Woking’s Epworth Choir performed their annual Family Christmas Carol Concerts at the HG Wells Centre, Woking on Saturday 13th December 2014. The Matinee Concert supported the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Evening Concert was in Aid of the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

This year’s Concerts, conducted by the choir’s Music Director, Michael Waldron, included the usual mix of carols old and new and there was plenty of opportunity for everyone to celebrate the festive season with the ever-popular audience carols.

The Epworth Choir were delighted to welcome to the Matinee Concert the young dancers of the Susan Robinson School of Ballet who have been well known to Epworth Choir audiences for many years. As usual they performed an exciting programme which created a truly magical Family Christmas atmosphere.

The Epworth Choir were also delighted that the  Royal Marines Association Concert Band were, once again, the Guest Artistes at the Evening Concert. The Band, conducted by Major (Retd) AJ Smallwood, MA(Dist) PGDip(Adv) BMus(Hons) LRSM RM treated the enthusiastic audience to a programme of well known favourites and, with the Choir, led the singing of the audience carols. The evening ended with rapturous applause and everyone singing ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’

Epworth Choir are pleased to announce that the two Retiring Collections together, raised a total of £921 for the Charities.

Woking’s Epworth Choir presented ‘Songs and Sonnets’ featuring well-known Shakespeare Songs and Sonnets set to music by George Shearing and Bob Chilcott’s Songs and Cries of London Town at the H G Wells Conference & Events Centre, Woking, on Saturday 18th October 2014.

The Concert included Readings from Shakespeare by Sarah Gobran, a member of the Guildford Shakespeare Company. The Concert was the debut of Epworth Choir’s new Music Director, Michael Waldron and was accompanied at the piano by Laurence Williams and Cameron Richardson-Eames. The Evening’s Performance was a Celebration of the 450th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s Birthday and the Concert, which was well received by an enthusiastic audience, proved to be a fitting tribute to the Bard !

A Retiring Collection raised £441 for Parkinsons UK.

Woking’s Epworth Choir performed a Concert to Commemorate the 70th Anniversary of D Day at Guildford Cathedral on Saturday 7th June. Among the large audience were the Mayor and Mayoress of Woking, Cllr and Mrs Branagan, The Mayor and Mayoress of Guildford, Cllr and Mrs Elms, four Chelsea Pensioners, D Day Veteran, Mr Renny Henrikson and WW II Veteran, Mr Ron Pearce ISM, County Treasurer for the Royal British Legion, Surrey.

The Concert, conducted by Matthew Willis, featured moving performances by the Epworth Choir and The Salomon Orchestra, of Vaughan-William’s, Serenade to Music and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, with soloists from the choir. Guest Artiste, Helena Dix, gave a memorable performance of Strauss, The Four Last Songs and The Salomon Orchestra received huge applause for Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and Britten’s Four Sea Interludes. The programme of music had been selected to reflect the importance of the 70th Anniversary of D Day and was a fitting tribute to the occasion.

The Concert supported the vital work of the Royal British Legion, Surrey and a Retiring Collection raised over £850 for the Charity.

Audience Comments

‘A most Enjoyable Evening.’
‘The Choir was superb, culminating in a performance of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, sung in Hebrew – an enormous challenge which they conquered with ease.’
‘The Guest soprano, Helena Dix was a sheer delight to listen to.’
‘Overall, a masterful performance by the Choir’s Music Director, Matthew Willis.’

Epworth Choir Events during 2014 include a concert at the HG Wells Centre, Woking, on Sat 18th October and the Choir’s Annual Charity Carol Concerts on Sat 13th Dec which will feature a return visit to Woking of the Royal Marine Concert Band at the evening performance.

Epworth Choir always welcome new members – please tel 01483 756670 or email  secretary.epworth@gmail.com

Woking’s Epworth Choir presented ‘An Evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein’ – a selection of Popular Choruses and Solos, at the H G Wells Conference & Events Centre, Woking, on Saturday 1st March. The Concert was conducted by Matthew Willis and accompanied at the piano by Michael Waldron. The audience were entertained by the Choir who sang choruses from Rodgers & Hammerstein’ including South Pacific, Oklahoma, Carousel, The King & I, and The Sound of Music! with solos sung by members of the Choir. This proved to be the perfect opportunity to stroll down Broadway and enjoy an evening at the Shows!

The Concert supported the vital work of the local branch of The National Autistic Society and the Retiring Collection raised over £500 for the Charity.

Woking’s Epworth Choir performed two Family Christmas Carol Concerts to large audiences at the  HG Wells centre, Woking on Saturday 14th December 2013. The Matinee Concert supported the Charity, Shooting Star CHASE Children’s Hospiceand the Evening Concert was in Aid of the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

As is customary, the Concerts, conducted by the choir’s Music Director, Matthew Willis, included the usual mix of carols old and new by the choir and the ever-popular audience carols.

This year the Epworth Choir were delighted to welcome to the Matinee Concert the young dancers of the Cremona School of Dance and members of Greenfield School Chamber Choir. Both groups performed very entertaining programmes which helped to create a truly magical Family Christmas atmosphere.

The Epworth Choir were delighted to welcome as Guest Artistes at the Evening Concert, the Royal Marines Association Concert Band conducted by their Director of Music, Capt. David Cole MVO, MMus, ARAM, RM. The Band performances of well-known Christmas music were nothing short of spectacular and left the enthusiastic audience demanding encores! We very much look forward to inviting the Band back to perform again with Epworth Choir.

The Retiring Collection for Shooting Star CHASE raised £481 and in the evening, £685 was raised for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust. 

Woking’s Epworth Choir presented ‘A Night of Gilbert & Sullivan’ – a selection of Popular Choruses and Solos, at the H G Wells Conference & Events Centre, Woking, on Saturday 13th July, 2013. The Concert was conducted by Matthew Willis and accompanied at the piano by Michael Waldron. The selection of G&S music was drawn from Yeoman of the Guard, Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, The Gondoliers and many other works by this famous duo!

A true ‘Night to Remember’ for both performers and audience! – The choir had not sung G & S for many years but their enthusiastic singing on the night spoke volumes for their ability to embrace a wide range of repertoire. Under the baton of their Musical Director, the internationally renowned Matthew Willis and amply supported by the choir’s virtuoso accompanist, Michael Waldron, the audience were treated by the choir to a feast of G & S opera at it its very best!

The choir’s very own soloists performed to great acclaim and at the end of the performance the audience showed their appreciation with rapturous applause and gave most generously to the Retiring Collection which raised a much-needed £444 for Age UK Surrey.

Surrey Choirs & Orchestras perform Berlioz Grande Messe des Morts.

Woking’s Epworth Choir and Godalming Choral Society joined forces under the baton of Matthew Willis to perform Hector Berlioz’s masterful Requiem Mass at Guildford Cathedral on Saturday 20th April 2013. The choir of 200 voices was accompanied by Redhill Sinfonia, Woking Symphony Orchestra and four brass groups. The soloist was the acclaimed international operatic tenor, Ben Johnson.

The Performance was dedicated to the memory of Sir Colin Davis who died just a few days before the concert.

Undoubtedly the largest and in parts the loudest of all Requiems, this performance raised the roof of the Cathedral and left the near capacity audience breathless, whilst the occasional glimpse of peace prompted music making of the utmost tenderness. Performances of Berlioz Grande Messe des Morts are memorable for the power and sincerity of this interpretation of the sacred word and this occasion was certainly no exception.

Shelagh Godwin, Music Critic for The Surrey Advertiser wrote:

…A challenge well met by the combined voices of the Epworth Choir and Godalming Choral Society’

Ben Johnson provided a lovely tenor solo in the Sanctus, accompanied by the softest of shimmering strings’

The Offertorium….superbly played, ….was beautifully shaped by conductor Matthew Willis.

(Click here for full text of Shelagh Godwin’s Critique, Surrey Advertiser, 26th April 2013)

The Concert supported the vital work of the  Surrey Air Ambulance, a ‘Charity that Saves Lives’. Through the generosity of members of the audience, the Retiring Collection raised the huge sum of £2254 for which the Charity are extremely grateful.

The Epworth Choir staged two very successful Christmas Concerts in December 2012, conducted by the choir’s Music Director, Matthew Willis. Both Concerts raised much-needed funds for local Charities.

The first, on 10th December at Christ Church Woking, was in aid of the local branch of  Macmillan Cancer Support, the Mayor of Woking’s Charity. The concert featured the ever popular Susan Robinson School of Ballet,  Katherine Dienes-Williams, Organist and Master of the Choristers at Guildford Cathedral and Woking Young Musician Finalist, Matilda Lloyd, trumpet.

The choir would very much like to thank all its guest performers and a special mention must go to the Susan Robinson School of Ballet who, as always, helped to create a truly magical Christmas atmosphere with their superb dancing – a big Thank You to Susan Robinson and the young ballet dancers! Also, a special Thanks to 17 year old Matilda Lloyd for her hugely entertaining and exciting trumpet solos!

Epworth Choir were delighted to be supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and the retiring collection raised £864 towards the valuable work of the Charity who provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support to people living with cancer.

The second concert was performed on 22nd December at Guildford Cathedral, in support of Home Start Guildford. The TV presenter Rob Curling made a guest appearance at the concert which also featured the All Saints Warlingham Handbell Ringers. The ever popular audience Carols were accompanied by Guildford Cathedral Sub-Organist, Paul Provost.

The highlight of the concert was the performance of the All Saints Warlingham Handbell Ringers, who delighted audience and choir alike with their arrangements of carols and festive pieces.

Local MP Anne Milton made the Appeal on behalf of Home Start Guildford who provide much-needed support to local, struggling young families who need help for a variety of reasons. The retiring collection raised the magnificent sum of £1,235 towards the vital work of this Charity.

Woking’s Epworth Choir presented Opera! – an evening of popular Choruses and Arias, at the HG Wells Centre, Woking, on Saturday 13th October, 2012. This ‘Evening at the Opera’ was conducted by Matthew Willis and accompanied by the Chameleon Arts Orchestra. The concert featured solo performances by International Opera Singers, Susan Young, soprano and Sean Ruane, Tenor. Music from the world of opera included Madam Butterfly, Humming Chorus; Turandot, Nessun Dorma & Finalé; Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, Suite from Carmen; La Traviata, Brindisi and many more!

The concert supported the vital work of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and a Retiring Collection raised the magnificent sum of £1004.

“A Brilliant performance by the choir, orchestra and soloists – enjoyed every moment. Congratulations to the Conductor, Matthew Willis for such a wonderful Night at the Opera!’”

“The soloists were wonderful, not just for their lovely voices but for their obvious rapport with the choir, the conductor and each other. The Finale was an absolute triumph!”

“A thoroughly enjoyable evening. The choir was in great voice and great spirits – they surmounted the ‘language’ challenges magnificently and, as ever, their timing was perfect!”

“What an excellent evening – we all loved it and are very much looking forward to Epworth Choir’s next concert!”

Woking’s Epworth Choir sang singing Haydn: The Creation, at Guildford Cathedral on Saturday 14th April, 2012, 7.30pm. Epworth Choir were delighted that HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO, Royal Patron of Transform Housing & Support was able to attend this Concert. The Performance was conducted by Matthew Willis and accompanied by The Salomon Orchestra and featured International Opera Soloists,  Helena Dix, Soprano, Sam Furness, Tenor and Grant Doyle, Bass.

The performance received great applause and many members of the audience expressed their appreciation:

…one of the most exciting and moving choral concerts I have heard for a very long time.
…the choir sounded very professional and the talented and well balanced soloists added to a musically very satisfactory experience in a challenging acoustic’
… Sheer orchestral magic…the orchestra interlude before the recitative O happy pair’ sent shivers down my spine’
…The muted beautiful sound from the Choir during And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters’ contrasted dramatically with the sudden burst of sound …and there was LIGHT!’

Congratulations to the Conductor, Matthew Willis…a Magical performance: Quite wonderful; A delight to hear!’

The concert ended with a Charity Collection which raised more than £2000 for the Surrey-based Charity, Transform Housing & Support. The Charity provides housing and support for vulnerable and excluded people, empowering them to reach their goals and live independent, productive and fulfilling lives. Transform Housing & Support are celebrating their 40th Birthday in 2012.

Full review by Marigold Jackson

Were you in the audience for Epworth Choir’s performance of Haydn’s “The Creation” on Saturday 14th April? If not you missed a musical treat. From the choir itself, through The Salomon Orchestra to the three wonderful soloists, this must have been one of the most exciting and moving choral concerts I have heard for a very long time.

The magical moments were many –
The muted, beautiful sound from the Choir during “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” leading to the sudden burst of sound “and there was LIGHT”.
“The heavens are telling the glory of God”, always a favourite chorus of mine, with the chorus interspersed with the trio of soloists, did not disappoint.
The great excitement of “Achieved is the glorious work”.
And many more!

Of course, it was not just the Choir who made this such a magical evening. The three soloists, Helena Dix (Soprano), Sam Furness (Tenor) and Grant Doyle (Bass) were a delight to both hear and watch. They interacted with each other as a team throughout their performances, which, of course, gave so much more meaning to the words they were singing.

I don’t think I can do better than to quote a number of comments heard from the audience after the performance –
“I loved the way the three excellent soloists were singing as a team and interacting beautifully, while deferring to the conductor.” “Magical performance”; “Quite wonderful”; “A delight to hear”.

Well done Epworth Choir! Well done Matthew Willis. I look forward to your “OPERA!” on 13th October. Don’t miss it!!

Marigold Jackson, 18th April 2012