About Our Choir

The Silver Ring Choir of Bath was founded in 1951 at Bathampton Methodist Chapel, when Founder Conductor, Kelvin Thomas, who many years later was awarded the MBE for his services to music, went around the village knocking on doors 'persuading' singers to join the new choir he was forming.

From small acorns, oak trees grow, and that indeed has happened to the Choir. Membership has grown from less than 20 to around 80+ and in the early years it saw success in many competitions, the highlights being winning the premier award in the BBC's nation-wide 'Let the People Sing' and gaining first prize in their class in the Welsh National Eisteddfod - singing in Welsh.

The Choir has travelled in all parts of the UK and has also carried out tours to many other countries. Following the first trip to Germany, when the friendship with the Herbertscher Chor started, it was ten years before another visit overseas was contemplated with a visit to Hungary, then an 'iron curtain' country. In later years, France, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Canada and the USA have been added to the touring list, some on more than one occasion.

In November 2005 the Choir spent seventeen days in Singapore and New Zealand with sell-out concerts and standing ovations on the way. It was an amazing experience for everyone who took part.

The most recent tour was to Canada in Autumn 2008. During the tour The Silver Ring led the morning service at the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver. At the end of the service the Dean asked the Choir to sing an encore to the packed congregation !

The Choir will celebrate its 60th birthday in 2011 and plans are well ahead for a memorable year.  Keep a watch on our website!

The Choir is run on professional terms and rehearses in the centre of Bath. There is a Committee with representatives from the Choir, elected on a two-yearly basis, and Committee Meetings take place each month.
 

This picture shows the Choir in Canada 2008

Many performances have been given in aid of charities and many thousands have been raised in the last 58 years. The Silver Ring travels around the UK. If you would like the Choir to visit your area then please contact our Secretary through the 'Contact Us' link in the left-hand column.

The Silver Ring has a varied repertoire. It is a concert Choir with something to suit every taste and a reputation for entertaining and delighting audiences.

Adam Biggs is a musician and music teacher. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, he graduated from Elder Conservatorium, Adelaide University with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Jazz piano performance, in 1994. He travelled extensively from January 1995 to December 1998, returning to Adelaide and living until 2003. He recorded his first CD WHEN LIGHTS ARE LOW in January 2003 and returned to Bath, England in July 2003. As well as being accompanist to the SILVER RING CHOIR of BATH, Adam teaches at BATH UNIVERSITY, is a part time lecturer at BATH SPA UNIVERSITY, and organist at St. Nicholas, Bathampton and St Mary Magdalen, Bath.

Adam performs regularly with his Jazz trio ADAM'S APPLE and they recorded and released the CD LOVE UNKNOWN a collection of Hymn tunes arranged for Jazz piano trio.    In 2007 Adam published the CIRCLE OF FIFTHS a music teaching aid and THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS SONGBOOK, a collection of transcriptions of the music from the film "The Fabulous Baker Boys" written by Dave Grusin. His CD's and books are available to buy in stores and from www.bigsound.co.uk