Over 65 Years of Choral Singing...

You can find a summary of all our concerts since 1989 here.

Birkenhead Choral Society celebrated its Diamond Jubilee Season in 2015 /16 and is proud to continue its musical traditions by performing in the Wirral and Merseyside area. The Society was formed in 1956 when the Hamilton Ladies Choir and the Birkenhead Male Voice Choir joined forces.  In the early years, under its founding conductor, Charles Scarratt (b.1909-d.1979), the choir was successful in competitive singing at various music festivals, notably the National Eisteddfod singing in the Welsh Language and also the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen. 

Following  the founder’s death and a number of interim conductors, David Holroyd took over as conductor in 1985, since when the choir has concentrated its efforts towards producing choral works of a high standard, and has firmly established a regular programme of concerts annually.

David's musical career probably began at the age of seven when he joined the choir at St Hilary’s Church, Wallasey.  He was smitten by the sounds of the historic “Father Willis” organ, and in due course he learned the organ with Timothy Lawford at Birkenhead School, before becoming Roger Fisher’s Organ Scholar at Chester Cathedral.   He studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, gaining the Graduate of Music and the prestigious Professional Performance Diplomas.  his first study was organ, with Ronald Frost and Gillian Weir, and choir-training with John Bertalot, along with piano and harpsichord.

He was appointed Assistant Organist at Chester Cathedral, before taking up his appointment at Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School, where he was Director of Music.  He conducts the Choral Societies in Birkenhead and Formby, directs Amadeus: the Chamber Choir, and is Organist at St Peter’s Church, Formby.  

In Summer 2019 he retired from Merchant Taylors’ after 33 years service, and is now able to devote more time to the choirs, to playing the organ more, composing music, (including a carol for his second grandchild’s first Christmas concert), and even returning to long-neglected hobbies such as photography and drawing.  

Jon Barton: Organ, Piano and our Rehearsal Accompanist

Jon began studying organ at the Liverpool  Anglican Cathedral with Ian Wells, and then with Matthew Owens and Kevin Bowyer at the Royal Northern  College of Music, where he also studied piano with Paul Janes, and harpsichord with David Francis.

Whilst at the RNCM he was awarded a scholarship to continue his studies abroad wiith Zsigmond Szathmary, Bernhard Haas and Yanka Hekimova. Since then, he has given recitals in many cathedrals and concert halls across the UK, and also features regularly in concerts and functions at Liverpool Hope University.

Jon has served as Dirctor of Music at Shrewbusry Cathedral since 2018 and also teaches at Birkenhead School.

A few years ago he returned to Merseyside and we are delighted that he is our regular accompanist. He lives locally with his wife and family.

Over time the Society has forged links with Formby Choral Society to produce larger scale works at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool and to share in European tours.  We produced a major concert as part of the Liverpool 2008 City of Culture celebrations, and continue to produce major choral works by familiar and not-so-familiar composers. We also work with the Royal Northern College of Music, and link with young people in our Wirral Schools.  Locally we share ideas with other Music Societies and liaise with the local community.