Beckenham Junior Choir - giving children in Beckenham, Bromley and Southeast London a place to sing!

These are the things that some people have said about the choirs. If you would like to add your comment, please email us.

A recent review from the magazine of St Swithun's Church, Hither Green:

BECKENHAM JUNIOR CHOIR AND BECKENHAM YOUTH VOICES CONCERT

     George Bernard Shaw said in the late 1920s that "Elgar is carrying on Beethoven's business". Likewise, if we could transport John Webber via the Tardis to the mid 18th century we could say "He is carrying on  Bach's business". Organist, choirmaster, teacher, recital soloist and composer: what else is there for him to do,musically?
           
    We at St. Swithun's are fortunate that John, for so many years our organist and choirmaster, retains a great affection for our church and congregation; duly encouraged, he came with numerous forces to present a very varied concert of young talent and enthusiasm.
         
    I had jokingly said that we must leave early to ensure finding a good seat, but since the traffic was so heavy in Verdant  Lane, and parking nigh impossible near the church, we arrived a little late and found the church packed .
          
   John has great relationship with young people and can obviously enthuse them and draw out their best. To see small children sing intricate part songs and jazzy syncopated play songs all from memory, was a marvel and a tribute to John's hard work. (And the children's - Ed)
      
   Most of the accompaniment was by amplified keyboard, but a small orchestra did accompany some numbers most proficiently (No scratchy strings here!) More senior members of the Youth Voices sang solos - especially memorable was Simon Kale singing "Maria" from West Side Story, which took me back to seeing the film at a Thursday matinee in 1963.
     
   The Junior Choir and Orchestra rounded off the evening, finishing with "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles", complete with gushing bubble machine.
 
   A full house greatly appreciated the musical fare on offer, and the young choristers enjoyed showing off their talents and hard work.
                                                   Martin Passande

“John is very good at giving opportunities. He’s amazing at building children’s confidence to perform in a friendly environment that they never thought was possible. John’s ability to organise has given children the chance to play and make music with other children of similar ages from many different schools.” - Tom Chapman, Pianist

“Playing with the choirs improves your ability to play as a group in a supporting environment” - Emily Chapman, Oboist

"John is just the greatest enthusiast, he's a teacher down to his boots" - Chris Buckley, Guitarist

"My main memories of the choir are how enthusiastic the children were, and how the main aim was that they would have fun through their music. I think the children in particular liked us allowing so many of them to do little solos, even the younger ones and the slightly less confident singers. - Michael Segal, Pianist

"It was a great experience to combine my love of music with working with the children. John offers such brilliant opportunities and its such good fun with a great mix of different types of music". - Becky Segal, Pianist

"We are really going to miss Beckenham Junior Choir so much and are looking to join something in Tonbridge (although we realise what you offer is unique).  Thank you so much for all your kindness and hard work and for believing in Bonnie." - Mother of Bonnie

"I greatly enjoyed my time with Beckenham Junior Choir and am pleased to see that they have gone from strength to strength since I left them 7 years ago." - Louisa Abraham, Pianist

"I truly believe that the great fun I had as a young chorister helped to foster my life-long love of music, and for that reason I will always have fond memories of my time with Beckenham Junior Choir." - Serena Aylward, Pianist

"Its been fantastic to see young children join, very meek and nervous, and then be able to stand up in front of a large audience and sing with the choir. Within a short time they even have the confidence to sing solos. The choir really helps their characters develop." - Chris Edwards, Mother of Zosia