All welcome to rehearsals - 7.30pm, Christ's Church, Harrogate
07711 945929
Beati
~ Beautiful Voices ~
Directed & Conducted by Anthony Gray
Beati is our small ensemble of 10 singers formed in 2008 to perform music written for upper voices.
All singers are members of Harrogate Choral Society (HCS) and audition to join.
SINGERS
Fiona Young, Rachel Parker, Angela Kidman
Jo Trigg, Margaret Knight, Adrienne Amos, Emma Littlewood
Melissa Firth, Judith Mckenna, Sarah Sherliker
All singers are members of Harrogate Choral Society (HCS) and audition to join.
SINGERS
Fiona Young, Rachel Parker, Angela Kidman
Jo Trigg, Margaret Knight, Adrienne Amos, Emma Littlewood
Melissa Firth, Judith Mckenna, Sarah Sherliker
Our singers have a wide range of experience that generally began at an early age. Taking part in school, church, college or university choirs led to high quality performances within chamber choirs and amateur dramatic productions. All have gained huge confidence from performing in a wide variety of venues including: Royal Albert Hall; Festival Hall; Leeds Town Hall; Fountains Abbey, Ripon; Durham Cathedral; Ely Cathedral; Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead; Kings College Cambridge; Yankee Stadium, New York; Il Duomo, Florence; St Mark's Basilica, Venice.
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Anthony Gray was appointed Beati’s Director of Music in September 2024. A highly accomplished organist, composer and conductor, Anthony became an organ scholar at Bradford Cathedral before reading music at Robinson College, Cambridge.
PERFORMANCES
Beati perform in large and small venues and regularly appear as part of HCS concerts and at fundraising events. Performance pieces range from jazz and folksong arrangements through to classical and sacred works.
The ensemble can also be booked for private functions - please complete the form below to make enquiries.
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Anthony Gray was appointed Beati’s Director of Music in September 2024. A highly accomplished organist, composer and conductor, Anthony became an organ scholar at Bradford Cathedral before reading music at Robinson College, Cambridge.
PERFORMANCES
Beati perform in large and small venues and regularly appear as part of HCS concerts and at fundraising events. Performance pieces range from jazz and folksong arrangements through to classical and sacred works.
The ensemble can also be booked for private functions - please complete the form below to make enquiries.
~ Beati ~
From the Latin beatus – meaning blessed.
Beati is the plural form - as in those blessed with beautiful voices.
From the Latin beatus – meaning blessed.
Beati is the plural form - as in those blessed with beautiful voices.
A Concert for Refugee Week
Friday 20th June at 7.30pm
in The West Park Centre, West Park United Reform Church,
Victoria Ave, Harrogate HG1 1BL
On one of the hottest evenings in June I attended an inspiring concert at the West Park Centre laid on by the Harrogate & Knaresborough District of Sanctuary for Refugee Week. The audience numbered about fifty and was arranged around tables enabling it to enjoy drinks and a delicious light supper during the interval.
Beati sang a wide variety of challenging items including songs by Bob Chilcott, John Rutter and Kurt Weill, introduced by their conductor Anthony Gray in his usual thoughtful and friendly manner. Beati always sing so well and with their enthusiasm and close attention to their conductor are an example to one particular (male) section of the choral society. John Longstaff, from St Peter’s, performed a very amusing piece “On moving the first piano in Spring”.
Arina Smirnova played the Bandura, a traditional Ukrainian instrument, and Kseniia Bila sang a solo item. Both these young gifted students, originally from Ukraine, performed so confidently. Arina’s mother, Nataliia, a professional musician, then performed Chopin’s formidable Fantaisie Impromptu. This nearly brought the house down. It was a delightful and moving occasion.
Charles Nightingale
Rhythms of Spring
Saturday 10 May 2025 at 7.30 pm
in St Andrews Church, Starbeck, HG2 7JE
On a warm summer’s evening, with birdsong drifting in through open doors and sunlight glowing softly through the stained glass of St Andrew’s Church, Rhythms of Spring offered a truly joyous celebration of music, storytelling, and community. The setting alone was enchanting — but what unfolded inside was equally magical.
This was an evening brought to life by Beati and Friends, with Anthony at the helm as conductor and Tom providing sensitive and skilful accompaniment. The programme, carefully curated and performed with heartfelt precision, began with a selection of sacred, contemplative pieces such as The Silver Swan (Orlando Gibbons) and Northern Lights (Ola Gjeilo) – reflective and reverent, perfectly suited to the space. As the evening unfolded, the mood lifted into something livelier and more playful, with jazzy rhythms and upbeat harmonies such as Bob Chilcott’s Jazz Mass and Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) showcasing the group’s versatility and flair. Each piece captured a different facet of spring spirit – from quiet renewal to joyful celebration.
The evening was further enriched by a standout performance from WADE (West African Drumming Ensemble) of St Aidan’s High School. Under the guidance of Louisa Collett, these talented pupils — spanning a wide age range — captivated the audience with their dynamic rhythms and impressive focus. Several of the pieces were student-composed, a remarkable testament to the creativity being fostered in the school. Their energy and precision brought a vibrant, infectious pulse to the evening.
Adding another layer to the event was the warm and witty storytelling of Christine Littlewood, whose Tales in the Dales readings provided moments of humour and familiarity. Her delivery was engaging and expertly timed, offering a gentle contrast to the musical offerings and reminding us of the power of words to paint vivid pictures.
In every respect, Rhythms of Spring lived up to its name — fresh, invigorating, and filled with the vitality of a season that brings people together. A thoroughly wonderful evening, and a proud moment for all involved.
Melissa Firth (Ulrich)
An Evening with Beati
Friday 27 September 2024 at 7.30pm in Darley Memorial Hall
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with guests Daniel Hutton and Christine Littlewood
In Memory of Katy Penn Directed by Anthony Gray Beati is a small choir of 10 female voices performing choral classics across a range of genres - from the most serious sacred works, through to jazz numbers and folksong arrangements. The concert will be particularly special as the choir will sing in memory of their former member Katy Penn, who died suddenly earlier this year. |
Anthony Gray is Beati’s Director of Music. He has been working with the 10 sopranos and altos since September 2023 and is impressed by the quality of sound created by the choir. He says: "I have hugely enjoyed working with this very musically adept group. September’s concert is absolutely going to offer a smorgasbord of delights.”
The concert was well attended by an appreciative audience of over 70 people. Marilynne Davies opened the concert, paying a warm tribute to Katy before introducing Anthony Gray. Beati were also joined by friends Daniel Hutton, a member of HCS, who sang three solo pieces and Christine Littlewood, who entertained with poetry and tales from the Dales. John Longstaff provided the keyboard accompaniment, and special thanks should go to both he and Jean Clay (HCS Sop 2 and rehearsal pianist). Monies raised will go into HCS Funds.
Thanks should also be given to HCS members Louise and Bryan Dexter, who provided invaluable support in liaising with the Memorial Hall and in serving refreshments.
Beati thoroughly enjoyed the evening and are delighted to be working with Anthony and looking forward to an exciting musical future under his leadership.
The concert was well attended by an appreciative audience of over 70 people. Marilynne Davies opened the concert, paying a warm tribute to Katy before introducing Anthony Gray. Beati were also joined by friends Daniel Hutton, a member of HCS, who sang three solo pieces and Christine Littlewood, who entertained with poetry and tales from the Dales. John Longstaff provided the keyboard accompaniment, and special thanks should go to both he and Jean Clay (HCS Sop 2 and rehearsal pianist). Monies raised will go into HCS Funds.
Thanks should also be given to HCS members Louise and Bryan Dexter, who provided invaluable support in liaising with the Memorial Hall and in serving refreshments.
Beati thoroughly enjoyed the evening and are delighted to be working with Anthony and looking forward to an exciting musical future under his leadership.