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.

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.