BBC Radio Leeds is taking on the challenge, launched today by Chris Kamara, to see if a group of Bradford City fans can be taught to sing opera.
The challenge for the fans, who are known as the Bantams, is part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations.
‘Bantam of the Opera’ will follow their journey as they go from singing on the terraces to performances as a choir throughout the year, in the lead up to a big finale at the end of the year.
The BBC Singers and Orchestra will support the Bantam’s choir during their development. Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, opera singer Lesley Garrett, and sports commentator and TV presenter Chris Kamara, have all also pledged their support to the campaign.
Chris, who was both player and manager at the club says: “This is an incredibly important year for Bradford, both the city and the football club. May 2025 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Valley Parade fire which claimed the lives of 56 football fans. Many people will have their own memories of that horrific day and will want to pay their respects, as will I.
“Bradford is UK City of Culture 2025 and as part of this exciting year BBC Radio Leeds’ Bantam of the Opera campaign encourages everyone to get singing. The power of music can be enormous, singing is a great way to bring people together, whilst being so positive for mental health. Singing has always been a part of my life, even when times have been tough.
“During the onset of my well documented recent illness, Apraxia of Speech, although I suffered in silence for a time, I never stopped singing – in the shower, in the car, out walking.
“Music really can boost your mental health and is a gift which we all have, whether you’re tone-deaf or a popstar. Anyone can blast out a tune, and that’s what makes this campaign so good. I’d love Bradford City fans to give it a go and sign-up to take part in the BBC’s Bantam of the Opera.”
Katrina Bunker, BBC Head of Yorkshire added: “Can you teach a bunch of passionate football fans to sing like a professional choir? We like a challenge at the BBC! It’s great that as part of the exciting year of culture in Bradford we’ll be following football fans from chanting on the terraces to learning to sing formally in a choir.
“It will be fascinating to follow the journey of these fans as they audition, train, rehearse and perform. A great example of how culture is about everyone, especially the people who make places unique. This will be such a fun and entertaining project, and I can’t wait to see it come to life across TV, radio and online.”
Bantam of the Opera will be available on BBC Sounds from this April.
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