Cantemus Choir

Cantemus is a chamber choir of up to 24 singers. It performs music from the 16th Century to 20th Century to a high standard. Each concert is based on six rehearsals so singers are expected to learn their music prior to the first rehearsal. Entry to the choir is by audition, and a one concert probation period. The choir would like to hear from serious experienced choral singers.

Contact:
Mr Ian Haslam
Secretary
25 Cromwell Road
Shaw
Newbury
Berkshire

Telephone: 01635 298421  Evening: 01635 820379
ian.haslam@ntlworld.com

Cecilia Consort

The Cecilia Consort was formed by Janet Coxwell in 1990 and meets for only limited rehearsals preceding each of our 2 or 3 concerts each year.

We sing secular and sacred music from across a broad historical spectrum. Although a chamber choir, we perform both chamber works – often unaccompanied or with organ – and larger works accompanied by orchestra. We continually learn new works and so singers need to be good readers of music.

Contact:
Mrs Judith Orpen
Chairman
Green Farm
The Green
Brightwalton
Berkshire RG20 7BH
judith@orpenonline.co.uk

Cromwell Singers Choral Society

All welcome, no auditions.

Contact:
Alison Mawdsley
Chairman
Speen Parish Hall
Speen
Newbury
Berkshire

Telephone: (evening) 01635 32504
robert.willis@newbury.net
http://cromwells.newbury.net

Enborne Consort

Small group singing unaccompanied music, both sacred and secular, from the Renaissance to the 20th century. We meet fortnightly, mainly for our own pleasure, but also give occasional concerts and sing for special services in Enborne Church.

Founded by Peter Davies who directed the group for many years, and led now by Roger Bates.

Contact:
Roger Bates
2 Heardman Close
Thatcham

Berkshire
RG19 4FB

Telephone: 01635 865224

Let's Sing The World

Let's Sing The World is a Newbury-based World Music acapella singing group.

We have been running successfully for several years, singing songs drawn from a wealth of singing traditions around the world.

Beginners and experienced singers are equally welcome; we usually teach songs by ear so as not to exclude those of us who don't read sheet music.

Songs are led by group members and occasionally by visiting tutors (e.g. members of the Natural Voice Practitioners Network); we draw on sources as diverse as Elizabethan rounds, African harmonies, French Occitan wedding songs, spirituals and gospel music, Georgian hymns, native American eight-part chants and modern improvisation!

We welcome anyone who enjoys singing: our evening sessions aim to be uplifting, energising and inspiring.

We meet monthly on Wednesday evenings (8.00pm - 10.00pm) at The Richard Room, off St John's Road in Newbury.

Contact:
Lara Buxey

Telephone: 01488 657313
peter.pelalu@btinternet.com
www.letssingtheworld.org.uk

Newbury Chamber Choir

We are a chamber choir of 30 to 40 voices who particularly enjoy performing Baroque music but cover a wide variety of other styles.  Although we take our singing seriously we have a fun doing it and are a happy friendly choir.  Our view is that commitment and enthusiasm are just as important as expertise and as a result require no auditions just as mutual trial period.

Rehearsals take place each Tuesday at Thorngrove School, Highclere at 7:30pm during term time.

We mount our main concerts in Newbury, with orchestra at least twice yearly and also smaller scale events in the outlying villages.

Contact:
Rachel Bowey
Secretary
156 Craven Road
Newbury
RG14 5NR

Telephone: 01635 580833
secretary@singnewbury.co.uk

Newbury Choral Society

Newbury Choral Society is a friendly, open choir. We have over 100 members, of all ages ranging from 14 to 70+.

Under our dynamic young conductor Leo Hussain we perform 3 concerts a year, with professional musicians and soloists, in venues such as Douai Abbey and The Corn Exchange, Newbury. Our repertoire is wide ranging, ranging historically from Monteverdi to Gorecki, Pärt and Tavener, and musically encompasses Verdi's requiem, David Fanshawe's African Sanctus. Recent performances include Mozart's Requiem, Tippett's A Child of our Time and a powerful performance of Rachmaninov's vespers. Future concerts include Brahms German Requiem and Bach's St Matthew Passion.

Membership of the Society is open to all who enjoy choral singing, can read music, and can promise a regular commitment. The Society meets regularly Monday evenings at 7.30pm at the Newbury Methodist Church Hall.

Contact:
Mike Barthorpe
Secretary
4 Lawrence Mead
Kintbury
Hungerford
Berkshire
RG17 9XT

Telephone: 0771 780 3789
mike.barthorpe@siemens.com
www.newburychoral.org.uk

Octet

Octet, a group of young singers from Newbury, were formed in 1993 under the directorship of Matthew Smallwood. The group typically comprises 8 voices singing unaccompanied. They have a large repetoire of both sacred and secular music and have performed at the Leicester Early Music Festival and toured the Dordogne region of France.

Contact:
Janette Green
Secretary

Telephone: 01635 42239
octetchoir@aol.com

Pangbourne Choral Society

Pangbourne Choral Society was formed in 1973. Its 100 members meet once a week on Tuesday evenings in term time at Pangbourne College, Pangbourne, near Reading. The Society holds two or three concerts per year with guest soloists & usually accompanied by the Philomel Orchestra.

The Society welcomes keen singers, young and old, and the more easily embarrassed amongst you will be glad to hear that newcomers are not submitted to an audition. Its repertoire is mainly focused on the larger choral works, recent examples being Verdi's Requiem, Bach's St John Passion and the Brahms German Requiem, though the summer concert normally consists of a more mixed programme like the recent evening of Italian Opera arias & choruses.

If you are interested in joining the Society just go along to the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel on one of their Tuesday evening rehearsals (7:45pm) without obligation.

Concerts are held in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, Pangbourne College, nr Reading, Berkshire

Contact:
Ken Whitehead
Chairman
c/o Music Department
Pangbourne College
Pangbourne
Berkshire
RG8 8LA

Telephone: 0118 984 1337
pchoralsoc@googlemail.com
www.pangbournechoral.org.uk

Sandham Singers

The Sandham Singers was formed in 1994 not far from the Sandham Memorial Chapel in Burghclere from which it takes its name.

This chamber choir enjoys performing unusual and exciting music that inspires both the performer and listener in an artistic and creative way.

The repertoire of secular and sacred music is diverse and ranges from the Renaissance to contemporary works, including madrigals, motets, part songs, folk songs and close harmony numbers.

Weekly rehearsals are held on Wednesdays in Newbury.

Contact:
Jean Thomas
Secretary
Leigh House
Newtown Common
Newbury
Berkshire
RG20 9BE

Telephone/fax: 01635 40234
jeanie@dial.appleinter.net