LOCAL award-winning baritone Tom Corbishley will be setting out for Japan at the end of October as a member and soloist with the renowned Bath Male Choir.
Bath Male Choir will be the first amateur English male choir to perform to audiences in Kyoto and Tokyo.
Nearer home, Tom will be the soloist at the choir’s pre-tour concert which takes place at Devizes Corn Exchange on Saturday 11th October.
The choir was seen by a world-wide audience when they reached the finals of the Saturday evening BBC One ‘Last Choir Standing’ series. Since that time they have performed at prestigious concert venues across Europe.
Founder conductor is Grenville Jones, who has a world-wide reputation as a musician through his many choirs, including the 125 strong Devizes Good Afternoon Choir and as founder of the Goldies charity that now reaches out across southern England and Wales.
Tom was educated at St Augustine’s Catholic College. His talents came to the fore as a member of the Bath-based Zenith Youth Theatre Company, taking the lead role in many of their productions. He won the prestigious Bristol Evening Post Rose Bowl award for Best Youth Actor on two occasions whilst a member of Zenith.
It was one of his lead roles with Zenith that was seen by Grenville. Since that time Tom has performed with Grenville’s choirs at many concerts.
Tom said, “I have sung with the choir across the UK, but this will be a tour to remember. There are 42 in the party and Grenville has planned a fascinating itinerary in both Kyoto and Tokyo.”
On Japan Culture Day, Monday 3rd November , Bath Male Choir will be guests of the prestigious Bacchus choral festival which is organised by the Japan Choral Association Kansai Division, the City of Itami and the Itami Culture Foundation.
Bath Male Choir will be the first choir from the United Kingdom to sing at the festival which attracts choirs from across Japan.
Yoshihiro Egawa is deputy-secretary general of the Japan Choral Association. He said, “The visit of Bath Male Choir will have very special significance to our Bacchus Festival and we look forward with great enthusiasm to welcoming their conductor Dr Grenville Jones and his famous male choir, including their soloist Mr Tom Corbishley. It will be a wonderful experience for our members and the men from Bath.”
Tickets for the 11th October concert In Devizes Corn Exchange are on sale priced £10 from Devizes Books Sidmouth Street – Devizes or call Barry Holton on 01380 730450.; www.bathmalechoir.org
