Past concerts

Wed, 6 Mar 2024: Mini concert at Our Lady of Lourdes, Thames Ditton

  • John Rutter: A Sprig of Thyme
  • A selection of Part Songs and Madrigals

Sat, 2 Dec 2023: Holy Trinity Claygate

  • Saint-Saens: Oratorio de Noel
  • Benjamin Britten: A Ceremony of Carols
  • Carols for Choir and Audience

Sat 10 June 2023: St Andrew’s church, Surbiton

  • Rutter – Requiem (Choir)
  • Bartlett Madrigals and Partsongs (Choir)
    • Finzi – My spirit sang all day
    • Stanford – The Blue bird
    • Elgar – As Torrents in summer
  • Piano Duets (Paul Jeanes & Pam Kent)
    • Brahms – Hungarian Dance in G Minor
    • Grieg – Norwegian Dance in A Major
    • Brahms – Hungarian Dance in F# Minor
  • Poulenc – Hotel, Chanson d’Orkenise (Louisa Alice-Rose)
  • George Shearing – Songs and Sonnets (Choir)

Wed 1 Mar 2023: at Our Lady of Lourdes Church

  • Choruses from Opera
    • Habanera (from Bizet – Carmen)
    • Chorus of the Wedding Guests (from Donizetti – Lucia di Lammermoor)
    • Easter Hymn (from Mascagni – Cavalleria Rusticana)
    • Villagers’ Chorus (from Rossini – William Tell)
    • Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (from Verdi – Nabucco)
    • Pilgrims’ Chorus (from Wagner – Tannhäuser)
  • Bartlett Madrigals and Partsongs
    • My bonny lass she smileth
    • Heraclitus
    • The Long Day Closes

Sat 3 Dec 2022 : Holy Trinity Church, Claygate 

  • Bach “Magnificat
  • Holst “Christmas Day“,
  • Vaughan Williams “Fantasia on Christmas Carols
  • Carols for choir and audience.

Sat 18 June 2022 at St Mark’s Church, Surbiton:

  • Rutter “Feel the Spirit”
  • Samuel Coleridge-Taylor “Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast”
    • (moved from St Andrew’s Surbiton at short notice)

23 Mar 2022: at Our Lady of Lourdes Church

  • Haydn “A Little Organ Mass”,
  • Chilcott “A Little Jazz Mass” and
  • John Rutter “A Prayer for Ukraine

A mini-concert, with the Rutter rehearsed and sung on the day!

4 Dec 2021: at Kingston Parish Church. 

  • Handel “Messiah”

Our first proper concert in front of an audience since December 2019, with soloists: Ana Beard Fernandez (soprano), Alexander Simpson (alto), Guy Elliot (tenor), Charles Cunliffe (bass), and the Liturina Ensemble.

Wednesday, 23 Jun 2021: at Our Lady of Lourdes.

  • Fauré “Requiem”
  • Poulenc “Gloria”

Due to continuing COVID restrictions we did not hold a formal concert in June 2021 (see below) but instead held an open rehearsal at 7:30pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Hampton Court Way, Thames Ditton.

We welcomed soloists Rebecca Hardwick (soprano) and Laurence White (baritone). Laurence also sang three songs between the performance of the main works.

The evening was a welcome opportunity to sing live after many Zoom rehearsals! The write-up of the evening can also be viewed
here

Saturday 28 Mar 2020 (cancelled)

We were due back to sing at St Andrew’s Church, Surbiton. We were looking forward to performing Bach’s “St Matthew Passion” in English and featuring period instruments.

Sadly, in the light of concerns about coronavirus and based on government guidelines, this concert had to be cancelled. We also had to cancel further concerts due to be held in June 2021, also at St Andrew’s Church, Surbiton and December 2021 at Kingston parish church.

30 Nov 2019: at Holy Trinity Church, Claygate

  • Britten “St Nicolas”
  • Christmas Carols

The Britten in the first half had some atmospheric accompaniment by string quartet, piano, organ and percussion and also featuring some young soloists as well as the tenor part ably sung by James Robinson.
The second half included carols for both choir only and choir and audience.

8 Jun 2019: at the Menuhin Hall, Stoke D’Abernon

  • Brahms: “Ein Deutsches Requiem”
  • Brahms: “Liebeslieder Waltzes”

See the here for pictures and details about this charming concert.

1 Dec 2018: at All Saints Church, Kingston

  • Handel: “Messiah”
  • Rutter: “Gloria”
  • Rutter: “When Icicles Hang”

Kingston provided a lovely festive backdrop and the program proved popular.

16 Jun 2018: at St. Andrew’s, Surbiton

  • Rachmaninov: “All Night Vigil (Vespers)”

See here for more pictures and details about this exciting concert.

25 Nov 2017: at Holy Trinity Church, Claygate

  • Charpentier: “Te Deum”
  • Handel: “Ode for the birthday of Queen Anne”
  • Britten: “Rejoice in the Lamb” at Holy Trinity Church, Claygate.
Joel conducting

10 June 2017: at The Yehudi Menuhin Hall

  • Haydn: “Creation”

Our first concert with our new conductor, Joel Newsome-Hubbard

Joel Newsome-Hubbard conducting the choir

17 Dec 2016: at St Mary’s University College Chapel, Twickenham

  • Handel: “Messiah”

A joint concert with Hampton choral society : sadly our last concert under John Sutton’s baton! 

11 Jun 2016: at St Mary’s University College Chapel, Twickenham

  • Bach: “B Minor Mass”

A joint concert with Hampton choral society. 

List of Earlier Concerts (pre 2016)

Choir member Roger Oldcorn kindly provided this complete historical listing of all Ember Choral Society’s previous UK concerts.

The choir was originally formed as Ember Music Society in 1956 based in Thames Ditton, UK. In 1978 the Hinchley Wood School Choral Society was incorporated and John Sutton took over as musical director. In 1981, the choir assumed the name of Ember Choral Society.

List of concerts: 1957-2015

DateComposerWorkComments / Venue
24-Jan-57MendelssohnElijahAs Ember Music Society
22-May-57BrahmsRequiem 
19-Dec-57HandelMessiah Christmas music; Carols 
30-Apr-58HaydnCreation 
10-Dec-58BachJesu Priceless Treasure 
10-Dec-58Bush, GeoffreyChristmas Cantata 
29-Apr-59MendelssohnSt Paul 
13-Jan-60HandelJudas Maccabaeus 
13-Apr-60HaydnThe Seven Last Words on the Cross 
25-May-60HandelZadok the Priest 
25-May-60HandelCoronation Anthem 
23-Nov-60MozartThe Twelfth Mass 
22-Feb-61MendelssohnHymn of Praise 
22-Feb-61HaydnThe Seasons 
17-May-61ParryBlest Pair of Sirens 
17-May-61MozartAlleluia 
17-May-61MendelssohnHow Lovely are the Messengers 
07-Dec-61Coleridge-TaylorHiawatha 
12-Apr-62DvorakStabat Mater 
12-Apr-62BachSt Luke Passion 
08-Dec-62German, EdwardMerrie England 
09-May-63BrahmsRequiem 
01-Nov-63 Carol Concert 
18-Jan-64BizetCarmen 
14-May-64HaydnCreation 
17-Dec-64HandelMessiah 
15-May-65SmetanaThe Bartered Bride 
09-Dec-65MendelssohnElijah 
28-Apr-66MozartRequiem Mass 
28-Apr-66BrittenHymn to St Cecilia 
08-Dec-66 Carol Concert 
02-Feb-67MendelssohnSt Paul 
07-Dec-67HandelMessiah (extracts) 
07-Dec-67 Carols 
20-Jan-68German, EdwardTom Jones 
09-May-68BrittenHymn to St Cecilia 
09-May-68SchubertMass in Ab 
02-Nov-68SullivanGilbert & Sullivan Evening 
11-Dec-68 Carol Concertwith Claygate CS
21-Dec-68 Carol Concert 
24-Apr-69HandelJudas Maccabaeus 
14-Dec-69HandelMessiah 
20-Dec-69 Carol Concertwith Claygate CS
02-May-70VerdiRequiem 
05-Dec-70PoulencGloria 
01-Apr-71BrahmsRequiem 
11-Dec-71TippettA Child of Our Timewith Claygate CS
29-Apr-72ElgarMusic Makers 
29-Apr-72Vaughan WilliamsSancta Civitas 
18-Nov-72FauréRequiem 
18-Nov-72BachJesu Priceless Treasure 
16-Dec-72HandelMessiah (extracts) 
16-Dec-72 Carols 
12-May-73OrffCarmina Burana 
12-May-73StravinskySymphony of Psalms 
17-Nov-73HaydnCreation 
15-Dec-73 Carol Concert 
18-May-74MozartMissa Brevis 
18-May-74RossiniStabat Mater 
07-Dec-74VivaldiGloria 
07-Dec-74HaydnMass in Bb 
10-May-75MendelssohnElijah 
08-May-76DurufléRequiem 
08-May-76HaydnNelson Mass 
04-Dec-76StanfordSongs of the FleetJohn Sutton first concert as soloist
07-May-77BachSt Matthew Passion 
03-Dec-77HandelDettingen Te Deum 
03-Dec-77MozartRequiem 
06-May-78BrahmsRequiemJennifer Shell first concert
19-May-79FauréRequiemJohn Sutton debut as conductor
19-May-79VivaldiGloria 
19-May-79HandelZadok the Priest 
01-Dec-79SullivanGilbert & Sullivan for all 
10-May-80VerdiRequiem 
22-Nov-80BachCantata No.11 
22-Nov-80HaydnNelson Mass 
16-May-81BachSt John Passion 
05-Dec-81MendelssohnElijahAs Ember Choral Society
15-May-82PoulencGloria 
15-May-82Vaughan WilliamsFive Mystical songs 
15-May-82ParryBlest Pair of Sirens 
20-Nov-82MozartVesperae Solennes de Confessore 
20-Nov-82GounodMesse Solennelle (St Cecilia) 
15-Dec-82 Carol Concert 
14-May-83Lambert, ConstantThe Rio Grandewith Hinchley Wood School CS
14-May-83OrffCarmina Burana 
03-Dec-83BachChristmas Oratorio (1 and 2) 
03-Dec-83BrittenSt Nicholas 
01-Dec-84HandelMessiah (extracts) 
12-May-84HaydnHarmoniemesse 
12-May-84Guard, BarrieDavid & GoliathWorld Premiere
12-May-84RossiniStabat Mater 
22-May-84BrittenSt Nicholaswith Hampton CS
23-May-84BrittenSt Nicholaswith Hampton CS
01-Dec-84BachChristmas Oratorio 
01-Dec-84BerliozChildhood of Christ 
01-Dec-84HandelMessiah (extracts) 
18-May-85HandelSamson 
07-Dec-85BernsteinChichester Psalms 
07-Dec-85Vaughan WilliamsHodie 
07-Dec-85Guard, BarrieDavid & Goliath 
15-Dec-85HandelMessiah 
10-May-86ElgarDream of Gerontiuswith Hampton CS
17-May-86ElgarDream of Gerontiuswith Hampton CS
25-Oct-86VivaldiGloria 
25-Oct-86 Folk songs 
06-Dec-86BrittenCeremony of Carols 
06-Dec-86BeethovenMass in C 
09-May-87VerdiRequiemwith Hampton CS
16-May-87VerdiRequiemwith Hampton CS
12-Dec-87CharpentierTe Deum 
12-Dec-87RutterWhen Icicles Hang 
12-Dec-87HarveyOf the Fathers Love 
12-Dec-87HaydnSeasons (Autumn & Winter) 
19-Dec-87HandelMessiah 
19-Mar-88BachSt Matthew Passion 
11-May-88FauréRequiem 
11-May-88HandelLet the Bright Seraphim (Samson) 
11-May-88HandelZadok the Priest 
11-May-88TippettA Child of Our Time 
03-Dec-88RutterWhen Icicles Hang 
03-Dec-88BrittenSt Nicholas 
03-Dec-88HughesBrightest & BestPremiere
11-Dec-88HandelMessiah 
13-May-89BachMass in B minorwith Hampton CS
20-May-89BachMass in B minorwith Hampton CS
11-Nov-89HandelZadok the PriestEsher Methodist Centenary Concert
11-Nov-89VivaldiGloria 
11-Nov-89FauréRequiem 
17-Dec-89HandelMessiah 
10-Feb-90VivaldiGloriaVera Fletcher Hall Appeal
10-Feb-90FauréRequiem 
12-May-90BrahmsRequiem 
26-May-90VivaldiGloriaKelso
26-May-90FauréRequiemKelso
27-May-90HandelZadok the PriestSprouston
08-Dec-90MendelssohnElijah 
26-Jan-91HandelMessiah 
11-May-91TippettA Child of Our Time 
11-May-91RutterRequiem 
07-Dec-91MozartRequiem 
07-Dec-91SchubertMass in G 
11-Jan-92HandelMessiah 
16-May-92BachMass in B minorwith Hampton CS
06-Jun-92BachMass in B minorwith Hampton CS
28-Nov-92HaydnNelson Mass 
28-Nov-92DurufléRequiem 
23-Jan-93HandelMessiah 
15-May-93OrffCarmina Burana 
15-May-93Lambert, ConstantThe Rio Grande 
04-Dec-93ParryBlest Pair of Sirens 
04-Dec-93ElgarMusic Makers 
04-Dec-93Vaughan WilliamsFive Mystical Songs 
23-Jan-94HandelMessiah 
14-May-94PucciniMessa di Gloria 
14-May-94PoulencGloria 
03-Dec-94VerdiRequiem 
28-Jan-95HandelMessiah 
13-May-95PurcellCome ye Sons of Art / Te Deum / Jubilate 
13-May-95BernsteinChichester Psalms 
02-Dec-95ElgarDream of Gerontius 
27-Jan-96HandelMessiah 
11-May-96VivaldiBeatus Vir 
11-May-96ScarlattiDixit Dominus 
11-May-96RutterPsalm 121 
30-Nov-96RutterGloria 
30-Nov-96MozartMass in C minor 
25-Jan-97HandelMessiah 
22-Mar-97BachSt John Passion 
17-May-97 Gala Opera Concert40th Anniversary
06-Dec-97BrucknerMass in E minor 
06-Dec-97SchubertMass in Eb major 
28-Feb-98MozartRequiem 
09-May-98HandelZadok the Priest 
09-May-98HaydnNelson Mass 
09-May-98BachMagnificat 
05-Dec-98Vaughan WilliamsHodie 
05-Dec-98 Fantasia on Christmas Carols 
05-Dec-98RutterWhen Icicles Hang 
30-Jan-99BachMass in B minor (extracts) 
15-May-99RossiniMesse Solennelle 
15-May-99PoulencGloria 
21-Nov-99DurufléRequiemwith Richmond Orchestra
21-Nov-99ProkofievAlexander Nevsky 
04-Dec-99DurufléRequiemwith Richmond Orchestra
04-Dec-99ProkofievAlexander Nevsky 
21-Jan-00HaydnNelson Mass 
21-Jan-00BachMagnificat 
14-Oct-00HandelMessiah 
09-Dec-00 Festival of Christmas Music 
05-May-01ElgarDream of Gerontius 
13-May-01ElgarDream of Gerontius 
01-Dec-01BrittenSt Nicholas 
01-Dec-01FinziDies Natalis 
01-Dec-01Guard, BarrieA Surrey CantataWorld Premiere
09-Mar-02BrahmsRequiemHoly Trinity, Claygate
11-May-02BarberAgnus DeiQueen Charlotte Hall, Richmond
11-May-02OrffCarmina Buranawith Richmond Orchestra
25-May-02OrffCarmina BuranaSt Andrew’s, Surbiton
with Richmond Orchestra
11-Dec-02HandelDixit Dominus 
11-Dec-02BachChristmas Oratorio (1,2,3) 
11-Dec-02BrittenCeremony of Carols 
25-Jan-03HandelMessiah 
10-May-03VerdiRequiemwith Hampton CS
17-May-03VerdiRequiemwith Hampton CS
04-Oct-03HandelMessiah 
29-Dec-03PergolesiMagnificat 
29-Dec-03HandelUtrecht Te Deum 
29-Dec-03BachJesu, Meine Freude 
20-Mar-04MozartRequiem 
08-May-04Vaughan WilliamsA Sea Symphonywith Hampton CS
04-Dec-04BeethovenChoral Fantasia 
04-Dec-04KodalyMass in B 
05-Mar-05DvorakTe Deum 
21-May-05MozartSolemn Vespers 
21-May-05BrittenRejoice in the Lamb 
21-May-05DurufléRequiem 
03-Dec-05BizetCarmen 
25-Feb-06HaydnNelson Mass 
26-Mar-06StanfordMagnificat in G majorChoral Evening Service
26-Mar-06StanfordNunc Dimittis in G majorClaygate Music Festival
20-May-06PurcellCome ye Sons of Art 
20-May-06TippettFive Negro Spirituals 
20-May-06VivaldiDixit Dominus 
02-Dec-06MozartSolemn Vespers 
02-Dec-06MozartMass in C minor 
03-Mar-07HandelMessiahThe Menuhin Hall
16-Jun-07ElgarDream of Gerontiuswith Hampton CS
24-Jun-07MendelssohnElijah 
07-Jun-08HandelChandos Anthem 6 
07-Jun-08Vaughan WilliamsFive Mystical Songs 
07-Jun-08FauréRequiem 
06-Dec-08Vaughan WilliamsHodie 
06-Dec-08 Carols 
06-Jun-09RossiniMesse SolennelleThe Menuhin Hall
28-Nov-09CharpentierMesse de Minuit 
28-Nov-09Jenkins, KarlThe Armed Man 
05-Jun-10BachMass in B minorHoly Trinity Church, Claygate
20-Nov-10Guard, BarrieA Surrey CantataHoly Trinity Church, Claygate
20-Nov-10BernsteinChichester PsalmsHoly Trinity Church, Claygate
20-Nov-10RutterRequiemHoly Trinity Church, Claygate
04-Jun-11HandelJudas MaccabaeusThe Menuhin Hall
10-Dec-11VerdiRequiemSt Andrew’s Church Surbiton, with Hampton CS
10-Mar-12BrahmsRequiemSt Paul’s Church, East Molesey
June 2012 VariousA Celebration of British Music Holy Trinity Church, Claygate
Dec.2012VivaldiBeatus Vir 
Dec.2012RutterMagnificat 
June 2013ParryBlest Pair of SirensThe Menuhin Hall
June 2013Lambert, ConstantThe Rio Grande 
Nov 2013PoulencGloriaHoly Trinity Church, Claygate
Nov 2013DurufleRequiem 
June 2014RoothamFor the Fallen 
June 2014Vaughan WilliamsSea SymphonySt Mary’s, Twickenham with Hampton CS
Nov.2014HandelZadok the Priest 
Nov.2014BachMagnificat 
Nov.2014FaureCantique de Jean Racine 
Nov.2014FaureRequiem 
June 2015VivaldiGloriaSt Andrew’s Church, Surbiton
June 2015RutterGloria 
June 2015PucciniMessa di Gloria 
Nov.2015HaydnNelson MassHoly Trinity Church, Claygate
Nov.2015MozartC Minor Mass 

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