Harborough Singers

History
The Harborough Singers was initially formed some 30 years ago. From its early years as a predominantly competitive choir, the group has expanded its repertoire to include a vast range of music from medieval to modern, classic choral to contemporary rock and pop, full-scale oratorios to folk songs. The choir's current repertoire includes the ever-popular Handel's Messiah, a variety of Requiems, including the German Requiem by Brahms, Durufle's Requiem, and a Requiem for rock band and choir, as well as a host of sacred and secular part songs.

Accolades
Competitive successes have included BBC Radio 3's Let the Peoples Sing, the Sainsbury 's BBC TV Choir of the Year, the Debrecen choral festival in Hungary and the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. Tours have included concerts in the USA and Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, The Czech Republic, The Netherlands and all over the British Isles, including Southwark and St Paul's Cathedrals.

Musical Director
David Beavan, the Harborough Singers’ musical director, was a choral scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge and conducted the choir of the University Church, Great St Mary's. Further study followed at Trinity College of Music, London. Performing and recording with the Swingle Singers throughout Europe, the USA, Australia and the Far East developed his interest in many different styles and periods of music.

As a soloist, he has performed throughout the UK and Europe. Operatic performances have included the Wexford Festival and the Royal Opera, Covent Garden. He has performed and recorded with the Deller Consort, the Consort of Music, Pro Cantione Antiqua and the Hilliard Ensemble. As a conductor, David directed the choral society of Westfield College, London, later becoming the conductor of the Harborough Singers in Leicestershire and the Blackfriars Singers in London. In 1990 he formed a group of young professional singers, Serenata Voices, which performs, broadcasts and records music that reflects his wide range of musical experience.

For a number of years, he has assisted Trevor Pinnock as the manager of the Choir of the English Concert and continues to do so with Andrew Manze. He also works frequently with many groups in Europe and the USA.