The former banking hall inside The Exchange on Broad Street proved to be a splendid location for the latest performance by the Westside Christmas Choir.
It was the first time the choir had sung inside what is the ‘public gateway’ for the University of Birmingham. And as you can see from our special video of the event, they enjoyed themselves very much indeed.
Elaine Weir, business liaison manager for Westside BID, said: “The Exchange is such a fabulous venue we felt we just had to come to sing here especially as the University of Birmingham made everyone feel so welcome. They already had a lovely Christmas tree in position so hopefully we just added to the festive spirit.”
This was the third performance in a week by the choir after dates at Tricorn House and Baskerville House on Wednesday and Friday last week.
Elaine added: “We’ve been enjoying ourselves so much I might look to add one or two more new venues before Christmas – or to at least get them lined up for next year!”
The Westside Christmas Choir is made up of town hall and church singers including: altos Barbra, Geneta, Elaine, Michelle and Katherine; tenor Vic; sopranos Kree, Kim and Tasha; and guitarist Ollie Pinnock.
The songs and carols performed by the choir include:
- It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Walking in a Winter Wonderland
- Deck the Halls
- Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord
- Jingle Bell Rock
- Jingle Bells
- Mary Did You Know
- I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas
- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
- All I Want for Christmas
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- O Holy Night
- Silent Night
Facts about The Exchange:
Future prime minister Neville Chamberlain was the driving force behind the building of the Municipal Bank to help the city poor.
It was opened on Broad Street by Prince George, 33 years after Neville’s father Joseph Chamberlain had founded the world’s first redbrick university in 1900.
The building was used as a bank but was eventually closed for two decades, until reopening as The Exchange in September 2021 after a major refurbishment.
The old banking hall now hosts a Yorks Cafe, where visitors can enjoy the kind of leisurely lunch in a vast public space.
Pictures and video by Graham Young.
ENDS
Magic