Our 16th year...
Celebrating 16 years since our formation in 1994, Laudamus Chamber Choir has grown from a small group of 8 singers to our current complement of 20, becoming one of Surrey's most highly regarded Chamber Choirs. An off-shoot of the parish choir of St Paul's Addlestone, we retain our association with St Paul's, rehearsing and performing there. Now, however, our members come from a much wider area.
Our performances...
Performing regularly throughout Surrey, we have also given concerts in Sussex, Dorset, Hampshire, North Wales, South Wales and in Holland. We had our London debut in December 2007 performing a Carol Concert at St Peter's Church, Eaton Square raising funds for the Commonwealth Countries League (CCL). In May 2008 we returned to London giving a concert at St John's Church, Waterloo where our programme (Heaven & Earth) included the world premier of The Dove composed for us by the Reading based composer David Breeze. Following our success at St Peter's Eaton Square, we were invited to sing at the 'Mission to Seafarers' annual Christmas concert at St Michael Paternoster Royal, in the presence of HRH Princess Royal where the event raised £13,000.
We also combined forces with Mosaic Chamber Choir and the Boys' Choir of St Paul's School, Addlestone at the Christ the Prince of Peace Church, Weybridge in a Christmas celebration to raise funds for Age Concern. 2008 was indeed a year of collaborations, working also with Ashford Baroque Ensemble and Sir William Perkins School in two highly successful concerts. Collaboration has continued to be a theme this year, having joined forces again with Ashford Baroque Ensemble again in a concert of Handel ‘Coronation Anthems’ and Monteverdi’s ‘Beatus Vir’.
We have been pleased to participate in the four Addlestone Festivals to date, with highly successful programmes. In 2010, the concert was a celebration of summer including audience participation. This Christmas our focus is on a collaboration with Walton & Oatlands Choral Society and the Choir of St Anne’s School, Chertsey in a performance of two Christmas cantatas. Looking further forward, our collaborative ventures continue in 2011 on a project to produce Bach’s ‘St John’s Passion’ in Shepperton in October.
Our repertoire...
Over the past 16 years we have built a significant repertoire of music from many periods and genres which enables us to provide a variety of programmes and to undertake concerts at relatively short notice. We are always extending our repertoire and undertaking new challenges; this year we are producing a concert for Voices for Hospices with an all new programme that celebrates 3 important anniversaries - Haydn's death in 1809, Handel's death in 1759 and Purcell's birth in 1659.
Our fundraising...
The majority of our concerts are in support of charities - local, national and international. In the past we have raised funds for Rotary International, Voices for Hospices, Mission to Seafarers, Commonwealth Countries League, Eyes Right, Stephanie Marks Appeal, Survive Miva, Asian Tsunami Appeal, Hames Homeless Project, Cystic Fibrosis, The Manny Society, White Lodge Centre, St Mary's Church, Worplesdon.
We have established a circle of 'Friends of Laudamus Chamber Choir' who support the choir in many ways and we thank them for that support. Why not consider joining their ranks?