Football chants are the heartbeat of matchdays, creating an electric atmosphere that lifts teams and unites fans. But what happens when those terrace tunes take on an operatic twist? BBC Radio Leeds is about to find out, as it transforms Bradford City fans – The Bantams – into opera singers as part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations.
The project, aptly named ‘Bantam of the Opera’, aims to take a group of passionate Bradford City supporters on a musical journey. These fans, more accustomed to roaring from the stands, will train to sing in a professional-style choir. Their progress will culminate in performances throughout the year, with a grand finale scheduled for the end of 2025.
Star-studded support for Bantam voices
Guiding this extraordinary transformation are the world-renowned BBC Singers and Orchestra. And joining them are some high-profile names: legendary composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, celebrated opera singer Lesley Garrett, and sports commentator and TV presenter Chris Kamara.
On 20 January, Bradford City legend Kamara launched the call-out for singers to join the Bantam of the Opera campaign. Kammy, who was both player and manager at the club, had pledged he will perform with the Bantam singers at Valley Parade this year. He sees music as a transformative force, using singing to help him with his apraxia of speech, his wellbeing and his mental health.
“This is an incredibly important year for Bradford, both the city and the football club”, Kamara said. “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.”
A milestone year for Bradford
The campaign coincides with a poignant year for Bradford City, marking 40 years since the Valley Parade stadium fire in 1985, which claimed the lives of 56 supporters. Kamara emphasised the importance of commemorating this anniversary while celebrating Bradford’s cultural achievements as the UK City of Culture 2025.
English soprano singer Lesley Garrett, CBE, will also be involved in key moments throughout the year. Praising the unique connection between football and music she said: “Wherever there is football, there is singing. The two go together like fish and chips, like Yorkshire pudding and gravy!
“Community singing is the way we bind together to express powerful shared passions and opera is the most passionate form of singing there is. I am so excited to see and hear what the Bantams can achieve musically, but even more excited to see the joyous and uplifting effect that music-making will have on their lives.”
A cultural challenge for fans
The project promises to showcase the diversity and creativity that make Bradford unique. BBC Yorkshire head Katrina Bunker described the initiative as “a fun and entertaining project”.
“Can you teach football fans to sing like a professional choir? We like a challenge at the BBC!” she said. “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 for everyone, especially the people who make places unique.”
Community events and participation
Bradford City Football Club have agreed to support the call-out for singers with two community outreach events at Valley Parade in January. The first will be their home game against Walsall on 25 January. The second on Tuesday 28 January when Bradford takes on Morecambe.
Bantam of the Opera will be available on BBC Sounds from April, so listeners can follow the story of the Bantam singers as they develop their singing skills.
Think you’ve got what it takes to swap the stands for the stage? Visit the BBC Bradford City of Culture homepage to apply.
Article based on press release
