Dan Walker: Pioneering Sheffield choir 'took the roof off' at 100th performance

Steel City Choristers was formed following the closure of Sheffield Cathedral Choir in 2020. Members wanted to keep singing together and to share their music more widely. The charity has since recruited more singers and led worship at churches and cathedrals across Yorkshire, as well as performing for a diverse range of other communities. Last week, the Choristers marked their 100th performance at The Crucible with A Night at the Musicals in aid of Sheffield homelessness cause Roundabout, hosted by Sheffield TV presenter Dan Walker. The choir sang their own arrangements of The Bare Necessities and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, which was the final act before a rousing finale of Thank You for the Music sung by all of the evening’s performers. Dan Walker said: “It was great to have the SCC as part of what was a wonderful night at The Crucible. “They took the roof off the famous venue with their version of Bohemian Rhapsody. It was a wonderful way to celebrate their 100th performance.”Kate Caroe, Chair of Trustees at Steel City Choristers, added: “The sold-out show at Sheffield’s best-known venue was an amazing place to celebrate our 100th performance. “It’s incredible to look back at how many opportunities have arisen for us so quickly, and how so many people have appreciated us coming to sing for them. “We have sung for all sorts of denominations of churches, as well as in venues such as pubs, Gulliver’s Valley theme park and the Winter Gardens! “Choral music can be seen as elitist and inaccessible but we are showing that, with training, any child can sing to a high standard, and everyone can enjoy listening to it. “The English choral tradition goes back hundreds of years, but it still touches people emotionally today. “Even if they have not experienced choral music live before, everyone we sing for loves it!” The choir’s very first gig was carol singing on an allotment. In a full-circle moment, they will return to sing for social inclusion charity Parson Cross Initiative during their summer solstice event there later this month. Next year, the Choristers are set to perform at Winchester Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral in London and even internationally, at Berlin Cathedral. They have collaborated with many other groups, including singing Bach’s St Matthew Passion with the choir of St John’s church Ranmoor in April. They have also twice ran their Reasons to Sing! project with social supermarket users, matching people’s favourite songs with historic pieces in the name of reaching new, unexpected or hard-to-reach audiences. But while demand for performances is high, finding the money needed to continue the choir is a challenge. The volunteer-run Choristers raise their own funding and are calling for Sheffield people and businesses to get behind them if they are able to help. Kate added: “When we first launched Steel City Choristers, we never imagined we’d become such a sought-after choir and pioneer this new model of cathedral-style music. “We hope that we can continue to inspire more people to sing, because it is so good for you and it really builds community. “To do that we need to move towards a more sustainable funding model.”The choir has launched a ‘100 Days of Music Making’ fundraising campaign: members and friends are being sponsored to make music on 100 days between their 100th performance and Christmas Day. The Choristers rehearse twice a week at St John’s Church in Owlerton, where auditions for new members will be held on Monday 2nd September.To donate to the choir, or become a Friend, visit justgiving.com/page/steelcitychoristers100 and steelcitychoristers.org.uk