2026-27 season
SPC is looking forward to another full season of fantastic concerts in 2026-27. We are the Resident Chorus at the City Hall and continue to enjoy glowing reviews. We are Royal Philharmonic Society Award nominees, one of four shortlisted for the Inspiration Award in 2024.
Saturday 17th October 2026, Upper Chapel, Norfolk Street, Sheffield
Come and Sing the majestic Brahms German Requiem
Following the success of our first three Come and Sing events in Upper Chapel, we plan to return to this wonderful venue to host another, this time featuring Brahms’ majestic German Requiem. Popular with choral singers this includes some wonderful choruses and is sure to attract many visitors, so make sure you grab a ticket as soon as they are available.
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 regularly as guest chorusmaster or conductor with many other choirs including the Northern Sinfonia Chorus, Leeds Philharmonic Chorus, Huddersfield Choral Society, CBSO chorus and Netherlands Radio Choir. Darius is Leeds City Organist and has appeared as organ soloist with the Halle, London Philharmonic Orchestras and the BBC Philharmonic, and he gives regular chamber concerts with members of the Manchester orchestras on piano and harpsichord. 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.
Timings are still to be finalised but will probably be: a 10.30 start, registration from 10am, with the morning session running to 12.30 including a break for tea or coffee and a range of delicious cakes (included in the admission price).
We will re-commence at 2pm, giving time for participants to have lunch in one of the many varied eateries in the city centre. The afternoon session will run until 4.30pm, with another generous break for tea in town, until the FREE performance for family and friends at 6pm. Scores will be provided for those who don’t have their own.
Tickets £25 for singing visitors BOOK SINGING VISITOR TICKETS 6pm performance free, BOOK FREE PERFORMANCE TICKETS
Information about joining the Chorus will be available; see https://sheffieldphil.org/membership-join/new-members/
Saturday 5 December 2026, 7pm, City Hall
HANDEL Messiah
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.
HANDEL Messiah
- Manchester Camerata
- Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus
- Laurence Cummings, conductor
- Georgie Malcolm, soprano
- Dominic Mattos, countertenor
- Guy Elliott, tenor
- Peter Edge, bass
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE and 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.
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
“Well done a lovely concert” Audience member
“Brilliant concert” Audience member
Saturday 12 December 2025, 2.30, City Hall
Brass and voice annual Christmas Carol Concert
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:
Sunday 14th March 2027, Verdi Requiem
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)
- Interval
- ORFF Carmina Burana (65)
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE and 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.
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
See What’s On this week in Sheffield on the Classical Sheffield website
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