Come and Sing with Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus

Following the success of our first Come and Sing event in Upper Chapel last year, we are returning to this wonderful venue to host another. This time visitors are invited to join us in a day’s workshop featuring English Anthems. On the programme will be popular delights including Toward the Unknown Region by Vaughan Williams, A Blest pair of Sirens and I Was Glad by Parry, and Faire is the Heaven by Harris. With no solo performances, choral singing will be the order of the day, so do come along and sing your heart out!

The  workshop will be led by Music Director Darius Battiwalla, who has conducted choral performances with leading orchestras including the Halle, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata, and prepared the Chorus for appearances at the Proms and for recordings with the BBC Philharmonic for Chandos. He has worked regularly as guest chorusmaster or conductor with many other choirs including the Northern Sinfonia Chorus, Leeds Philharmonic Chorus, Huddersfield Choral Society, CBSO chorus and Netherlands Radio Choir.  Darius is Leeds City Organist and has appeared as organ soloist with the Halle, London Philharmonic Orchestras and the BBC Philharmonic, and he gives regular chamber concerts with members of the Manchester orchestras on piano and harpsichord. Despite this impressive record he is a very friendly conductor, encouragingly supportive and challenging in equal measure – qualities that were much in evidence on the very successful day he led last year.

The day will begin at 10.30 with registration from 10am, with the morning session running to 12.30 including a break for tea or coffee and cake (included in the admission price).  We will re-commence at 2pm, giving time for participants to have lunch in one of the many varied eateries  in the city centre. The afternoon session will run until 4.30pm, with another generous break for tea in town, until the performance for family and friends at 6pm.

Scores will be provided for those who don’t have their own; any version is acceptable so do bring your own if you feel comfortable with it.

The short performance from 6pm is free to family and friends; numbers limited.

Information about joining the Chorus will be available on the day; see https://sheffieldphil.org/membership-join/new-members/

Tickets are £25 for visiting singers, available online (see link below); these include score and refreshments. NB. There won’t be much note-bashing, so prior knowledge of the pieces or a reasonable ability to read music will help participants make the most of the day.

Tickets for the performance are FREE, but tickets will be required as our Chorus is a large one (we expect around 100 of us to be there) so space is limited.