Here you will find information relating to the Chorus response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Risk Assessment documents.
Rehearsals and Concerts Officer James Oliver, helped by Paul Henstridge and Ben Stone, has put together very thorough Risk Assessments for King Edward VII Upper School, Wesley Hall and St Mark’s, which must be read by everyone attending the live rehearsals.
Not quite yet – 31% (41) of whom 66% aged 60+, 77% high/mod risk
No – 18% (25) of whom 72% aged 60+, 80% high/mod risk
There were many helpful responses about what measures should be in place to enable a safe return to live rehearsals, all of which have been taken on board in drawing up the required Risk Assessment. Grateful thanks to all respondents.
Singer’s Masks
Some singers in the choirs that Rachel Fright runs have started using singers’ masks, which have a bit more space for breathing – basically the mask doesn’t touch the mouth and nose end. Here’s a link if members would like to investigate: https://www.funkymasks.uk/store/singers-masks Thanks Rachel.
Covid 19 Road Map – a route back to live rehearsals
Darius, Rachel, Maggie and the committee are planning a phased return to live rehearsals, using Government guidelines, and resources provided by Making Music. The plan aims to make sure we have done the necessary p[reparation well before we get the go-ahead to resume live rehearsals, so that we can act quickly when the time comes. Click here to download a copy of the
Bring and Sing Nelson Mass with Gareth Malone on Saturday 11 April 2026 at The Venue, Leeds Conservatoire. Leeds Song is delighted to welcome Gareth to the city for a second year, to train the Leeds Song Bring and Sing! Chorus in Haydn’s triumphant choral work, the Nelson Mass. Come along and enjoy raising your voices in uplifting harmony! See website for details: https://www.leedssong.com/whats-on/bring-and-sing-rehearsal-with-gareth-malone-2/
Sheffield Cathedral Sunday 12 April 2026. Harsnett Choir is looking for an extra soprano, tenor and bass to join them in singing the choral services at Sheffield Cathedral on 12th April. They’re singing some beautiful music, including Rossini O salutaris hostia, Casali Mass in G, Smart Evening Service in F, and Stanford Ye choirs of new Jerusalem. They’ll rehearse on the Saturday afternoon only and sing the services on Sunday morning and evening. Although some music is made available in advance, you’ll need to be a good sight reader and be able to cope with the limited rehearsal time. Knowledge of the liturgy is not required. From the choir: “We are proud of the standard of our music-making. Coventry Cathedral recently said that we “led with professionalism, enthusiasm and skill”. St Paul’s Cathedral said our services there were “beautifully sung”. If you’re a good reader and interested in singing beautiful music in the cathedral in its proper liturgical context, we’d love to hear from you.” You can find out more about the choir, timings for the weekend and the full music list on our website: www.harsnettchoir.org.uk If you would like to join or have any questions, please contact Ed at
Sheffield Youth Orchestra Community DaySaturday 18th April 2026, St Mark’s Broomhill. Alice in Wonderland. There will be a joint rehearsal with the orchestra from 3:00pm-4:00pm, for a community performance at 4:15pm-4:45pm. Please contact Kate Wilson on to sign up. The conductor, River Edis-Smith writes: “Our community days have received national recognition, being shortlisted for ‘Best New Project’ by Making Music in 2024. We usually have 100+ performers of all ages on these days to come together to rehearse exciting repertoire. Music is adapted and arranged to make it accessible to all players, regardless of standard and since our first community day back in September 2022, they have been free to participate in (but donations are always welcomed).”
Sheffield Oratorio Summer Concert 20 June 2026 “Please see the leaflet (below) about singing with us as a guest in the Sheffield Oratorio Chorus Summer Concert on 20th June. This promises to be an innovative, exciting occasion, with the programme inspired by the Summer Solstice and conducted by our new assistant director of music, Timothy Peters. It includes Ola Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass and other items that may not be familiar to many of us. Lydia Fielder Lord (SOC Publicity)” Summer concert 26 SOC
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 – 15032026
‘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
Scroll down for the latest weekly update, uploaded every Sunday but could be earlier. Scroll even further down for downloadable pdf files of each update. If you don’t receive the email:
read it on this page
check you have told us of changes in your contact details at to ensure your details on the Membership database are correct.
check that your email is not marking the update as spam or junk. To stop this, you need to add “@sheffieldphil.org” to your “safe senders” list if you can. Look up how to set up safe senders for your email, either in its help facility or on Google. All emails are likely to have similar systems.
UPDATED SUNDAY 17 MAY 2026
Dear member of Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus
Our next rehearsal is Tues 19 May 2026, St Andrew’s Church Psalter Lane, 7.00-9.00pm
We will be rehearsing Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Please check the Elijah Singing List 7 June 2026 (also see link below) as soon as possible. If you are not planning to sing in this concert and you appear on this list, tell . It is really important for planning and programme printing purposes that we finalise the singing list in good time.
See also the instructions and stands/sits for the Elijah concert at the link alongside, do ensure these are in your copy: Elijah – Instructions, stands and sits
Flyers for the Elijah concert are alongside – a pdf file which is best for emailing and two jpeg files (front and back pages) best for sharing on Whats App and social media. Please spread to friends and family. Elijah pdf fileElijah flyer frontElijah flyer back
Message from Ros Hobson
Thank you to all who took part in last night’s concert with Brigantes Orchestra in Sheffield Cathedral. Quentin Clare (Brigantes MD) was thrilled with the event and wishes to thank everyone for their hard work, musicianship and professionalism. Hopefully this will lead to more collaborations with them. Thanks Ros
Funeral Friday 29th May at 2pm at St Nicholas Church, High Bradfield, Sheffield, S6 6LG.
The Chorus has received a request to sing at a funeral, details above. The family of the deceased gentleman said that he attended many of our concerts and greatly enjoyed them. We will sing the hymn “How Great Thou Art”. A sign-up sheet will be available on Tue, please consider supporting this request.
Chatsworth Summer Sing in the Rose Garden on Saturday 20 June 2026 at 13:00.
We will once again be performing at this event; a sign-up sheet will be available on Tuesday.
Librarian Posts
We are looking for new librarians as Alan and Rosemary will be standing down at the next AGM. Please contact if you can help.
Feel free to have a chat with Alan or Rosemary to find out more. We want to find new people for the role as soon as possible so that there is time for job shadowing and learning. You would need to be able to drive, have access to a vehicle and be able to transport scores.
You would need to be computer literate and have access to a computer to deal with the ordering and returning of music and other music related tasks. Some space at home to receive music orders before distribution to the choir would be desirable but not essential.
Our music library is currently housed in the attic of Broomhill library. We are currently looking for a more accessible home for our library. If you know of anyone or anywhere that has a suitable space to house our library please let Jo, Alan or Rosemary know.
More volunteers needed to produce rehearsal notes, starting next season
We are looking for more volunteers to produce weekly rehearsal notes starting next season, so that those who have to miss a rehearsal don’t miss essential instructions. Please contact Secretary@sheffieldphil.org
End of Season Social: Sunday 7 June 2026, 6:45pm, book by 24 May please
The Forum Sheffield, 129 Division Street, Sheffield S3 7SB
Everyone who is coming needs to book in with the venue in advance, whether you are having food or just drinks. So, please use this link to book your place for drinks only (pay at the bar) or to book and pay for the buffet (£15 per person). You can book for yourself and your guests, or you can send the link to your guests for them to book for themselves. Book for end of season social
Parking for rehearsals at St Andrew’s: Please contact if you need one of the limited number of parking spaces we have available for those with access needs. We need you to do this even if you were previously on Jim’s parking list. As we are not the only group with access to the car park unfortunately we cannot guarantee spaces – so we advise you arrive early.
Website Members’ Area
The process for amending lost/forgotten passwords and lockouts is now self service.
Your username is: firstnamelastname (all one word)
Click on forgotten password here you can set up a new password using your email.
Charity Mozartathon, 6-7 June 2026 from 10am
You are invited to join Chris Wiltshire as he performs all of Mozart’s Piano Sonatas, Variations, Fantasias and Duets (with Jonathan Lazell) in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK. Drop in and meet the family at 27 Hallam Grange Rise, S10 4BE. Chris is dedicating this event to his wife Pat, a long standing former member of the Chorus.
Privacy Policy – Summary SPC uses member emails in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) May 2018, ie, only to help run the Chorus and keep members informed about SPC activities. SPC will never pass your data to third parties – if another member asks for your contact details SPC will only ever share them if you consent. SPC will never use your data to send messages from third parties. Weekly updates are uploaded to the Chorus website every week, however email is the easiest and quickest method of sharing information so we hope you continue to allow us to send them to you. However, you may unsubscribe by contacting . The full Privacy Policy is on the Chorus website at https://sheffieldphil.org/about-us/privacy-policy/
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.
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.
All season dates have now been confirmed, please see Rehearsal Schedule for attendance requirements
Sunday 7 June 2026, City Hall, 16.00 (SICS) Elijah with Hallé orchestra and Leeds Festival Chorus, conducted by Matthew Hamilton. Compulsory conductor’s piano rehearsal Tue 2 June 2026. Tutti rehearsal Sun 7 June 11:00-14:00
2026-27
Unless shown otherwise, dates have yet to be confirmed.
Saturday 17 October 2026 Upper Chapel all day. Come Sing Brahms Requiem. CONFIRMED
Saturday 5 December 2026 City Hall Handel Messiah CONFIRMED
Saturday 12 December 2026Carol concert at City Hall CONFIRMED
Sunday 14 March 2027 afternoon, Verdi Requiem for Classical Weekend – with City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra, tribute to Peter Miles
April or May 2027. Self-funded concert to include Young Composer Competition.
Get to know the score – are there solo parts, does your voice part stop at any point, does the music divide at any point?
Make sure you know which line you should be on, and mark where it isn’t clear.
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 to mark your score, especially the points provided by Darius.
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.
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.
Listen to a recording of the work; it will give you a good idea of the piece as a whole. 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. but there are always links to the recordings recommended by Darius at the top of this page.
Rehearsal tracks
Rehearsal tracks, where available, help you learn your voice part by listening to it in isolation and/or with the other voice parts in the background.
Some have words, others don’t.
Where available there will be links to rehearsal tracks at the top of this page.
choraline.com. These aren’t free. The Chorus has a 10% discount; 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.
Divageek; not easy to search but has rehearsal resources for some lesser-known works, so worth a search; https://www.divageek.org/
Other resources
If you have an IPad or IPhone there is an excellent App called ‘Learn my part’ by Steve Tyler; get it here. To see what it offers and how to use it, have a look at this useful video.
The Chorus Librarian hires vocal scores for members (£5 hire fee to cover costs).
The librarian sometimes arranges bulk buys of 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.
