20/09/2026/ Andrew Cripps/ Edit

28^th June 2026 Maldon URC

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the American Colonies’ Declaration of Independence. Just the right time for a celebration of American music and its composers. The Washington family’s connection to the Maldon area and the history of Maldon URC made it a perfect place for this concert.

There were some well-known pieces, such as Stephen Sondheim’s Send in the Clowns, and some less well-known like Amy Beach’s Dusk in June.

Our usual accompanist, Tim Carey, was playing away so we were very ably accompanied and amused by James Housego on the piano.

James Davy kept as all in order and spurred us on to greater heights as well as displaying his vocal talents – something he should perhaps do more often!

The whole made for a very entertaining evening.

28^th March 2026 Great Waltham Church

Edit

The Chelmsford Singers had a busy Christmas season.

It all started out on the 3^rd of December with Chelmsford Mencap’s “Merry and Bright” Christmas Concert. Always a fun and lively event.

On the 7^th we moved up to St Michael’s Church in Galleywood for our Christmas concert. The centre piece of which was Britten’s Ceremony of Carols. The whole evening being ably accompanied by Tim Carey.

The 12^th saw us back in the Cathedral for the Mayor’s Civic Carol Service. Someone had let on to James Davy that the mayor is Welsh which led him to add another language to our repertoire as we performed ‘Lwli lwla lwle’ by Meirion Wynn Jones. The Mayor was delighted and the whole service was a joy – Fraser Wilson’s arrangement of ‘Away in a manger’ was also a big hit drawing admiring comments for its subtle and tricky harmonies, beautifully carried off!

Finally, we rounded off the month with Carols at the United Brethren on the14th. A nice low-pressure sing-song to send us off into Christmas

Saturday 5^th April, Thaxted Church.

To do justice to this double-choir Oratorio, Felsted Choral Society and Chelmsford Singers combined with full orchestra and soloists under the baton of Thomas Duchan, in an exhilarating performance on a bright sunny evening in the beautiful Thaxted Parish Church. It was the result of weeks of preparation by the two choirs and the memorable performance was enjoyed by all and received well-earned appreciation from a packed audience.

Collaborations such as the above are a great way of giving choral societies the opportunity to sing works which would otherwise be beyond their resources.

Wednesday 19 March, Chelmsford Cathedral

We were delighted to have participated in Britten Sinfonia’s exciting concert, which was supported by Anglia Ruskin University. The concert aimed to give both first-timers and regular classical concert-goers an uplifting and unforgettable experience. Instead of formal rows of seats facing a stage, the audience was invited to sit or lie on mats and cushions, or on seats scattered around the building, while the musicians and singers performed an unbroken sequence of short works from different locations, with each seamless transition accompanied by a dramatic change of lighting.

We, together with the Cathedral Choristers and the Waltham Singers, joined forces with the Britten Sinfonia and one of the world’s top chamber choirs – Tenebrae – in performances of Handel’s Zadoc the Priest, and Hubert Parry’s anthem, I Was Glad.

The Cathedral was packed, the atmosphere was electric, and it was clear from the audience’s reaction and subsequent feedback that the event was a tremendous success.

Britten Sinfonia Surround Sound Playlist

Wednesday 19 March, Chelmsford Cathedral 7pm

ChelmsfordSingers are delighted to have been invited to participate in this ground breaking event in Chelmsford Cathedral.

Whether you love classical music, or you’ve never thought it was for you, Britten Sinfonia’s Surround Sound Playlist offers an inspiring and unforgettable experience.
You’re lying or sitting in a cathedral, looking up at the soaring arches and beautiful ceiling above.

Lighting states shift and capture the mood as a seamless musical sequence fills the magical space from all directions..live and all around you, with orchestral drama, solo virtuosity and heart-bursting moments of choral beauty.

From the beloved and instantly recognisable to add-to-playlist new favourites, there will be orchestral, choral, solo and chamber music by Bruckner, Copland, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Handel, Morten Lauridsen, Parry, Prokofiev, Caroline Shaw, Vivaldi and many more. 

Performers

Britten Sinfonia orchestra

Tenebrae choir

Amy Dickson saxophone soloist

Joseph Tawadros oud soloist

with Chelmsford Cathedral choristers, Chelmsford Singers, Waltham Singers and Thundersley Brass Band

Options for how to experience the event

We think the ideal way to experience this event is to sit, stand or lie on a mat or cushion on the floor. We will provide mats, and you are welcome to bring an additional cushion or beanbag. However, if you are not able to sit on the floor, there will be plenty of chairs set against cathedral walls and around pillars. All tickets are unreserved, and places will be allocated on the day on a first-come, first-served basis. 

How much does it cost?

We want this experience to be accessible to everyone, and tickets are Pay What You Can, starting from just £5!  Adult and child prices are the same.

Booking: https://www.brittensinfonia.com/events/surround-sound-playlist

Join us and Felsted Choral Society for a fabulous performance of Handel’s ‘Israel in Egypt’. We’ll be performing in Thaxted Church with double choir, six soloists and a large orchestra…so this is not a concert to be missed!

at 7pm on Saturday 5th April, 2025.

Tickets £20 Adult Under 18’s here.

Rehearsals begin Tuesday January 7th 2025 !

After our successful Christmas Concert we begin work

on Israel in Egypt ready for April

Saturday 7th December 7pm

St. Andrew’s Church, Church Road, Hatfield Peverel CM3 2LE

A joyful seasonal concert of music and readings.

Tickets available here.

On Sunday 13th October a group Singers, friends and family met up in Woodbridge. We then set off in various groups to visit the Tide Mill, the Long Shed, Museum, or walk upriver to HMS Vale or down river. Some visited shops or pubs and coffee shops. We all met later at St Mary’s Church where James told us about its history and showed us more interesting things we might have missed on our own. He then played several pieces on the organ for us before we crossed the road for late Sunday lunch at The Bull. Food and service were excellent and it was great to be out relaxing together. Photos of the day here.