Weekly Updates

NEW and/or IMPORTANT ITEMS (scroll down for further details)

• Members Area: User Name member Password M4hler8D@rius22
• IMPORTANT – Chorus organisation and vacant roles
• Anyone find a green water bottle at City Hall?
• Sad news
• Jim Monach’s funeral Friday 27 June 2025 – final arrangements, seating etc
• Summer Sing Tuesday 15 July 2025 from 6.30pm
• Chatsworth sing on 12 July 2025 (attachment)
• Invitation to the launch of the Bochum exhibition on Sat 19 July 2025 (attachment)
• Chris Wiltshire piano fund-raiser 12 and 13 July 2025 (attachment)
• Dates for 2025-26 almost all confirmed (in Dairy Dates)
• Change of contact details – tell us via

Chorus organisation – please volunteer for the vacant positions if you can

A number of members have volunteered for key vacant positions which is fantastic – all will be revealed in due course! However, a number of important positions still need to be filled. The list below provides links to the relevant page about the role on our Chorus website, so please have a look and see if you can offer your services to help run and develop the Chorus. You will receive lots of help from committee members and in the case of the Secretary role, from Anne Adams. The committee meets around six times a year and meetings are enjoyable and never boring!

• Secretary – now a much-reduced role from that undertaken by Anne and previous role holders, as many responsibilities and tasks have been allocated to other roles. In addition, Anne will have completed the rehearsal set-up and AGM tasks, so the role will be more modest in the first year of taking over.
• Making Music rep – very modest role taking up little time, no need to join the committee
• Member Reps – members of the Chorus get four places on the committee, duration three years (though can be shorter of course). It’s the members direct line into the running of the Chorus and two of our three current reps are due to stand down in October, resulting in THREE vacances. Attendance at committee meetings and liaison with members are the only responsibilities.

Though not committee roles, we also need a Tenor Voice Rep and a Safeguarding Officer

• Tenor Voice Rep – NOT the same as Member Rep of the committee, and there’s no need to attend meetings, it’s more about checking the attendance and general wellbeing of members.
• Safeguarding Officer – a trained and qualified person who can deal with any safeguarding issues that may crop up. We don’t generally perform with under-16s so the only issues would relate to vulnerable adults. Jim Monach, the previous role holder, had no issues to deal with during his tenure; we would expect that to continue to be the case.

Anyone find a green water bottle at City Hall?

Did anyone pick up any lost property from our last concert at City Hall? Darius thinks he may have left a dark green water bottle somewhere around the ballroom. He’s tried the City Hall but they didn’t have it. Please contact Darius directly if you found it. Members Area / Chorus Contacts

Sad news

Jane Wade has let us know that former chorus member Sue Silcock died last week.  Sue was a prominent member for many years and may have held a chorus admin position at one time. She had been an Honorary Member since 2012.  Sue’s funeral is on Thursday 10th July, 12.45 at the English Martyrs church, 62 Cemetery Road, Mexborough, S64 9PN. There will be a gathering afterwards but, as yet, the venue has not been confirmed; we will let you know when it is.

Jim Monach’s funeral Friday 27 June 2025

• The funeral will be on Friday, 27th June, at 11.30 at Upper Chapel, Norfolk St, S1 2JD.
• There’s NO PARKING at the chapel. Bring your own water.
• The dress code is smart but “bright”, especially purple as this was Jim’s favourite colour.
• Please bring folders; the music will be:
  • Fauré Requiem – Introit – Kyrie, Darius to accompany and Georgina to conduct
  • Rachmaninov Vespers No.6 conducted by Darius
  • John Rutter – All Things Bright and Beautiful, conducted by Georgina and accompanied by Darius.
  • Hail Smiling Morn, conducted by Darius
• There will just be one rehearsal – a short one in the Upper Chapel on the day, doors open 9.30, please be in place by 10am.
• So, you should already know the music and bring your own copies of the Fauré and the Rachmaninov or borrow them from others, but copies of these two will be provided for those who have let Marianne know. Copies of the Rutter and Hail Smiling Morn will be provided for everyone.
• There is no seating plan (sorry Jim).
• When you arrive Tenors to sit on Left side of altar as you look at it, facing inwards, Basses on the right side of altar, facing inwards. You will have to sit very close to your neighbour.
• Sops on first 2 rows of pews to the left side, facing the altar, and altos on right side. Again, you will have to squash in.  For best use of space, we will have to move people around: please follow seating directions very readily on the day.
• After the rehearsal we need to be back in our seats by 11.15 when Darius will start playing the organ.
• When we sing, we will move in front of the altar, for the Faure, Rachmaninov and Rutter
• Be prepared to move swiftly and efficiently into place and back to seats between our singing sessions. It does not matter who you sit next to between sessions.
• Hail Smiling Morn will be sung standing in our sitting places as we hope the congregation will join in.
• At the end of the service when Rev Andi Phillips finishes speaking and Darius starts to play the organ, we need to file out before other people, quickly and orderly. Meet outside if the weather is fine as we do not want to block the entrance way.
• Music should be returned as you file out.
• If you have any questions, please email Kate Reece or Helen Eyre, otherwise thank you again for singing.
• There’s a gathering afterwards at Crookes Working Men’s club, Mulehouse Rd, S10 1TD – you MUST let Kate Reece know if you’d like to attend this.

Summer Sing Tuesday 15 July 2025 from 6.30pm

Arrive from 6.30-7.00pm at soprano Charlotte Liu’s large garden – Arcadia Landscape design, Long Lane, off Back Lane, Stephen Hill S10 5PY. Charlotte’s garden is next door to the Holly Hagg Community Farm; see their website for directions, bus information etc. https://hollyhagg.org.uk/holly-hagg-directions/

• Please let Helen Kirk know if you are hoping to attend either via the WhatsApp group or by email
• Please bring
  • something savoury or sweet to bring and share. Ideally please let Helen know whether it is savoury or sweet so that she can try to get a balance. Please label food which contains Gluten or nuts
  • sealable containers for transportation
  • your own drinks which you may choose to share with friends
  • camping chairs
  • rugs
• Helen will provide soft drinks, paper plates, napkins, disposable beakers
• We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes as the paths are uneven in places.
• There is no parking at the site. Street parking on Long Lane. Car sharing advised.
• If the weather is inclement please refer to the WhatsApp group or email Helen; however there’s a poly tunnel if it rains so the event is unlikely to be cancelled.

Here is a link to information and photos of the garden, which was featured in BBC Gardener’s World. Doug & Charlotte (@arcadia_landscape_design) • Instagram photos and videos Hope to see you there!

Chatsworth sing on 12 July 2025 – see attachment at Garden Entertainment – Rose Garden

• Thank you to those who have signed up to sing, and to Georgina Hulse who will conduct. We could still do with a few tenors – contact Georgina if you are free and can sing.
• The music list is on our website at Members Area / Electives and copies will be available at the first of two rehearsals, on Tuesday 1 and 8 July 2025 at St Andrews.
• Note that the venue has changed to the Rose Garden, unless the weather dictates otherwise. They’re supplying 10 chairs for anyone who needs to sit while we wait or during the performance, which is just 30 mins.
• The attachment tells us where to meet and what to do on the day.

Invitation to the launch of the Bochum exhibition on Sat 19 July 2025 – see attachment at Invitation

The council invites members of the choir to the upcoming opening event for the exhibition celebrating 75 years of the twinning of Sheffield and Bochum. The event will take place on Saturday 19th July 13:00 – 15:00 in the Carpenter Room of the Central Library. There’ll be a welcome address by The Lord Mayor and an opportunity to preview the exhibition. One of the people who have been to Bochum many times will present the Lord Mayor with artwork given to us by the Bochum choir, and make a short speech about the visits.

The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with the University of Sheffield to mark 75 years of the relationship with Bochum. The invitation is attached. Please RSVP to by Monday 7th July to confirm your attendance.

More about Chris Wiltshire piano fund-raiser 12 and 13 July 2025 – see attachment at Chris Wiltshire July 2025

Chris Wiltshire’s next fund-raising effort will be on July 12th and 13th when he will be joined by Jonathan Lazell to play ALL of Schubert’s Piano Duets. Chris is the widow of ex-member Pat, who sang with the second sopranos for many years, and he and Jonathan are aiming to beat the £3,000 which was raised for Alzheimer’s Research last year.  The two-day event will take place at Chris’s home – 27 Hallam Grange Rise, Sheffield. See attachment for more.

Reminder – FaceNoise Choral Foundation Retreat 14 to 17 August 2025

New organisation FaceNoise, run by Tim Peters (ex-conductor of Octogenesis among other things) is organising a summer retreat from 14 to 17 August, in Hope Valley. There will be intensive rehearsal sessions leading up to a final performance, as well as pub socials, group meals, and a guided sound walk in the hills. Music includes Earth Seen From Above – Meredith Monk, Earth Song – Frank Ticheli, I Am a Cloud – Majel Connery, Ave Generosa & O Pastor Animarum – Hildegard von Bingen, The Hills – John Ireland, The Bluebird with Soundscape – Charles Villiers Stanford and Le Chant des Oiseaux – Clément Janequin. You need to be comfortable reading music. To keep costs manageable, the retreat will be DIY-style, ie participants arrange their own lodging and meals. For more details and to sign up, please visit our website: https://www.facenoise.org/facenoise-singers

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 12 July 2025 Chatsworth, 13.00 Elective event. Free garden ticket per person who signs up. Georgina Hulse will conduct.
• Tuesday 15 July 2025 – Summer Sing, from 6.30pm. Bring and share – and sing – in Charlotte’s gorgeous garden.

2025-26 – all but the Come Sing date now 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 (second prize winner in the Young Composer Competition) for music like the sea, Stanford Blue Bird, organ solo (Darius), Coleridge Taylor Lea Shore & Summer is Gone, Balfour Gardiner Evening HymnINTERVAL Lili Boulanger Hymne au Soleil, Durufle motets, organ solo, Jean Langlais Messe Solonnelle (double organ). Soloists from choir. Organists: Neil Taylor, James Mitchell and Darius. There will be seating for the choir when we’re not singing (and for those who need it on the altar).
• Tuesday 9 December 2025, City Hall. Halle orchestra live accompaniment to big-screen showing of the film “Home Alone”; we’ll sing the main theme and the in-film carols
• Saturday 13 December 2025, 30, City Hall (SICS) Carol concert with Black Dyke Band, BBC presenter Josie D’Arby, programme to include a carol composed 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 PartLament 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) Elijahwith 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

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 Sunday22 June 2025

• Chris Wiltshire July 2025

SPC Update for Friday 13 June 2025

• Garden Entertainment – Rose Garden
• Invitation to Bochum exhibition launch

SPC Update for Sunday 8 June 2025