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HARP Christmas Carol Concert 2019

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The Choir once again decided to perform a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, on Saturday 21st December, in aid of the charity HARP. This year we had a change of venue and went to St John’s Church, Southend-on-Sea and were overjoyed that the church was full to capacity with extra chairs having to be made available.

The event was attended by a host of special guests, including David Amess, MP for Southend West, Dr James Bettley, High Sheriff of Essex and the mayor of Southend, John Lamb. A council spokesman said: “The mayor and mayoress attended the fantastic Southend Bach Choir’s Christmas Carol Service in aid of HARP. It was a fabulous festive service that is supporting the amazing work that HARP does for the homeless of our borough.”

HARP 2019 Dignitaries

Following a passionate plea from the Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Rev’d Stephen Cottrell, we were able to raise £2131.17 which is an amzing amount and will support the work of HARP. Refreshments were served afterwards and we appreciated the help and support of all the volunteers from HARP.

HARP 2019 - Choir
HARP 2019 Choir

RNLI Singing at Leigh Station – 18th December 2019

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Several members of the choir took some time out from their busy Christmas preparations to sing carols to commuters at Leigh Station. Songs ranged from traditional carols to Christmas songs and even the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.

Thanks to the generosity of the many commuters we raised £460 for the RNLI. The choir enjoyed it, the commuters enjoyed it and the RNLI were grateful recipients. Over the years we’ve been supporting the RNLI in this way we’ve raised over £4,475.

RNLI Carols 2019

Visit to the RNLI Boat Station

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Each year when the choir sings for the RNLI, they invite us to the life boat station for a tour to say thank you for our help. Well this year we decided to take them up on their offer and on Friday, 2nd August a number of the choir met at the station. We were treated to a tour of the hover craft and life boat and the kit room. It was such an informative visit, our guides telling us of the wonderful work the volunteers perform and the cost of that work. It certainly puts our carol collecting in perspective when we learnt that our average yearly donation simply helps to pay for a life jacket.

Following the tour most of the group headed for refreshments at a sea front cafe. An excellent social event and lots of good fun. Some pictures of the group are below.

HARP Christmas Carol Concert 2018

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Following our successful support of HARP in 2017, we once again decided to perform a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, on Saturday 22nd December, in aid of the charity HARP. This once again took place in St Mary’s Church, Prittlewell and we were thrilled that the Church was almost full. It was a fantastic festive evening and the audience certainly enjoyed the service.

We were pleased to welcome HARP’s Chief Executive Jackie Bliss, our Mayor Cllr Derek Jarvis, our local Member of Parliament Sir David Amess and the Bishop of Chelmsford, Bishop Stephen, who gave a challenging address. People were so generous in their support of HARP and we were able to raise well over £1,700 for this worthwhile local charity. Refreshments were served afterwards and we appreciated the help and support of all the volunteers from HARP.

RNLI Singing @ Leigh Station – 19th December 2018

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Several members of the choir serenaded commuters at Leigh Station with renderings of traditional carols, Christmas songs and the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. Thanks to the generosity of the many commuters we raised £436.64 for the RNLI. The choir enjoyed it, the commuters enjoyed it and the RNLI were grateful recipients.

Remembrance Day Concert – Sunday 11th November 2018

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On Sunday 11th November, the choir took part in a large choral and orchestral concert to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War 1 at the Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff.  The concert involved four established local choirs, The Southend Choral Society, Southend Festival Chorus, Southend Bach Choir & Eastwood Chorale, who were joined by the Southend Symphony Orchestra to present an afternoon of music for Remembrance.

The concert included Elgar’s “Music Makers” and  “Nimrod”, music by John Williams, Parry, Butterworth, Sibelius and Holst in addition to music for audience participation with traditional WW1 songs, and “Land of Hope and Glory”. The choirs and orchestra were also joined by members of the Southend Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs and the concert was conducted by guest BBC conductor Grace Rossiter.

The foyer of the Cliffs Pavilion had displays of photographs from the international exhibition “Fields of Battle, Lands of Peace 14-18” by photographer Michael St Maur Sheil, in addition to a wave of poppies created by local communities.

Help for Heroes attended the concert selling merchandise and collecting for the charity. We were very pleased that they collected £978.50 on the day and were also able to raise awareness of the work they perform in support of our wounded soldiers.

RNLI Singing @ Leigh Station – 19th December 2017

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On the following Tuesday evening several members of the choir braved the cold to serenade commuters at Leigh on Sea station with renderings of popular, traditional carols and the Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah. The commuters dug deep into their pockets and we raised £470.00 for the RNLI. The choir enjoyed it, the commuters enjoyed it and the RNLI were grateful recipients.

Christmas Singing 2017

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Prior to Christmas 2017, this lively, enthusiastic choir was busy singing.

Instead of our usual Christmas carol concert it was decided that we should have a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, on Saturday 16th December, in aid of the charity HARP. This took place in St Mary’s Church, Prittlewell, a church which boasts splendid acoustics for both singing and Bible narration. It was well received with many positive comments from both the audience and choir. People gave generously and we raised over £700.00. We were pleased to welcome  our local Members of Parliament and the Bishop of Chelmsford, Bishop Stephen, who gave a challenging address . Refreshments were served afterwards and we appreciated the help and support  of all the volunteers from HARP.