Despite the complexities of the pandemic, the Surrey Hills Chamber Choir and Surrey Hills Singers have kept singing and performing. Following last year’s summer outdoor pub performance and sell-out Christmas concert, the choirs are looking forward to holding a Spring concert on Saturday 26th March at 7.30pm. The concert will be held at Christchurch, Waterden Road, GU1 2AZ, a beautiful spacious church in the heart of Guildford.
As is the Surrey Hills Singing School tradition, the choirs will sing a wide selection of songs from all styles of music so there is something for everyone’s musical taste, but this year has a slight emphasis on jazz – as the title suggests. The Chamber Choir will lift your spirits with the spiritual “Ev’ry time I feel the spirit”, with soloist Mike Winterbotham. Whilst Bob Chilcott’s jazz setting of the Mass, “A little Jazz Mass”, “Words” by Anders Edenroth and two South African hymns, combined in to one arrangement “Makabongwe uJehova”, are certain to get your toes tapping. In contrast the choir will sing some emotionally-charged slower songs, such as “Parce mihi domine” by Cristóbal de Morales, accompanied by Alex Forsyth on saxophone; the English sea shanty “John’s gone to Hilo”; and the stunning “Only in Sleep” by Ērik Ešenvalds with soprano soloist, Alison Underhay.
Highlights from the Surrey Hills Singers include two choruses from the much loved “Stabat Mater” by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi – the crucifixion from the perspective of a Mother; A lively and dance-like a cappella song “As you Sing” by Sarah Quartel with accompanying hand drum; a performance of the new song from Eric Whitacre, “Sing Gently”, that was written during the first lockdown as inspiration to choral singers to keep singing at home by contributing their voice part to his global virtual video; and a reprise of their outdoor pub performance of “And all that Jazz”.
Refreshments will be served after the concert
COVID - Reserved bubbled seating is available on request. For that, or any other queries regarding the concert, please email surreyhillsconcerts@btinternet.com
Tickets priced at £14 for adults and £5 for children are available to purchase online from 9am on 12th March.