Weighton Waytes is a well established, mixed voice, community choir based in the lovely East Riding town of Market Weighton which is situated at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds.
Thankfully, “The Waytes” survived Covid 19. Initially we sang together from our homes over “Zoom” connections. Then, last summer we sang outdoors, courtesy of members who are farmers and therefore had open air space where we could sing safely. Thank you to these generous members.
With Covid 19 now largely behind us, and following several months of hard work at rehearsal, the choir is looking forward to it’s Christmas programme. We are back in All Saints Church, Market Weighton at our weekly rehearsals. It is really great to be back together again so that our Musical Director, Carole Readman can continue rebuilding the Weighton Waytes back to the high level of performance it previously enjoyed. Some hard, but enjoyable work ahead!
Currently the choir has some 50 members and generally sings in four part harmony. Weighton Waytes members come from all walks of life; are of all age ranges and of a variety of musical ability. Above all we all enjoy singing and the family support and friendship that Weighton Waytes membership provides.
The choir meets for its main rehearsal each Wednesday evening at All Saints Church, Market Place, Market Weighton and rehearsals commence promptly at 6:00 pm closing at 7:30 pm. Waytes rehearsals are open to the public and we welcome friends and supporters who would like to share with the choir the practice and development of new works and future concert programmes. It is suggested that those interested in joining The Weighton Waytes should come along to several rehearsals to ensure that they enjoy the sort of music that we sing. It is preferable, but not essential that new members are able to read music. They certainly need to have a love of singing and look to perform a wide range of music for the pleasure of others.
Normally, the choir takes part in around 40 performances annually across the East Riding of Yorkshire and further afield. In addition, we sing at many weddings and some funerals. We also support Church services in Market Weighton and surrounding towns and villages when requested to do so. The Waytes make no charge for their concert performances enabling them to assist various organisations in their fund raising. A strength of The Waytes is that their proficiency and the size of the choir membership means that there are always sufficient numbers available to meet all sizes of venue and differing musical requirements.
The Choir are proud of the strong and warm fellowship that exists and work hard at maintaining a friendly relationship between all sections and all members. Necessarily the Choir travel extensively locally and there is an active car sharing arrangement for those who do not drive or are concerned about some of our rural destinations.
Photograph shows members of the Weighton Waytes at a Choral Concert at Little Weighton near Brough.