Belmont choir started life in the 1970’s during Rev Elkan Levy’s tenure. It has had 6 choirmasters, including Eli Kienwald and David Druce, and has grown over the years. Its goal is to enhance shul services by producing pleasant sounds and to encourage the congregation to join in the singing! This helps when new tunes are introduced to the service.

The choir is totally voluntary and in 2006 the choir received the US/Chief Rabbi's Volunteers Award. There is consistent feedback, particularly from visitors, as to the high quality of the choir's performance.

The choir plan to sing on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (with a choir of up to 20 choristers), at least 1 of the 2 YomTov days of all the other festivals, the monthly Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, the occasional Shabbatot Rosh Chodesh during the year, and finally on special occasions such as the visit of the Chief Rabbi.

We also sing Sh’ma B’ni to BarMitzvah boys (where we encourage the fathers to participate in singing to their sons) and appropriate songs for BatMitzvah girls. It is sometimes possible to sing special requests for Shul Simchas too.

The present choirmaster is Jeremy Jacobs, deputies Russell Kett and Russell Shaw, and choir secretary Anthony Kaiser. The Belmont choir is always looking for new members particularly for “harmony” voices. You don’t need to be a musician but if you enjoy singing (in tune) please contact us. We practise weekly in the run-up to Rosh Hashanah, but there is less pressure at other times of year.