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

The Epworth Choir staged two very successful Christmas concerts in December 2011, both of which played to near capacity audiences.

The second concert was performed on 17th December at Guildford Cathedral, in support of Action for Children. The choir was once again pleased to welcome Katherine Dienes-Williams and Alex Pickering from Guildford Cathedral, and also Meridian Brass who provided robust accompaniment for the audience carols.

The undoubted highlight of the concert was the appearance of the International Harp Ensemble, a group of more than 20 players of all ages, on harps large and small, who delighted audience and choir alike with their arrangements of carols and festive pieces.

Actress Nerys Hughes made a special appearance on behalf of the charity, Action for Children, for which she is an ambassador and long term supporter. She entranced everyone with her storytelling and amusing anecdotes and made a special appeal on behalf of the charity. Epworth Choir is pleased to announce that the retiring collection raised the sum of £1080 towards the vital work of Action for Children.

These Christmas concerts were the first under the baton of Matthew Willis, Epworth’s new Musical Director, whom the choir would like to thank for all his hard work and invaluable guidance.

The Epworth Choir staged two very successful Christmas concerts in December 2011, both of which played to near capacity audiences.

The first, on 12th December at Christ Church Woking, was in aid of the local charity, Link Leisure and featured the ever popular Susan Robinson School of Ballet, Katherine Dienes-Williams – organist at Guildford Cathedral, Alex Pickering – Head Girl Cathedral Chorister and Woking Young Musician Katie MacDonald – violin.

Sadly, Daniel Hill, accompanist and virtuoso soloist, was making his final appearance with the choir who extend warmest wishes for his future career.

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, for many years, have been wowing audiences with their artistry and precision – a big Thank You to Susan Robinson and the young ballet dancers! Also, the Link Leisure High Notes Choir must receive a special Thanks for their hugely entertaining and enthusiastic rendition of three lively Christmas songs!

Epworth Choir were delighted to be supporting Link Leisure and the retiring collection raised over £780 towards the valuable work of the charity who support people with learning disabilities in the local community.

Woking’s Epworth Choir performed  Songs from the Shows to an enthusiastic sell-out audience at a Charity Concert supporting the Woking Hospice, at ChristChurch, Town Centre, Woking, on Saturday 15th October, 2011. The concert, which was a very successful Debut for the Choir’s new Music Director, Matthew Willis, highlighted well-known songs and choruses from West Side Story, Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady, South Pacific, Chicago and Les Miserables.

Also featured in the concert was international tenor and star of opera and musical theatre, Kevin Kyle. Kevin gave a well-received performance, which, together with a delightful solo from Alexandra Pickering, Head Girl Chorister at Guildford Cathedral and virtuoso piano solos by Daniel Hill, helped make the occasion a relaxed evening of glorious music in true Epworth style!

Epworth Choir were pleased to have this opportunity of supporting the vital work of the Woking Hospice and the amount raised by donation and a retiring collection was over £1000.

Epworth Choir performed John Rutter’s Mass of the Children at Guildford Cathedral on Sat 9th April, 2011, in a concert of contemporary music which also included Andrew Carter’s Musick’s Jubilee and a Selection of English Songs.

On this occasion the Epworth Choir, with Guest Conductor Neil Ferris, were joined by the young singers of The Spelthorne Young Voices and the Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra. The organist and pianist was Martin Stacey. The soloists were Julie Cooper, soprano, a regular member of Harry Christophers and The Sixteen, together with Laura Lemmon, soprano, Ruth Massey, mezzo-soprano and Johnny Herford, baritone. All the soloists were warmly applauded and Laura Lemmon‘s short recital of English Songs was very well received.

John Rutter wrote Mass of The Children to give young people the opportunity to perform in a major work alongside adult singers and this concert performance was greatly enhanced by the inspiring singing and musicianship of The Spelthorne Young Voices. The young singers of the Spelthorne choir with their conductor, Joanne Gardner also gave a very moving performance of two of Bob Chilcott’s songs, The Lily and the Rose and Can You Hear Me.

Andrew Carter’s Musik’s Jubilee, first performed in 2003, has received wide acclaim by both choral societies and audiences world-wide and this performance, accompanied by the Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra was no exception with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The concert supported the work of The Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust and a retiring collection raised £440 towards the vital work of this charity.

Woking’s Epworth Choir and the Epworth Youth Choir will be performing a Family Christmas Carol Concert in Christ Church, Woking on Monday 13th December 2010 at 7.30pm. The concert will be supporting the Charity, CICRA (Crohns in Childhood Research Association).

This year’s concert will feature a new carol, Blessed be that Maid Marie, composed by the Choir’s Musical Director, Amy Bebbington. Other carols both old and new include, William Mathias’ Sir Christemas and John Rutter’s Sans Day Carol. There will be plenty of opportunity for everyone to participate in celebrating the festive season by joining in with the ever-popular audience carols accompanied on the Organ played by Guildford Cathedral organist, Katherine Dienes-Williams.

The Epworth Choir is proud to announce that young dancers from the Susan Robinson School of Ballet will also be performing during the concert. The talented young ballerinas, who perform with breathtaking elegance, often go on to pursue professional careers. In the past the ballet has really helped create a truly magical family Christmas atmosphere.

The charity, CICRA provides invaluable support for children and young people with Crohns Disease or Colitis. The charity also raises funds to enable research to be carried out into the causes of both diseases in the hope of eventually discovering a cure. The Epworth Choir are delighted to have this opportunity to support the vital work of this charity.

This much anticipated annual Carol Concert will, as usual, be a joyous evening of seasonal music that perfectly captures the true spirit of the Festive Season and must be a highlight of your Christmas List!

Woking’s Epworth Choir announce this year’s Autumn Concert – ‘Sublime to Sizzlin’….!’ An Evening of Spirituals, Jazz and Songs from the Deep South. Epworth Choir are delighted to announce that the celebrated mezzo-soprano, Melanie Marshall will be the Guest Artiste. Melanie is frequently hailed as one of this country’s most versatile singers, encompassing jazz, opera, oratorio, musical theatre and cabaret. Her numerous recordings include John Rutter’s ‘A Christmas Festival’ and, ‘Feel the Spirit’, which will be performed at this concert. Melanie will also feature in ‘Highlights from Porgy & Bess’ arranged by Harry Simeone.

Epworth Choir are pleased to announce that the concert will also feature former Woking High School student, and Woking Musician of the year Finalist, Alexander Campbell, who will be performing Jazz Solos on the Trombone. Also appearing will be The Epworth Youth Choir, Daniel Hill, piano and Andrew Martin, Percussion. The concert will be conducted by Amy Bebbington.

The concert will be supporting The Friends of Woking Community Hospital.

Epworth Choir opened their 52nd Season with a performance of Mozart Requiem, Mozart Exsultate, Jubilate and Schubert Mass in G major at Guildford Cathedral on Saturday 24th April 2010.

The soloists on this occasion were Helena Dix, soprano, Rachel Lindop, mezzo-soprano, Richard Monk, tenor and Paul Charrier, bass and the orchestra was the Merriman Concert Orchestra. This was the debut concert for Epworth Choir’s newly appointed Music Director, Amy Bebbington.

The concert commenced with the exquisitely beautiful and lyrical Mass in G major followed by a virtuoso performance of Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate sung by Helena Dix. The second half featured Mozart’s deeply moving and hauntingly dramatic Requiem.

The audience were most generous in their support of the St Luke’s Cancer Centre Charity, GRACE, with a retiring collection of £774.

Saturday 19th December 2009 – A Family Christmas Concert

Featuring the Epworth Youth Choir

Supporting ‘Disability Challengers’ Guildford

Monday 7th December 2009 – A Family Christmas Concert

Featuring the Epworth Youth Choir and the Susan Robinson School of Ballet.

Supporting ‘York Road Shelter’ Woking.