The Horsley Choral Society

Last update: 14/04/2007

Leith Hill Festival April 2007

We had a beautiful Spring Day as the setting for our annual pilgrimage to the Leith Hill Festival held in Dorking Halls, this year featuring Elgar's inspiring (and challenging!) 'Dream of Gerontius' as the main work, 150 years after his birth.  

Congratulations to Epsom and Dorking who won 'the prizes' (Epsom winning overall).  All four participating choirs gained highly respectable scores and comments from the smiling adjudicators who managed to  give comforting praise as well as constructive criticism couched in positive wording!  

Previous competitions are well documented elsewhere on this site, and the Webmistress decided not to go quite as mad with photos this year!  Here are just a few to give the flavour of this friendly, enjoyable day, ending up with a thrilling concert, accompanied by an exciting orchestra  under the baton of Brian Kay.  The evening was especially enhanced by a really uplifting speech from Dame Janet Baker who cleverly drew attention to the true meaning of the word 'amateur musician' .. a lover of music... [especially appealing to French teachers!!!] ..and praised the commitment of singers and conductors who  turn up regularly for rehearsals throughout the year, whatever the weather,  in order to contribute to such an event.  Thank you so much, Dame Janet!

Warm-up at 8.30!  (Don't we look smart?!)

The choir paid a special floral tribute to two loyal members who sadly passed away during the year: Honor and Charles.

Here's a photo of the men practising .. click on it to see them come to life!

 Here are the details as taken from the Leith Hill official site.

Horsley's Division (we're not superstitious ...)

Previous festivals are here:

2006 - http://www.horsleychoralsociety.com/06_leith_hill.htm

2005 - http://www.horsleychoralsociety.com/05_leith_hill.htm

2004 - http://www.horsleychoralsociety.com/04_leith_hill.htm

2003 - http://www.horsleychoralsociety.com/03_leith_hill.htm