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This renowned annual Surrey festival (= LHMF) was founded in 1905 by Evangeline Farrer and Margaret Vaughan Williams, whose famous brother, Ralph Vaughan Williams, was Festival Conductor for nearly 50 years. Today 650 singers from 13 local choirs compete over the festival's 3 days.
In the morning the choirs of each group, with their own conductors, participate in friendly competition singing the set pieces and passages from the main works. These competitions are open to the public.
The choirs unite for the afternoon rehearsal, when they are joined by professional soloists and orchestra and the Festival Conductor Brian Kay. The day culminates in the evening's concert at 7.30pm at which the awards from the competitions are presented by a special guest.
During March, members from all participating choirs take part together in performing one of J.S. Bach's Passion settings. The St. John (BWV 245) and St. Matthew Passions (BWV 244) are performed in alternate years. An excepxion was made in 2004 when George Frideric Handel's Messiah was performed.
A Saturday morning in mid-March is devoted to Youth Choirs' Competitions. These are open to choirs of all ages from 5 to 18 from all over Surrey - and beyond.
The Festival has had just 5 principal conductors since it was founded in 1905: |
