A Handbag of Harmonies
A Handbag of Harmonies is a choir of vivacious women from Chester who create a party wherever they go. With pink feather boas and glitzy handbags, we sing in four-part harmony with dazzling choreography and guarantee to leave audiences with smiles on their faces. More info
25 Years!
This year, Matt Baker and A Handbag of Harmonies celebrate our 25th anniversary.
What started as a small group of friends, with a shared love of singing, has blossomed into a choir family with over 80 members, united not only by their passion for music but also by the unbreakable bonds they have formed.
Beyond the joy that singing brings, The Handbags are a testament to the strength and support found within an all-female choir.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years. Here's to the past, present and future of A Handbag of Harmonies!
To help us celebrate this special anniversary, we've produced a video.
Thanks to Andy (@ The Video Company) for making such a wonderful video!
Coming events
Garden Quarter Summer Fair
St. Thomas’ Church, 3 Cheyney Rd, Chester CH1 4AG
Saturday 28 June
Buy gifts, stop for a chat, try your luck with the raffle, have a go at some fun games and meet up with friends for coffee and delicious cakes - all while being entertained by a range of fabulous choirs and ensembles.
Look out for us at around 11 o’clock, singing you a range of favourites.
Choirgrams
A joyful day of community doorstep performances
Saturday 12 July
We’re very excited planning our day of Choirgrams on 12 July when we’ll be spreading joy with doorstep performances across the community.
Devafest
Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire, SY14 8AH
Saturday 9 August
We’re excited to let you know that we’ve been asked to perform again this year at Devafest.
Come and see us on Saturday, 9 August at around 1.45pm on the main stage and then at 7pm at the Sailors Rest.
2025 events to date
Lighthouse Church, Heswall
13 June
We had a fantastic time at The Lighthouse Church in Heswall, and loved every minute singing and helping to raise funds for the incredible Maggie’s Centres.
Thank you to our hosts and to everyone who came along and supported such an important cause.
Chester Heritage Festival launch
24 May
We loved being part of the launch of Chester Heritage Festival. It was amazing to see so many people coming together to celebrate the rich history and vibrant culture of our city. There was a fantastic atmosphere and the sun shone.
Switzerland tour!
 5.jpg)
At the beginning of May we spent a wonderful long weekend in St. Gallen and Appenzell, singing with the amazing Unichor St. Gallen University choir, bringing Handbag sparkle as Switzerland prepared to host this year’s Eurovision Song Contest a short distance away in Basel on 17 May. It was a joy to sing together and share such special moments, creating memories we’ll cherish forever.
Chester Duck Race
5 April
Look who paddled in Chester Duck Race! Our duck, Mavis, was decorated and bedazzled by our wonderfully talented choir member, Alison Pitt.
However, naughty Mavis tried to cheat – needless to say she didn't win!
International Women’s Day
8 March
We had a wonderful time celebrating our 25th anniversary, and as we shared it with International Women’s Day we decided to help raise some money for the amazing charity Tomorrow’s Women Chester.
Many thanks to those who donated on this warm sunny day in the city centre.
The Lord Mayor's Banquet
7 March
We were honoured to sing at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in Chester’s beautiful Town Hall, and made full use of the photo opportunity on the stunning staircase
Singing at Grosvenor Manor Care Centre
23 February
We had the absolute pleasure of singing to the residents, family members and staff at this lovely Chester care home. Thank you so much for having us and thanks also for the tea and cakes afterwards!
Barn Dance
7 February
Thank you to everyone who came to our Barn Dance on 7 February. And huge thanks to the Cambrian Community Band with their amazing caller Catherine Jones who made it such fun. It was a fabulous evening!
FOR 2024 events CLICK HERE
Book us
We can offer performances from 20 minutes to a full evening, indoors or outdoors with as few as 20 and as many as 60 singers. We perform at openings, parties, fund-raisers, concerts, private and corporate events.
Contact us
Sing like us
Be a Handbag for a Day and learn to sing in four part harmony as a member of a choir with the help of our director, Matt Baker. More info
What people say
Hearing the Handbags for the first time sent a tingle down my spine as soon as they started singing
Chester resident
I can't remember having so much fun watching a choir before
Russell Watson, tenor, judge, BBC Last Choir Standing
the entertainment was wonderful ... what a fantastic choir!
Suzi Digby, vocal coach, judge, BBC Last Choir Standing
the entertainment was wonderful ... what a fantastic choir!
Chester resident