News Archive

  • Carol Concert in aid of SECE Mind 2025

    Southend Bach Choir rounded off the festive season with a joyful and heart-warming Carol Concert on Saturday 20 December at Kings Road URC, Westcliff-on-Sea, in aid of the local charity SECE Mind.

    It gives us great pleasure to share that the concert raised £950 for MIND! A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone who contributed in any way — whether through attending, donating, or helping behind the scenes. The funds will go directly to support clients through counselling, housing, and local projects. We were also delighted to receive rave reviews and thanks from MIND for our support.

    The evening brought together choir and audience alike in the true spirit of Christmas, with much-loved carols, reflective readings and moments of light-hearted celebration. From the traditional opening of Once in Royal David’s City to the rousing finale of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, the programme offered a rich mix of familiar favourites and beautifully chosen choral works, including music by Rutter, Chilcott, Bach and Vivaldi.

    Audience participation was very much at the heart of the concert, with enthusiastic singing in carols such as O Come, All Ye Faithful, Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing and God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen. Thoughtful readings added moments of quiet reflection, while lighter touches — including Sleigh Ride and an inspired performance of The Twelve Days of Christmas that included the audience — brought smiles and laughter. Under the direction of Roger Humphrey, the choir filled the church with warmth, colour and festive cheer.

    Southend Bach Choir would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year, and we look forward to welcoming you again at our concerts in 2026.

  • RNLI Carol singing at Leigh station 2025

    Southend Bach Choir enjoyed a festive evening of carol singing at Leigh Station last night, raising £387.00 for the RNLI.

    Although this was slightly down on last year — partly due to train delays causing some passengers to rush home — it was still an excellent result for just two hours of singing. The choir would like to extend their very grateful thanks to Tom and the team at the station, who were not only friendly and welcoming but also helped make the evening run smoothly.

    The annual Leigh Station carol singing is always a highlight of the festive season, bringing music, cheer, and community spirit to commuters and passersby alike, all while supporting the vital work of the RNLI.

    Thank you to everyone who stopped to listen, donated, or joined in singing along — your generosity helps make a difference.

  • “Music of the World” charity concert

    What an incredible evening! We were honoured to take part in the Sold Out Charity Concert in aid of Prostate Cancer Research at the Southend Hospital Oncology Department, held in the presence of the High Sheriff of Essex and the Mayor of Southend.

    Together with The Leigh Orpheus Male Voice Choir, The Ondines, Mandala Jazz, Anandadhara Indian music, Catherine Lima and her band, and Lele Bizzoca, we helped raise an amazing £22,000 for this vital cause.

    A heartfelt thank you to the Radisson Park Inn for donating their ballroom, and to everyone who performed, volunteered, and supported the event — your generosity made it possible.

    Music truly can make a difference! 🎵💫

  • Performing Ein Deutsches Requiem by Brahms

    Southend Bach Choir was delighted to share an unforgettable evening of music at St Alban the Martyr Church, Westcliff-on-Sea, on Saturday 15 November 2025, with a performance of Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem.

    This profoundly humane work, written to offer comfort to the living, formed the heart of the concert. From its opening message of consolation to its final sense of peaceful rest, the Requiem invited performers and audience alike into a space of reflection, hope and quiet reassurance. The programme also included Bach’s radiant motet O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht and Brahms’s Geistliches Lied, two beautifully restrained works that set a thoughtful and contemplative tone for the evening.

    We were joined by our wonderful guest soloists, soprano Talia Lieberman and bass David Townend, whose expressive singing added depth and warmth to the performance. We were also grateful to be accompanied by organist Stephen King, whose sensitive playing supported the choir throughout the programme.

    Under the direction of our Musical Director, Roger Humphrey, the choir was proud to perform this deeply meaningful music in such a welcoming acoustic. We would like to thank everyone who joined us for the concert, and for sharing in such a special evening. We look forward to welcoming you again at one of our upcoming performances.

  • Our choir to participate in fund-raising musical event

    There is to be an amazing fund-raising concert for Prostate Cancer Research at the Oncology Department of Southend Hospital in the presence of The High Sheriff of Essex and the Mayor of Southend.

    The Leigh Orpheus Male Voice Choir, The Southend Bach Choir, The Ondines all girl band, Mandala Jazz, Anandadhara Indian music, Catherine Lima and her band, and Lele Bizzoca Classic Guitarist are all taking part.  

    The Radisson Park Inn have donated the ballroom and none of the participants are charging, so all the proceeds are going to Prostate Cancer research. 

    In addition to the wonderful music, there will be a raffle with some amazing prizes including dinner for two at Leigh Bistro, a case of Champagne, Spa Day at the Athenaeum, tickets for Southend Football Club and tickets for Adventure Island & Sea Life adventure, 2 tickets for “The Bodyguard” at the Cliffs Pavillion, £250 vouchers for a stay on The Isle of Wight, a £500 voucher for fantastic contemporary furniture from cultfurniture.com 

    Tickets: £25 by phoning 07786864263 – limited to 200, so hurry. You can also book tickets here.

    Further information from Tom Gough GouT408@aol.com or 07831573001 

  • Summer Concert 2025 – Magnificat & Feel the Spirit

    A summer evening of colour, rhythm and joy awaited audiences at St Alban the Martyr Church, Westcliff-on-Sea, on Saturday 12th July 2025, as Southend Bach Choir brought the uplifting music of Sir John Rutter to life in a concert featuring Magnificat and Feel the Spirit.

    Conducted by Roger Humphrey and accompanied by Rosemary Pennington, the programme celebrated Rutter’s unmistakable choral voice — radiant, lyrical and full of energy. The first half was devoted to the vibrant Magnificat, a work inspired by Latin American rhythms and written as a joyful song of praise. Its mix of exuberant choruses, reflective moments and lyrical solos created a richly colourful opening to the evening.

    Following a short interval, the mood shifted to the warmth and emotional depth of Feel the Spirit. This much-loved suite of spirituals invited both performers and audience to engage with music rooted in hope, resilience and faith, moving from moments of stillness in Steal Away and Deep River to the infectious joy of Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and When the Saints Go Marching In.

    The concert featured mezzo-soprano Helena Paish as guest soloist, whose expressive singing added both intimacy and power to the evening’s music. Under Roger Humphrey’s direction, the choir delivered a performance that balanced precision with warmth, filling the church with sound and spirit.

    Set in the welcoming surroundings of St Alban the Martyr Church, the concert was a joyful celebration of choral music and shared experience — a summer evening full of colour, connection and that unmistakable Rutter sparkle.

  • A memorable evening: Performing Bach’s ‘Mass in B Minor’

    In March 2025, Southend Bach Choir had the honour of performing one of the great masterpieces of choral music: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor. This monumental and deeply moving work was especially significant for us, as it was a piece our former Musical Director, Colin Edwards, had planned to conduct before his untimely passing. The concert was dedicated to his memory, and it meant a great deal to us to bring his vision to life.

    Bach’s B Minor Mass is rarely performed by amateur choirs — and for good reason. It’s long, technically demanding, and vocally challenging. Under the outstanding direction of our conductor, Roger Humphrey, we embraced the complexity of the music and gave a performance we’ll never forget. Roger’s musical insight, patience, and encouragement throughout our rehearsals were invaluable in helping us rise to the challenge.

    We were joined by the Southend Concert Orchestra and an exceptional team of soloists, who added colour and brilliance to the evening. Their artistry, combined with the choir’s hard work and commitment, made for a truly special performance.

    One of the most touching moments of the evening came when Roger Humphrey was presented with the High Sheriff’s Special Award by the High Sheriff of Essex, Julie Fosh. The award recognises Roger’s outstanding contribution to the choral world, and we were proud to witness him receive such a well-deserved honour.

    Roger has been an integral part of the musical life in Southend for many years, leading multiple choirs and inspiring singers of all ages. A graduate of the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he brings both expertise and warmth to everything he does. We are incredibly fortunate to have him leading the choir, and we are grateful for the dedication and skill he brings to every rehearsal and performance.

    Thank you to everyone who joined us on the night — our wonderful audience, the orchestra, soloists, and all who helped behind the scenes. This performance of Bach’s B Minor Mass was more than just a concert. It was a heartfelt tribute, a celebration of music, and a proud moment in the life of Southend Bach Choir.

  • Carol Concert in aid of HARP 2024

    A wonderfully festive atmosphere filled St Andrews Church, Westcliff-on-Sea, on Saturday 21st December 2024 as Southend Bach Choir welcomed friends, family and the wider community to A Carol Concert in aid of HARP.

    Under the direction of Roger Humphrey, with Andrew Palmer at the organ, the evening offered a generous mix of well-loved traditional carols, uplifting modern favourites and moments of quiet reflection. From the joyful opening of John Rutter’s Joy to the World to the much-loved In the Bleak Midwinter and the celebratory close of The Twelve Days of Christmas, the programme captured the full spirit of the season.

    Audience participation was very much part of the evening, with everyone invited to sing along to familiar carols including Once in Royal David’s City, O Come, All Ye Faithful and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Seasonal readings and solo moments were woven throughout the programme, adding warmth, meaning and a sense of shared celebration.

    Thanks to Gaz de Vere for permission to use the photos.

    The concert also marked another valued opportunity to support HARP, Southend’s homelessness charity. A retiring collection helped raise funds for their essential work supporting people experiencing homelessness across the town, reminding us all of the importance of compassion and community at this time of year.

    With festive refreshments enjoyed afterwards and plenty of Christmas cheer to go around, the evening was a heartfelt way to round off the choir’s year — sharing music, generosity and goodwill as Christmas approached.

  • Autumn Concert 2024 – Handel’s ‘Messiah’

    Southend Bach Choir presented a performance of Handel’s Messiah on Saturday 23rd November 2024 at Holy Trinity Church, Southchurch, continuing the choir’s long-standing association with one of the most beloved works in the choral repertoire.

    Under the direction of Music Director Roger Humphrey, the choir performed this monumental English-language oratorio, which traces the prophecy, passion and resurrection of Christ across its three-part structure. From the opening Sinfonia and Comfort ye, through the drama of He was despised and All we like sheep, to the triumphant Hallelujah and concluding choruses, the evening offered a powerful and moving musical journey.

    The performance featured four distinguished guest soloists: Elizabeth Dunlop (soprano), Ruby Bak (mezzo-soprano), Samuel Kibble (tenor) and David Townend (bass), with organ accompaniment provided by Stephen King. Together, they brought depth, clarity and expressive warmth to Handel’s arias and recitatives.

    Holy Trinity Church, Southchurch, provided a fitting and resonant setting for this timeless work, which holds special significance for the choir — selections from Messiah formed part of its very first concert in 1943. This performance both honoured that history and celebrated the choir’s continuing vitality today.

    It was an evening of musical excellence and shared tradition, warmly appreciated by a full and attentive audience, and a highlight of Southend Bach Choir’s concert season.

  • Summer Concert 2024 – Glories of English Music

    Southend Bach Choir presented Glories of English Music, a celebratory evening of choral music held on Saturday 13th July 2024 at West Leigh Baptist Church, Leigh-on-Sea. The programme showcased much-loved works by John Rutter, Charles Villiers Stanford and Bob Chilcott, offering a rich journey through English sacred and secular repertoire.

    The concert featured powerful choral works including Rutter’s Te Deum and Gloria, Stanford’s evocative Songs of the Fleet, and Chilcott’s lyrical The Lily and the Rose. The audience also enjoyed a selection of traditional and folk-inspired pieces such as O Danny Boy, Skye Boat Song, and Over the Wave.

    Baritone Nicholas Bacon was the evening’s soloist, performing Stanford’s Songs of the Fleet (including Sailing at Dawn, The Song of the Sou’-wester, and Farewell), as well as Vaughan Williams’ Songs of Travel (The Vagabond, Let Beauty Awake and The Roadside Fire). Stanford’s beautifully atmospheric The Blue Bird added a moment of stillness and reflection to the programme.

    The concert took place at West Leigh Baptist Church, founded in 1914 and long committed to serving the local community through initiatives such as youth and children’s work, the Southend Foodbank and the Parish Nurse ministry. Proceeds from the evening supported the church’s Phase 2 building project, which will provide a sports hall, dedicated spaces for Parish Nurses, and kitchen facilities to further benefit both the church family and the wider community.

    It was an evening that combined outstanding English music with a strong sense of community purpose, and the audience’s support played a vital role in helping to bring the church’s vision for the future closer to completion.