Policies

Please log in to access the Members’ Area.

[private role=”subscriber”]

SPC Trustee Induction Pack 2023

SPC Privacy Policy 2025

SPC Safeguarding Policy 2025

SPC Complaints Policy and Procedure 2024

SPC Chorus Rules July 2024

SPC Recruitment and Selection Policy 2023

SPC Conflicts of Interest Policy 2022

SPC Risk Management Policy 2024

SPC Reserves Policy 2024

SPC Equality Diversity Inclusion Policy 2024

SPC Public Benefit Guidance 2024

SPC Conflicts of Interest Policy 2022

 

[/private]

Rehearsal resources by composer

[private role=”subscriber”]

Bach

You Tube recording of the B minor mass at the Proms

You Tube B min mass with score – Kyrie 1

You Tube B min mass with score – Kyrie 2

You Tube B min mass with score – Gloria, Et in Terra Pax

You Tube B min mass with score – Gratias

You Tube B min mass with score – Qui Tollis (5 minutes 40 seconds in)

You Tube B min mass with score – Cum Sancto Spirito (4 minutes 30 seconds in)

You Tube B min mass with score – Credo

You Tube B min mass with score – Patrem Omnipotentem

You Tube B min mass with score – Et in Carnatus Est

You Tube B min mass with score – Crucifixus

You Tube B min mass with score – Et Resurrexit

You Tube B min mass with score – Confiteor, Et Expecto

You Tube B min mass with score – Sanctus

You Tube B min mass with score – Osanna

You Tube B min mass with score – Dona Nobis Pacem

B minor Mass mp3 files in ChoraliaB

B minor mass on BBC Radio 3

Cantata voice parts on Cyberbass

Cantata 140 Sleepers Wake voice parts on Cyberbass

Christmas Oratorio voice parts on Cyberbass

Motet voice parts on Cyberbass

St John Passion voice parts on Cyberbass

St Matthew Passion voice parts on Cyberbass

Boulanger, Lili

Link to recording of conductor rehearsal with Dalyana Lazarova on Tuesday 5 November 2024

20241001 Rehearsal notes
20240924 Rehearsal notes

20240917 Rehearsal notes (1)

20240910 Rehearsal notes

Psalm 130 Lili Boulanger on YouTube – live concert

Psalm 130 Lili Boulanger recording with Nadia Boulanger conducting

Psalm 130 Lili Boulanger with rolling score and time shown for each section

Psalm 130 Lili Boulanger Psalm 130 John Eliot Gardiner

Hymn to the Sun on YouTube with rolling score

Brahms

Music: Brahmsschicksalslied

German Requiem voice parts on Cyberbass

Britten

Rejoice in the Lamb – Britten – YouTube

Rejoice in the Lamb – Britten – with rolling score – YouTube

Rejoice in the Lamb – Britten – rehearsal tracks on Choralia

Rejoice in the Lamb – background notes Jan 2024

Boulanger, Lili

YouTube: Hymn to the Sun by Lili Boulanger

Christmas

Music:

Resonet in Laudibus

Hark The Herald Sop Descant

Hollyinstructions

Recordings:

Christus Natus Est R Powell – YouTube with rolling score

Christus Natus Est R Powell

Christmas Eve – Godfrey – Barnsley Youth Choir

Sans Day Carol – Rutter

Sir Christemas – Matthias

Hail Smiling Morn

Rutter Gaelic Blessing You Tube Cambridge Singers

Rutter Gaelic Blessing Tabernacle Choir

Suo Gan in Welsh – Bryn Terfel

Suo Gan spoken in Welsh by bass Dick Williams

Holly and Ivy (Gardner) – Huddersfield Choral Society

Silent Night arr Battiwalla on YouTube

Ring the Bells Tenebrae on YouTube

Angelus ad Virginem Wilcox – YouTube

Angelus ad Virginem Wilcox – Voice tracks

A Christmas Fantasy – Langford – YouTube

A Babe is Born – Matthias – YouTube

Mary’s Lullaby – Rutter – YouTube

Translation:

Suo Gan translation

Coleridge-Taylor

Coleridge-Taylor’s Summer is Gone – performance with scrolling score

Coleridge-Taylor’s Summer is Gone – rehearsal tracks by voice part

Coleridge-Taylor’s The Lee Shore on YouTube – very clear

John Fletcher’s mp3 files by voice part for The Lee Shore

Delius

You Tube: To be Sung of a Summer Night on the Water by Delius

John Fletcher’s mp3 voice part rehearsal tracks for Delius To be sung on a summer night

Dove, Jonathan

Dove’s Seek him that maketh the seven stars on YouTube – Tenebrae 

Durufle, Maurice

Durufle Requiem on YouTube with rolling score

Durufle Requiem on YouTube Trinity College Cambridge

Durufle Requiem Cyberbass rehearsal tracks

Esenvalds, Erik

Esenvalds – Amazing Grace on YouTube

Esenvalds – Evening on YouTube

Faure

Rehearsal tracks and recordings:YouTube recording of Faure Requiem

Faure RequiemYouTube recording Voces 8 (orchestra)

Faure RequiemYouTube recording with scrolling score (orchestra)

Faure Requiem YouTube recording (organ)

Cyberbass rehearsal tracks of Faure Requiem

Choral Line rehearsal tracks of Faure Requiem (need to pay)

Chord Perfect rehearsal tracks of Faure Requiem

Choralia rehearsal tracks of Faure Requiem

John’s midi files of Faure Requiem

Fincham, Paul

Ring the Bells (Fincham) – SoundCloud version – voice parts very clear

Ring the Bells (Fincham) – video about the new carol

Ring the Bells Tenebrae on YouTube

Finzi

Finzi’s God is gone up rehearsal tracks – scroll down for all voice parts

Finzi’s Gone is gone up performance on YouTube

Finzi: Lo the full final sacrifice – YouTube recording with scrolling score

Finzi: Lo the full final sacrifice – link to midi file rehearsal tracks

Gjeilo, Ola

Ola Gjeilo – Ave Generosa on YouTube

Ola Gjeilo – Tota Pulchra es on YouTube

Grieg

Grieg Hvad est du dog skjohn on YouTube

Grieg_1_for_upload – score with Norwegian underlay

Grieg – Ave Maris Stella on YouTube  and version with stave

Handel

Rehearsal notes for Messiah

Messiah Choruses on You Tube with score

Messiah Voice mp3 parts on Choralia

Messiah online parts on CyberBass

Dixit Dominus voice parts on Cyberbass

Israel in Egypt voice parts on Cyberbass

Zadok the Priest – YouTube

Haydn

Haydn Creation on YouTube

Haydn Creation voice part rehearsal tracks on Cyberbass

Haydn Creation voice part rehearsal tracks on Chord Perfect

Hensel (Mendelssohn), Fanny

YouTube: Schone Fremde by Fanny Hensel

Holst, Gustav

Lord who has made us – Holst Two Psalms- YouTube

To my humble supplication – Holst Two Psalms – YouTube

Holst, Imogen

Give ear O Shepherd – Imogen Holst  Three Psalms – YouTube

Be merciful unto me – Imogen Holst Three Psalms  – YouTube

He that dwelleth – Imogen Holst Three Psalms – YouTube

Johnson, Stephen

This Going Hence and Miracle Tree rehearsal tracks – go to 

Langford

A Christmas Fantasy – Langford – YouTube

Lotti

Crucifixus score 

Crucifixus YouTube recording

Mahler

Mahler 2: You Tube recording of last movement with moving score

Mahler 2: You Tube recording with Leonard Bernstein

Mahler8choirnotes

Mahler 8 on YouTube

Mahler 8 mp3 voice parts on Choralia

Mahler 8 on Choraline 

Matthias

A Babe is Born – Matthias – YouTube

Mendelssohn

Elijah voice parts on Cyberbass

Monteverdi

Beatus Vir score 

Beatus vir YouTube recording

Christe, adoramus te – YouTube

Cantate Domino – YouTube

Domine ne in furore tuo – YouTube

Mozart

Requiem voice parts on Cyberbass

Mozart Requiem score

Mozart Requiem completion by Robert Levin – exciting Proms 2014 on YouTube

Palestrina

Salve Regina score

Salve Regina YouTube recording

Parry

Tenebrae choir sing Parry’s Songs of Farewell on YouTube – fantastic quality

John Fletcher’s mp3 voice part rehearsal tracks for Parry’s Songs of Farewell

Choralia tracks for Parry My Soul there is a Country

Powell, Roephayne

Christus Natus Est R Powell – YouTube with rolling score

Christus Natus Est R Powell

Rachmaninov 

Music:

Rachmaninov Vespers movement 5

Rachmaninov Vespers movement 6

Rachmaninov Vespers movement 1

Rachmaninov Vespers movement 3

Rachmaninov Vespers movement 4

Rehearsal tracks and recordings:

Live performance of Rachmaninov Vespers on YouTube

Gorgeous version of Rachmaninov Vespers by a Polish ensemble

Recording of Vespers from USSR

Cyberbass tracks – Rachmaninov Vespers

Choral line tracks – Rachmaninov Vespers

Free downloadable midifiles for Rachmaninov Vespers

Reger

Reger: Nachtlied on YouTube

Rutter

GloriaYou Tube recording

GloriaChoralia mp3 tracks for each voice part

GloriaCyberbass tracks for each voice part

Rehearsal notes for Rutter Gloria

The Holly and the Ivy (Rutter) You Tube

Quem Pastores (Rutter) You Tube – Abbeydale Singers

O Clap Your Hands Cambridge Singers – YouTube

Te Deum Cambridge Singers – YouTube

Te Deum – Cyberbass rehearsal tracks

Mary’s Lullaby – Rutter – YouTube

Saint-Saens

Saint Saens Quam Dilecta on You Tube

Saint Saens Quam Dilecta Choralia tracks by voice part

Schoenberg

YouTube: Friede auf Erden by Schoenberg

YouTube Schoenberg Soprano 1 part

YouTube Schoenberg Soprano 2 part

YouTube Schoenberg Alto 1 part

YouTube Schoenberg Alto 2 part

YouTube Schoenberg Tenor 1 part

YouTube Schoenberg Tenor 2 part

YouTube Schoenberg Bass 1 part

YouTube Schoenberg Bass 2 part

Link to Schoenberg mp3 practice files in each voice part

Schumann, Clara

You Tube recording Abendfeier in Venedig by Clara Schumann

Shaw, Caroline

Music in Common Time – listen to the work on her website

Stearn, Thomas

For Music Like the Sea (Curlew at Redmires) rehearsal tracks – go to 

Tavener, John

Tavener Svyati on YouTube Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory

Tavener Svyati on YouTube BBC Singers

Vaughan Williams

Dona Nobis Pacem voice parts on Cyberbass

O Clap Your Hands – YouTube

O taste and see – YouTube

Verdi

Music

Verdi Requiem score

Rehearsal tracks and recordings

Rehearsal Notes Verdi Requiem 8 Mar

Verdi Requiem on You Tube

Verdi Requiem Voice parts on Choralia

Verdi Requiem voice parts on CyberBass

Verdi Requiem voice parts on Chord Perfect

Guide to Verdi Requiem

Walton, William

Cyberbass: Belshazzar rehearsal tracks by voice part

Belshazzar: Choral Line CDs by voice part

Balshazzar downloadable voice part tracks on piano from another choir – bar numbers at end of each file name

Fantastic recording of 2019 Proms performance Of Balshazzar with Simon Rattle  (note how much the singers all watch the conductor!)

Equally great live recording 1994 Proms Balshazzar with Andrew Davies and Bryn Terfel (again, see how they watch!)

Sir Adrian Boult version of Balshazzar via Spotify

Wilby, Philip

CD of The Holy Face from Halifax Choral Society via link on our website at The Holy Face. 

Rehearsal notes for The Holy Face 2 Jun 2019

Wilcox

Angelus ad Virginem Wilcox – YouTube

Angelus ad Virginem Wilcox – Voice tracks

Williams, Grace

Ave Maris Stella – Williams on YouTube

French programme 2024 voice part tracks (including of items listed separately above)

[/private]

Singing Opportunities

Please log in to access the Members’ Area.

[private role=”subscriber”]

    • Seeds of Hope: A Feminist Requiem 13 September 2025, St Mark’s Broomhill  The requiem was written by Penny Stone in memory of her amazing feminist mum, Sue Stone, and brings together the words of women from all over the world from 575 until the present day. Three workshops plus a concert, for further details check out the website at: https://singlouderthanguns.com/seeds-of-hope-a-feminist-requiem/
    • Spem in Alium on Saturday 4 October 2025 Martin Lightower will lead a day of rehearsing this fantastic work plus a few motets, helped by Helen Cowen, Helen Thompson and Kate Shipway. Split choir rehearsals in the morning at King Edward VII School, afternoon rehearsing in St Mark’s Church before the final run through and performance. To register interest see https://5from500.co.uk/spem-in-alium/
    • Messiah Saturday 11 October Open to all singers – a fantastic chance to explore Handel’s Messiah choruses. Tickets available now: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/bfcs/t-yaxypkp

Download the latest list of Come and Sing opportunities in our region, compiled by Phil Harrison. It lists opportunities to sing fantastic works with like-minded singers; link provided by chorus member John Morgan. Here it is: singing calendar issue – 18022025

Opportunities are listed for events in Buxton, Wirkworth, Chester, Nottingham, Derby and Leicester.

[/private]

Tour de France July 2018 – memories


[private role=”subscriber”]

Facebook page for the 2018 trip to France

Trois Concerts de musique chorale

Message from our President Rachel Copley

‘Looking back on the French trip, may I add my thanks to those given By Chairman Paul in the last update, obviously to Matthew Morgan (Bass and tour organiser / promoter)  and Darius (our MD), but also to Anne Adams, Graham Dawson, Helen Kirk, Paul Bedwell, and all who did so much before we went, with programme planning, sorting payments for transport, and purchasing suitable gifts for the French Choirs, and for keeping the wheels running during our exhilarating, if slightly exhausting, time in France! The memories created during the five days in France, will stay with me for a long time, from the warmth of the welcome of the French choir, to the joint concert in the Cathedral, and our ‘a capella’ concerts, with the wonderful reception from the audiences, all very memorable.’

Message from our Chair Paul Henstridge:

‘I want to thank all our members who took part in the very successful trip to Perigueux organised by Matthew Morgan and under Darius’ direction.  

We gave two successful concerts of our own in two churches to very appreciative audiences, which included two items from Darius on the organs.   We also took part in a joint concert in Perigueux Cathedral alongside several local French choirs when we sang three sections from Brahms’ German Requiem and the Messe de la Delivrance by Theodore Dubois as part of France’s Bastille Day celebrations and to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Our thanks to Matthew for all the hard work which paid off so handsomely given how all the arrangements went so smoothly. Our thanks also to Darius for giving his time and skills to make the trip such a success.   We should also thank the French choir members who generously put up members of the Sheffield Phil Chorus in their own homes.  Every one of our party were extremely complimentary about their experiences.

Several members asked whether we could make this an annual event.  So far I haven’t dared to broach this with Matthew or Darius!  It is, however, a testimony to how much we all enjoyed ourselves.’

Message from John Spence, who sadly had to return home early due to his wife’s illness:

‘I would just like to re-iterate my sincere thanks to everyone who sent me both email and text messages of support and good wishes following my sudden and enforced early return home from France.  There were really so many that I regret it has been impossible to answer them all individually.  I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you and sincerely touched by the content of your messages.  They gave me great comfort during a particularly difficult time.  Thank you, everybody, from the bottom of my heart.  The situation still swings wildly back and forth and one can never quite predict what’s going to happen next but we are now scheduled for further specialist medical advice and social care intervention.  Hopefully, it will all help. Kind regards to you all and have a very pleasant summer. John’

A News article about the French tour was placed on the Chorus website shortly after our return – see About us / News.

Singers

Sops 21
Altos 12
Tenors 4
Basses 8
Total singers 46

Extracts from emails sent by soprano Sue Pennington

We had 4 nights in the Loire on the way down. Very quiet, hot. Rode the bikes each day for an hour or two trying to get back into the swing. Then a long travelling day on Tuesday to get us within striking distance of Perigueux. A shady site and we found our first hill to ride up.

On Thursday we  came into the motorhome park in central Perigueux just on the river below the cathedral. A wonderful city with Roman sections and a mediaeval quarter.  The cathedral is sensational.

Friday

On Friday morning we met up with the rest of the Sheffield contingent  and four French choirs for the first rehearsal in the cathedral. The building is huge and the  acoustic is to match. It’s a  very porridge-like sound.

The morning rehearsal in the cathedral was followed by a coach journey of about an hour to a large  village where one of our members has a house. The whole place was en fete for a classical music weekend and we were the main act!  Bunting all over the village and huge banners in the church porch with our pictures on! We rehearsed in the afternoon then had tea on tables under trees in the village square before the evening concert. We sang a whole programme of unaccompanied music most of it very beautiful. Some Parry and Stanford church music along with spirituals from Child of Our Time and Hail Smiling Morn as an encore. Darius played some Bach. It was a great experience to sing in a chamber choir of only 50 or so. We had a good audience and a healthy collection at the end. Very late by the time we got to bed. Still over 30 degrees.

Saturday

Saturday was Bastille day. The morning was free so we rode along the river. There is a 10 mile long cycle track. The 2 pm rehearsal was quite mad. It turns out some of the French choirs are singing only the Dubois. One is singing just the first and last bits. Another mob are singing just in the Brahms. Turns out only we are singing it all! You can imagine the amount of  confusion as hundreds of people tried to work out the logistics.  Even inside the cathedral it was wickedly hot. We stood for 3 hours in  very cramped conditions with echoing porridge all around. There was just time for a shower back at the shack before an evening reception at a grand building in town. Food, wine, beer, speeches, singing. At 11pm it moved down to the river for the bastille fireworks. A impressive display. Another late night. Still  very hot.

Sunday

Jelly legs after the 4 hour standing marathon in the cathedral but looking forward to the day. An easy morning cycling along the riverside bike track then off to the cathedral  for  the afternoon rehearsal.

The city is gearing up for a massive night as France prepare to play the world cup final in Russia. Big screens going up in the streets. Flags everywhere.

The scale of the concert matches the venue. There is a Mass  commissioned  by the city from Dubois to mark the end of the war 100 years ago and rarely performed since. It needs 2 organs, which this cathedral has, plus orchestra and brass group so no wonder it is rarely done. Also on the programme is half of Brahms Requiem and a brass fanfare written for the occasion plus some organ stuff written by Darius. Also we are promised various local military groups marching with banners etc. Of course it coincides with the football world cup final so it might affect audience size. Wonderful soloists. The soprano is from Barnsley.

Inside the cathedral was even more confusion. The final rehearsal of the Brahms sounded more like a first run through.  However, enough people came through good for  the performance to be absolutely splendid. I have never been in the middle of so much sound!

When we came out the city was in uproar. We returned briefly to the bus for a hose down then went back. The streets were clogged with massive crowds of cheering people. The roads were full of cars with 10 or 12 people in each. On the car roofs and bonnets, half hanging out of windows hooting and cheering and flag waving. We found a rather quieter square for a meal. It took an hour to walk back to the camp. We fell into conversation with all sorts of complete strangers.

Around 5 am a huge storm started. Bouncing rain thunder and spectacular lightning. Maybe a  bit fresher on Monday.

A view of the Dubois concert from  the back row

We had a very weak grasp of the logistics of the concert in my area of the stage. The whole experience was full of surprises. We were always present and always standing more or less in the same place on the steps of the stage but around us washed what seemed to be an ever changing cast of other singers.

During each of the 3 rehearsals we introduced ourselves to more new people. At times we were so crushed we could not all open our copies at the same time.  At the final rehearsal, an hour before the performance, an enormous bass appeared amongst us as if dropped from the sky. A giant of a man. He was smiling but silent and immovable. He wiped out any chance some of us had of a view of the conductor. When we next returned to the stage to sing the concert he had gone. Like a mirage.

Although the Dubois was the main event there was also half a Brahms Requiem, a complex brass fanfare, a few readings and some veterans with flags. A packed itinerary. We sang the Brahms first but with only some of the French singers so this was quite  hard going in the porridge-like acoustic. The advantage was that any mistakes became mashed in with the echo. Three good soloists. The soprano was from Barnsley. Next up was the Dubois.

Some of the French singers seemed to have an innate understanding of the choreography which we never really achieved until we watched it happen during the performance.  We sang the beginning of the Dubois from behind the audience with a cast of thousands. During this item France scored in the world cup final and we heard the roar of the fans watching in the streets outside.  There was a fair walk round to the stage for the rest of the piece during which half the singers dropped out. For the final 2 pages we were re-joined by the missing singers. Darius extemporised  on the organ to cover the joins.

Now girls,  the dress code. We were in our usual things, all long and long sleeves. It was 35 degrees. There was  nowhere to change except the toilets of surrounding cafes. We were not looking our best. Many of the French singers re appeared immaculately groomed in chic little black dresses. Lace,  strappy, cool and elegant.

The Dubois mass is scored for 2 organs, orchestra, brass ensemble, chorus and soloists. No wonder it rarely gets an outing. Our performance featured 4 French choirs as well as ourselves.  Perigueux cathedral has the requisite  2 organs. One in the sky played  by Christopher who seems to be something of a local celebrity and and one at ground level played  by Darius who had also written some extra  bits for  Christopher to play. The choral parts are not complicated, sophisticated or musically very interesting but the piece is well suited to be performed in this immense space. Nothing subtle but loads of drama and big moments.

Somehow, out of all the confusion and heat a performance was wrought.  It was imperfect perhaps but just wonderful. An immense privilege to be part of it. Thankyou, thankyou to those who made it happen.

Itinerary

Thursday 12th July 2018

  • Make way to Perigeux (fly or drive)

Friday 13th July 2018

  • 10.30am – Tutti rehearsal in Perigueux  Cathedral 10.30 (for 10.45) until 12.00
  • 14.40 Coach to Excideuil
  • 15.45 to 17.15 Rehearsal
  • Tea time 17.15 to 19.15
  • 19.15 Line up for 19.30 concert Concert approx. 1 1/4 hour plus break approx. 21.00 end
  • 21.30 Coach back to Perigueux arrive 22.10

Saturday 14th July 2018

  • 14.00 Full Tutti Rehearsal Perigueux Cathedral
  • Saturday night Bastille Day fireworks

Sunday 15th July 2018

  • 14.00 Full Tutti rehearsal at Cathedral
  • WWII Memorial Concert that evening

Monday 16th July 2018

  • 17.45 St Astier Coach Leaves Perigueux for 1 Hour Rehearsal
  • 18.45 tea in St Astier
  • 20.45 Line up for concert at 21.00
  • 22.45 Coach returns to Perigueux

Tuesday 17th July 2018

  • Depart for the UK

Concerts

  • Friday 13th July at 21.00 – Le Eglise de Excideuil – Phil-only concert
  • Sunday 15th July Joint concert in Perigueux cathedral
  • Monday 16th July 2018 St Astier, Dordogne, 15km West of Perigueux – Phil-only concert

Music

  • Dubois: Messe de Delivrance (Perigeux cathedral)
  • Brahms Requiem Movements 3,5 and 6 (Perigeux cathedral)
  • Phil Only concerts:
    • Stanford: Justorum animae, Coelos ascendit hodie, Beati quorum via
    • Tippett: from Child of our Time Steal Away, Nobody knows, Go down Moses
    • Organ solo: Bach: Fantasia & Fugue in C minor BWV537
    • Parry: My soul there is a country, Never weather-beaten sail, There is an old belief
    • Interval
    • Esenvalds: Lielupe River
    • Part Magnificat (solo Boo Spurgeon)
    • Organ solo: (in Excideuil): Mendelssohn Sonata 3 in A major ((i) Con moto maestoso (ii) Andante tranquillo (Excideuil) or Fela Sowande (St Astier)
    • Saint-Saens: Calme de nuites and Les Fleures et des Arbre
    • Rachmaninov No 6 Ave Maria and no 13 Today salvation has come to the world

[/private]

Weekly Updates

Please log in to access the Members’ Area.

[private role=”subscriber”]

Scroll down for the latest weekly update, which will be uploaded every week on the date shown on the update (often Sunday but could be earlier). Scroll even further down for pdf files of each update for those who prefer to download and print it.

A short email summary of the update will be sent out each week; at the same time the full version will be uploaded here. If you  do not receive the email you should:

  • read the full version on this page
  • check you have informed us of a change of email – by sending a message to to ensure that your details are amended on the Membership database.  You need to do this if any of your contact details change, please!
  • check that your email is not mistakenly marking the update as junk and returning it to sender.  It may not even get as far as the Junk or Spam folder, unfortunately! To stop this, you need to add either or or the whole domain “@sheffieldphil.org” to your “safe senders” list if you can. If you use Outlook, open an email from Anne (or Marianne), then on the Home tab, click “Junk”, then “Never Block Sender’s Domain”. If you don’t use Outlook then look up how to set up safe senders for your email, either in it’s help facility or on Google. All emails are likely to have similar systems.

Updated Sunday 18 May 2025

Next rehearsal is Tue 20 May 2025 at St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church 7-9.15pm

This will be the conductor’s piano rehearsal of Creation with Matthew Hamilton, (see revised schedule http://www.dariusbattiwalla.com/currentschedule.pdf). If you miss this rehearsal, you will still be able to sing in the concert as long as you attend two of the final three rehearsals, ie 20 and 27 May and 3 June.

Rehearsal notes, recordings and rehearsal tracks for the Come Sing and Haydn’s Creation are on the website at Members Area / Rehearsals / Prepare the Music.

  • For buses to St Andrew’s, see https://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/.
  • Street parking BUT NOT CHERRY TREE DRIVE! Take bikes into the foyer.
  • Car parking spaces available by arrangement with Anne Adams only
  • Toilets at front of church, through doors either side, follow signs. Accessible loo in foyer.
  • All members welcome to The Stag after rehearsal, only a short walk from St Andrew’s. New members are particularly welcome so come along for a drink and a good natter.
  • Many thanks for your consideration regarding mobile ‘phone interruptions and distractions. Please nudge the person next to you if they get out their mobile during the rehearsal; it’s okay in emergencies of course but please leave the room.

Arrangements for the Come and Sing Day (two attachments)

Arrangements are downloadable below and on the website at Members Area / Concert Arrangements.

Please check the singing list (see below) for the event and let your Voice Rep and Marianne know if you are on the list but unable to sing as soon as possible so we will know how many paying visitors we can admit on the day.

We have sold 38 visiting singer tickets of 80 available, and 24 of 40 free audience tickets. Please share the Facebook and Instagram that went out recently if you use those platforms. Please do some extra work at home on the repertoire, so we make a good impression on our visitors. Many thanks.

Chatsworth music

Thank you to those who have signed up to sing. We could still do with a few tenors!!! The music will be available soon. Information, including a list of the music and rehearsal dates, is on our website at Members Area / Electives.

Georgina’s workshops

Georgina’s pre-rehearsal workshops are in the room at the front of church 18.30 to 18.55. All welcome, new members especially. Workshops on 20 and 27 May.

Photos and artifacts from Bochum visits

Thanks to all who have said they will donate items for the City Council’s Bochum exhibition – much appreciated. Further items welcome – contact Anne Adams.

Rehearsal schedule

Full schedule is on Darius’s website at http://www.dariusbattiwalla.com/currentschedule.pdf, there’s also a link from the members area of the Chorus website (in Rehearsals). See also Diary dates (below and Chorus website at Members Area / Diary dates)

Diary dates (dates in italics are voluntary electives; attendance expected at all others)      

Confirmed concert dates and details, including piano and tutti rehearsal dates, times and locations, are posted on Chorus website as soon as they become available so that members can plan ahead, at Members Area / Diary dates 

2024-25

Saturday 24 May 2025 10.30 to 19.00 – self funded Come and Sing English Anthems in Upper Chapel. Darius conducting, Rachel Fright piano and Peter Shepherd organ. Refreshments and cake at break time (choir donations). Tickets for visiting singers online via SPC website Audience tickets FREE but tickets essential, get these online as well.

Sunday 8 June 2025 16.00, Haydn Creation, Matthew Hamilton and the Halle at City Hall SICS*. Conductor rehearsal is now Tuesday 20 May, Matthew can only come that day. Apologies but he has only just let us know. On-the-day rehearsal 11.00 to 14.00.

Saturday 12 July 2025 Chatsworth, 13.00 Elective event. Free garden ticket per person who signs up. Georgina Hulse will conduct.

2025-26 – all but two dates have now been confirmed (see below)

Saturday 1 November 2025, St Marie’s Cathedral, organ 150th anniversary concert. Jonathan Dove Seek Him that maketh the Seven Stars, Cassie White for music like the sea, Stanford Blue Bird, organ solo (Darius), Coleridge Taylor Lea Shore & Summer is Gone, Balfour Gardiner Evening Hymn INTERVAL Lili Boulanger Hymne au Soleil, Durufle motets, organ solo, Messe Solonnelle Jean Langlais (double organ). Soloists from choir. Neil Taylor, James Mitchell, Darius organists

Tuesday 9 December 2025, City Hall – to be confirmed

Saturday 13 December 2025, 14.30, City Hall (SICS) Carol concert with Black Dyke Band, presenter Josie D’Arby, programme to include a carol by Rachel Fright

Sunday 14 December 2025, 2pm cathedral, St Luke’s carol service – date confirmed

Friday 6 February 2026, 19.00, City Hall (SICS) Arvo Part Lament with Manchester Camerata

Saturday in April/May – Come and Sing event – date to be confirmed

Friday 9 May 2026, Crookes Social Club, SPC Ceilidh plus Pie and Pea supper, date confirmed

Sunday 7 June 2026, City Hall, 16.00 (SICS) Elijah with Halle conducted by Matthew Hamilton

*SICS = concert is part of the Sheffield International Concert Season

Darius concerts

See Darius’s website at http://www.dariusbattiwalla.com/concerts/concerts-2025.html

Reminder – what to do if locked out of the website

If you are unfortunate enough to be locked out of the website (usually due to typing in the wrong password three times), rest assured – it is set such that you can try again after just 5 minutes! The user name and password are at the top of every weekly update, including the short version that goes out by email.

Rehearsal tracks from Choraline

If you purchase rehearsal tracks from Choraline, please note that we have a discount of 20%. To claim, use code SHEFF and type ‘SINGER’ in the discount code on the basket page. If ordering by telephone, quote these when asked.

Singing opportunities

  • Seeds of Hope: A Feminist Requiem 13 September 2025, St Mark’s Broomhill  The requiem was written by Penny Stone in memory of her amazing feminist mum, Sue Stone, and brings together the words of women from all over the world from 575 until the present day. Three workshops plus a concert, for further details check out the website at: https://singlouderthanguns.com/seeds-of-hope-a-feminist-requiem/
  • Spem in Alium on Saturday 4 October 2025 Martin Lightower will lead a day of rehearsing this fantastic work plus a few motets, helped by Helen Cowen, Helen Thompson and Kate Shipway. Split choir rehearsals in the morning at King Edward VII School, afternoon rehearsing in St Mark’s Church before the final run through and performance. To register interest see https://5from500.co.uk/spem-in-alium/
  • Messiah Saturday 11 October Open to all singers – a fantastic chance to explore Handel’s Messiah choruses. Tickets available now: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/bfcs/t-yaxypkp

All up-coming opportunities for singing locally are on the Chorus website, along with a list of wider singing opportunities compiled by Phil Harrison and provided by John Morgan, in the Members Area, Information, Singing opportunities.

What’s On

Classical Sheffield’s website lists all local concerts: https://classicalsheffield.org.uk/events

What to do if your contact details change        

If any of your contact details change, including address, email or telephone number, please send a message to  to ensure that your details are amended on the Membership database and that you continue to receive the weekly update.

Weekly updates, Chorus & Classical Sheffield websites/passwords, WhatsApp        

  • If ever you don’t receive the weekly update, please read it on the website at Members Area / Weekly Updates.
  • The Members Area lists rehearsal details, rehearsal notes and links to recordings, concert and re-audition arrangements, as well as dates for the following season, our official stage procedure, Darius’ rehearsal schedule, how to look after your voice etc.
  • The Chorus WhatsApp group is at SPC Social. Please don’t post personal or music-related details about other SPC members or ex-members without their permission!

Contact emails 

These are all listed at Members Area / Chorus Contacts

SPC Update for Sunday 18 May 2025

SPC Update for Sunday 11 May 2025

SPC Update for Sunday 4 May 2025

SPC Update for Sunday 27 April 2025

SPC Update for Sunday 13 April 2025

SPC Update Sunday 6 April 2025

SPC Update Sunday 30 March 2025

SPC Update Monday 24 March 2025

SPC Update Wednesday 19 March 2025

SPC Update Sunday 16 March 2025

SPC Update Sunday 9 March 2025

SPC Update Sunday 2 March 2025

SPC Update Sunday 23 February 2025

SPC Update Sunday 16 February 2025

SPC Update Sunday 9 February 2025

SPC Update Sunday 2 February 2025

SPC Update Sunday 26 January 2025

SPC Update Sunday 19 January 2025

SPC Update Sunday 12 January 2025

SPC Update Sunday 5 January 2025

SPC Update Wednesday 1 January 2025

SPC Update 12 December 2024

SPC Update Sunday 08 December 2024

SPC Update Sunday 01 December 2024

SPC Update Sunday 24 November 2024

SPC Update Sunday 17 November 2024

SPC Update Sunday 10 November 2024

SPC Update Sunday 3 November 2024

SPC Update Sunday 27 October 2024

SPC Update Sunday 20 October 2024

SPC Update Sunday 06 October 2024

SPC Update Sunday 29 September 2024

SPC Update Sunday 22 September 2024

SPC Update Sunday 15 September 2024

SPC Update Sunday 8 September 2024

SPC Update Sunday 1 September 2024

SPC Update Sunday 11 August 2024

SPC Update Friday 18 July 2024

SPC Update Friday 28 June 2024

SPC Update Sunday 16 June 2024

SPC Update Sunday 9 June 2024

SPC Update Monday 3 June 2024

SPC Update Sunday 26 May 2024

 

SPC Update Saturday 18 May 2024

SPC Update Sunday 12 May 2024

SPC Update Sunday 5 May 2024

SPC Update Sunday 28 April 2024

SPC Update 14 April 2024

SPC Update 6 April 2024.docx

SPC Update 26 March 2024

SPC Update Sunday 17 March 2024

Rachel speech Awards eve

SPC Update Sunday 10 March 2024

SPC Update Sunday 3 March 2024

SPC Update Sunday 25 February 2024

SPC Update Sunday 18 February 2024

SPC Update Sunday 11 February 2024

SPC Update Sunday 05 February 2024

SPC Update Sunday 28 January 2024

SPC Update Monday 22 January 2024

SPC Update Sunday 14 January 2024

SPC Update Sunday 7 January 2024

Weekly Update Archive – for updates more than a year old

[/private]

Preparing Your Voice

Please log in to access the Members’ Area.

[private role=”subscriber”]

Members’ only information

Singing Exercises for Choirs by voice part

Maintaining quality

We are all expected to ensure that we do as much as we can to ensure that the quality of singing is as high as it can be, as expected from a regional symphonic chorus. Members may use the advice about looking after the voice below, and can ask for a session with Maggie Our Voice Coach at any time.

Members with concerns about how well they are singing or about their ability to sing in concerts, for example because of health issues, should speak to their Voice Rep in the first instance – see Chorus contacts for contact details. A supportive session with Maggie is likely to be arranged at the first available opportunity.

Looking after your voice

There is lots of information on the internet about caring for your voice. Most experts agree that you should:

  • Always warm up before singing
  • Hydrate your vocal chords by drinking lots of water a good few hours before you sing
  • Watch your posture – a “collapsed” posture limits breathing capacity and puts stress on laryngeal muscles
  • Don’t over sing
  • Get plenty of sleep and exercise.
  • Use common sense when you’re sick – don’t sing over a cold, and avoid exposing other choir members to your germs

The links below may provide useful information about caring for your voice. The Chorus does not necessarily endorse the information to be found on these sites, which are merely provided as a starting point for member’s own research.

Warming up

  • Yawn-and-sigh: simply yawn (take in air) with your mouth closed, then breathe out through your nose as if you are sighing. This helps relax your voice and improve its range.
  • Humming is a good vocal warm-up; it doesn’t strain your vocal cords. With the tip of the tongue behind the bottom front teeth, hum up and down a major scale with your mouth closed. To educe the strain on your voice, include the “h” sound on each note.
  • Lip buzz (or lip trill): make a motorboat sound by making your lips vibrate as you blow air through your mouth and nose. You can incorporate pitch slides as well. You can also use the tongue trill if you can do it – rolling your R’s through your range from low to high.
  • Make an “eeee” or “ohhhh” sound and gradually glide up and down through a two-octave chromatic scale.
  • Siren: glide up and down to “oooo” from the lowest note of your range to the highest and back again.
  • Singing Exercises for Choirs by voice part

Singing Lessons and Exercises

Singing Lessons for Adults from English Touring Opera

Singing Exercises for Choirs by voice part

Vocal Exercises (Maggie McDonald, 2020, with Rachel Fright)

Specific Vocal Exercises (Maggie McDonald, 2012)

  • Guiding the sound  Word / PDF
  • Resonance and placement exercises Word / PDF
  • Quick technical reminders WordPDF
  • Technical route maps – Sopranos PDF

General Vocal Exercises (Maggie McDonald, 2010)

[/private]

Diary Dates

Please log in to access the Members’ Area.

[private role=”subscriber”]

2024-25
  • Saturday 24 May 2025 10.30 to 19.00 – self funded Come and Sing English Anthems in Upper Chapel. Darius conducting, Rachel Fright piano and Peter Shepherd organ. Refreshments and cake at break time (choir donations). Tickets for visiting singers online via SPC website Audience tickets FREE but tickets essential, get these online as well.
  • Sunday 8 June 2025 16.00, Haydn Creation, Matthew Hamilton and the Halle at City Hall SICS*. Conductor rehearsal is now Tuesday 20 May, Matthew can only come that day. Apologies but he has only just let us know. On-the-day rehearsal times to be confirmed.
  • Saturday 12 July 2025 Chatsworth, 13.00 Elective event. Free garden ticket per person who signs up. Georgina Hulse will conduct.
2025-26 – all but two dates have now been confirmed (see below)
  • Saturday 1 November 2025, St Marie’s Cathedral, organ 150th anniversary concert. Jonathan Dove Seek Him that maketh the Seven Stars, Cassie White for music like the sea, Stanford Blue Bird, organ solo (Darius), Coleridge Taylor Lea Shore & Summer is Gone, Balfour Gardiner Evening Hymn INTERVAL Lili Boulanger Hymne au Soleil, Durufle motets, organ solo, Messe Solonnelle Jean Langlais (double organ). Soloists from choir. Neil Taylor, James Mitchell, Darius organists
  • Tuesday 9 December 2025, City Hall – to be confirmed
  • Saturday 13 December 2025, 14.30, City Hall (SICS) Carol concert with Black Dyke Band, presenter Josie D’Arby, programme to include a carol by Rachel Fright
  • Sunday 14 December 2025, 2pm cathedral, St Luke’s carol service – date confirmed
  • Friday 6 February 2026, 19.00, City Hall (SICS) Arvo Part Lament with Manchester Camerata
  • Saturday in April/May – Come and Sing event – date to be confirmed
  • Friday 9 May 2026, Crookes Social Club, SPC Ceilidh plus Pie and Pea supper, date confirmed
  • Sunday 7 June 2026, City Hall, 16.00 (SICS) Elijah with Halle conducted by Matthew Hamilton
*SICS = concert is part of the Sheffield International Concert Season

[/private]

Preparing the Music

[private role=”subscriber”] Here you will find links to recordings of the music the chorus is currently rehearsing, as well as rehearsal notes where these are available. In addition, Education and Outreach Officer Georgina Hulse has put together some useful guidance to help members prepare for concerts by learning the music and rehearsing at home.

Scroll down for information about a free on-line sight-singing course, and for general information about where to obtain rehearsal tracks and vocal scores. SPC has a 10% discount arrangement for CD purchase from Choral Line – apply the code SHEFFIELD when you purchase CDs from them.

Here you will find links to music, rehearsal tracks and recordings organised alphabetically by composer, plus French programme and Christmas.

For voice-related advice about preparing at home, check out Preparing Your Voice

Resources for Come and Sing Choral Anthems 24 May 2025 and Haydn Creation 8 June 2025

Harris Faire is the Heaven

Faire is the Heaven YouTube with rolling score

Faire is the Heaven YouTube Voces 8

Faire is the Heaven – Choralia rehearsal tracks

Parry I Was Glad

I Was Glad You Tube recording with scrolling score

I Was Glad You Tube The Sixteen

I Was Glad Band Camp practise files

Parry A Blest Pair of Sirens

A Blest Pair of Sirens You Tube recording with scrolling score

A Blest Pair of Sirens You Tube St John’s Cambridge

A Blest Pair of Sirens Choralia practise files

Vaughan Williams Toward the Unknown Region

Towards the Unknown Region You Tube with rolling score

Towards the Unknown Region Choralia practise files

Haydn

Haydn Creation on YouTube

Haydn Creation voice part rehearsal tracks on Cyberbass

Haydn Creation voice part rehearsal tracks on Chord Perfect

Before rehearsals Get to know the score. For example, are there solo parts, does a particular voice part stop at any point, does the music divide at any point? Go through and make sure you know exactly which line you should be on, and mark where it isn’t clear. Clearly mark repeats and where they go back to a previous page; use a tab to easily find it. Have a look at where your note comes from for a new entry and join it to yours. Put tabs in for different sections of the piece to make them easier to find. Use paper clips to close off any sections that are going to be missed out.

During rehearsals Always bring a pencil. It is important to mark your score during a rehearsal,  and especially to record all the points provided by the Music Director. These are often compiled week-by-week by our Chairman Paul Henstridge into a very useful document. Click here for rehearsal resources (including Paul’s notes) from our previous concerts Mark all breaths. For staggered breathing take a whole beat out to take a proper breath. Mark where you are going to take it so you do it in the same place each time. This will help with learning. Make a note of any section that needs a little more work. Don’t rely on your memory.
More work at home Focus on the sections that you find difficult. Don’t try and get through it all every time, focus on small chunks and learn them well. Use rehearsal tracks (see below), a piano, or even your old descant recorder for the sections that need extra work. Read through the text in rhythm, especially for fast sections and when singing in a foreign language. This is just as important as learning the notes. It is very important to listen to a recording of the work; it will give you a good idea of the piece as a whole. You can use your score to help you sing along, or just listen to it as frequently as you can. You will find recordings of most classical works on YouTube or try the music streaming service Spotify.

Rehearsal tracks   Rehearsal tracks are designed to help you learn your voice part by listening to it in isolation and/or with the other voice parts in the background. Some are based on recorded singers and therefore include the words, while others feature the voice parts played on an instrument, so of course there are no words. You can purchase rehearsal tracks from Choraline, at choraline.com. These are great if you prefer to hear a recording of your voice part but they aren’t free. It costs £8.99 for a download, or £12.99 for a CD.  The Chorus has arranged a 10% discount for members; type SHEFFIELD in the discount code box on the shopping basket page, or say you’re a member of SPC if ordering over the telephone on 01285 644845. For just notes (no words) you could try:

If you have an IPad or IPhone there is an excellent App called ‘Learn my part’ by Steve Tyler; get it here. If you want to see what it offers and how to use it, have a look at this useful video.

Here you will find links to music, rehearsal tracks and recordings organised alphabetically by composer, plus Christmas.

The National Youth Choirs of Great Britain has produced a free online musicianship course to help singers improve their skills in rhythm, tonal centering, and intervals. Some of the video lesssons have worksheets or resources – find them at www.nycgb.org.uk/musicianship.
Vocal scores The Chorus Librarian, Els Pearse, hires vocal scores for members, which are loaned out in return for a small charge to cover the hire cost. Els often arranges bulk buys of popular vocal scores for members who wish to buy their own copies. Choraline has a huge library of scores which you can check out online; however, always check before buying a score so that you don’t waste money on the wrong edition.

Go to next page: Preparing Your Voice [/private]

Re-auditions

Please log in to access the Members’ Area.

[private role=”subscriber”]

Arrangements

Most chorus members are re-auditioned every three years.  The re-auditions are normally organised over three or four sessions in June and July.  They are conducted by voice part over a three-year period, ie, sopranos one year and altos the next, with tenors and basses in the third year.

Re-auditions are organised by the Membership Officer, who will contact everyone involved and ask them to sign up for their slots. People who are not able to attend during the main sessions will be accommodated at some other time, usually on a Saturday but sometimes immediately before or after a rehearsal.

Members who have not been heard after they have been called for re‑audition, may not sing in subsequent concerts without obtaining specific permission from the Music Director.

The re-auditions are held in various venues, often the same as the current rehearsal venue. A map and directions are provided at the time.

What to expect

Re-auditions usually consist of scales to establish if the vocal range has changed. Members will be asked to sing from something we are currently rehearsing or have recently performed. However, members who didn’t take part in the previous concert won’t be asked to sing a piece they haven’t rehearsed.

The real purpose of the re-auditions is to check that the voice is still in good condition, to see whether instructions re interpretation, pauses, breathing points etc have been taken on board, and to help our Music Director to choose a semi-chorus if necessary. Members will be told the outcome there and then, and given an explanation for the decision.

If any vocal problems are becoming apparent, the Music Director will explain them as best he can, and probably reduce the time between re-auditions to one year.  If the problems are more serious, members may be asked not to sing in the next concert and/or go for a session with our Voice Coach so she can advise the member and Darius on the best course of action, and whether a further audition will be necessary.

Darius is often asked at what age people should stop singing.  There is no general rule that can be applied: some voices are worn out by their early forties; a few last into the eighties.

For more detail about audition and re-auditions, please see the Chorus Rules

Preparation

Please refer to the general guidance and advice provided for chorus members at Preparing the Music and Preparing Your Voice.

For further information about re-auditions please see the Chorus Rules.

[/private]