Category Archives: Concerts

HARP Christmas Carol Concert – 17th December 2022

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The Choir has been supporting HARP for a number of years and it was with great joy that we teamed up with HARP once again for a Christmas Carol Concert at St. Andrew’s Church, Westcliff. The concert consisted of well known carols, Christmas songs and readings. The choir thoroughly enjoyed singing the varied programme of music and the audience and special guests had a great time – especially during the Christmas Singalong. Refreshments were served afterwards and we appreciated the help and support  of all the volunteers from HARP.

The Choir has been unable to support HARP for 2 years due to the COVID pandemic, but thanks to the generosity of the audience we managed to raise over £900 for HARPS work supporting the homeless and vulnerable over Christmas.

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

The Choir has been supporting HARP each year since 2017 (apart from 2020/2021 due to COVID) and in that time we have raised over £5,431 for this local worthwhile cause. If you would like to know more about the work of HARP then please visit: harpsouthend.org.uk/.

First Post-lockdown Concert – 20th March 2022

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After two years and three months the Southend Bach Choir is truly back in business. I think everyone enjoyed singing in our concert and all the feedback from the audience was very positive, it was really great to be back singing in public at last. Our exit collection for Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief raised £475 and at our committee meeting the following Thursday we decided to contribute another £75 from choir funds which raised the total to £550.

Special thanks go to Colin for putting the whole thing together, to Janet Walker for her excellent accompaniment on the day and to our excellent soloists, Eve, Elaine, Janet, Alex, Ros and Ian.

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

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.

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.

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.

Summer Concert 21st July 2013

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Our thanks to Ann Mildren who took this photo. Ann was visiting from Australia and was in the audience for this concert. She even left us a comment on Facebook “Enjoyed your ‘Made in Britain’ concert on the 21st of July, sounded great and terrific selection of songs!” Thanks Ann!