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.