The Stanchester Quire was the brainchild of Eddie Upton, Musical Director of Folk South West.
In 1996, he advertised for people who wanted to sing in a new community quire specialising in the wealth of traditional West Country song. The response was surprising to Eddie (to say the least) when about 100 people turned up and the room he had booked wasn’t big enough.!
Since that day the Quire has never looked back. Eddie has introduced us to dozens of old songs many of which were collected by Cecil Sharp, over a hundred years ago, from ordinary folk who had learned the songs from their forbears.
We have performed at a number of events including The Sidmouth Folk Festival, Montacute House 400th year Celebrations & Pageant, Ludlow Medieval Fair, Bishop Jim Thompson’s Farewell in Taunton, Cecil Sharps centenary at Hambridge, and in many churches and theatres around the region. We have also enjoyed exchange visits with a French Basque choir, Elhea and we have appeared with the famous Yetties a few times.
We have our own Commitee, who arrange our gigs and any exchanges we may have with other choirs.
Recordings have also been made along the way, the most recent being the ‘Fanfare for the South West’ in association with the famous folk artists John Kirkpatrick, Gina La Faux and others.
Quire history
CD Recordings
Details of Recordings including Stanchester Quire.
Where the Parrett winds Peaceful-
Songs collected by Cecil Sharp from the towns and villages on the River Parrett which rises in Cheddington Dorset, passing through Langport and entering the sea in the Bristol Channel.
Features Stanchester and Bridgewater Quires and guests (including George Withers).
A West Country Christmas-
The Stanchester Quire and guests perform traditional carols from Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Cornwall. Also includes evocative tales and readings.
Joy to the World CD
A CD of Christmas songs from the South West featuring Thomas Shoel’s celebrated anthem Joy to the World. Also features Stanchester singers and Eddie Upton.
Fanfare for the South West
The stunning CD from Fellside records and Folk South West celebrating the South west. Featuring John Kirkpatrick, Gina le Faux, Tim van Eyken, Benji Kirkpatrick, Rob Harbron, Paul Burgess, Eddie Upton and the Stanchester Quire
These recordings can be purchased directly from Folk South West at the following address:
Folk South West
Church Farm
Leigh
Dorset, DT9 6HL
e-
Please mention this website when ordering
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