Future events

Leith Hill Music Fesitval

We will be performing alongside Beare Green & Newdigate, Buckland and Betchworth, Holmbury St. Mary, Horsley and Mickleham on Saturday 13th April at 7:30pm at Dorking Halls as part of the Leith Hill Music Festival.

We’ll be accompanied by a full professional orchestra and top soloists. The repertoire will include:

Lauridsen – Lux aeterna

Puccini – Messa di Gloria

Summer Concert - Sunday 7th July 4pm

Join us at 4pm on Sunday 7th July at St Nicolas Church, Bookham for our summer concert featuring performances from George Shraring’s Songs and Sonnets and John Rutter’s Birthday Madrigals. 

Past events

Tuesday 19th Dec - Christmas Carols

Join us at 7:30pm on Tuesday 19th December for our annual Christmas Carol concert in St Nicolas Church, Bookham.  There will be well known and less well known carols by the choir and seasonal favourites for all to join in.  Tickets at £15 will include wine, soft drinks and mince pies after the concert.

Saturday 11th November - Duruflé's Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine

Maurice Duruflé's Requiem, Opus. 9," is a well-known composition in the choral and classical music repertoire. It is a setting of the traditional Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead. Duruflé, a French composer and organist, composed the work between 1947 and 1948 after the death of his father. The piece is considered one of his most significant and revered compositions.

Duruflé's Requiem is characterized by its lush harmonies, intricate choral writing, and expressive melodies. The work is deeply rooted in Gregorian chant, which Duruflé used as a source of inspiration. He blended these traditional elements with his own harmonic language, resulting in a composition that is both reverent and innovative. Duruflé's Requiem is sometimes compared to Gabriel Fauré's Requiem due to its gentle and peaceful character. Both works depart from the dramatic and fearful aspects often associated with the Requiem Mass, focusing instead on providing comfort and solace to the listener. Duruflé was a skilled organist, and the organ part in the Requiem is acknowledged to be extremely demanding.

The Requiem is considered a masterpiece of 20th-century choral and sacred music. It has been performed and recorded by numerous choirs, orchestras, and soloists around the world. Its introspective and meditative qualities have made it a favourite for memorial services and concerts commemorating the departed. 

The Cantique de Jean Racine is a setting of words by the 17th century dramatist and poet Jean Racine.  It was Faure’s first significant composition, written in 1865 whilst he was in his final year at the ‘Ecole de musique religieuse et classique’.  He submitted the piece for the competition prize, and won, though it was only published eleven years later, with a full orchestral version following in 1906.  Faure went on to write a good deal of religious music – most notably the Requiem, written in 1888 – but of the shorter sacred pieces it is the Cantique that has particularly captured the affections of choirs and audiences. -  John Bawden

Saturday 25th November - Come and Sing

🎶 Christmas is coming!  Join us on Saturday, November 25th, for an afternoon enjoying a selection of Christmas music at our Come and Sing event.

🎤 Whether you're a seasoned singer or just love to sing in the shower, this event is for you! No auditions, no pressure—just the joy of making music in the company of fellow enthusiasts.

What to Expect:

🌟 Expert Guidance: Our experienced choral director will lead you through an afternoon of familiar and unfamiliar music with a Christmas theme.  

 🎼 Diverse Repertoire: From classical choral gems to Christmas carols, the selection  will ensure there's something for everyone.

👥 Inclusive Atmosphere: Enjoy the  camaraderie of fellow singers whether you're a trained singer or simply love to sing: we welcome singers of all levels.

🎉 Performance: The day concludes with an informal performance, allowing you to invite friends and family to hear what has been achieved.  This is free of charge.

🎟️ Reserve Your Spot! Tickets cost £15. To reserve your place visit bookhamchoralsociety@gmail.com.

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