Reading Barbershop Harmony Club
Who we are & What we do!
Formed in 1974 the Thames Valley Chorus is the main performing choir of the Reading Barbershop Harmony Club and is one of Europe's top male-voice a cappella singing groups. The 60+ members of the chorus come from all walks of life just to create the distinctive sound of men singing in close harmony. Performances on TV, radio and stage have included London's "Proms in the Park", BBC TV's Record Breakers, a UK tour with the RAF Band, with Robbie Williams on ITV's Ant & Dec Christmas Special, a season at Windsor's Legoland, and representing the UK at two International Choir Festivals (gold award winners both times!). Please visit our Singing Events page for fuller details.
Rehearsals take place weekly at the Piggott School, Twyford, Berkshire and
anyone who can hold a tune can join us to learn to sing songs from a large and varied repertoire
including ballads and up tempo numbers from very old love songs, through to the Beach Boys, and from old Broadway shows right up
to the present day. We have produced a number of quality CDs which demonstrate the huge range of songs we sing; for details
and purchases please visit our CD Sales page. Chorus Director, Rhiannon Owens-Hall, has ensured
that the chorus remains in the top flight of the UK barbershop world of which the Club is a founder member
(visit BABS
the British Association of Barbershop Singers)
As part of its involvement in the Reading/Düsseldorf Twinning initiative several tours of Düsseldorf have taken place. The club is also a keen supporter of local charities such as Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust for whom over £7,000 has been raised in recent years through special fund-raising Shows. For more information about the goings on in the Club you can download a copy of our latest magazine TAG RAG from here
The Daytimers is a select group of about 20 singers from within Thames Valley Chorus (mostly retired) who entertain audiences at Retirement Clubs, W.I.'s, Day Centres, Church-based groups, and Summer Fetes, to name but a few.
In addition we have a number of excellent quartets within our ranks who sing
the traditional barbershop songs some of which you might expect to hear, but
also some not so traditional very special songs. Currently they are
Rockaholix, Figaro,
and
Take Four.
So, whether you are looking for a large chorus to entertain at a major event, a smaller group for a less formal occasion, or a top-quality quartet for a more intimate Show, please visit the Hear Us & Book Us page of this web site and we'll look forward to singing to you.