Award Winning Choir

We currently have spaces for two tenors, two first sopranos and a second bass.


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The Chamber Choir (SHCC) is a small mixed choir that enjoys singing a variety of styles of music. Founded in September 2005, the choir has grown to comprise 20 enthusiastic, friendly and talented singers that have received local recognition for their high standard of performance and variety of programme. The choir are twice overall winners of the Godalming Music Festival 2008 and 2009, as well as achieving class wins at both the international music festivals at Cheltenham (2008) and Bournemouth (2009). The choir is also in demand locally to perform for various organisations.

There are numerous choral societies in the Surrey Hills area with large choirs performing whole works with orchestra, but we offer something very different for the experienced choral singer. SHCC will appeal to singers who like to face the challenges of singing in a smaller group where every member is valued. There are opportunities for choir members to sing solos that occur within the choir repertoire or as separate items at certain concerts. In order to have a wider choice of music, our ultimate goal is for the choir to consist of 25 members and we currently have spaces for two tenors, two first sopranos and a second bass. Please contact Debbie through the email link for further information. An example of the variety of our repertoire can be seen in the examples listed below.

SHCC organise their own concerts, perform alongside the other Surrey Hills choirs and Impromptu (another of Debbie's choirs which has achieved national recognition) and perform at the request of organisations. The choir also like to compete at competitions around the country in order to improve their performance level, to meet other choirs, and to bond socially as a group.

Musical Standards

Although targeted at experienced singers, sight-reading is not absolutely essential as there are many experienced singers with excellent voices who learn extremely quickly with the aid of a tape, and it would be foolish to exempt them from the opportunity of singing with a choir that is committed to attaining high standards.

If, after a four-week trial period, you enjoy the choir and want to join, you can ask for an audition. This will be very low-key and informal and consist of some vocal exercises and a small test on part-singing, using one of the songs we have been learning, to establish good intonation, a timbre suitable for blending in a choir with no heavy vibrato and confident part-singing ability.

The choir aims to perform and present highly polished material. The performance schedule is discussed and agreed by choir members at a pace suitable for the choir in order to achieve these high standards.

The choir receives training on good singing technique, how to communicate the song to the audience, and good presentation, as a good performance is all about the whole "package".

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays from 7.30pm - 10.00 pm at the Wonersh United Reformed Church. Car parking is available at the church. One or two extra rehearsals are normally scheduled prior to a performance.

We work hard at rehearsals, but it is very much in a friendly, supportive atmosphere where input from the choir is encouraged.

Repertoire

Performances 2006/2007

'The Surrey Hills are alive with the Sound of Music' - a joint concert at St Nicolas Church, Cranleigh featuring all the Surrey Hills Choirs and the award-winning ladies choir Impromptu.

'A Summer Soiree of Song' - a joint concert of all the Surrey Hills Choirs held at Christchurch, Shamley Green.

Performances 2008/2009

March 2008 - Godalming Music Festival.

May 2008 - Cheltenham Music Festival.

June 2008 - Midsummer Concert at Christchurch, Shamley Green.

November 2008: The Surrey Hills Concert - at Christ Church, Waterden Road, Guildford.

March 2009: Godalming Music Festival - at Charterhouse Chapel, Godalming.

June 2009: Joint concert with Guildford Harmony - at St Nicolas Church, Guildford.

July 2009: Bournemouth Music Festival - at the Pavillion Theatre, Bournemouth.

December 2009: The Surrey Hills Concert at Cranleigh Baptist Church

Diary 2010/2011

Saturday 27th February 2010: Mrs Sunderland, Huddersfield.

Saturday 15th May 2010: The London Sangerstevner, 2pm - 4.30pm at St Matthew's Church, North Common Road,
Ealing, London W5 2QA.

Saturday 19th June 2010: at 7.30pm - fundraising concert for the Ewhurst Baptist Church.

Sunday 20th June 2010: concert for the residents of Elmbridge Village (concert venue TBA)

Saturday 11th December 2010: Surrey Hills Christmas Concert at Cranleigh Baptist Church, 7pm.

Saturday 18th June 2011: at 7.30pm - concert venue to be confirmed.