The increasing popularity of and repeat subscriptions to this Choral Week every year since it began in 1995 have been the hallmarks of its success. With the enormous diversity of groups in the world of amateur choral music, Jeffrey Wynn Davies’ objective was to devise a course that would appeal to those from all types and sizes of choirs. By offering chamber or concert choir and large chorus repertoire and performance opportunities for both in the same course, he wanted to enable participants to experience the familiar and the not so familiar.
For those who sing in large choral societies, not only do they perform in a large concert at the end of the week but also, during the week, have the opportunity to experience other choral styles and learn other music not usually sung by large choirs but more often performed in smaller chamber choirs including some items of a more secular nature. The music chosen is varied and taken from right across the last 400 or so years.
For the reverse, members of smaller choirs have the opportunity to contribute to the performance of major choral works in large venues. As well as preparing and performing these in just one week, participants are introduced to new smaller choir repertoire as part of the mid-week concert in the Cranleigh School Chapel.
The option is also available for singers who just wish to participate in the main concert at the end of the week as part of the South of England Festival Chorus rather than the full week’s activities. This may suit singers who live in the local region and who would be able to attend the evening rehearsals during the week. For the Cranleigh Choral Week, this has, to date, taken place in Guildford Cathedral or Winchester Cathedral.
For a list of the works performed in the End of Week Concert in previous years, click here.
For a list of the works performed in the Mid-week Concert in previous years, click here.
Each course member is assigned to one of up to four choirs, one ladies only, the others mixed, and each choir benefits from being trained by the expert tutors on the course, each bringing their own unique approach to getting the best out of the choral repertoire chosen for the course. Details of the course can be found by clicking here. More information on the tutors can be found by clicking here.
