SUCCESS AT THE MRS SUNDERLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL
 
HUDDERSFIELD 2010

 
The Surrey Hills Chamber Choir are thrilled to return home from the prestigious Mrs Sunderland Music Festival with two trophies. This competition attracts choirs from all over the UK and consequently this is our highest accolade to date. Needless to say, the celebrations went on well into the early hours of the morning!

 
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The day started with the choir assembling in our allocated warm-up room (as opposed to a corridor or car-park!) to prepare for the Small Choir class. We arrived early in order to watch the preceding class, learn the format and protocol of the competition and to adjust to the large, but beautiful, Town Hall. On hearing the first adjudication, we were pleased to learn that the adjudicator, Stanley Rooley, was looking for all the points Debbie had been telling us over the past few weeks - the performance begins from the moment you stand up from your seat, accuracy of the score, phrasing, different colours and moods etc etc

In the Small Choir class, our competitors were the very experienced Irish choir, Loughside Chamber Choir. A group of young women aged around 18-25, whom Debbie had previously met when competing in the Final of Choir of the Year in 2000. We performed "Daemon Irrepit Callidus" and "Into Thy Hands", whilst Loughside sang "Fruh Morgens" by Rheinberger and "Fix You" by Cold Play arranged by their conductor. We thoroughly enjoyed Loughside's performance. Although a very small choir, each member had good projection and they blended together beautifully. Their rendition of "Fix You" was very moving. Although we came second in this class, we were delighted that the adjudicator expressed the view that he had rarely heard such outstanding singing from a chamber choir, let alone two! Both choirs were awarded the grade "Outstanding", but he named Loughside the winners, but only by a "pip and a squeek". We were very pleased with our performance against such tough opposition and delighted with his comments:

Daemon Irrepit Callidus
All rhythmic content well presented - the contrasts well achieved. Firm marcato close - clarity of diction and production make for a positive performance.

Into Thy Hands
Parts are well balanced, lovely treatment of cadence points. Unison as one - well done. Intonation is secure - phrase endings well together. Beautiful contrast - secure firm bass - parts cohesive above. Controlled p close. Fine choral technique.

The afternoon class comprised seven choirs, with a diverse range of forces and numbers, from 80/100-strong male voice choirs to a small youth choir. We sang a very contrasting programme: the very new and contemporary "The Sounding Sea" by American composer Eric Barnum, "She moved thro' the Fair" arranged by Gwyn Arch especially for us, and finally the King Singers' classic "I'm a Train". "The Sounding Sea" is our newest piece and we felt it was our best performance to date. The wooden stage underfoot enabled the stamping, to create the crashing of waves, to work very effectively and the acoustics of the hall really helped us portray the composer's interpretation of the Sea. At the end of the song we were very aware of the total involvement of the audience as they listened intently as the last "pffff" of the final wave faded away. "She moved thro' the Fair" ebbed and flowed as one voice and achieved a wonderful atmosphere, whilst the choreography and cheeky facial expressions (inspired by face of Thomas the Tank Engine) delighted the audience.

We hoped very much to be placed in the top three, but were over the moon to be selected as the winners of such a large class that comprised such a high standard of choral singing. We were again awarded the highest grade possible, "Outstanding".

The Sounding Sea
You explore the melodic and technical vocal inflections to bring the music alive - excellent grading of dynamic parts throughout the piece. Artistic performance - such a lovely tranquil close. It has the intense and calming elements.

She Moved thro' the Fair
Free and flexible in delivery and with expressive mood in the quality of tone in ladies and mens voices, beautifully controlled.

I'm a Train
Fine rhythmic content, clarity in diction - total commitment from all.

A well selected programme, some exceptional and technical elements.

With this win we qualified to participate in the evening gala concert. There was an additional criteria of "entertainment" in this performance. We chose to sing "The Sounding Sea" and "Nothin' gonna Stumble" because we felt the former was our best performance and we needed to couple it with a fresh song. However, in hindsight we would have chosen two other songs!! The Welsh Male Voice choir gave am extremely entertaining performance with audience participation and the adjudicator decided that entertainment was his highest priority and awarded them the winners. The two ladies choirs - Loughside Chamber Choir and Opus 44 - who both performed very demanding pieces, received second and third place respectively.

However, all was not lost as unbeknown to us there was another award and trophy for best song of the whole day and this was awarded to us for our performance of "She moved thro' the Fair". If only we had known the adjudicator's criteria was entertainment and the folk song had been his favourite song, we would have repeated "Fair and Train". But hindsight is a wonderful thing!! We had a great day musically and a great weekend socially and look forward to our next choir trip away together.

 
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DECEMBER CONCERT 2009

 
The three Surrey Hills choirs joined together for their annual Christmas concert on 5th December 2009 and the change of format and venue resulted in our most successful concert to date.

We were delighted to hold the concert at the new Cranleigh Baptist Church, where the facilities, intimate performing area and comfortable chairs were a big hit with our audience. The church, already adorned with a large Christmas tree in the entrance, was beautifully decorated with lights, and a second tree positioned near the stage provided a cosy, warm and seasonal setting.

This year, Surrey Hills decided to change the format and hold a concert with more seasonal content where 50% of the concert was dedicated to Christmas carols and songs, as well as carols for the audience. This change was greeted with high enthusiasm from the audience, many whom expressed their pleasure afterwards about the opportunity to sing.

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All three choirs gave excellent performances. The concert started with a bang, with all choirs performing together the African song "Jabula Jesu", with percussion accompaniment. The Surrey Hills Young Voices' performance of the tongue twister "Peter Piper" so astounded and delighted the audience that their gasps and loud applause nearly frightened the children! The Young Voices also sang a beautiful ballad, "I Give you a Song", which was extremely moving. As well as singing canons and partner songs, the children have developed their singing to include harmony singing. The feedback from their performance was extremely positive, with a unanimous agreement that it was their best performance to date.

 
The Surrey Hills Singers also performed to a high standard and received many positive comments. We had a number of new members this term, yet the blend of the voices was perfect. The opening of "Wishing you were somehow here again" sounded like one voice. This was a very moving performance, as was the classic "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. The Singers finished with the popular "Is this the way to Amarillo?" - always a song to put a smile on the face since Peter Kay's version! The Singers' programme also included some wonderful solos from Jennifer, a professional singer who is currently a full-time mum enjoying the camaraderie of singing with others. The Singers' performance was extremely well received, particularly by a lady from Elmbridge Village who is very keen for the group to perform to the residents. It is so rewarding for the singers to hear such glowing comments after all their hard work.

Our new accompanist, Robert Gillman, accompanied both the Singers and Young Voices and we are so pleased to have him on the team. He played brilliantly and gave us so much support and security.

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The Chamber Choir has grown yet again this year to 19 members. Their programme was extremely varied, from Byrd to Annie Lennox, and included their first performance of a new contemporary song "The Sounding Sea". They opened their set with the infectious "Nothin' gonna stumble my feet", a contemporary pastiche of the traditional spiritual. Their programme also included a performance of the folk song arranged for them by Gwyn Arch, "She moved thro' the Fair". This is a stunning arrangement and the performance created a magical atmosphere. We are so pleased to have it in our repertoire. The set ended with a powerful rendition of "Sweet Dreams" with choreography to match the driving rhythms and words. The choir has really bonded and the standard of their performances has not only been recognised at competitive music festivals but also by the music committee of the Guildford United Reformed Church, who have invited us to perform at one of their professional recitals in the future.

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The Christmas half of the concert opened with a joint song by Bob Chilcott, "Where Riches is Everlastingly", which created a great atmosphere and also an antiphonal effect as the ladies stood around the audience with candles. Each choir performed some lovely carols and Christmas songs. "Down in Yon Forest" by Michael Miles (member of the Chamber Choir) was a real favourite with the children. The Singers gave a fabulous rendition of "Carol of the Bells", and the Chamber Choir's pièce de résistance was the spooky and jazzy "Follow that Star" by Peter Gritton. The audience sang the carols with great gusto (we are sure there are some closet choral singers out there), and their clear enjoyment was very uplifting for the choirs. The concert closed with all choirs singing goodnight with a song by Guy Turner, "The Holy Hand".

The concert was highly attended with 177 people in the audience, and we'd like to thank all of them for supporting us and for all the wonderful feedback afterwards at the concert party. This year not only were the singers on a high, but the audience was too! It was a very memorable evening.

We look forward to seeing you at our next Christmas concert on Saturday 11th December.

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SPRING INTO CRANLEIGH
May 2009

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The Surrey Hills choirs were invited to participate in an event organised by Waverley Borough Council to promote Cranleigh's shops and local groups. The Surrey Hills Singers and Young Voices both participated in the event and performed in Stocklund Square. Luckily the sun shone brightly and amplification was organised so that we could be heard above the traffic and hustle and bustle of the shoppers.

It was a great day and performing with mics made the singers feel like a pop group! Both choirs were well received by the audiences and a number of people joined the choirs afterwards at the Methodist Church for their workshops. It was the first outside public performance for both choirs and we'd like to thank Emma Treeby for all her efforts in organising the event.

Surrey Hills Singers performing in Stocklund Square

Surrey Hills Young Voices perform in Stocklund Square

SPRING HARMONY
March 2009

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Surrey Hills Singers perform "Sing, Sing, Sing"

Surrey Hills Young Voices

 
The Surrey Hills Singers were delighted to share the concert platform with the newly formed mixed voiced Choir Remix this spring. The two choirs made a lovely contrast in terms of vocal forces and repertoire and the Surrey Hills Young Voices added an extra dimension with a guest performance.

The Surrey Hills Singers entertained the audience with a wide selection of songs from an Italian motet from the renaissance to the swing number "Sing, Sing, Sing", complete with choreography provided by Jenni. Also included in our programme were two more challenging songs, "Come ye Makers of Song" and an arrangement of "Deep River". By popular demand the choir sang "The Rose". This song has become our signature tune and the choir created a still atmosphere with their beautiful and communicative singing.

The Surrey Hills Young Voices also created a wonderful atmosphere with their lovely performance of "I Give You a Song" and delighted the audience with a choreographed rendition of the stage song, "Food Glorious Food". The children processed wearily on to the stage clasping their bowls whilst singing about eating gruel every day. They then threw their bowls into the air in joyous relief at the thought of real food. Joe did a brilliant solo of the first line and, to the children's delight, one of the bowls ended up in the in the flower arrangement at the back of the stage and stayed there for the rest of the concert!

Bournemouth Music Festival
July 2009

 
Sun, Sea and Silver - Chamber Choir win trophies at Bournemouth Music Festival.

 
We are delighted to return from the Bournemouth Music Festival with three new trophies to add to our increasing collection.

This was our second competition away from home and the competition attracted a high number of entries this year, including Signature A Capella Singers, finalists in the BBC Choir of the Year competition 2008.

 
The adjudicator, Colin Touchin, was extremely good with a natural talent for giving just the right amount of praise to choirs, but at the same time providing a detailed and instructive list of suggestions where each choir could improve.

We were excited to start the day by winning the opening class with two contemporary songs, Daemon Irrepit Callidus and Into Thy Hands. The adjudicator praised our choice of songs as a "commendable programme" and commented overall: "an impressive ensemble and performance".

"you capture much of the rhythmic fervour and make a good dynamic structure: the energy is well set and maintained".   [Daemon]

For the folk song class we sang an arrangement of She moved thro' the Fair, arranged for the Surrey Hills Chamber Choir by Gwyn Arch. Our second song was the cheeky tale of The Tailor and the Mouse. Again, the adjudicator commented that our programme choice was "successful and attractive". This stunning arrangement was extremely atmospheric and well received with the following comments:

Beautifully judged phrasing and dynamic shaping. Good solo soprano. Lovely tenor/bass lines. Very good crescs and a fairly ringing climax.

The spiritual class was our next success. We sang a lovely arrangement of the traditional spiritual My Lord what a Morning and a new contemporary spiritual Nothin' gonna stumble my feet. "Great programme and great singing" was the adjudicator's closing comment.

Sensitive placement of every note and word - excellent corporate thinking/feeling/singing. [My Lord what a Morning]

Really good! This is rhythmic and vital singing: very good singing, accents, poise, syncopation. [Nothin' Gonna Stumble]

Our final class was the light music/songs from the musicals class. We sang two contrasting songs, The Continental and Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

One of the trickiest and most exposed openings in the "pink book" - bravely managed with delicate articulation and mostly tidy dynamic shaping and balance; Many lyrical passages against the punctuated texture - there is great awareness and success in this well-controlled arrangement. Love the ending! [The Continental]

We were very happy to receive second place for this class. Signature A Cappella Singers gave a stunning performance of their Choir of the Year pieces, which we all admired.

Although we had an exceptionally early start (5.30am), we all had a fantastic day. The competition was extremely successful and enjoyable, but also we had a great day at the seaside with the opportunity to have lunch in a quiet pub and have walks along the beautiful sandy beach in the hot sunshine. Bournemouth, we shall definitely visit again!

Second Successive Win at Godalming - March 2009

We were delighted to retain our crown as overall winners of the adult choral section in the Godalming Music Festival 2009. The title and trophy is awarded to the choir who receives the highest mark for all the adult choir classes. We received the trophy for our performance of "Nothin' Gonna Stumble my Feet" and "She Moved Thro' The Fair" in the mixed voice class. The adjudicator, Robin Gritton, said that we gave an "infectious performance" of the spiritual "singing as one with lovely clear text and rhythm". We had commissioned the arrangement of the Irish air from Gwyn Arch and were extremely pleased with the atmosphere the song created, the acoustics of Charterhouse providing an excellent platform for the premiere. The adjudicator said "much beauty in the Irish air - haunting sounds - you listen excellently. Excellent choral singing".

However, earlier in the evening we were rather disappointed to receive second place for our sacred class songs which, in our opinion, was a far superior performance than our mixed class, with a dramatic rendition of the difficult "Daemon Irrepit Callidus" and a very atmospheric performance of the brilliant arrangement by Burleigh of "My Lord what a Morning". It wasn't only our view. These sentiments were echoed by many other singers and audience, but it was not to be. Becoming overall champions for a successive year did make reasonable amends!!

Some of the choir celebrate in the pub afterwards

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Cheltenham Music Festival - May 2008

This Marriage:

I'm a Train:

The Continental:

Music for Midsummer - June 2008

The Surrey Hills Chamber Choir hosted their first concert independently from the Surrey Hills choirs and Impromptu with great success on Saturday 14th June 2008. Christ Church, Shamley Green was selected as the perfect venue with its beautiful building, charm, lovely acoustics and, above all, welcoming vibe. The vicar, Sally Davies, a great lover of music, was extremely enthusiastic and supportive of the concert and the church was bursting at the seams with audience.

The choir were delighted to share the concert with two local artists, the Bartlett String Quartet, and also talented young violinist Madeleine Pickering. The contrast of string items alongside the choral items from the choir gave the concert a new dimension and a touch of class!

The choir performed a wide variety of songs, including early pieces by Viadana, contemporary items by Dove and Whitacre, as well as Folk Song and Spiritual arrangements and a large selection of popular songs and musicals. In the first half their winning competition piece "Into Thy Hands" by Jonathan Dove created a magical atmosphere, and their upbeat spiritual "Down by the Riverside" with soloist Christine Parrott surrounded by three finger-clicking basses, caused quite a stir with the audience! The Bartlett String Quartet closed the first half with a lovely performance of Hadyn's String Quartet Opus 33, No3 "The Bird".

The Chamber Choir were delighted to be given the opportunity to perform with the string quartet and opened the second half with a performance of one of Mozart's beautiful motets "Ave Verum". Young violinist, Madeleine Pickering, followed with her official debut performance at a public concert with a performance of "Salut d'Amor" by Elgar and "Liebesfreud" by Fritz Kreisler. At the age of eleven, Madeleine is already attending the Primary course at the Royal Academy every Saturday and her amazing talent was a joy to behold. She clearly enjoyed the second piece as she had a smile on her face as she played.

The concert concluded with a lighter selection of songs performed by the choir, including separate items from the ladies and the men. The ladies performed an atmospheric rendition of Sting's "Fields of Gold", whilst the men entertained us with the barbershop classic "My Evaline" and a humorous rendition of "The Jolly Farmer" - I don't know how much they paid Darrol to wear that hat!!

The audience vocally expressed their distress when Debbie announced the Chamber Choir's final song "I Got Rhythm". However, to the audience's delight, there was an encore still to come. The choir formed a line to imitate a train and the engine driver, John, started the choir in a slick rendition of The King Singers classic "I'm a Train" which had received glowing reviews from the adjudicator at Godalming, who was the wife of the original King Singer's - "Superb!"

Gallery

Godalming Music Festival
March 2008

Clean Sweep for New Choir. The Surrey Hills Chamber Choir came away from the Godalming Music Festival on Tuesday 11th March 2008 with 1st prize in both of the categories they entered, as well receiving the overall prize for best adult choir. This was their first attempt in music competition and to win everything they could was way beyond their dreams.

The competition attracted choirs from Guilford, Woking, Godalming and Bisley, who all competed in the magnificent surroundings of Charterhouse School.

In the Sacred Music section they performed Jonathan Dove's Into Thy Hands, which, according to the adjudicator, Penny Jenkins, was a "truly meaningful performance. You gave an intelligent and musical interpretation of this interesting piece." The choir were further complimented on their presentation, poise and performance all of which were made more possible by delivering the piece without scores and without a conductor.

The Mixed Voice Section heard the Surrey Hills Chamber Choir perform two totally contrasting pieces. The Marriage by Eric Whitacre was performed in "almost plainsong style, creating a really thrilling feeling of stillness" whilst I'm a Train, an original King Singers number, was performed with controlled dash and utter enthusiasm.

When the adjudicator told the audience that she was married to one of the Kings Singers and knew the piece inside out and backwards, hearts fell. However, she continued that she only had one thing to say about it - superb!