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!
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