One of the Northwest's foremost chamber choirs since 1970
Dove Is All You Need
Our recent concert on 14th March featured three works by contemporary composer Jonathan Dove. He was kind enough to talk to us about the pieces, his work more generally, and to answer some searing questions from choir members. You can watch clips from our conversation with Jonathan Dove, and read transcripts of them!
Feed the Byrds!
Our Crowdfunder was an amazing success but if you missed the boat, don't worry, it is still open for your kind support! Please visit our Crowdfunder page to find out how you can support us.
The William Byrd Singers are one of the foremost chamber choirs in the North West, and were formed just over fifty years ago under our first conductor, the great and greatly missed Stephen Wilkinson MBE. Our current MD is Keith Orrell, whose eclectic programming has seen us tackle diverse repertoire including Hindemith, Vierne, and Wylkynson, as well as Bach's St. Matthew Passion and Byrd's Great Service
Upcoming Events
Singet!
7:00pm, Sat, 14 Nov 2026Music predominantly composed for double choir. Schutz’s Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied and Brahms’ Fest und Gedenksprüche, Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir, also music by JS Bach, Mendelssohn ... moreCome and sing Handel's Messiah with the Byrds
2:15pm, Sun, 6 Dec 2026We will sing every chorus and some selected solos performed by Byrds’ choristers. Come and join us! Choral leader: Keith Orrell Stephen Hargreaves (organ) Booking form at www.williambyrdsingers.com Ticket: £20 ... moreHenry Purcell "Dido and Aeneas"
7:00pm, Sun, 14 Mar 2027Soloists from the choir. Conductor: Keith Orrell Players from the Eighteenth Century Sinfonia Ticket: £15 | £5 (student) more
JOIN THE CHOIR!
You may be interested in making music with us, and in joining our merry band of Byrds. You can always ask at any concert, and our members will be only too happy to answer questions about being in the choir and the transporting experiences that come along with the hard work of rehearsals. But if you are serious about choral singing and want to find out more, visit our Membership page, where you can apply for an audition slot. We are a friendly bunch, but we keep our standards high, and because we are a chamber choir there will not always be an immediate vacancy to fill. But don't let that discourage you -- we are always happy to hear from motivated and experienced singers who want a fresh challenge!
We rehearse every Sunday afternoon at 1400, in the hall of Christ Church West Didsbury, Darley Ave, Manchester M20 2ZD.
