A bit more about us

Who we are

We are a traditional choral society choir based in the North Yorkshire town of Richmond (the original with that name) There are usually about 60 of us in the choir and we sing a wide range of repertoire from Bach and Handel through to Will Todd, John Rutter and Bob Chilcott etc.

Our members cover a wide age range from teenagers to octogenarians though are predominantly from the 'silver' generation (we have had a centenarian singing with us). However that doesn't mean they are not up for trying something new or being occasionally outrageous. We'd love some more younger members to come and join us. Remember, it's currently 'cool' to join a choir. Older new members are, of course, equally welcome (especially if they sing tenor - the shortage voice in most choirs))

What we do.

We usually give two concerts a year, one in November/December and the other in the Spring, which can be March, April or May depending upon when Easter falls, and when other local ensembles are performing. 

Our December concert will generally have a serious first set, often one long work, though the music will be chosen specifically to be appropriate for the Advent and Christmas season. We prefer to sing music written specifically for choirs to sing rather than make ours yet another 'jolly carol concert'. We do take part in the annual Christmas Cracker 'jolly carol concert' organised to raise funds for St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington, held in the Dolphin Centre and directed by John Forsyth, MBE. We are one of several local choirs whose members sing in the main chorus for this event.

The Spring concert may be a major work, and in recent years we have sung Haydn's 'Creation' and Brahms' 'A German Requiem' (in English), or it could be several shorter works possibly with a loose theme. We sing Handel's 'Messiah', a four yearly treat. In April 2018 the programme was a Haydn Mass and four short but substantial works by Parry to commemorate the centenary of his death. Our past posters give an idea of the range of our performances.

In May 2022 we joined Reeth-based Swale Singers to perform Handel's Messiah in Ripon Cathedral as the opening event of the 50th annual Swaledale Festival.

We were also part of a new festival in Richmond, the Richmond Mayfest,held over the Mayday Bank Holiday weekend in 2022. We sang Mark Harrison's Cantique 950 again plus a selection of choruses from Messiah and the soloist for Cantique 950, Richard de Winter , sang The Trumpet shall sound. There was also a brilliang organ solo from Andrew Christer, our accompanist.

Featured Event

Our next concert on Saturday 4th May is part of Richmond MayFest 2024 and features contrasting works composed a hundred years apart. Verdi, a master of opera, returned to a liturgical text for his final composition Four Sacred Pieces. The influences of Palestrina who he much admired, can be heard throughout. John Rutter took seven well known spirituals, usually solo works in concert, setting them for chorus, solo and ‘orchestra’. It is both joyful and moving. We look forward to seeing you at St Mary's Church, Richmond.

 

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Upcoming Events

Monday 25th March
7:30 pm -
Monday 1st April
7:30 pm -
Monday 8th April
7:30 pm -
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