Claire Meghnagi soprano, Hannah Pedley mezzo, Andrew Rees tenor, Paul Carey Jones baritone
Warsaw Philharmonic, Jacek Kaspszyk conductor
Tuesday 9th June 2015, Doc/Fest, Crucible Theatre, 8.30pm
Holst The Planets
Paul Crowther – commentary;
Sheffield Rep. Orchestra, George Morton – Conductor
Women’s voices from Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, Darius Battiwalla – Conductor
Embark on a breathtaking voyage to the outer limits of the universe as Gustav Holst’s The Planets is performed by the Sheffield Rep. Orchestra conducted by George Morton and accompanied by images of interplanetary odysseys and newly commissioned visuals by Sheffield creative design agency Human and a commentary from astronomer Paul Crowther. Brought to you by the University of Sheffield Departments of Music and Physics/Astronomy, Festival of the Mind.
A special celebration concert to mark the Chorus’s 80th Birthday and the 60th Birthday of our former Chairman, Julie Smethurst, and to celebrate the music of Vaughan Williams:
O Clap Your Hands
Fantasia on Greensleeves
Dona Nobis Pacem
The Lark Ascending
Serenade to Music
Let All the World in Every Corner Sing
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Darius Battiwalla (conductor)
Jenny Rust – Soprano, Joshua Ellicott – Tenor, Oliver Dunn – Baritone
Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus and Sheffield Bach Choir
Anna Patalong – Soprano, Frances Bourne – Mezzo-soprano, Timothy Robinson – Tenor, David Soar – Bass
James Burton, the Royal Northern Sinfonia, the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus and a fine line-up of soloists performed the ‘Nelson Mass’. This great late work of Haydn’s is widely regarded as one of the composer’s supreme achievements. Originally conceived as a response to Napoleon’s aggressive and acquisitive foreign policy, it gained its nickname after Admiral Nelson defeated the French navy at the famous Battle of the Nile.
Following the concert in the Irwin Mitchell Hall which featured Sibelius – Symphony 5, this special ‘After Hours’ concert, free to main concert ticket-holders, featured:
Sibelius – Rakastava
Arvo Pärt – Magnificat
Ēriks Ešenvalds – Vakars (Evening)
Ēriks Ešenvalds – Lielupe (The River Lielupe)
Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, Darius Battiwalla (conductor)
The annual Christmas Concert featured the Black Dyke Band, one of the world’s most celebrated brass bands, joining forces with Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus for the fifth year in a row. This pairing delighted the audience with their seasonal offering of carols and yuletide favourites for all the family.
Annual Christmas Carol Concert – 7pm on Saturday 12th December 2020
Sadly, our much-loved carol concert with the world-famous Black Dyke Band at Sheffield City Hall had to be abandoned because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Christmas Carols in the City Hall
However, Chorus and band have been working on a virtual Christmas carol concert, recorded from our own homes. The concert will feature a new version of the 16th century carol Resonet in Laudibus, arranged for brass band and chorus by our Music Director Darius Battiwalla, and the beautiful traditional Welsh lullaby Suo Gan, sung in Welsh with violin, harp and organ.
We are thrilled that our new Patron, BBC Radio 3’s Petroc Trelawny, has kindly agreed to present the concert, something he has done at the City Hall a number of times over the last few years.
With the Chorus accompanist Rachel Fright on the piano, and Music Director Darius Battiwalla on the Leeds Town Hall organ, this will be a virtual concert not to be missed!
Resonet in Laudibus arr. D. Battiwalla. Chorus, Black Dyke Band, Darius Battiwalla (organ)
Suo Gan (Welsh traditional) Chorus, Susan Voss (violin), Eira Lynn (harp), Darius Battiwalla (organ)
Deck the Hall arr. Langford. Chorus (a capella)
Gaelic Blessing John Rutter. Chorus, Rachel Fright (piano)
The Holly and the Ivy John Gardner. Chorus, Rachel Fright (piano)
Hark the Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn. Chorus, Black Dyke Band, Darius Battiwalla (organ)
‘Awake Arise’ – our Christmas CD – an ideal Christmas gift
Our Christmas CD
Buy our Christmas CD ‘Awake, Arise! A Yorkshire Christmas Carol Collection for Brass and Voices‘, recorded with the world-famous Black Dyke Band. This collection has a real Yorkshire flavour and includes some of the Sheffield carols, traditionally sung in Sheffield pubs over the Christmas period.
It also includes arrangements by the Chorus’s gifted Music Director, Darius Battiwalla, of such Christmas classics as Joy to The World and O Holy Night, a firm favourite at our annual Christmas concerts at Sheffield City Hall. Other favourites include I Saw Three Ships and Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and the band playing the March from Tchaicovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and the wonderful Sleigh Ride from Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé.
To order your copy for £12 including postage and packing, please contact
You might also like to check out our most recent CD Anthems, Hymns and Gloria for Brass Band, which reached Number One in Classic FM’s specialist classical albums recently, as well as being Album of the Week. The CD, directed by Professor Nicholas Childs and Chorus Music Director Darius Battiwalla, was recorded in St Oswald’s Church on Bannerdale Road in Sheffield. It features eleven tracks composed by Rutter and arranged for brass band by Belgian conductor Luc Vertommen, including the Pie Jesu from his 1985 Requiem, and This is the Day composed for the wedding of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011. For further details and how to purchase, see Anthems, Hymns and Gloria for Brass Band
Carol Singing
Each year members of the Chorus volunteer to sing Christmas carols at a range of venues around Sheffield. Sadly none of the singalongs proved possible this year. However, the Chorus has contributed music from the ‘Awake Arise’ Christmas CD with the world-famous Black Dyke Band, to a virtual carol concert in aid of youth homelessness charity Roundabout.
Also, St Luke’s Festival of Light Service of Remembrance will be virtual rather than a live service this year. We were very keen to contribute to this very special event, as we do every year, and you can hear us sing ‘We Saw Three Ships‘ from our Awake Arise CD on the St Luke’s website
by telephoning the City Hall Box Office on 0114 2 789 789 Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 6.00pm and Saturday from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
in person from the City Hall Box Office, open Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 5.30pm, or up to one hour prior to the start on the day of the concert
Self promoted concerts
We also present self promoted concerts, which may take place at a range of venues, including the beautiful Art Deco ballroom at Sheffield City Hall, in the gorgeous acoustic of Sheffield Cathedral, at St Mark’s Church Broomhill, at the Victoria Hall or in the lovely Upper Chapel. We are committed to encouraging young people to enjoy creating, making and listening to all kinds of music including classical, so we make sure that tickets are free for under-16s.
Join around 200 singers for a memorable day exploring one of the great choral masterpieces. Experience the richness, warmth and humanity of Brahms’ A German Requiem in a welcoming, high-quality musical environment, led by Music Director Darius Battiwalla. We’ll rehearse throughout the day with Brahms’ own four-hand piano accompaniment, before sharing an informal performance at 6pm for family and friends. A rare opportunity to experience this much-loved work in a fresh and intimate way.
The workshop will be led by our fantastic Musical Director Darius Battiwalla. Darius has conducted choral performances with leading orchestras including the Halle, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata, and he has prepared the Chorus for appearances at the Proms and for recordings with the BBC Philharmonic for Chandos. He has worked as guest chorusmaster or conductor with choirs such as Leeds Philharmonic Chorus, Huddersfield Choral Society, CBSO chorus and Netherlands Radio Choir. Despite this impressive record he is a very friendly conductor, encouragingly supportive and challenging in equal measure – qualities that were much in evidence at our previous Come and Sing events.
Soloists: Ruby Lewin – soprano; Teyfik Kamal – baritone
Accompaniment: Rachel Fright and Jonathan Gooing
10:00 Registration
10:30 – 13:00 Morning session
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break
14:00 – 16:30 Afternoon session
18:00 Free performance* for family & friends (approx. 80 mins)
Chorus members enjoying a rehearsal
Tickets £25 for singing visitors, including hire score. Please note we will be singing in German. You’ll get the most from the day if you’re already familiar with the piece, as there will be limited time for learning notes. Wheelchair users welcome; please email in advance to arrange access.
The Chorus is thrilled to be able to present a City Hall performance of Messiah this year, back by popular demand. The Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus joins Manchester Camerata, a distinguished cast of soloists and conductor Laurence Cummings for Handel’s timeless masterpiece. A Christmas favourite for many, start your Christmas season with Chorus, orchestra and soloists in this magnificent oratorio, beloved by many.
On-line bookings give access to a 35% discount on pre-booked parking at the Q-Park on Rockingham Street.
Some comments from last year’s concerts at the City Hall:
“I thought they (choirs) were wonderful, and sang with such enthusiasm, energy and commitment. The semichoruses really were very beautiful, and the big numbers had great clarity as well as power. So great to have so many singers, thanks again – a really fun and satisfying project!” Matthew Hamilton (conductor)
Very impressed with the choir. Diction was very clear, the dynamic contrast between loud and soft was brilliant, and the choir made a wonderful sound. Vivien Pike, Sheffield singing teacher
“It was fab, a really powerful performance from all concerned, and difficult to fault anything at all, a resounding end to the season.” Audience member
Professor Nicholas Childs, Conductor of Black Dyke Band
Another Christmas treat – our annual carol concert with the world famous Black Dyke Band, presented by BBC Look North’s Amy Garcia. .
Join the throngs who take time time out from the hustle and bustle of all the Christmas preparations – from shopping and wrapping, to decorating and card writing – to take part in this sparkling seasonal celebration. Tickets sell very quickly and last year was a near sell out, so book as soon as you can for an afternoon filled with carols for choir, audience singalongs and musical gems for the band. The programme will include Sleigh Ride, The Holly and the Ivy, Zither Carol, Christian’s Awake, Shepherd’s Pipe Carol and O Holy Night as well as the popular songs beloved by many.
Audience members can sing along using the programmes available in the foyer (cash only) or at the bars (card or cash).
Black Dyke Band
Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus
Sheffield Youth Choirs
Amy Garcia, presenter
Darius Battiwalla, conductor
Nicholas Childs, conductor
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE or in person from the City Hall box office. On-line bookings give access to a 35% discount on pre-booked parking at the Q-Park on Rockingham Street.
Feedback comments from last year included:
“Feedback from my family was that they still loved O Holy Night the most but had really enjoyed the programme, especially the stamping and clicking! and found it all very uplifting. Perfect for setting the scene for Christmas.”
“Well done everyone – beautiful singing and an interesting and varied programme. Christmas has officially started.”
“My first visit to one of your concerts, flawless singing, not one false entry, powerful and uplifting, can’t wait for next Christmas!”
The Chorus is hoping to present Verdi’s spectacular Requiem in collaboration with the highly-acclaimed City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra and musicians from Sheffield Music Hub, as part of the fifth Classical Sheffield Classical Weekend. Watch this space for details of this exciting collaboration!
Saturday 24 April 2027, 19.30, St Marie’s cathedral, Young Composer Competition concert
A special concert to present the world premiere of the winning composition in the third Stella Jockel Young Composer Competition organised by the Chorus. The concert will include other wonderful choral works in the superb acoustic of St Marie’s cathedral.
Comments from the previous concert in St Marie’s:
“I enjoyed all the pieces (and all were new to me)… It wasn’t really the individual pieces, for me, though. It was the all-encompassing sounds of dozens of voices in rhythm and harmony, plus that magnificent organ, filling such an acoustic space.” audience member
“The choir was on top form.” audience member
“I loved the unusual sounds [the] voices made in the Seven Stars piece – really compelling.” audience member
“My highlight was the superbly dramatic Hymne au Soleil. Brilliantly varied programming.” audience member
“I’m not sure I’d have listened properly to that extraordinary Langlais mass if it’d come on the radio, but hearing it live, sung with such commitment and energy, made for a great all-encompassing encounter which reminds you why the live experience is so essential.” audience member
“Really interesting choice of repertoire, done well.” James Mitchell, organist
“You made a fantastic sound. All credit to Darius for choosing such fantastic rarely-performed repertoire, perfect for the space and to show off our Lewis organ. You made the most of the opportunity to sing in the best acoustic in Sheffield.” Robert Webb, Music Director of St Marie’s Cathedral
Saturday 19 June 2027, 7pm, City Hall
CARL ORFF Carmina Burana
The Hallé
Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus
Hallé Children’s Choir
Matthew Hamilton – conductor
The City Hall’s Resident Orchestra and Chorus, along present Carl Orff’s fantastical Carmina Burana to end another magnificent International Concert Season – a truly spectacular season finale. Matthew Hamilton will conduct Orff’s amazing Carmina Burana, an extremely popular showstopper , and the orchestra and chorus will be joined by the Hallé Children’s Choir and a star-studded cast of soloists.
MENDELSSOHN A Midsummer Night’s Dream: selection (20)
On-line bookings give access to a 35% discount on pre-booked parking at the Q-Park on Rockingham Street.
Review of our 2024 end-of-season concert Mozart Requiem, and social media comment from our Patron Sam West who was in the audience:
“The choir were … aurally impressive….. Flawless pitching in the chromaticism of the Dies Irae confirmed their status as a topflight chorus. More delicious full-on counterpoint with Rex tremendae dropped dramatically to hushed awe and had me on the edge of my seat…… Perfect….” Donal Hurley – see full review in the Edinburgh Music Review (online review site)
“TERRIFIC Mozart Requiem from @SheffPhilChorus at @cadoganhall tonight. Never heard them in better voice. I am a very proud Patron.” Sam West
From 2010 to 2020 the Chorus performed works spanning seven centuries and eleven nations, in English, German, French, Hungarian, Latin, Russian and Latvian. We sang works by stalwarts such as Monteverdi, Tallis, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Verdi, Vaughan Williams, Tippett, Schoenberg, Britten and Bliss, but also by contemporary composers such as Wilby, Mealor, Jenkins, Part, Gorecki and Esenvalds.
Click on the links to view details of our performances for each season:
Steve’s fantasy concert was a performance of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem in Sheffield’s City Hall in December 2011. The Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus (supplemented by singers from the CBSO Chorus), the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (conductor Michael Seal), Lindley Junior School Choir and three top-class soloists helped to create an extremely moving and memorable event.
Steve says “I chose the War Requiem in memory of my wife, who had died two years earlier, and my mother who died earlier that year, and because it was Britten’s centenary year and I’d worked with him in the 1960s and had admired his War Requiem since I first heard it in 1962. It is an expensive work to perform, but my mother had left me some money – and she’d have been glad that I put it to good use. The whole experience of helping to organise the concert and the emotions of the performance itself have left wonderful abiding memories.”
Read why for Jo Briddock, 2nd Alto with the Chorus, her fantasy concert would have to include Brahms’ Requiem.
What’s your fantasy concert? If you have an occasion that you’d love to celebrate by supporting us to bring your fantasy concert to life, contact us now at media@sheffieldphil.org
In 2016 Julie Smethurst lived her dream of creating a large-scale choral concert at the City Hall on 4 June, to celebrate her 60th birthday and the 80th anniversary of the Chorus. “I’d always dreamed of being able to sponsor a classical concert to the extent of being able to say what I wanted on the programme. Vaughan Williams became my favourite English composer in my teens, so the whole concert is made up of his music, including the mesmerising The Lark Ascending. The choices have been chewed over quite a bit but all the pieces I wanted have made it to the final line-up – with no compromises.”
Julie Smethurst
But even armed with extensive personal experience and supportive colleagues who have been organizing and promoting concerts for over 15 years, the financial and practical implications make for a long to-do list. Concerts of this nature can take between 2 – 5 years to plan, to allow for venue and performer diary dates to align and partnerships to be devised. These are the real keys to success due to the team of professionals and volunteers needed; members of the Chorus, orchestra, bands, soloists, conductors, music directors, and all the ‘behind the scenes’ personnel who are needed to deal with booking the venue, ticketing, contracting, stage management and publicity.
Is it daunting? “I’d be telling fibs if I said no, but it’s also such a thrill and a privilege to celebrate my birthday so collaboratively, and with a splendid, experienced, and friendly team of people.” Classical concerts on this scale are just about impossible to make commercially viable, hence the importance of finding sponsors. Julie explained “I certainly couldn’t afford this on my own. A full orchestra costs around £20,000, then there’s venue hire and soloists’ fees to name just a few items. So we are all clubbing together to get the event off the ground. This is the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream. I can’t quite believe that the wonderful Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra, four soloists, and two large choirs will all be joining forces to create an unforgettable Birthday celebration. I can’t wait!”
Julie was prompted into making her dream a reality when fellow singer, Steve Terry, Bass with the Chorus, donned his ‘executive producer’ hat in December 2013. Read about his fantasy concert here.
So what would your concert be? Read why for Jo Briddock, 2nd Alto with the Chorus it would have to include Brahms’ Requiem.
What’s your fantasy concert? If you have an occasion that you’d love to celebrate by supporting us to bring your fantasy concert to life, contact us now at media@sheffieldphil.org
Each year members of the Chorus volunteer to sing Christmas carols at a range of venues around Sheffield. Sadly none of the singalongs proved possible this year. However, the Chorus has contributed music from the ‘Awake Arise’ Christmas CD with the world-famous Black Dyke Band, to a virtual carol concert in aid of 
See What’s On this week in Sheffield on the 
Steve says “I chose the War Requiem in memory of my wife, who had died two years earlier, and my mother who died earlier that year, and because it was Britten’s centenary year and I’d worked with him in the 1960s and had admired his War Requiem since I first heard it in 1962. It is an expensive work to perform, but my mother had left me some money – and she’d have been glad that I put it to good use. The whole experience of helping to organise the concert and the emotions of the performance itself have left wonderful abiding memories.”