Over the years, Bangor Ladies Choir have performed in many countries and many venues with many memorable experiences, one of which was York Minster. In Europe the Choir sang in the City Cathedrals of Antwerp and Brussels, and it was in this City that they also sang in the European Parliament, and in 2006, the Choir's 30th
Anniversary, they sang in the European Parliament's sister building in Strasbourg.
On another occasion they proudly represented Bangor in Concert performances in their twin town of Bregenz, Austria, and in 2003 in the USA, where they appeared with the Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, a male voice Choir from Japan and a Chamber Choir from Norway, in a performance of Beethoven's Choral 9th Symphony, as well as giving several personal concerts. Following this visit the choir were privileged to be awarded the Sister Cities International Award for Best Overall Programme and this trophy adds sparkle to past achievements. In 2005, the Choir were delighted to be able to add Toronto, Canada, to
their list of concert tours, where they helped to raise over $25,000 for charity.
In 2007 they visited Swansea in Wales for the first time to perform concerts with the Gwalia Male Singers and sing at morning service in St. David's Cathedral in Swansea. In December 2008 the Choir visited the beautiful city of Vienna, Austria, where they sang in the Rathaus [Vienna City Hall], the Schonnebrun Palace and various other venues and in May 2009 the Choir helped celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Bolsterstone Male Voice Choir by joining them in Yorkshire for their Anniversary Concert.
2010 saw the Choir travel to Bath to sing at concerts with the Bath Male Choir, participants from the BBC Programme Last Choir Standing and even though the Icelandic Ash Cloud meant that they could not get home on time, this still didn't dampen what was a fabulous weekend with many new friendships made.
In May 2011 the Choir had a fabulous trip Newcastle on Tyne where they performed two concerts Lanercost Priory, Northumberland and St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle on Tyne as well as a recital in Hexham Abbey. A wonderful weekend of singing, socialising and, of course, shopping, was had by all with a special performance of the Water of Tyne right beside the River Tyne!
2012 saw the choir travel to Bobbio in Italy to help cement the Christian Heritage link between Bangor and Bobbio through the town's celebrated St. Columbanus who left Bangor to spread the Christian word throughout Europe. The Choir had a fabulous weekendof singing and were made so welcome by the people of this beautiful town. They have since visited Italy and sang in the Genoa Parliament Building which was a privilege and honour.
In 2013 the Choir travelled to Much Wenlock in the beautiful county of Shropshire to sing with the Male Voice Choir who had visited Bangor in 2011. The choir had a wonderful weekend and the weather was fabulous too.
Bangor Ladies Choir returned from a very successful weekend of choral competitions at Mayo International Choral Festival 2014. Having not competed in a Festival for nearly 20 years, the Choir were awarded second place in a very highly contested Ladies Choir competition, with only one point between them and the winners.
In 2015 Bangor Ladies Choir had the pleasure of visiting our good friends Dumfries Male Voice Choir. The joint concert at St. Teresa’s Church was well received by the audience raising funds for Age Concern Scotland and St Teresa's Ethiopian Clinic. The following social was great fun with a few lessons on only crossing arms on the last verse of Auld Lang Syne as is the proper Scottish tradition!
Continuing the 1400th Commemoration of St. Columbanus, Bangor Ladies Choir visited the beautiful town of Myshall Co. Carlow. It was a pleasure to sing at the acoustically marvellous Church of the Holy Cross dating back to 1776. A massively warm welcome, a wonderful meal and lovely people will have us long remembering our trip to this wee town.
In the Summer of 2016 Bangor Ladies visited Huntingdon and Cambridge and met up with Huntingdon MVC that we had met previously at the Mayo Choral Festival. There were trips on Canals in Cambridge, a lovely concert in St Mary’s Church, Godmanchester and more singing into the night.
Sunny Bournemouth lived up to its name, in June 2017, where the choir had a fantastic trip, this time meeting Bournemouth Male Voice Choir for a concert in the wonderful acoustics of St. Stephens. Bournemouth MVC had previously displayed their diverse and wonderful talents in Bangor International Choral Festival and continued to impress with their new and wonderful pieces, superb singing and then the dance moves!!
2018 saw Bangor Ladies Choir taking part in the Liverpool Lightnight Festival where they provided a short set of pieces commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Suffragette Movement’s success in achieving votes for Women in 1918. They had a fabulous trip meeting up with Liverpool Community Choir for a Concert in the truly magnificent St. George's Concert Hall. Liverpool Community Choir where absolutely superb hosts with singing to match, we thoroughly enjoyed performing with them. Thank you to everyone who helped the choir to have such an enjoyable and memorable trip. The Choir were also privileged to give a lunchtime recital in Liverpool Cathedral which was an amazing venue.
In 2019 the Choir once again visited Italy, this time having the privilege of singing for the Mayor of Genoa in the most beautiful building and to promote the cultural heritage link of St Columbanus. We had a wonderful time visiting and singing in the beautiful towns Zuccarrello, Albenga and Ravello and were given wonderful hospitality by the local people. Our grateful thanks goes to our wonderful friend and honorary member of Bangor Ladies Choir, Manuela Bertoncini, without whom we could not have completed the trip.
Of course there was no travel in 2020, 2021 and 2022 but in 2023 the choir re-commenced their travel by visiting Bristol and sharing the stage with the wonderful Allegra Ladies Choir from Newport in Wales and the Defence Academy Military Wives Choir. A wonderful weekend was had by all and we’ll definitely be teaming up again in the future. Now plans are in place for another visit to Bobbio in Italy in 2024 when we will share the stage with several choirs – to say we’re looking forward to it is an understatement! Roll on
2024!