SECONDARY SCHOOLS

St. Josephs perform for Lord Mayor                                                  At the invitation of the Lord Mayor of Bradford, St. Josephs Catholic College Choir performed at a Civic reception and luncheon for the Women's branch of the Royal British Legion.  For a report on the event, and pictures of the choir singing, go to the Diocese of Leeds Music Department BLOG.

Yorkshire Schools Choir of the Year Competition 2006                     On Saturday 9th December 2006, eight schools battled it out in a 'X factor' style competition for the title of Yorkshire Schools Choir of the Year.  Of the eight schools chosen for the final, three operate under the auspices of the BYC.  St. Josephs College sang an upbeat arrangement of 'The Virgin Mary had a baby boy' alongside 'Jingle Bell Rock!'  Holy Family opened with 'When a child is born,' contrasting with the drama of 'Reindeer on the Roof.'  Competition winners Yorkshire Martyrs sang a unique song: 'Sheep, Sheep, Sheep' the nativity story told from the shepherds and sheep who were grazing the hills point of view!

For more details click here

Yorkshire Martyrs receive standing ovation in France!                     The choir of Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College has recently returned from a weeks tour to the Pyrenees region of France. The choir sang for Liturgies and Concerts in Lourdes and Tarbes, receiving a standing ovation in several concerts!  For a report on the trip, con-cert programs and pictures, click here.

For reports on past events, click here

Holy Family School Keighley are partners with St Joseph's, St Bede's and Yorkshire Martyrs High Schools in Bradford in the BYC programme.

The BYC leadership team direct choirs within each of the schools on a weekly basis.  The choirs rehearse for an hour a week during the school day on a rotating timetable, and perform both individually at school liturgies, concerts and functions as well as corporately at BYC concerts.

St Joseph's College Choir  (Director: Chris McElroy)
The current members of St Joseph's College choir build upon the rich singing tradition that has existed for many years at St Joseph's College. The choir performs regularly at school liturgies and presentation evenings as well as singing in the local community, especially at Christmas time, when the choir visits local care home to sing Christmas Carols.  The choir has been a finalist in the Yorkshire Schools Choir of the Year Competition twice (2005, 2006.)

St Bede's Grammar School  (Director: Chris McElroy)       St Bede's male voice choir will make its performance debut at the 2007 Gala concert in April.  Consisting of around 80 boys. The choir also has ambitious plans to visit France in the not to distant future!  In addition, St. Bedes is represented by the Bradford Boys' Choir which rehearse at the school on a weekly basis.  Click here for further information.

Holy Family School Choir  (Director: Chris McElroy) 
The choir of the Holy Family School performs a wide repertoire of both sacred and secular music under the direction of its dynamic young conductor, Chris McElroy.  The choir has three times (2004, 2005, 2006) been a finalist in the Yorkshire Schools Choir of the Year Competition as well as performing within the schools own concert series and liturgies.

Yorkshire Martyrs College Choir (Director:Chris McElroy)
The choir of Yorkshire Martyrs began in September 2005 under the direction of the BYC leadership team.  During the first year the choir performed at concerts and liturgies in school.  In 2005 the choir was awarded the runners up spot in  the Yorkshire Schools Choir of the Year Competition.  A year later, the choir went one better earning the prestigious title of Yorkshire Schools Choir of the Year!  Summer 2006 saw the choir travel to France to sing at liturgies and concerts in Lourdes and Tarbes.