Epsom Christmas Concert Triumphs After Last-Minute Conductor Crisis
What could have been a genuine crisis for Epsom Choral Society’s Christmas Concert on Saturday became a remarkable story of teamwork, professionalism, and musical courage.
The day began with unwelcome news. Early in the morning, Musical Director, Julian Collings, phoned to say he had been struck down with flu and was unable to conduct that evening’s concert. This was to be no ordinary performance: it was completely sold out and featured two world premieres, making cancellation unthinkable.
From his sickbed, Julian immediately set about trying to find a replacement conductor for the evening. His first call was to Neil Ferris, conductor of the Leith Hill Music Festival. Unfortunately, Neil was unable to step in at such short notice, but he suggested a name: Victoria Ely. Crucially, ECS Chair, Helen Phillips, was able to recommend her with confidence, having seen Victoria in action when she took a rehearsal for Neil at one of the Leith Hill Music Festival rehearsals last Spring.
Victoria Ely, who had never met the choir before, bravely agreed to conduct the concert with just four hours’ notice.
Meanwhile, Julian faced another formidable task. From home, he painstakingly scanned all of his marked-up scores – 20 different pieces, the parts for the brass quintet, and his detailed annotations and introductory notes. These were sent at speed to the ECS’s Concert Management team, who rushed to print everything so it could be placed in Victoria’s hands as soon as she arrived and so the brass had something to play! It was a race against the clock, but by 1pm everything was in place.
That afternoon’s rehearsal was necessarily intense. Rather than imposing her own methods, Victoria immediately showed her musicianship and collaborative spirit by asking the choir to demonstrate how each piece had been rehearsed. She listened carefully, adapted quickly, and worked with the choir’s established approach, creating a sense of trust and calm despite the extraordinary circumstances.
By the time the evening concert arrived, what might have felt like an emergency substitution instead felt like a confident partnership. Victoria conducted with assurance, clarity, and good humour, guiding the choir through a demanding and varied programme. Her warm presence and engaging manner extended to the audience, who responded with enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment.
Against all odds, the concert was not merely rescued, it was a resounding success. For Epsom Choral Society the evening became a powerful reminder of the strength of its musical community and the generosity of fellow professionals. Thanks to Julian’s determination, Helen’s quick thinking, the Concert Manager’s efficiency , and above all Victoria Ely’s courage and skill, a potential disaster was transformed into a memorable and uplifting Christmas celebration.