Chester Bach Singers to Launch 2026 with Special Concert Featuring New Musical Director
The Chester Bach Singers, widely acclaimed as one of the premier chamber choirs in the Northwest, are set to kick off their 2026 season with a highly anticipated concert. This event will mark a significant milestone as the choir welcomes its newly appointed Musical Director, Joseph Judge, and collaborates with the distinguished NEW Sinfonia from Wrexham, under the baton of Musical Director Robert Guy.
Historic Venue and Program Details
Scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at 3pm, the concert will take place in the historic and atmospheric setting of St Werburgh's Church in Chester. Titled 'Music of Dedication', the program promises a rich blend of classical works, headlined by Anton Bruckner's Mass in E Minor. This piece, originally composed in 1866 for the dedication of the Votivkapelle at Linz Cathedral, underwent several revisions by Bruckner in 1869, 1876, and 1882, and has since been performed and recorded extensively, with over 100 recordings to its name.
In addition to Bruckner's mass, the concert will showcase compositions by two pioneering female composers: Amy Beach and Fanny Hensel. Amy Beach, born in 1867, was a trailblazing American composer and pianist, celebrated as the first successful American woman to create large-scale art music. Her 'Gaelic' Symphony, premiered in 1896, holds the distinction of being the first symphony composed and published by an American woman, earning her a place among the most respected composers of her time.
Fanny Hensel, born in 1805 as Fanny Cäcilie Mendelssohn, was a prolific German composer and pianist with over 450 compositions, though many remained unpublished during her lifetime due to the social constraints of the era. Much of her work was attributed to her younger brother, Felix Mendelssohn, but in 1846, she bravely published a collection of songs under her own name. Her legacy continues to inspire, despite her untimely death from a stroke at age 41 in 1847.
Introducing the New Musical Director: Joseph Judge
Joseph Judge, the newly appointed Musical Director of the Chester Bach Singers, brings a wealth of experience and accolades to the role. A graduate of The Royal Northern College of Music, Judge holds multiple prestigious positions, including Chorus Director of Leeds Philharmonic Chorus, Artistic Director of the Exon Singers Festival, and Musical Director of Chester Festival Chorus. He also serves as Director of the Hallé Choral Academy and works as a Score Reader and Orchestrator with the Northern Film Orchestra.
His recent projects are equally impressive, having served as Choral Director for the acclaimed Alan Bennett film 'The Choral' and collaborating with English National Opera and Walk the Plank on community opera initiatives in Manchester. Judge has conducted ensembles such as Manchester Camerata and assisted with the BBC and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras. Additionally, he has produced recordings for Sony PlayStation and released 'Northern Lights', an album of contemporary choral works with Voices of Hope, winners of the BBC Choir of the Year.
Collaboration with NEW Sinfonia
The concert will feature the North Wales-based NEW Sinfonia, a multifaceted arts organization comprising a professional chamber orchestra, the community vocal ensemble 'NEW Voices', and an education program called 'NEW Academi'. The artistic team consists of talented musicians from across North Wales and beyond, many of whom perform with top UK orchestras like the BBC Philharmonic, BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Hallé, and Opera North when not with NEW Sinfonia.
Leading this ensemble is Musical Director and co-founder Robert Guy, an internationally acclaimed conductor with a remarkable personal story. Born with severe hearing loss, Guy did not experience birdsong until a transformative childhood operation. Today, he channels that early silence into electrifying performances. He is the Principal Conductor of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and a strong advocate for new music, as evidenced by his work on 'Gresford: Up From Underground', a community opera composed by his brother Jon Guy to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Gresford disaster. This opera is currently touring Wales, engaging thousands and celebrating Welsh heritage in innovative ways.
Event Information and Ticketing
This concert represents a unique opportunity to experience exceptional choral and orchestral music in a historic Chester venue. For full details and to book tickets, visit the Chester Bach Singers official website. The event is set to be a highlight of the local cultural calendar, blending tradition with contemporary artistry.
