- Five Fabulous Years for Hugh, our Musical Director
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Date Posted: Wed, 22 Oct 2025
This week marks a special milestone for Elmbridge Choir — the 5th anniversary of our very first rehearsal with our wonderful Musical Director, Hugh!
Back in 2020, our founder and long-time MD, Cliff, stepped down after 15 incredible years leading the choir. It was a time of big change — and, of course, it all happened during the height of the Covid lockdowns, when the only way we could meet or rehearse was via Zoom!
Cliff introduced us to two candidates for the role, and after hearing Hugh’s impressive experience (and glowing recommendation from Cliff himself!), choir members voted to appoint him as our new Musical Director.
For almost a year, rehearsals continued online, with Hugh leading us va Zoom until August 2021, when we finally met him in person for the first time. What a moment that was — after so many months apart, to finally sing together again in the same room.
Five years on, we can all agree that Cliff was absolutely right: Hugh has been the perfect choice to lead Elmbridge Choir. He’s stretched us musically, introduced us to exciting new genres, and shared his knowledge with patience, humour, and heart.
Thank you, Hugh, for five fantastic years — and here’s to many more to come! ?
- Hitting the High Notes at 20th Anniversary Celebration
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Date Posted: Tue, 23 Sep 2025
On Saturday 6th September, Elmbridge Choir marked a magnificent milestone with their 20th Anniversary concert, “The Joy of Singing”, a fitting title for an evening that was as heartwarming as it was uplifting. Twenty years to the day since the choir was launched in Cobham, the concert was a true celebration of community, harmony, and the power of music to bring people together.
From the opening speech by the choir’s Chair, David McLeod, it was clear that this was a tribute to two decades of dedication, passion, and song. The choir, known for its inclusive and joyful spirit, delivered a vibrant programme that reflected both their musical journey and the enduring connection with their audience.
Directed by the choir's Musical Director, Hugh Beckwith, and accompanied on piano by Emelia Noack-Wilkinson, the programme featured a carefully curated mix of songs from the choir’s repertoire: choir and audience favourites alongside exciting new pieces, each performed with energy and emotion. The audience responded with enthusiasm, contributing to the vibrant buzz in the air throughout the evening.
Towards the end of the event, Deputy Mayor of Woking, Councillor Rob Leach, took to the stage to share a few heartfelt words. Speaking of his love for music and its power to unite, he congratulated the choir on their anniversary and praised their ongoing contribution to the cultural life of the community.
The concert also supported a worthy cause, with a retiring collection in aid of White Lodge, a local charity providing support for individuals with disabilities. Carol Ellis, Community Engagement Lead at White Lodge, spoke of the work of the charity and a generous total of £550 was raised, underlining the choir's continued commitment to giving back.
The celebrations didn’t end with the final note – choir members were invited to a prosecco and cake reception, where the sense of friendship and pride was unmistakable. Laughter and memories were shared among those who have helped to make Elmbridge Choir what it is today.
In every sense, “The Joy of Singing” lived up to its name – a joyful, heartfelt evening that honoured the past, celebrated the present, and looked forward with optimism to the future. Here's to the next twenty years!
L-R: Deputy Mayor of Woking, Cllr Rob Leach
Elmbridge Choir Chair, David McLeod
Piano Accompanist, Emelia Noack-Wilkinson
Elmbridge Choir Musical Director, Hugh Beckwith
Mayor of Runnymede, Cllr Margaret Harnden
Mayor's Consort, Dennis Brown
- Tune in! Embridge Choir on Brooklands Radio
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Date Posted: Fri, 5 Sep 2025
Our Publicity Officer, Debbie Groves, was invited into the Brooklands Radio studio to talk to Charlie Cuozzo (pictured left) about all things Elmbridge Choir, and in particular our upcoming concert, "The Joy of Singing".
You can listen to the interview here
- A Dream of a Concert...!
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Date Posted: Mon, 5 May 2025
Hailed as one our “finest performances to date”, our “Spring Dreams” concert on Saturday 26th April at Holy Trinity Church in Claygate was, without doubt, a success on every level. With a programme leaning towards a more traditional - and certainly more challenging - choral repertoire than is typical of an Elmbridge Choir concert, our audience nevertheless appeared captivated from start to finish!
The choir deserves to be delighted with such a performance; warm, dulcet tones and confident harmonies combined to create a lush, full-bodied sound. The soloists and small group singers who fearlessly stepped up to the microphones throughout the evening should be congratulated for their polished performances, as should our compere for the evening, Sara, who warmly welcomed the audience and ensured the evening flowed.
The fact that the choir is now able to confidently master more difficult pieces, several of which were unaccompanied, is testament to the hard work and dedication of both the choir and Musical Director, Hugh Beckwith. Hugh deserves special mention not only for boldly challenging us with some tricky pieces, but also for his superb direction in rehearsal and in concert as he confidently and skilfully guided us through tender moments as well as soaring, dramatic passages, clearly portraying the emotion of each piece and moving several audience members to tears.
One of the standout features of the concert were the smooth piano transitions between pieces, executed brilliantly by Harry Baker. The audience was mesmerised as each song effortlessly led into the next. Sadly, this was Harry’s last concert with Elmbridge Choir and he will be missed greatly. Even the Mayor of Elmbridge, Cllr Neil Houston, in his speech, pleaded with Harry to stay on, jesting that he had been asked by the choir to pass a law to make him stay!
Hannah Liles, Head of Development from our beneficiary charity, Painshill Trust’s Education Access Fund, spoke passionately about the charity’s mission to provide access to Painshill for vulnerable children and in-need schools. The generous retiring collection of £675.15 will enable 67 school children to attend a school trip which would have otherwise been out of reach.
Of course, we couldn’t step completely away from our usual repertoire, and the concert ended on a lively note with a medley of no less than 15 songs from The Beatles, with our audience needing little encouragement to join in lustily with the final song, “Hey Jude”.
All in all, a magnificent evening which left us buoyant and very much looking forward to learning the repertoire for our 20th Anniversary concert on Saturday 6th September.
- AGM is a resounding success!
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Date Posted: Wed, 16 Apr 2025
Elmbridge Choir's Annual General Meeting, held on Tuesday 15th April, was met with great enthusiasm from choir members. The first AGM led by incoming chair, David McLeod, was well-attended, with a full house of members coming together to hear from the committee team about the year’s highlights and ongoing efforts in various areas of the choir’s operations: Financial, Membership, Concerts, Publicity and Social.
The choir’s Musical Director, Hugh Beckwith, spoke with passion and pride about the choir’s continued improvement and of his plans for the choir’s future musical direction. Two new members were warmly welcomed to the committee, and the existing committee members were thanked for their commitment and contribution to the running of the choir.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation to outgoing chairperson, Amanda Fisackerly, in recognition of her many years’ dedication and service to the choir. Nigel Scott, Elmbridge Choir’s Honorary President, spoke of how Amanda’s leadership over recent years has played a significant role in the choir's continuing success, and, on behalf of the members, expressed deep appreciation for her hard work, commitment, and passion with a presentation of gifts, which included an engraved trophy, a framed certificate, a generous collection and two potted plants. Amanda was also delighted to receive a letter from the Mayor of Elmbridge, Cllr Neil Houston, in appreciation of her services to the Borough of Elmbridge. Amanda thanked the members for their support during her tenure.
As well as providing valuable insights into the hard work and ‘behind the scenes’ activities over the past year, the AGM provided an opportunity to strengthen the sense of community and involvement within the choir and set the stage for an exciting future.
- Elmbridge Choir: On Song for Two Decades!
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Date Posted: Sat, 15 Mar 2025
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In September this year, Elmbridge Choir will celebrate a remarkable milestone – 20 years of bringing people together through the joy of music!
Since its founding in 2005 by Cliff van Tonder, Elmbridge Choir has been a musical force in the community, inspiring audiences with its uplifting performances and charitable spirit. Choir members will no doubt agree that Elmbridge Choir offers a sense of belonging that extends far beyond the rehearsal room. The shared experience of making music together, coupled with the many varied performance and social opportunities offered, create a lasting sense of camaraderie among members, and it is a testament to this that many of the choir’s original members are still enjoying their weekly rehearsal some 20 years later!
How many can you spot in both photographs, taken nearly 20 years apart?
With a steady flow of new voices, the energy and dedication of the choir’s Musical Director, Hugh Beckwith, a hardworking committee and team of volunteers inspired by the endless passion and enthusiasm of its c100 members, the choir looks set to continue for at least another 20 years! But for this year, the choir has several celebratory events lined up......
Elmbridge Choir will be performing a special 20th Anniversary Concert, aptly named “The Joy of Singing”, on their official anniversary, Saturday 6th September, at Church of the Good Shepherd in Pyrford, Woking, where supporters old and new will be able to enjoy some of the choir’s favourite songs from the last 20 years, together with some great celebratory pieces! Known for their enjoyment of a good party, choir members will continue the celebrations with a dinner dance towards the end of September, and at the very end of November, an intrepid party of 72 will enjoy a three-night anniversary tour in Yorkshire, where they will perform this year's Christmas repertoire before unveiling it locally at the choir's Christmas Concert on Saturday 6th December.
What a fantastic year this will be! Congratulations to one and all!
- Cosying up at "A Winter Warmer"
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Date Posted: Fri, 27 Dec 2024
What a fabulously festive and joyous concert, and a perfect end to the year!
Our Christmas concert, "A Winter Warmer", took place with a full and appreciative audience.on Saturday 14th December, at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Pyrford
In a cosy, cabaret-style setting, our guests settled in with wine, beer and sumptious festive grazing boxes, seated at round tables adorned with ambient lighting, and were treated to a wonderful programme of seasonal choral pieces, led by Musical Director Hugh Beckwith and accompanied on piano by Harry Baker. Around 80 members of the choir performed several new seasonal pieces alongside some old favourites (given a bit of a jazzy and - in one case - gospel twist!), and a couple of traditional carols which the audience joined in with gusto!
It was the first public outing of a version of a traditional carol, "Wassail", arranged especially for Elmbridge Choir by Charlie Perry , a friend and musical colleague of Hugh. We were thrilled that Charlie joined us for the evening to hear his composition performed for the first time. The choir also performed a carol which was selected as a finalist in the BBC Radio 3 Carol Competition in 2022, Set to a poem by Niall Campbell, "A Winter's Brightening", written by local composer and professional freelance singer, Donna Deam, the piece conjures up a mood of love, winter, warmth, cosiness and hope - perfectly fitting for "A Winter Warmer".
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oining us for the evening were the Mayor and Mayoress of Elmbridge (Cllr Neil Houston and Veronica Houston), the Mayor of Woking (Cllr Louise Morales), and Andy Robertson from Rentstart, our beneficiary charity which supports those experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Following the concert, Andy wrote "I had a really lovely time on Saturday, the whole event was excellent and the choir were amazing! We raised £650 on the door, which I am really happy with!".
- Special Christmas Visitors
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Date Posted: Sun, 8 Dec 2024
What an exuberant night! The penultimate rehearsal for our Christmas concert saw our MD Hugh Beckwith and a full house of excited choir members welcome some very special guests indeed.
We felt privileged (and a little anxious!) to perform “The Winter’s Brightening” to the song’s composer, Donna Deam, who said she thought we sounded wonderful. Giving us some really helpful tips and suggestions she said she was ‘inspired by our enthusiasm’. Donna's composition was a finalist in the BBC Radio 3 Carol Competition in 2022 and we are delighted to be performing it.
Joining us from Elmbridge Borough Council was Arts Development Officer, Leah Zakss, who said she was excited to be in a room with so many singers! (Well, there are nearly 100 of us!) We are excited to have received an invitation to perform at Elmbridge Borough Council’s Festive Event and are looking forward to singing in the gallery of the council chambers!
Our super-talented and simply superb concert accompanist, Harry Baker, joined us for a pre-concert rehearsal, skilfully mastering complicated pieces on sight with ease, and leaving us all in awe! Bravo Harry!
And Hugh, unfazed by our illustrious guests, was his charming, warm, engaging and funny self, gently and cleverly coaxing us to perform to our best, as only he can do!
Such a brilliant rehearsal, full of enthusiasm, warmth, joy and, perhaps most most importantly, humour!
- Supporting the Rentstart Sleepout 2024
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Date Posted: Sat, 7 Dec 2024
We were delighted to be invited to support the Rentstart Sleepout 2024, when around 75 local people hunkered down in their bed for the night - a large cardboard box - to help raise funds for those experiencing homelessness or vulnerably housed.
There was a buzz in the air as we performed two sets: one jolly and uplifting, the other more reflective, and as people started to settle down for the evening, the reality hit as we all remembered why we were there.
But while most of us went home to a warm bed, one brave choir member, Richard, crawled into his sleeping bag, laid down on a cardboard box and joined the other hardy souls sleeping under the stars to raise funds for Rentstart. Richard's efforts alone raised around £600, and the event as a whole raised more than £20,000! Well done to everyone involved for an incredible awareness-raising and fundraising event.
- We Shall Remember Them
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Date Posted: Fri, 22 Nov 2024
It was an honour to be invited once again by Surrey County Council to lead the singing of the National Anthem at their Act of Remembrance. A group of our choir members enjoyed paying their respects alongside civic dignitaries and representatives from the Armed Forces and Emergency Services in the Memorial 
Garden at Woodhatch Place.Attachment: 
- Elmbridge Choir's Musical Director, Hugh Beckwith, reveals all!
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Date Posted: Mon, 28 Oct 2024
Don't miss this!
We're so thrilled and excited to see our Musical Director, Hugh Beckwith, featured in November's issues of Community Life magazine, in which Hugh reveals some interesting and insightful facts about his musical career.
Copies of this great free community magazine are widely available locally, or you can read the article here
It's a great read. Well done, Hugh!
- Elmbridge Choir hits the airwaves
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Date Posted: Mon, 16 Sep 2024
Never one to miss an opportunity to talk about Elmbridge Choir, Debbie, our Communications Officer, visited the studios of Brooklands Radio in Weybridge on Sunday 15th September, and spent around 10 minutes talking to presenter Dave Jemitus about her favourite topic!
You can listen to the interview here:
https://www.brooklandsradio.co.uk/podcasts/ElmbridgeChoir2024-09-15.mp3
- Harry Baker makes his mark on the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall
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Date Posted: Sun, 11 Aug 2024
Our regular concert accompanist, Harry Baker, is a long-time friend and colleague of our Musical Director, Hugh Beckwith. Harry is a supremely talented pianist and composer, working with jazz and classical musicians at the highest level, including regular collaboration with cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
We were delighted (and just a little proud!) to hear that Harry's music was to be featured at the BBC Proms this year. Harry arranged almost all the pieces for Prom 20: Songs and Dances with the Kanneh-Masons."Superstar siblings Sheku and Braimah, and captivating Brazilian guitarist Plínio Fernandes, perform an eclectic and surprising playlist from Brahms to Bob Marley.
The concert is made up of a range of music inspired by Sheku and Braimah’s inspirations and Plínio's Brazilian roots. With songs born from folk, reggae and soul, expect unique arrangements of much-loved hits such as I Say a Little Prayer, Redemption Song, The Girl from Ipanema, and Brahms’s Hungarian Dances.
The dynamic Fantasia Orchestra makes its Proms debut under its founder, Tom Fetherstonhaugh. "
If you haven't already seen this, it is well worth a watch. At the end of the concert, conductor Tom Fetherstonhaugh credits Harry with arranging the music, As the spotlight shines on Harry he stands to receive huge and well-deserved applause from the whole of Royal Albert Hall. What an honour and such a proud moment!
BBC Proms - 2024: A Kanneh-Mason Playlist at the Proms - BBC iPlayer
Congratulations to Harry on a fantastic achievement!
- Cabaret concert brings audience to their feet!
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Date Posted: Sun, 11 Aug 2024
A sell-out audience and a standing ovation left us in high spirits after an incredible concert at Holy Trinity Church in Claygate on Saturday 27th July 2024.
"Life is a Cabaret", featuring a programme of beloved songs from well-known musicals, was performed under the baton of our fantastic Musical Director, Hugh Beckwith, while our enthusiastic audience enjoyed the cabaret-style seating and delicious grazing boxes and drinks from the bar.
We were honoured to have the Mayors of Elmbridge and Woking join us, along with representatives from our concert beneficiary, Andys Man Club, a men's suicide prevention charity. Their heartfelt message moved our generous audience to raise an amazing £526.04 for the charity.
A special shoutout to our MD Hugh, who led us through a fantastic set and wowed the crowd with his solo of "Maria" from West Side Story. Our accompanist, Harry Baker, blew us away with his incredible piano improvisation, while we enjoyed a delightful ukulele accompaniment for "Over the Rainbow" from Simon Cushing, who had earlier welcomed guests with an acoustic guitar set.
Thank you to everyone who made the evening unforgettable!
- 2023 Prague Advent Choral Meeting
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Date Posted: Thu, 7 Dec 2023
We had a wonderful weekend reprising our inaugural Choir tour of 2008 at the 2023 Prague Advent Choral Meeting. This time we joined ten other choirs from Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Hungary and Croatia. We sang in St Nicholas' Church, St Michaels' Church and finally in the Old Town Square Christmas market.
When not performing we all enjoyed a Czech Folklore dinner with local musicians, a sight-seeing boat trip down the Vltava River and plenty of socialising, forging new friendships, reviving past memories and creating very many more new memories.
