the development of The Golden-Oldies Charity in Staffordshire. Goldies, as it is fondly known, brightens the lives of older people through its daytime singing and activity sessions.

The founder, Grenville Jones who lives in Bath, is also founder conductor of Bath Male Choir and he is bringing his choir to Uttoxeter to raise money and support new sessions across the Staffordshire area.

Anne Griffiths said;

“Goldies is taking off in our area and I am so pleased that The Heath Chorus are performing at our concert. I have heard Bath Male Choir sing in Bath Abbey and they really are an amazing choir. For anyone who loves choral music or the sound of mens voices, this concert is a must.”

Tickets for the evening are priced £10 Under 16s £5 and are available from The Black Dog Jazz Cafe, 44 Carter Street, Uttoxeter, ST14 8EU - 01889 566660.

ENDS

Picture shows Grenville Jones.

Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 07778 282934 or Anne Griffiths on 07952 667241.

World renowned King’s Singers in Bath Abbey

9/21/2015

PRESS RELEASE

World renowned King’s Singers in Bath Abbey

Monday September 21, 2015

The King’s Singers, one of the world’s leading professional vocal groups will be performing in concert at Bath Abbey on Thursday October 8.

The concert is organised by Bath music man Grenville Jones to support the Three Ways School, Bath, Teacup Appeal to help students learn workplace skills and gain qualifications.

The King’s Singers have premiered more than 200 new works, including landmark compositions by Luciano Berio, György Ligeti, James MacMillan, Krzysztof Penderecki, Toru Takemitsu, John Tavener and Eric Whitacre, and commissioned thrilling arrangements of everything from jazz standards to pop chart hits. They are double Grammy award-winning artists, honoured for their Signum Classics release, Simple Gifts, and again for their contribution to Eric Whitacre’s Light & Gold album on Decca. In 2013 they were chosen as one of only two vocal ensembles to enter the Gramophone Hall of Fame for their unique discography of over 175 albums.

Supporting the King’s Singers will be two of Grenville’s choirs, the 80 voices of THE Bath Chorus plus the 90 voices of The Welcome Choir. Members of the choirs come from across Bath and North East Somerset and Wiltshire.

David Hurley from The King’s Singers said:

“We are greatly looking forward to performing in Bath's wonderful Abbey on October 8th. We are also delighted that the concert will benefit Three Ways' Tea Cup Appeal.”

Grenville Jones added:

“Three Ways is a special needs academy offering a unique stimulating learning environment to pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities aged 3-18.

“This is a concert for everyone who loves choral music. The King’s Singers are, without question, one of the most highly regarded vocal ensembles in the world. It will be a very special evening of harmony.”

Tickets are on sale from Bath Box Office on 01225 463362 priced from £10.

ENDS

Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 07778 282934.

Press Release - Sing for Nepal

9/10/2015

Thursday September 10, 2015

A special day of song takes place on Saturday September 19 at Oldfield Park Baptist Church, Moorland Road, Bath.

With the title ‘Sing for Nepal’ the free admission day runs from 12 noon to 4pm and will feature three of Bath’s well loved choirs conducted by music man Grenville Jones.

Liz Hearn is community outreach worker at the church, in 2002 she and her husband Richard worked in Nepal where he was a primary school teacher in Kathmandu.

Liz said;

“Grenville is bringing his choirs without any charge and we hope to raise a good amount of money which will help families whose lives were devastated by the April Himalayan earthquake. There will be singing, displays and children’s games, all with a Nepal theme. We are most grateful to Wessex Water who have supported the day and we are delighted that our Mayor Cllr Will Sandry will be present.”

Sing for Nepal takes place from 12noon to 4pm featuring the Bath Children’s Choir, The Bath Welcome Choir and the famous Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir who will sing in the afternoon from 3pm.

All enquiries to Liz on 07902 315688.

Ends

Press enquiries to Liz on 07902 315688 or Grenville 0777 828 2934.

Canada calls for Grenville

8/6/2015

PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, August 6, 2015

CANADA calls for Grenville

One of the UKs leading choral musicians Grenville Jones who lives in Bath will be in Canada later this month. From August 23 to 31 he will be leading The Grenville Choir, named after another Gren(ville) Jones who lives in Kentville, Nova Scotia.

The two Grenville’s became facebook friends and when Gren Jones read about his namesakes choirs in the UK he sent out a Christmas Day greeting and invitation;

Gren Jones from Kentville explains;

“During my lifetime I have met very few people with the same Christian name as myself and it was wonderful to discover that there was a Grenville Jones living in Bath. Through facebook I could follow his many musical activities and read with great interest last year news of the visit of his Male Voice Choir to Japan. On Christmas day 2014 I sent him a Christmas message and asked if he would like to bring one of his singing groups to Nova Scotia this year."

After Nova Scotia Grenville sets off to Calgary to take a a singing workshop at Scarboro United Church, Calgary, on Saturday September 5.

Grenville Jones lives in the world heritage city of Bath in England where he heads up a number of choirs, including the famous City of Bath Male Choir who reached the final stages of a BBC television programme called ‘Last Choir Standing’ in 2008. It was watched by over eight million viewers on Saturday evenings.

Grenville has also appeared on Radio and TV across the world through a singing charity he founded eight years ago. The Golden-Oldies, with Sir Cliff Richard as patron, engages thousands of older vulnerable people through its 130 daytime singing sessions across England and Wales. Fondly knows as “Goldies,” Grenville is always quick to point out that his charity is not a choir but at its heart are fun singalong sessions, taken by over 40 session leaders who work for the charity.

The Grenville Choir is made up of singers from across his choirs including the Devizes Good Afternoon Choir, the Bath Welcome Choir and the Bath Chorus and a busy schedule includes singing in the centre of Halifax as guests of the Mayor of Halifax, a concert with Nova Voce on Wednesday August 26 at Patrick’s Catholic Church and a concert and workshop at Shubenacadie on Saturday August 29.

The Calgary and Shubenacadie workshops are entitled ‘Anyone Can Sing’ and are open to singers of all ages and abilities.

Grenville said;

“If you sing in the shower or in your car and have often wondered what it is like to sing in a choir, then this is the workshop for you.”

The Calgary workshop on September 5 runs from 2pm until 5pm and will be followed by a free concert at 7pm when everyone taking part in the workshop will perform. The workshop is sponsored by the Calgary Multicultural Choir and Calgary Music Makers and renews a friendship between Grenville Jones and Nancy Jackson who is the musical director of a number of choirs in Calgary.

Grenville and Nancy met a few years ago when one of his choirs visited Canada.

Nancy said;

“Grenville’s enthusiasm for music and singing is infectious and I know we are in for a thoroughly enjoyable day with him on Saturday September 5.”

Register in advance by calling Brook on 403-243-8503 or emailing sellensbrook@gmail.com

For more information on Grenville Jones and his choirs see www.grenvillejones.biz

ENDS

Press enquiries to Grenville Jones UK on +44 (0)7778 282934

Gren Jones in Nova Scotia 001 902 670 4967

Nancy Jackson on Calgary 1403 283 0243.

Sing for Nepal

8/3/2015

PRESS RELEASE
Monday August 3, 2015

A Bath Church in Oldfield Park will be holding a very special free admission fundraising day on Saturday Sept 19.

Sing for Nepal takes place from 12 noon to 4pm at Oldfield Park Baptist Church, Moorland Road, with all proceeds going to families in Nepal whose lives were devastated by the Himalaya earthquake in April. Liz Hearn is community outreach worker at the church. In 2002, she and her husband Richard worked in Nepal where Richard was a primary school teacher in Kathmandu.

She said;

“I wanted to do something to help the many families who are still struggling to rebuild their homes and their lives following the earthquakes. I mentioned this to Grenville Jones and with his enthusiasm and support, planning for the day is now well under way.

Grenville’s Bath children’s choir rehearse at our church every Saturday morning. They will be one of his choirs taking part as well the 90 strong Bath Community Welcome Choir AND also Grenville’s famous Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir who will sing in the afternoon from 3pm.”

All of the choirs are giving their time and Wessex Water have added their support. The day is also backed by Bath Mayor, Cllr Will Sandry and Ben Howlett, Bath’s Member of Parliament.

The choirs will sing during the day and there will be Nepalese food as well as activities for children, displays and much more.

Liz added;

“We can really help families whose lives were devastated by the earthquake. There will be no charge to come along and we hope that people will give generously as they leave.

Sing for Nepal is for everyone in and around Bath to come to Oldfield Park and help families who are truly in need.”

Ends

Press enquiries to Liz on 07902 315688 or Grenville 0777 828 2934.

Choir from Bath in England to visit Halifax Nova Scotia

7/28/2015

PRESS RELEASE

Pictured are Nova Scotia hosts Gren(ville) Jones and his wife Gail from Kentville.

Meanwhile in the UK Grenville Jones conducts one of his community choirs

Tuesday July 28, 2015

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A choir from the City of Bath, England, with a unique name arrive in Nova Scotia for an 8 day concert tour on Sunday August 23 2015.

Musical Director of ‘The Grenville Choir’ is respected choir leader Grenville Jones who is based in the City of Bath in England. The choir however is not named after him… its name derives from another Gren(ville) Jones who lives in Kentville Nova Scotia with his wife Gail. He befriended his English namesake through facebook last year.

The English Grenville Jones leads a number of choirs in England and has appeared on national television and radio on many occasions. As well as his choir work he is also the founder of a national charity that brightens the lives of thousands of older people across the United Kingdom called Golden-Oldies.

Gren Jones from Kentville said;

“During my lifetime I have met very few people with the same Christian name as myself and it was wonderful to discover that there was a Grenville Jones living in Bath. Through facebook I could follow his many musical activities and read with great interest last year news of the visit of his Male Voice Choir to Japan. On Christmas day 2014 I sent him a Christmas message and asked if he would like to bring one of his singing groups to Nova Scotia this year.’

“We have worked together over the past months and the group of 50 singers will arrive in Halifax for a week of music and tours which I have helped to organise myself.”

The Grenville Choir stay at the Westin Halifax throughout their visit and on their first night in the city will entertain the deputy mayor of Halifax, Lorelei Nicoll at the Petpeswick Yacht Club.

On Wednesday August 26 at noon The Grenville Choir have accepted an invitation from the Mayor’s Office to sing as part of the Tunes at Noon programme. In the evening they will sing with Nova Voce at St Patrick’s Church in Brunswick Street. This is a free admission concert with the accent on music to suit all tastes.

On Saturday August 29 the choir visit Shubenacadie where Grenville will lead a ‘come and sing’ workshop followed by a concert. Grenville is in demand in the UK as a singing workshop leader and will depart for Calgary after his time in Nova Scotia where he has been invited to lead a vocal workshop.

On Sunday morning August 30 The Grenville Choir will be guests of the First Baptist Church in Oxford Street where they will sing at the morning service.

Grenville Jones from the UK said;

“I am bringing a community choir of mixed voices made up of people from a number of my choirs. We are looking forward tremendously to visiting Nova Scotia and making new friends through music.

“It will be wonderful to meet my namesake face to face!”

ENDS

Gren Jones telephone is 902 670 4967 gc_jones@yahoo.ca

Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on +44 7778 282934.

Aled Jones in concert with BMC

6/8/2015

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, June 8, 2015

One of the best-loved names in British music will be performing in Bath Abbey on Saturday evening June 20.

Aled Jones MBE will be forever remembered as one of the leading boy trebles of the 80s. When he was 12 years old his recording of the song ‘Walking in the Air’ reached a world-wide audience.

Aled went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and then began presenting Radio and TV shows for BBC Radio Wales.

His concert in Bath will support the Three Ways School for children with severe learning difficulties. The school launched its Teacup Appeal last year to provide much-needed help to develop their Workskills Centre, a vital project offering qualifications and life skills for students with special needs.

The Bath Abbey concert is organised by music man Grenville Jones to raise money for the appeal and will also feature his celebrated Bath Male Choir. They hit the headlines five years ago with their appearance on BBC’s TV ‘Last Choir Standing’. Last November they were the first English male choir to tour Japan.

Aled is a regular presenter on BBC Songs of Praise and also fronts the ITV1 ‘Weekend’ TV show. He also presents a Sunday morning show on Capital FM and still continues to host his Sunday afternoon show on BBC Radio Wales.

Next year he will head off to Australia on a concert tour and in the UK next year will headline a Snowman extravaganza!

Tickets for the Aled Jones concert in Bath Abbey with Bath Male Choir are available from Bath Box Office on 01225 46362.

ENDS

Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 07778 282934.

Concerts support school appeal

2/26/2015

February 26th 2015

Concerts support school appeal

Bath music man Grenville Jones is supporting the Three Ways School Bath’s Teacup appeal this year with two big name concerts in Bath Abbey. Three years ago Grenville raised over £20,000 to pay for a weekend trip to Disneyland Paris for young people with special needs who attend the Mencap Super Saturday Club who meet at the school. There was also money left over to pay for a group to go on a trip to Longleat.

The Teacup Appeal this year is raising funds to build a workskills centre for young people with special needs. It will be a café and shop at Three Ways School, a safe, supported environment for students to learn all about working and gain new qualifications.

Aled Jones will be the special guest at Bath Abbey on Saturday evening June 20 with Grenville’s celebrated Last Choir Standing Bath Male Choir.

On Thursday October 8, The King’s Singers will be the guest in Bath Abbey with the Bath Chorus choir of 80 voices which Grenville founded four years ago.

Tony Comer is Chair of Governors at Three Ways School, he said;

“This will be a vital addition to school facilities enabling our young people to gain skills that will help them to lead fulfilled lives in the world of work once they leave school. We are very grateful to Grenville for supporting this exciting project and hope that the Abbey is full for what promises to be two superb evenings of song”.

Tickets are now on sale from Bath Box office 01225 463362 priced from £10 to £35 www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

Grenville said;

“I am hoping that we can raise a substantial amount to support the work of a wonderful school here in Bath. Both choirs will be learning some terrific new music for these concerts. I can’t wait!”

ENDS

Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 0777 828 2934.