Oldest Choir in the World releases Christmas album in bid to be number one

Band Aid and X Factor had better watch out as The Oldest Choir in the World has released a Christmas album, featuring its five favourite Christmas carols, in a bid to be number one.

The choir which has been officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest choir in the world, with an average age of 91 years and a total age of 1,180 years, is made up of residents from St John’s House, a care home in York.

“It was our manager’s idea” revealed choir mistress and activity coordinator Ruth Strangeway. “After the success of achieving Guinness World Record status last year, she suggested ‘Why not make a CD for Christmas?’ So we polled all our residents and staff and came up with our five favourite Christmas carols.”

“We recorded the tracks in August, which certainly created lots of hilarity rehearsing Christmas carols in the middle of summer! ”

The album is called ‘Silver Bells’ and Ms Strangeway said: “As well as it being the first track we think it epitomises the sparkle our elderly residents create in everyone’s hearts when they sing. Our home is filled with music and it warms your heart to hear the wonderful sound that they make. Every day they demonstrate that you don’t have to be young to be truly amazing.

She added: “We’re watching the charts closely. Band Aid and X Factor had better watch out as The St John’s House Choir makes a last minute dash for that coveted 2014 Christmas Number One slot!”

The CD is being sold in aid of ‘The St. John’s House Residents' Amenities Fund’. You can buy a copy for £8 by contacting Andrea Marks at St John’s House, Parker Lane, Kirk Hammerton, York YO26 8BT or on 01423 330480.

The Oldest Choir in the World has also entered carehome.co.uk's Care Home Idol. To see their entry go to www.carehome.co.uk/idol/idol.cfm/id/156

click here for more details or to contact St John's House