Epsom Chamber Choir Christmas concert benefits hospital

Epsom Chamber Choir was delighted to welcome The Worshipful The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, Councillor Steve Bridger, and the Mayoress, Mrs. Carol Bridger, to their annual Christmas concert at St Martin’s Church on Saturday, 14th December.

Starting at a family-friendly 6 pm and lasting just an hour, the choir’s programme, devised by conductor Jack Apperley, packed in all the elements expected at this time of the year. Inevitably, there was some Rutter – his arrangement of the Sans Day Carol – and audience carols including O come, all ye faithful with the Willcocks descant. The choir also sang newer music chosen to feature women composers, including Kerensa Briggs’ increasingly well-known A tender shoot.

Ralph Vaughan Williams, a composer closely associated with our local area, was represented by his popular Fantasia on Christmas Carols, based on folk tunes, with soloists from the choir.

The concert closed with a group of lighter items, including a long-time choir favourite, Peter Gritton’s close-harmony version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and a jazzy arrangement of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

The Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity supports patients, their families, and staff at our local hospitals. We were pleased to offer them the opportunity to take a retiring collection after the concert which raised £413.94

Roger Miller

Image: Jack Apperley with Molly Simpson from the hospital charity with the Mayor and Mayoress of Epsom and Ewell