2019

CHORAL WORKSHOP - 'AVE MARIA'!

9.30am - 5.00pm, Sunday 3rd November 2019
Woodbridge School
What do you get when you cross nearly 90 singers, a Claire Weston, three gorgeous settings of the Ave Maria, and enough cake to sink the Titanic three times over?
​
Why, it's a Suffolk Singers Choral Workshop!
After the success of last year's Christmas-themed commission, attendees said they wanted more focus on vocal technique and singing in choirs, and we chose three pieces to help them do just that.
With tea, coffee and biscuits for all, we started with an hour on technique from Claire - from taking in breath, how to use it, using the face as a way to project sound, and how to get the most out of your body as an engine room for singing.
​We tackled three unaccompanied settings of the Ave Maria - a four-part version attributed to Victoria, the setting from Rachmaninov's Vespers/All-Night Vigil - both of which were edited and bound into a special booklet with room for singers to take notes - and a setting by the contemporary Latvian composer Rihards Dubra, and we're grateful to Ayr Choral Union and MakingMusic for making copies of this piece available.
After a sectionals for note-bashing and a quick lunchbreak, it was back to work, looking at how to move vocally through the pieces chosen, how best to stagger breathing (everyone thinks no one else will do it at the end of a phrase...), and enjoying music-making together in what is a fun day (not to mention The Claire and John Show!). There was a real sense of productivity and enjoyment throughout the whole day, and to hear 100 people singing pianissimo in the Dubra and then at full volume in the Rachmaninov was something to behold.
As ever, we paused for tea and cake with family and friends who came to see our end-of-day performance. After a quick reminder from Claire, the Hall of Woodbridge School resounded to the wonderful voices of the Workshop Singers
Every year we build our workshop around the needs and requests of those who join us - the feedback forms are so important to how we make the day work​ - if you've an idea, or want to learn something in particular from one of our workshops, please do get in touch (details at the top of the page - 'Contact Us') so that we can build the day for those who join us!

​ST MARY'S, WOODBRIDGE

7.30pm, Saturday 12th October 2019
St Mary's, Woodbridge
The beautiful flint-walled medieval church of St. Mary’s, Woodbridge, houses a grand Victorian interior, ideal for the resonating sound of Suffolk Singers. 
The choir last sang here in December 2014, under distinctly bone-chilling conditions, thankfully alleviated at the time by a very warm audience.  The warmth and appreciation by the audience of our concert here on Saturday October 12th was no less although we were delighted to find the heating system considerably improved, to the comfort of singers and audience alike.
Our concert was an absolute gem, with a beautifully balanced mix of well-loved sacred and secular songs, conducted by Claire Weston, Suffolk Singers music director.  The choice of programme was influenced by advance notice that, due to various circumstances, only about 2/3rd of the full choir was available to sing. Thus pieces were included which avoided too much division of the voice parts, in some respects deemed more simple pieces.   In reality, this can be a lot more demanding on both the singers to sing as one voice and on conducting skills.  Suffolk Singers rose to the occasion and showed why they deserve a much revered reputation.  
Most of the pieces were performed a cappella with talented musician and Suffolk Singers friend, John Hutchings providing piano accompaniment where needed.  The first half of the concert opened joyously with Finzi’s ‘My spirit Sang all Day’, followed by graceful, harmonious sacred songs and ending with the much loved ‘Cantique de Jean Racine’ (Fauré).  Bruckner’s ‘Locus Iste’ was inserted as a last minute change in the first half of the programme.  The audience were moved to tears by the beauty with which it was performed; nobody listening would have realised that the choir had so little time to rehearse it.
An equally rousing but more modern piece, ‘O Radiant Dawn’ (Macmillan) started the second half of familiar secular songs such as ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square’ or ‘Fly me to the Moon’.  The hugely appreciative audience showed why the closing piece, ‘Spread A Little Happiness’, was aptly chosen, as that is just what Suffolk Singers achieved by this concert and indeed aims to achieve by any Suffolk Singers concert.

NORWICH CATHEDRAL

7.30pm, Saturday 25th May 2019
Norwich Cathedral
"What a glorious evening!"

In the ancient, light space of the nave of Norwich Cathedral, bathed in the warm glow of evening, the Suffolk Singers opened the concert with 'O Radiant Dawn' by James MacMillan, who turns 60 this year. The choir sang from the font so as to make the most of the large space and provide a more theatrical opening to what was a wonderful evening.
The MacMillan was answered by an organ solo - performed by our friend Jamie John Hutchings - by Kenneth Leighton, a Scottish composer like MacMillan, who was born 90 years ago. 'Veni Creator Spiritus' is a meandering prelude based on the plainsong hymn for Whitsun.
With the choir now assembled at the front of the nave, Music of the Saints followed - Paul Mealor's 'Peace" (St Francis of Assisi), Arvo Pärt's 'Morning Star' (The Venerable Bede, whose feast day it was), John Rutter's 'A Prayer of St Patrick', Charles Villiers Stanford's 'Beati quorum via', Fauré's 'Cantique de Jean Racine' (St Ambrose), and Howard Goodall's 'Love Divine', with organ music including the luxurious 'Méditation' from Charles-Marie Widor's Symphonie pour orgue No.1.
John Tavener's 'Song for Athene' opened the second half, with its gentle Alleluias filling the space of the nave. Then, after the 'Ave Maris Stella - Choral III' by Marcel Dupré for organ, the Suffolk Singers performed the 'Magnificat' and 'Nunc Dimittis' from John Hutchings' 'Suffolk Service', which had been commissioned by former Chairman Michael Balaam - the soft undulating quaver rhythms building up to a burst of light in the Gloria, and in the 'Nunc Dimittis' the gently repeating patterns rising to a chord thundering from the organ, before ending ambiguously - it was very well received!
John treated us to the Adagio in G minor by Albinoni/Giazotto - the climax literally shook our seats! The choir then sang Palestrina's 'Exsultate Deo' and Mendelssohn's 'Lift thine eyes', which really showed how much care to smooth vocal lines that our Director Claire Weston encourages from us! We then had a real treat from John - the 'Carillon de Westminster' by Louis Vierne, who had been organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris - the quiet opening had us fooled, as the lowest pipes - 32 feet in length! (and hidden from view) again had our seats shaking, before the huge finale with the Westminster Chimes - and then a real treat in the cymbelstern (a star on top of the organ with a bell attached to each point) started spinning, adding real bells to the end of this piece!
The evening concluded with a performance of one of our favourites - 'God is gone up' by Gerald Finzi - opening with the cathedral organ's Tuba Mirabilis, and answered by the choir, this was a truly magnificent way to finish our evening, with choir and organ in perfect harmony under Claire's direction!
Met with warm applause from the audience, we treated them to a little encore of another piece by Gerald Finzi - 'My spirit sang all day', with the final chord ringing around the ancient space.
We are hugely grateful to those Suffolk Singers who took time to organise and put the concert together (including pre-concert trips to Norwich), the cathedral staff including Roger Lee the Sacrist, and our audience for joining us!

2018

CAROLS FOR ALZHEIMERS

6.30pm, Thursday 20th December 2018
St Mary's, Bury St Edmunds
On a crisp, cold December's evening, we joined with our friends in Rock Choir (from across Suffolk) in the truly magnificent and breathtakingly enormous space of St Mary's Church in Bury St Edmunds to celebrate Christmas, and thank all those who provide support for those with Alzheimers.​

​Opening with 'Once in royal David's city', we sang 'Here is the little door' by Herbert Howells, and then the first public performance of The Suffolk Carols by Jamie John Hutchings, which we commissioned earlier this year and used for our 2018 Choral Workshop (see below!).
Suffolk Rock Choir treated us to some wonderful music, and there were reflections by those from the Alzheimers Society.

With congregational carols of 'O Come all ye faithful', 'O little town of Bethlehem', and 'Hark! the herald angels sing' (all with soaring descants!), the mood for Christmas was set, and we all went home looking forward to the festive season and having raised money for a very worthy cause indeed.

CHORAL WORKSHOP 2018

10.00am - 5.00pm, Sunday 4th November 2018
Woodbridge School, Suffolk
On a bright, crisp November day, singers of all ages came to the Music Department of Woodbridge School for a day of joyous music-making!
Each year, singers fill in feedback forms and we use it to improve the workshop for the following year. In 2017, our singers told us they wanted to work on technique, to study a smaller amount of music and to be able to achieve a polished performance of a whole piece or set of pieces by the end of the day.

So we sat down with our long-time friend and East Anglian composer Jamie John Hutchings (John to us!), and commissioned him to write something that would fulfil the brief.

The result was a set of three carols - 
​1) O Sapientia - a mysterious, brooding work for Advent
2) The Virgin's Lullaby - a gentle, rolling melodious piece
3) Sing! Rejoice - a riot of fun, perfect for merriment!

Our guests were joined by Suffolk Singers members, and also the Chamber Choir of Woodbridge School - all of us together had such a wonderful time, both socially and musically!
The day started with a lesson on vocal technique from Claire Weston, followed by a useful session on how to approach a new score - looking for ways to make it easier, looking for anchor points and so on.

With this knowledge fresh in our minds, we went into sectionals to first note-bash the pieces, then to focus on paying attention to note-lengths, phrasing and breathing, dynamics, diction, and key musical points, before coming back as a group to put the music together.
Of course, before the end of the day, we took a break to eat cake! We're very grateful to those brilliant bakers who created such tasty nourishment before our final performance!

What a wonderful time we had - we all worked really hard, and what a wonderful result!

"Fantastic experience I learned a lot as well as having fun"

"The new format was great. I learnt a lot. I need to totally change my mouth position!"

"Very well organised and I learned new techniques!"
"Great discipline – good learning – very well organised day and most enjoyable. Thank you."

"It’s been a great as ever – lovely mix of theory, practice, energy and ‘networking’, and so well organised and disciplined."

"​Excellent workshop I liked the ‘instruction’ as well as the singing."

"Good to meet composer and hear what he said about his music. There was much energy and good cheer. Excellent."
The Suffolk Singers will be singing the full set of The Suffolk Carols in a few week's time:

Venue - St Mary's, Bury St Edmunds

Date - 6.30pm on 20th December

Further details at:
Alzheimers Society's - Carols for Christmas

A HARVEST OF SONG

7.30pm, Saturday 6th October 2018
St Michael's, Framlingham
The Suffolk Singers Autumn 2018 concert ‘A Harvest of Song’ saw the choir back on familiar ground at St Michael’s Church, Framlingham, where they entertained a near capacity audience.
The pieces also crossed a variety of genres, from the Three Antiphons of Hildegard of Bingen, especially composed for the choir by Jamie John Hutchings, spirituals (My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord by Moses Hogan), Stanford’s 100 mph Quick We Have But a Second, a bebop arrangement of Gershwin's Love Walked In, to Sting’s Fields of Gold. A real harvest of song!
The repertoire ranged in time from the late 1500s (Hosanna to the Son of David by Thomas Weelkes) to present day composers Ola Gjeilo (Ubi Caritas), James Macmillan (O Radiant Dawn) and Arvo Part (Morning Star). 
During the concert, the choir also performed a particularly moving composition, A Good Night written by Hutchings in memory of Janis Haerle, who was a member of Suffolk Singers from 2009 and who sadly died in January 2018.

BELGIUM TOUR

Friday 25th - Sunday 27th May 2018
We spent the second May Bank Holiday weekend in Belgium!

Staying in Ypres, we began with a concert on in St Martin's Cathedral, on the Saturday afternoon, with music by Weelkes, MacMillan, Copland, and Pärt.
This was followed by an organ recital of music by British, French and Belgian composers alive at the time of Armistice, given by our friend Jamie John Hutchings, whose performance of Widor's Symphonie 6 led to a standing ovation throughout the cathedral.
That evening we had the very great privilege of singing at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate; with a crowd of many hundreds, this was a particularly moving event for all concerned.
On the Sunday we journeyed to Ghent, and in the afternoon gave a recital in the vast space of St Baaf's Cathedral, including music by Mendelssohn, Gjeilo, Moses Hogan, and concluding with Finzi's magnificent "God is gone up", featuring the five-manual organ of the cathedral.
All in all, we had a typically Suffolk Singers trip - great music, great friendships, and sharing our joy of life and music with our new friends and audiences in Belgium!

CARNEGIE HALL, NEW YORK

​Sunday 15th April 2018

Suffolk Singers were been invited to participate in a performance of Ola Gjeilo’s “Dreamweaver” and “Song of the Universal” at Carnegie Hall in New York City!
A  member of the Program  Development team at Distinguished Concerts International New  York (DCINY), contacted Claire saying "I had the pleasure of listening to the lovely voices of the  Suffolk Singers through YouTube (a beautiful performance of  Gjeilo’s 'Ubi Caritas') and was impressed by the musical  quality and most of all, the enthusiasm of your singers."
On the strength of the recording acting as an audition piece, we received the formal invitation to join a limited number of choristers from around the world, to form the Distinguished Concerts Singers International, a choir of distinction.  In consequence we are being offered a unique opportunity to perform in one of the world's greatest concert halls.

ELY CATHEDRAL

1.10pm, Saturday 17th March 2018
Lady Chapel, Ely Cathedral
The Beast from the East was no match for the Suffolk Singers, nor for their audience! Deep in the snow, the cathedral looked quite outstanding, and after a generous lunch from the cathedral, the choir treated the audience to a rich programme of Rheinberger's Abendlied, MacMillan's O Radiant Dawn, Whitacre's Sleep, Gjeillo's Ubi Caritas, and a new Suffolk Singer favourite - Morning Star by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Charity Concert for the Teenage Cancer Trust

Woodbridge Community Centre, Suffolk
7.30pm, Saturday 20 January 2018
Our first concert of 2018 was our annual fundraising concert in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, and this year saw our fifth concert supporting this wonderful charity.
The audience were treated to music by Franck, Stanford, Saint-Saëns, and movements from The Balaam Cycle, commissioned by former chairman Michael Balaam.
The second half of the concert opened with an acoustic song from Will Bloomfield, of the band OUTLYA, called 1953, which is a song about Suffolk, and was very well received.

A group of Claire's singing pupils from Thomas Mills in Framlingham, and from Ipswich and Woodbridge Schools, also delighted the crowds, especially with their rendition of Fly me to the moon.

​Having cheered the crowds with Spread a little happiness (including a Golden Shoesday moment from Claire), the concert finished with a rousing rendition of Moses Hogan's ​My soul's been anchored in the Lord.
Thanks must go to those who prepared the Hall, Martin for arranging the debut of our new staging (!), those who organised the raffle, the tickets, the amazing Ploughman's at the interval (complete with more pickled onions than you have ever seen), 
Harrison and John for accompanying, and as ever, to Claire!

2017

SONGS OF SERENITY

Binham Priory, Norfolk
7.00pm, Saturday 30th September 2017
It was a wonderful occasion for the Suffolk Singers and here are some super reviews from the audience:​
"The last day of September 2017
Suffolk Singers last evening in the beautiful acoustic and setting of Binham Priory, Norfolk, quite simply restored the soul.  
“Songs of Serenity” were sung unaccompanied, with grace, empathy and a perfect blend of their 28 voices."

"Music Director Claire Weston’s attention to detail and sensitive direction brought the very best from her singers to Binham - a combination of music and place: so uplifting. It was a unique and very special, memorable occasion.  Thank you to everyone."

"Your singing touches the heart both emotionally and physically and that’s rare when listening to a choir.  Happened at Binham for me."

IPSWICH MUSIC DAY

2.00pm, Sunday 2nd July 2017
Ipswich Masonic Hall
Once again we joined the largest free one-day event in the UK.  The sun shone, the people flooded into Ipswich and long, long queues formed to get into Christchurch Park.  We started the proceedings in the Classical Section at the Masonic Hall and were delighted that every seat was taken and folk were queueing into the entrance hall - as the door was wide open we must surely have been heard out in the street!

We started with the mesmeric "Dixit Maria" by Hans Hasler but sung our way through 25 minutes of music to conclude with Kirby Shaw's totally upbeat version of Paul Simon's "Bridge over Troubled Water".

​With Blythburgh the previous evening it had been a very busy weekend of music-making but extremely energising for all those involved.

SUMMER SERENADE

7.30pm, Saturday 1st July 2017
Holy Trinity, Blythburgh
No seats left as we were joined by an appreciative audience for a summer's evening of music in one of the UK's most outstanding churches. The sun even came out in the first half and shone magically through the windows during a rendition of "Ave Maria".  This meant that the doors could be opened and refreshments taken outside - it was a very special evening.

A selection of items from the concert is available on our YouTube channel
The programme included works by Dubra, Gjeilo, Hassler, Hutchings, Jenkins, Tavener, Simon and Whitacre as well as an "Ave Maria" composed by Suffolk Singers alto, Susan Wilkins.  There were delightful contributions from the amazingly talented Gabriella Harvey as well as some lovely pieces performed by Claire's Young Songsters, including a particularly memorable South African Lullaby entitled "Thula S'thandwa Sam".

TATE BRITAIN'S GREAT BRITISH WALKS

9.00pm, Tuesday 9th May 2017
​SkyArts
In late 2016 we were asked to record for the production company 7Wonder, who produce Tate Britain's Great British Walks for SkyArts.

So, on a bright afternoon we travelled to Dedham Vale, to St Mary's church in East Bergholt, near Flatford Mill, the setting for John Constable's The Haywain. John Constable was the subject for the second episode of the Walks programme, featuring Gus Casely-Hayford and Richard E Grant.

Mike Reilly and his team were brilliant in getting us ready, and soon we recorded "English Country Gardens" and "Jerusalem", as well as a handful of voxpops with Janis, Peter, and Claire talking about music, Constable, and Suffolk.

​ELY CATHEDRAL

1.10pm, Saturday 4th March 2017
Lady Chapel, Ely Cathedral

A truly wonderful occasion for the Suffolk Singers - and it would appear to have been similarly so for the audience, of which there were an amazing 170!  Here are just a few comments gleaned on the day:

"What a beautiful sound your choir makes!"
"What a wonderful sound you make ... perfect balance."
"The singing was AMAZING and we enjoyed visiting the Cathedral in its historic splendour."
"The choir is better than amateur, as good as a professional choir".
Overheard by a Suffolk Singer post concert in the Ladies’ queue: "Everyone was commenting on it, one lady saying it was 'brilliant' and another 'stunning' and asking that her praise be passed to the rest of the choir. The rest were all very complimentary too!"

MAKE A DIFFERENCE - AGAIN!

7.30pm, Saturday 21st January 2017
Woodbridge Community Centre
Fundraising Concert in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust
 
Suffolk Singers and their friends provided a varied programme of easy-listening music to suit all tastes; the packed venue was also treated to music by some of Claire Weston’s young singers from Thomas Mills High School, Framlingham, and The Jam Sandwiches Jazz Group from Woodbridge School. The informal table seating, with a light supper of savoury and sweet refreshments provided the perfect atmosphere to enjoy music and raise funds for this very worthy cause.
A fantastic £2,390.62 was raised by this sell-out performance.

2016

CHORAL WORKSHOP

FAMOUS CHORUSES
9.30am - 5.00pm, Saturday 23rd October 2016
Framlingham College Chapel and Music Department, Suffolk
The price of the workshop includes copies of music for you to take away at the end of the day, expert professional tuition from Claire and her team, tea and coffee throughout the day and our celebrated cakes in the interval between the rehearsal and the performance.

Participants have commented:

“Claire is such an inspirational leader. I felt my singing really improved. Loved the cakes.”

“Vocal tuition most informative and productive! I started to find those top notes again that have been eluding me for some time!”

“Really inclusive: good fun, learnt some valuable tips / techniques” 

“Lovely day – excellent organisation and great welcoming atmosphere.”

“It was my first workshop. I loved singing with a large choir and by the end of the day my confidence grew”

​“Wonderful day musically and gastronomically”

CHANGING SEASONS

7.30pm, Saturday 1st October 2016
Debenham Community Centre
Fundraising Concert in aid of Suffolk Age UK

Saturday 1st October saw Debenham Community Centre filled with beautiful music with a fundraising concert performed by the highly acclaimed Suffolk Singers. This sociable choir of around 35 accomplished singers chose to support local, independent charity Suffolk Age UK for their latest concert, which was led by their musical director, Claire Weston. 
The programme included some well-known pieces alongside some lesser known, with works by Elgar, Rutter and Humperdink to name a few. But what you could be sure of was an evening packed with entertainment as this choir, literally sing their socks off!  
The concert was cabaret style with a charity raffle, cake sale and a pay bar.  

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

7.30pm, Saturday 23rd January 2016
Woodbridge Community Service
Fundraising Concert in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust
An audience member writes:
"The audience were seated in groups around tables; each table was provided with a large plate of snacks and treats, mostly home-made, and provided by the choir. We were able to bring our own drinks. After a short time for chatting and eating, the concert began. Sipping our glasses of wine we listened to classical songs, including works by John Rutter, Moses Hogan and Howard Goodall.  

Suffolk Singers were conducted by their musical director, Claire Weston. Right from the start, Claire’s commitment and energy shone through, and the singing was superb. The choice of music brought out the wonderful vocal ranges, and the harmonies were perfect. The choir are obviously hard-working and dedicated and their enthusiasm was evident. 

​We were then treated to some beautiful singing by Claire’s Young Singers. Rachel Routledge, a sixth former performed a solo of a Handel piece and amazed the audience with her wonderful voice and confident performance. 
After the interval, there was a more contemporary feel to the music. Suffolk Singers gave us some wonderful renditions of old favourites such as “Fields of Gold” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. John Rutter’s arrangement of “Sing a Song of Sixpence” brought a smile to many faces, while Claire’s Young Singers performance of “You Raise Me Up” brought tears to the eyes. 

The Blue Notes, a talented, young, jazz group from Thomas Mills School, had our toes tapping while they played pieces by Miles Davies and Wayne Shorter. Claire herself took centre stage for two songs; her heavenly voice was a joy to listen to. The whole evening was musical treat. Whilst the performances were exceptional, there was a relaxed and friendly feel to the whole evening. Well done to all the performers; Gareth Malone is not needed here!"

2015

CHORAL WORKSHOP

​FAMOUS OPERA CHORUSES
9.30am - 5.00pm, Saturday 18th October 2015
Framlingham College Chapel and Music Department, Suffolk
Our 2015 workshop focused on choruses from operas, given that our Director, Claire Weston, was a principal at English National Opera.

Music included:
With drooping wings
 - Purcell's 'Dido and Aeneas'
The Priests' Chorus
 - Mozart's 'The Magic Flute'
The Anvil Chorus
 - Verdi's 'Il Trovatore'
The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves
 - Verdi's 'Nabucco'
The Humming Chorus
 - Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly'

HADLEIGH CONCERT

Saturday 10th October 2015
St Mary's, Hadleigh​

SUFFOLK SINGERS - CAKE!

Saturday, 28th July 2015
​Grundisburgh, Burgh and Culpho Horticultural Society Village Show

We were very happy to have a stall at this wonderful event, selling our famous cakes and chatting with everyone.

MY SPIRIT SANG ALL DAY

Saturday 5th July 2015
Woodbridge Community Centre
A fundraising concert for the Teenage Cancer Trust

SUMMER CONCERT

Saturday 27th July 2015
St Mary's, Burgate

SPRING SERENADE

2.00pm, Sunday 17th May 2015
​The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy​
A concert in memory of Suffolk Singers Chairman, Michael Balaam - previously a student at St Olave's School, and a Queen's Chapel chorister. This concert was dedicated to his memory.

Christus factus est - Anerio
Ave verum corpus - Byrd
Ubi caritas - Gjeilo
The Suffolk Service - Hutchings
Locus Iste - Bruckner
Peace - Mealor
Lift thine eyes - Mendelssohn
Sleep - Whitacre
Sure on this shining night - Lauridsen
I was glad - Parry
God so loved the world - Stainer
Psalm 43 'Richte mich Gott' - Mendelssohn
​

SERENADING SPRING

7.30pm, Saturday 14th March 2015
St Michael's, Framlingham
​
Music ranging from Anerio, Byrd, and Tallis through to romantic composers Duruflé, Bruckner, Franck and Parry, and by 21st century composers Ola Gjeilo, Howard Goodall, John Hutchings, Morten Lauridsen, Paul Mealor, Eric Whitacre.

2014

PRELUDE TO CHRISTMAS

7.30pm, Saturday 13 December 2014
St Mary's, Woodbridge
An evening of seasonal music at the beautiful St Mary's Church in Woodbridge.  The choir performed well known carols and traditional classics by Mathias, Bach and Willcocks, and also pieces by local composers, John Hutchings and John Stafford. 

LLANGOLLDEN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EISTEDDFOD

Friday 11 July 2014
​DETAILS

SUMMER CONCERT

7.30pm, Saturday 28th June 2014
St Michael's, Framlingham
An opportunity to hear our concert programme for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, alongside organ solos by Bach and Handel from John Hutchings of Framlingham College.

SERENADING SPRING

7.30pm, Saturday 10th May 2014
​St Mary Magdalene, Debenham
With music by Bruckner, Dubra, Elgar, Finzi, Gjeilo, Lotti, Mendelssohn, Victoria, Stanford as well as Suffolk composers John Hutchings and Sue Wilkins.

LUNCHTIME CONCERT

Saturday 26th April 2014
​Ely Cathedral
Our annual concert in the magnificent acoustic of the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral.

MY SPIRIT SANG ALL DAY

7.30pm, Saturday 18th January 2014
Woodbridge Community Centre
​Overcome those January blues and help raise money for a very worthwhile cause.
Suffolk Singers invite you to an evening of wonderful music and delicious food.  Rather than the traditional rows of seats, tables will be set out around the room for you and your friends to enjoy savoury canapés and drinks (please bring your own) whilst being serenaded by the choir.  As always there will be an eclectic mix of music including a trio of Ave Maria's, traditional folk songs, popular classics and we'll challenge you to 'Name that tune'.
This event is in fond memory of Michael Balaam, a long time and much loved member of Suffolk Singers who sadly passed away from cancer in October 2013.  The proceeds of the evening will be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust and we are very privileged to have Alfie Carpenter performing with us.  Whilst studying for a music degree, Alfie was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia and he has benefitted from the excellent work and support of the Trust.

2013

CHORAL WORKSHOP

JOHN RUTTER - REQUIEM
9.30am - 5.00pm, Sunday 20th October 2013
Framlingham College Chapel and Music Department
For our 2013 workshop, we focused on John Rutter's exquisite and accomplished Requiem.

SUFFOLK SERENADE

7.30pm, Saturday 28th September 2013
St Peter & St Paul, Aldeburgh
​
We have once again selected an eclectic blend of familiar works in fresh arrangements together with several pieces new to the choir repertoire. Amongst items to be performed will be works by Whitacre, Grainger and Elgar together with popular classics, such as A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and In the Mood.

​MUSIC FOR A SUMMER EVENING

7.30pm, Saturday 6th July 2013
St Mary's, Burgate
​
As for Sutton, we have once again selected an eclectic blend of familiar works in fresh arrangements together with several pieces new to the choir repertoire. Amongst items to be performed will be works by Whitacre, Grainger and Elgar together with popular classics, such as A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and In the Mood. A return visit to Burgate following last year's very successful concert.

SUMMER SERENADE

7.30pm, Saturday 29th June 2013
All Saints, Sutton

After such a long, dreary spell of weather, few things can lift the spirits as surely as a concert of engaging and popular music. We have once again selected an eclectic blend of familiar works in fresh arrangements together with several pieces new to the choir repertoire. Amongst items to be performed will be works by Whitacre, Grainger and Elgar together with popular classics, such as A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and In the Mood.

TOUR OF IRELAND

Friday 5th April 2013

The short tour to County Cork in Ireland. was very much a departure from our usual performance venues.  Travelling at the invitation of the West Cork Choral Singers based in Skibbereen for a joint concert, the choir also gave a performance in the Church of Ireland Cathedral of St.Fin Barre’s, a historic church in Cork city with a nationally regarded musical tradition. Fund raising for the trip had been exciting and very successful and, in addition to their choral engagements, the choir sampled many of the social delights and sight-seeing opportunities that this part of Ireland has to offer.

SPRING CONCERT

7.30pm, Saturday 16th March 2013
All Saints, Wickham Market
“The concert was wonderful"
”a real spine tingle, it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.”
​”You’re all so professional.”

​These were just some of the comments from members of the audience following this lovely concert. Since the choir’s last visit in December 2011 a significant amount of both building and decoration has been accomplished, resulting in a warm, bright and comfortable space, in which a capacity audience enjoyed a wide variety of music both sacred and secular but all appropriate to the season of Easter. Works by Purcell, Victoria, Mendelssohn and Steiner blended happily with more contemporary offerings by Elgar, Grainger and Eric Whitacre. Particular delights were a duet by Roger Quilter, performed by two sopranos from the choir, Carole King and Edith Peck, a rousing arrangement of N’kosi Sikelelel’i Afrika and two further African folk songs and a work written especially for the choir by local composer John Hutchings, featuring Claire, performing with the choir in a setting of Emily Bronte’s poem ‘Moonlight’. The concert reached a lively conclusion with Percy Grainger’s arrangement of Country Garden.

2012

CAROLS AT UFFORD PARK

Monday 24th December 2012

About 16 of us entertained the hotel guests before they went in for their Christmas eve dinner. The programme of mainly traditional carols was very well received, as were two entertaining seasonal tales by Peter and Roy which added further interest to the evening. Many of the guests kindly congratulated us on our performance - a lovely evening

PRIVATE EVENT AT MARTLESHAM

Saturday 15th December 2012

Held in the very impressive hall at the Police headquarters, this annual event is organised by and for the retired officers. The hall was laid out with tables each seating about 8 people and we entertained the diners before and after a buffet. The choir was made to feel very welcome and the organisers kindly allowed us to enjoy the buffet with them.

CHRISTMAS PRELUDE

Saturday 8th December 2012
 St John's Church, Needham Market

This year's Prelude programme contained some really beautiful music. Congregational pieces including "It came upon a midnight clear" and "See amid the winter's snow" plus performances of some of the most stunning Christmas music written, such as Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium", Leighton's "Lully Lulla", Willcock's "Stille nacht", Rutter's "Shepherd's pipe carol" and many other seasonal favourites. St John's is a very impressive church with a stunning roof and proved to be an excellent venue. Despite being a very cold evening, the concert was well attended and we hope that the evening made a sizeable contribution to the heating project for Bramford church

CHORAL WORKSHOP​

CORONATION MUSIC
Sunday 21st October 2012
Framlingham College Chapel and Music Department
The glorious setting of Framlingham College, together with its ever-helpful staff, provided the perfect venue for our third Choral Workshop. The annual event has already gained an enviable reputation among other choirs, schools and those who are less experienced. Around 160 people attended from as far afield as Lincoln and Amersham, including members from 38 different choirs. We were able to prepare and subsequently perform 3 works including an anthem by Elgar and, in this Jubilee year, 2 pieces regularly featured at the Coronation - Handel's "Zadok the Priest" and "I was Glad" by Parry.
Our very own Claire Weston led the day, ably assisted in the rehearsal sessions by musician and teacher Geoff Lavery and John Hutchings from Framlingham College whose superb organ playing accompanied the performances. We all benefitted from Claire’s expert coaching on vocal techniques and were swept along by her energy and enthusiasm. As a fitting end to a wonderful day's music making, we performed all three works in the College's fine chapel, together with a contribution from Suffolk Singers and an impressive trumpet solo by Woodbridge School student Jack Popay.

SUFFOLK FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS

Tuesday 16th October 2012

We were delighted and proud to be awarded the Wightman Challenge Cup in the Choral Section of the 2012 Suffolk Festival of Performing Arts. This was our first experience for about 15 years of performing before an adjudicator and in a "competitive" situation. Of the four sections we entered, we won three and came a close second in the fourth against some excellent opposition, so we were very pleased. Ever onwards and upwards!
​Adjudicator’s comments from the festival
Over the Rainbow
  • Well presented start to your performance. Thank you! Neat warm ensemble- diction is good. Mix of voices is good and the top line is well supported (perhaps a slightly stronger bass line?) Top line is well managed with top notes achieved with ease. The phrases flex well and effortlessly giving the overall performance a deceptive simplicity. The dynamics are well shaped both overall and within the phrases. What can I say? Excellent performance! Thank you
  • 91/100 Outstanding
Shenandoah
  • Female unison start was precise as ensemble singing matched by the T/Bs, difficult start to the piece well achieved. Parts are well balanced and the top part is effortlessly expressed. A neat blended performance.
Thula Baba
  • Good start with dynamic contrast achieved naturally. Phrases flow in the individual parts – bass part is stronger this time (!) and that gives an added warmth to a most effective atmospheric performance Thank You
  • 88/100 Distinction
Antiphon
  • A most effective performance of a wonderful piece! Your ensemble is so precise and the free flowing phrasing is neatly achieved. The intonation is excellent and you move through the dissonance contributing to the effectiveness of the atmosphere of the piece. Diction is of course perfect!
Let me Shine
  • Top line was not quite as effective in intonation accuracy at the start. Nevertheless a strong committed performance that was totally convincing. Thank you!
  • 86/100 Commended
Psalm 43
  • Wonderful attack gentleman! Matched by the female phrasing well-shaped. Strong committed singing that balances well throughout the different voice parts. Diction is excellent. Changes of dynamic tempo neatly achieved. Excellent Thank You!
God so Loved the World
  • Ensemble, shape of phrases, diction, intonation, all precise/effective/wonderful! Thank you!
  • ​92/100 Outstanding

MUSIC FOR A SUMMER EVENING

Saturday 7th July 2012
All Saints, Sutton

The church was completely full with everyone appearing to really enjoy the concert. James and Claire again performed their solo pieces to rapturous applause and comments from the audience confirmed that the choir's performance of sections of the programme reached new heights. Our friends from Sutton provided some lovely nibbles during the interval and again made us very welcome. It was a privilege to be part of this gorgeous event.

MUSIC FOR A SUMMER EVENING

Saturday 23rd June 2012
St Mary's, Burgate

"It's a joy to see such quality and enthusiasm, and the obvious delight which Claire Weston has in her music makes it even more special." This is just one of many highly complimentary messages we have received since the concert. We had great fun performing a very mixed programme from Sacred to Swing and were delighted to feature James Symington as our guest soloist playing his trumpet. The Friends of Burgate Church made us most welcome with the Pimms and Canapes during the interval helping to make this a very special and memorable evening. Fantastic concert!

AN EASTER OFFERING

7.30pm, Saturday 31st March 2012
St Michael's, Framlingham​

An excellent and appreciative audience obviously enjoyed the programme and helped raise funds for the Friends of St Michael's.

LUNCHTIME CONCERT

Saturday 24th March 2012
Ely Cathedral Lady Chapel

It is very difficult to describe the emotions when the choir sings beautiful pieces, as well as it has ever performed them, in such an idyllic acoustic setting. A excellent recording was made of the performance which has captured a few of the memories.

2011

PRELUDE TO CHRISTMAS

PREMIÈRE OF THE BALAAM CYCLE
Saturday 10th December 2011
All Saints, Wickham Market

Wickham Market church was full to bursting with extra chairs being brought in from all directions. Singing Christmas music always brings emotions to the surface but this evening was extra special. The incredibly moving 'Balaam Cycle', composed by John Hutchings specifically for the choir using words selected by Michael Balaam, was premiered to wide acclaim. This concert will live long in the memories of all who took part and, going by the many messages of generous support, by many in the audience. The church was also delighted with the considerable sum of money raised for its new extension. All 'round, a great success!

CHORAL WORKSHOP

FAURÉ REQUIEM
Saturday 22nd October 2011
St Michael's, Framlingham

Our second choral workshop was a spectacular success! ​Around 120 came from as far afield as Bedford, Cambridge and Norwich to rehearse and perform Faure’s glorious Requiem in St Michael's Framlingham. Although many were members of local choirs, a welcome number were new to choral singing and it was especially pleasing to be able to involve participants from several schools.
The workshop and rehearsals were led by John Hutchings from Framlingham College, who also accompanied the performance; Geoff Lavery, formerly music director at Ipswich School; and our Director of Music Claire Weston, whose energy and charismatic leadership was truly inspirational. An audience of friends, families and visitors numbering over 70 were able to enjoy the fruits of the choir’s efforts at a performance of the whole work.
​
Some quotes:
  • "Brilliant! Like having a singing lesson! Dynamic!"
  • "Very enjoyable and an extremely refreshing approach to rehearsal + lots of technical help"
  • "Excellent day.....It was a pleasure to meet so many like-minded people. Thank you to everyone who organised it and helped the day run so smoothly"
  • "Even better than last year - and that was brilliant!"
  • "Enjoyed it enormously"
  • "Thoroughly enjoyed it. It is so good to be led with such energy and enthusiasm. Thank you"
  • "Hard work but loved it"
  • "An excellent workshop and brilliant tea!"

MUSIC FOR A LIGHT SUMMER'S EVENING

Saturday 2nd July 2011
All Saints, Sutton

The people of Sutton made us very welcome again and we were delighted that the concert raised much needed funds for their extension project.

ECHOES OF EASTER

2.00pm, Sunday 22nd May 2011
Ely Cathedral Lady Chapel
​
The programme for this event included some wonderfully evocative sacred music which made full use of the glorious acoustics of the Lady Chapel. The lunch time concert was very well attended and we were fortunate in having friends of the choir present to record the performance. We hope to make part or all of the recording available in due course.

ECHOES OF EASTER

7.30pm, Saturday 7th May 2011
St Michael's Framlingham

The Friends of St Michael's asked us to present a programme of sacred Easter music to help raise funds for the church. The large and very appreciative audience helped make this a particularly special evening with the choir performing to the highest standard it has yet achieved. It is hoped that we will be singing in St Michael's on a more regular basis.
The concert also included the first performance of the Antiphons of St Hildegard of Bingen by John Hutchings, a set of pieces we now perform regularly!

2010

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Saturday 4th December 2010
St Augustine, Ipswich

This concert included a wide variety of seasonal favourites as well less well-known pieces. This is the first year that we have attempted William Mathias' 'A Babe is Born' - a truely stunning and rewarding piece to perform and, we hope to listen to. We also sang 'O Magnum Mysterium' by Morten Lauridsen, a highly regarded contemporary American composer. A hugely enjoyable concert for all involved.

CHORAL WORKSHOP

HAYDN - LITTLE ORGAN MASS
Saturday 9th October 2010
St Michael's, Framlingham

This was our first choral workshop! The choir organised a very successful event, attracting over 50 singers from a very wide area, to learn and perform Haydn's 'Little Organ Mass'.

​Universally thought to be an excellent social and stimulating day.

ST ELIZABETH'S HOSPICE CONCERT

Saturday 11th September 2010
Community Hall, Woodbridge

A concert of folk songs, spirituals and light summer music in aid of St Elizabeth's Hospice.

RBL CONCERT

Saturday 3rd July 2010
Snape Village Hall

Concert of light music in aid of Royal British Legion.

A SUMMER GARLAND

Saturday 26th June 2010
All Saints, Sutton

A concert to help raise funds for a new facilities area at the church.

MUSIC FOR EASTER

Saturday 24th April 2010
Ely Cathedral Lady Chapel

Our eagerly awaited return to Ely Cathedral Lady Chapel for a lunchtime concert of music for the Easter period. This was generally felt to be the best standard of performance that the choir has ever achieved. A huge success and very enjoyable for all.

MUSIC FOR LENT AND EASTER

Friday 19th March 2010
St Mary Magdelene, Debenham

We hadn't performed in St Mary Magdelene, Debenham for about 10 years so we were looking forward to this lovely venue again. Music for the Lenten and Easter period is particularly rewarding to perform and our programme included the chorales from Bach's St Matthew Passion as well as other beautiful sacred pieces.

2009

A FEAST OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Saturday 12th December 2009
St Mary’s Church Woodbridge

We returned to St Mary’s Church Woodbridge for our Christmas concert. The money raised enabled us to make a significant donation to the charity “Sing for Your Heart”.

CAROLS AT THE CATHEDRAL

EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES CAROL CONCERT

Tuesday 8th December 2009
St Edmundsbury Cathedral

The beautiful surroundings of this world-renowned venue provided a special atmosphere for an evening to start the festive season. A large audience enthusiastically received the programme of traditional and contemporary pieces and we hope to repeat the evening next year. This concert was also special for us as it was the first with Claire Weston as our new Musical Director.

SUMMER CONCERT

Saturday 11th July 2009
St Mary’s Church, Otley

We held a Summer Concert featuring a wide variety of secular music in St Mary’s Church, Otley. This beautiful church has been the “spiritual home” of the choir since we began in 1993. The concert was very well attended and raised much needed funds for the Church Preservation Trust.

MUSIC FOR LENT AND EASTER

Saturday 9th May 2009
Ely Cathedral Lady Chapel
​
The lunchtime performance in Ely Cathedral Lady Chapel of a selection from our Easter material has become an eagerly awaited annual event. This was again well attended with very complimentary remarks being received from both the Cathedral staff and audience which included members of a visiting choir.

MUSIC FOR LENT AND EASTER

Saturday 28 March 2009
St Bartholomew's Church, Orford

The inspiring programme made full use of the wonderful acoustics. The main piece was the seldom performed 'The Seven Last Words From The Cross' by Heinrich Schutz and featured five of the choir members as soloists.

2008

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Saturday 13th December 2008
St Mary’s Church, Woodbridge

CONCERT FOR ABBI

Saturday 4th October 2008
St Andrew’s Church, Rushmere St. Andrew
​
This concert was to raise money for Ronald McDonald House and CLIMB two charities supporting families with children in hospital and suffering from metabolic diseases.

FEEL THE SPIRIT

Saturday 12th July 2008
St Michael’s, Framlingham

Our summer concert.

MIDSUMMER MELODIES

All Saints, Chevallier Street, Ipswich
Saturday 5th July 2008

We performed a programme of folk songs, spirituals and other songs and melodies.

LUNCHTIME CONCERT

Ely Cathedral Lady Chapel
Saturday 29th March 2008

We performed in the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral as part of their lunchtime concerts. This was a wonderful experience and we hope to make it an annual event.

MUSIC FOR EASTER

Saturday 15th March 2008
St Bartholomew, Orford

Our Easter concert was held in the beautiful church of St Bartholomew in Orford. For this concert we were very privileged to have Laura Wright joining us as guest soprano.

2007

​CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT

Saturday 8th December 2007
7.30pm St Andrew’s Church, Rushmere.
Registered Charity No. 1182547