Sing With Us In January!

At times of conflict and uncertainty in the wider world, what better way to challenge yourself in the New Year, than by resolving to create more harmony closer to home. How? By rediscovering your love of singing…

If you’ve ever sung in a choir, you’ll already know that singing is a great way to activate those happy hormones and create a sense of unity with others, while expressing yourself through the power of music. But did you also know that singing has many physical and mental health benefits - from improving memory and lung function, to reducing stress and pain levels?

The Surrey Hills Chamber Choir, based in Guildford, is living proof of the positive impact that joining a choir can have. It gives its singers the opportunities not just to sing in many harmonious arrangements (and different styles and languages), but also to engage directly with audience to communicate all the emotions of a song.

After our sell-out concerts this year we're on a high, and we're now getting excited about our trip to the Cork International Choral Festival at the end of April 2026, but we'd ideally like to find one or two new members to take with us, and that's why we'll be having an Open Rehearsal on Wednesday 14th January, 7pm at the United Reform Church in Guildford

Who knows how we'll get on this time, but we've had previous successes at competitions in Cheltenham, Cardiff, Manchester and BBC Adult Choir of the Year, as well as giving our singers the chance to perform at incredible choral festivals such as the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and at European festivals in Vienna and Barcelona. We’ve even been known to give a flash-mob performance in the restaurant afterwards, while celebrating our success on stage!

Of course, such results don’t come without challenges. Getting the perfect blend of voices is always front of mind for Music Director, Debbie Walton. And the choir is currently looking for more voices in all parts. Repertoire is varied and standards are high, often singing in eight part harmony, so the ability to hold a part is key. And the musical style could be anything from medieval or classical to contemporary, whether gospel, folk or a jazz standard. But this variety and challenge is all part of what delights and invigorates the singers.

As Bass voice, Graham Webb, put it, “Surrey Hills Chamber Choir is more than just 'a bit of singing'. It’s a musical family where everybody knows and trusts everybody else, where great fun and great pride are taken in performing and travelling together, where high standards are achieved through commitment and hard work.” Alto, Christine Parrott, agrees, “We are friends as well as a choir and enjoy each other’s company as much as the music.”

The choir rehearses weekly together on Wednesday evenings in central Guildford, where it also performs two concerts every year. Its events programme is agreed collectively by its singers, with non-singing family members welcome to join trips away.

You'll never know until you try, so why not come and join us for an evening to see what it's like? All we ask is that you contact Debbie Walton (debbie@surreyhills-choirs.co.uk) beforehand, just so that we know to expect you and we can make you properly welcome.