Great Bowden Recital Trust is a registered charity providing music-related activities for people of all ages living in South Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire. We believe in making access to music barrier-free by keeping the cost of tickets to a minimum, not holding auditions for any of our choirs and ensembles and taking a fully all-inclusive approach to all of our activities.
Music development
GBRT firmly believes that an individual’s financial circumstances should never be a barrier for progressing and developing their skill of singing or playing an instrument. We provide funding to local young singers and musicians who need assistance with the cost of vocal or instrumental lessons and associated costs. Grants are awarded once a year in September.
Music appreciation
GBRT provides opportunities for audiences to appreciate the very highest quality of musical performance. We organise Community Concerts which showcase the best local young musical talent and concerts by our own choirs and ensembles in the local area and further afield.
Music participation
GBRT encourages people of all ages to become involved in music regardless of their musical experience and background. We run six community choirs and ensembles for adults and young people with over 150 members who bring their enthusiasm and willingness to work as part of a team to every rehearsal. We don’t hold auditions and keep entry requirements as broad as possible.
The annual GBRT Junior X Factor competition is the largest and most established talent competition in the Market Harborough area. The heats and finals provide an opportunity to perform in front of professional musicians and packed audiences. Entry and tickets to the finals are completely free and each participant receives written feedback on their heat audition with suggestions to help them further improve.
GBRT’s choirs and ensembles have taken part in concert tours to Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany and Italy, performing at amazing venues such as the Menin Gate in Ypres, the Town Hall in Leuven, Villa Foscarini Rossi in Venice and Marksburg Castle overlooking the Rhine in Germany.
