Founded in September 2002, we have a current membership of around 70 voices.  Each year we perform two classical concerts, generally with an orchestra and most summers we hold an open workshop, while in December members perform carols for a local charity in the Arndale Centre (Eastbourne) and at other local venues by invitation.

We should be delighted to hear from all singers in particular alto, tenor and bass voices who feel able to join us in our rehearsals, with a view to performing in our January and Summer Concert (2011).  (see our Contacts).

The opening practice takes place in the Church Room of St. Saviour’s Church (South Street) from 7:30 – 9:30pm on Wednesday, September 1^st, when prospective new members will be warmly welcomed.

Following the concert on January 29^th 2011, the choir will embark upon rehearsals for a concert of the rarely heard and spectacular work:  Verdi’s Requiem.   As this work demands a particularly large choir, it will be performed jointly with Battle Choral Society.

Departing from the more usual group of composers within their repertoire, for this Summer’s concert Phoenix Choir’s chosen piece is from the Italian composer – Rossini – best known for his operas such as The Barber of Seville. Though the work selected for the performance is entitled Petite Messe Solennelle it is neither short nor solemn and it is generally agreed that, in line with Rossini’s sense of humour, the title is somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Certainly, for a mass the work is surprising vigorous and filled with superbly melodic, emotive and contrasting movements.

Typically operatic in style, the work incorporates several fine solos which will portray well the talents of Grace Constable (soprano), Kate Welch (contralto), Gary Marriott (tenor) and Michael White (bass) and is accompanied by Brian Steer (harmonium) and Duncan Reid (piano).

Under the baton of John Langridge, the performance takes place at 7:30pm on Saturday, June 5^th in St. Saviour’s Church (South Street). Please come along and enjoy Rossini’s superb music in the magnificent setting of this fine town centre church.

View [ Concerts | Tickets ] for more details.

First came Haydn’s delightful Surprise Symphony, sensitively directed by John Langridge, whose love of Haydn’s music really shone through. Members of the orchestra led by Pat Beament were, to me, faultless in their technique and expression in all four charming movements – and the Surprise in the second caused quite a ripple through the church!

After the interval came a change of mood, pace and depth in Brahms’ famous Requiem sung here in German with feeling and enthusiasm by Phoenix Choir. This is a really “big sing”, especially in another language, and singers need to take credit for all their hard work that must have gone into preparation for performance.

The first movement Blessed are they that mourn I found really moving, sung as it was with passion, light and shade. The large Soprano section sang out with great confidence throughout the evening, which drew the audience in. More delights followed, including the complex fugue in the third movement after Adrian White’s strong and mellow Baritone solo.

It’s always good to enjoy again the lyrical How lovely are thy dwellings and the choir did not disappoint, relax into the gentle rhythms, and effortlessly reaching the high notes.

But for me, the real shining star appeared in the fifth movement – local soloist Grace Constable filled the church with a voice of such clarity, purity and spine-tingling beauty that I felt priviledged to be able to hear her. Many congratulations Grace – you looked and sounded truly “Amazing”.

The orchestra supported the choir really well throughout, only sounding too strong when the underparts were singing alone. I would like to have heard more volume from the Alto’s, and felt that the Tenor and Bass section would be better heard in the centre of the choir rather than at the back, although they held their own well in spite of their small numbers.

John Langridge conducted with energy and skill – he really leads so well by bringing in all the sections on time .

Well done all of you! We are truly fortunate to have so much talent, energy and enthusiasm in this beautiful church with its excellent acoustics.

There’s no need to travel and pay London prices with music-making of this calibre in our midst.

So, support your local musicians, folks, and enjoy many more pleasant “Surprises”!

Reviewed by: Maggie Bennett

Under the baton of Musical Director John Langridge, the choir will perform Brahms’ much- loved work: A German Requiem. This supremely melodic and emotive work is not the form of Requiem for the dead as used by most composers, but takes passages from many sections of scripture and is chiefly designed as an act of consolation for the bereaved. It includes such familiar choruses as: How Lovely are all thy Dwellings Fair. The piece is sung in its original German text, and will be enhanced by soloists Grace Constable (soprano) and Adrian White (bass) – both well known to the area’s concert-goers.

The concert takes place at St Saviour’s Church on Saturday, January 30th (7:30pm). Included will be a display from the local branch of Macmillan Cancer Support (for whom there will be a retiring collection) which can be viewed during the refreshment interval.

Ticket cost £9 in advance or £10 on the door. Call 01323 721052 or 507019 or buy them at Bonners (Langney Road) or Waterstones (Terminus Road).

This article appeared on January 8^th in the Livewire columns of the Eastbourne Herald