ABOUT US
Hertfordshire Chorus
Hertfordshire Chorus is known for commissioning new music, high-quality yet passionate singing, tackling difficult, rarely performed music as well as much-loved and well-known pieces and is one of the UK’s finest symphonic choirs.
Under the musical direction of David Temple MBE, our members give their all to singing, believing in the sheer joy and power of music to bring people closer together.
We perform not only in Hertfordshire, frequently in St Albans Cathedral, but also in major venues such as the Barbican, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, St John’s Smith Square and Sage Gateshead.
Our repertoire is hugely varied and has included Glass Songs from Liquid Days, Beethoven Missa Solemnis, Janacek Glagolitic Mass, Poulenc Gloria, Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms and John Adams Harmonium, critically acclaimed performances of Elgar’s The Kingdom and The Apostles. More recently success with a recording of commissions Codebreaker by James McCarthy and Ode to a Nightingale by Will Todd.
In 2017 we appeared at the London Jazz Festival singing Rio Amazonas by Roland Perrin and most recently, performed Bliss Morning Heroes and Britten Ballad of Heroes with the BBC Concert Orchestra, broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Honorary Patrons
The Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury
We are delighted that Lord and Lady Salisbury have accepted our invitation to become Honorary Patrons of Hertfordshire Chorus. Lord and Lady Salisbury live in Hatfield House, one of England’s largest historic buildings, and we have performed in the historic Old Palace at Hatfield House for many years. As well as annual Christmas concerts, since 2014 we have also made a number of appearances in the Hatfield House Chamber Music Festival at which Lord and Lady Salisbury have been in attendance.
‘We are delighted and honoured to become Honorary Patrons of Hertfordshire Chorus whose performances we have so much enjoyed during their visits to Hatfield. We much look forward to future visits and to being able to attend some of the Chorus’s other concerts’. Lord and Lady Salisbury
Bob and Megs Wilson
We have known Bob and Megs Wilson over many years in their roles as Co-founders and Life Presidents of the Willow Foundation, a national charity based in Welwyn Garden City providing Special Days for seriously ill young adults. Hertfordshire Chorus has been a long-standing supporter since first singing in one of Willow’s annual Christmas concerts, initially in Welwyn Garden City but for over 10 years now in St Albans Cathedral. We feel privileged to be able to support such a deserving charity in this and other ways and are delighted to have Bob and Megs as Honorary Patrons of the choir.
‘Our friends at Hertfordshire Chorus mean a great deal to us. They have supported our charity Willow at our Annual Carol Concert for more than 10 years. They lift our hearts and fill every corner of the St Albans Cathedral with their extraordinary harmonies. We are so grateful for their continuing support and are very proud to be Honorary Patrons of the choir’. Bob and Megs Wilson
Sadly Megs died in the last days of November 2023 after an extended illness. We will cherish our memories of her.
We are grateful for the generous support of these organisations
