Relationship to BFCS

 

Bradford Friendship Choir (BFC) was founded as a branch of 
Bradford Festival Choral Society (BFCS).   Since its foundation in 1856, BFCS has always aimed to foster music appreciation, and spread the joy of singing in the wider community. 

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In Summer 2015, with a grant from Bradford Council, BFCS organised One City, Many Voices, Bradford Sings! as part of the Bradford Festival.  Over a weekend, eleven choirs sang in various venues such as Bradford Interchange, Waterstones, Kirkgate Market and the Media Museum.  BFCS used part of the grant to provide musical support for refugees and people seeking asylum who met at BIASAN (Bradford Immigration & Asylum Support & Advice Network), who sang at the festival with the support of their singing leader, Caroline Challis.  Caroline continued to work with a group of women at BIASAN, and collected some songs from their countries of origin, click here for more information on this project. 

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Fran Wyburn started BFC in 2016 and since then it has grown and flourished with the addition of Pariss Joseph, joining in 2017 until 2022 and also Alice Phelps from 2018 and MJ Walker from 2022 onwards. The Trustees of BFCS have overall responsibility for BFC providing guidance and organisational support. BFC continues to seek donations and to secure funding bids to ensure our Choir continues to provide sanctuary and joy for its members. You can donate to the choir here