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.