We were especially pleased to be joined by workplace choir Nota Bene from Stevens & Bolton for the two Ubi caritas settings by Duruflé and Ola Gjeilo, filling the church with a rich, combined sound. Soprano saxophonist Izzy Ritchie brought a haunting lyricism to Jessica Curry’s Close Mine Eyes, and pianist Matthew Rickard’s sensitive playing underpinned everything from Brahms’ Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen to Tarney’s The Silver Swan and beyond. Their contributions helped lift spirits and made the evening feel like far more than “just another” January concert.

Audience feedback was wonderfully generous. One listener wrote: “what a wonderful evening of music… such a privilege to hear the calibre of singing that your wonderful choir always delivers… the repertoire was stunning and technically so hard, yet an absolute joy to listen to, executed sublimely.” Others described it as “a cleverly designed programme… with great music sung with immense musicality”, praising the “accuracy, pure tone and dynamic range” and the spoken introductions that helped bring the pieces to life. We came away deeply encouraged by such warm responses and grateful to everyone who braved the January weather to share this reflective and inspiring evening with us.

Sing Alleluia

On Friday 19 December 2025 we returned to Holy Trinity Church, Guildford, for our annual Christmas concert, “Sing Alleluia”. It was a chance to revisit the festive favourites our audience loves, mixing reflective choral pieces with well-known carols to sing together.

We opened with Clive Osgood’s Hodie Christus natus est and Richard Allain’s In the bleak mid-winter, setting a warm, contemplative tone before moving into more rhythmic sparkle with Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, given extra drive and colour by Hayden Cook on snare drum. We were also delighted to welcome back Nota Bene, the in-house choir from Stevens & Bolton, whose performances of Sally Beamish’s In the Stillness and James Lister’s Away in a Manger brought poise and intimacy to the programme.

A real highlight of the evening was the first appearance of Grovelands Primary School Choir. Their joyful performances of Somewhere in My Memory and Sparkle and Shine lit up the church and clearly meant a great deal to them and their families. We had many appreciative comments from Grovelands parents afterwards, saying what a wonderful experience it had been for the children to sing in such a setting.

Audience carols including God rest you merry, gentlemen, O little town of Bethlehem and Hark! the herald angels sing helped to weave everyone into the music-making, before we rounded off the night with McCartney’s Wonderful Christmastime, John Rutter’s Jesus Child and the traditional We wish you a merry Christmas.

One member of the audience told us that the concert “just was Christmas – thank you for the beautiful music”, while another said “it kicks off Christmas for us.”

Through interval drinks, mince pies and a raffle we were also able to raise funds for Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey, our charity partner for the evening.

With Daniel Hill’s expert accompaniment and Amy Bebbington’s inspiring direction, the concert felt like a truly uplifting way to begin the Christmas season, and we are very grateful to everyone who came to share it with us.

Carols by Candlelight

On Sunday 14 December we were delighted to join Surrey Brass at the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington for Carols by Candlelight – an evening of music and storytelling for the whole family. By candlelight, award-winning storyteller Giles Abbott wove the tale of The Elves and the Shoemaker between musical items, creating a magical atmosphere for children and adults alike in a sold-out venue.

Harlequin contributed Clive Osgood’s jubilant Hodie Christus natus est and Richard Allain’s reflective In the bleak midwinter in the first half, before returning after the interval with John Rutter’s lively Jesus Child and a festive Wonderful Christmastime. One of the highlights of the evening was joining forces with Surrey Brass for John Gardner’s Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, where choir and brass together filled the building with Christmas energy.

It was a real pleasure to collaborate with such a skilled local ensemble and to help share some Christmas joy with a capacity audience – we very much hope to return to the Landmark again in future.

I heard a voice from heaven

On Saturday 15 November at St Nicolas Church, Guildford, we joined forces with the Vaughan Williams Singers for the first time in a concert exploring peace, loss, faith and eternal rest. Our programme was framed by Herbert Howells’ impassioned Requiem and Parry’s powerful Songs of Farewell, and also included Barber’s Agnus Dei, Stanford’s God and the Universe, Ian Assersohn’s Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep and Pavane, Miškinis’ Angelis suis Deus, Alison Willis’ In Peace Eternal, Lucy Walker’s I Saw Eternity and Ēriks Ešenvalds’ glowing Amazing Grace.

Audience members told us afterwards that it had been “a concert full of special moments” and “a magical programme … delivered in real style”. Many were particularly moved by the first public performance of Ian’s Pavane and by the contrast between the gentle simplicity of In Peace Eternal, sung from memory, and the emotional intensity of I Saw Eternity. Several people commented on the warmth of the combined sound and the expressive direction, saying that together the two choirs created something even greater than the sum of their parts.

For us, it was a joyful and memorable collaboration with another like-minded chamber choir, and we came away delighted that the Howells, Parry and newer works alike seemed to stay with people long after the final chord.

Evensong and Conducting Masterclass

On Sunday 21st September, the choir enjoyed a hugely successful and rewarding day at St Nicolas Church, Guildford, taking part in a conducting masterclass led by renowned choral director Amy Bebbington. The event proved both enriching and inspiring for conductors and singers alike, offering valuable musical insight and collaborative opportunities throughout the day.

The occasion culminated in a richly musical Choral Evensong at 4.30pm, featuring a varied and thoughtfully curated programme. Alongside Rose’s Versicles and Responses, Howells’ Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis (Collegium Regale), and Bairstow’s And I Saw a New Heaven, the service also included Richard Rodney Bennett’s Good Night, Rheinberger’s Abendlied, Alison Willis’s In Peace Eternal, and Bairstow’s setting of Psalm 63. The result was a service of great depth and beauty, warmly received by the congregation and a fitting conclusion to an exceptional day of music-making.

Reflect and Inspire

In May 2025, Harlequin captivated a full audience at St. Christopher’s during the Haslemere Festival with a vibrant programme uniting timeless choral masterworks and striking contemporary compositions. Works by Tallis, Brahms, Rachmaninov, Mozart, and Stanford were set alongside twenty-first-century reflections on classic texts by Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Gareth Treseder, Lucy Walker, and Oli Tarney. Insightful introductions from choir members enriched the listening experience, drawing connections between eras and styles. Warmly received, the performance affirmed the choir’s reputation for presenting programmes that both celebrate the choral tradition and inspire audiences with fresh musical perspectives. We look forward to participating in future programmes in the festival.

A Wonderful Christmastime

On Friday, 13th December, Harlequin Chamber Choir delivered a truly memorable evening of music, launching the festive season with a perfect blend of reflection, joy, and celebration. The concert opened with Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium, a sublime and atmospheric performance that immediately drew the audience into the meaning and wonder of Advent and Christmas.

After the two settings of Adam Lay Ybounden; Laura Sheils’ contemporary, rhythmically vibrant arrangement and Boris Ord’s timeless interpretation, Nota Bene (Stevens & Bolton in-house choir), brought a delightful touch of humour and charm to the evening, particularly with Ian Assersohn’s Deck the Hall. Their creative use of props and light-hearted delivery had the audience laughing and clapping along.

Harlequin continued to shine throughout the programme, with Bob Chilcott’s Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, featuring three pairs of superb soloist, standing out as a highlight, its delicate harmonies setting a serene tone for the second half.

Another poignant moment came with Tavener’s The Lamb, dedicated to the memory of former Harlequin tenor Tim, who passed away last year, and brought a moment of reflection to the evening.

The audience too, played a vital part, enthusiastically joining in with traditional carols that added warmth and a sense of community to the evening.

Unfortunately the Senior Singing Squad from St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School were unable to perform due to illness but Harlequin stepped in with a lively and spirited rendition of David Willcocks’ Jingle Bells, ensuring the festive cheer continued.

The evening also raised valuable funds for the children’s charity Momentum, and we are so grateful to everyone who donated.

With Daniel Hill’s expert accompaniment and Amy Bebbington’s inspiring direction, the concert was a joyous and uplifting celebration, leaving all who attended ready to embrace the festive season.

Let’s fall in love

Choral Evensong

Sunday 7th July, 2024 , St Peter’s Church, Petersfield

Harlequin travelled to the beautiful church of St Peter’s in Petersfield to lead Choral Evensong. Music included Josef Rheinberger’s motet, Abendlied, Barry Rose’s Responses, Herbert Howells’ Collegium Regale canticles and Edgar Bainton’s exquisite anthem, And I saw a new heaven.

Retreat

At the end of the May half-term, Harlequin enjoyed a weekend retreat at Ripon Theological college in Cuddeston. This provide an opportunity not only to work on our upcoming performance repertoire but also to indulge in some of our favourite choral music. As well as music making there was time for socialising in the evenings and a walk to enjoy the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside.

Let all the world

17th March, 2024

A Merry Little Christmas

15th December, 2023

Appear & Inspire

14th October, 2023

Harlequin Chamber Choir celebrated some of the finest secular and sacred works from the early-mid twentieth century, including works by Harris, Parry, Finzi and Britten in the beautiful setting of Christ Church, Guildford

You’re the Voice

1st July, 2023

Three very different ensembles united – Harlequin Chamber Choir, Nota Bene (Stevens & Bolton law firm choir) and Surrey Rainbow Choir (Surrey’s only LGBTQ+ choir) – to deliver some storming, show-stopping tunes from the 60s to the present day.

Come and Sing Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle

Come & Sing
Music for Royal Occasions

Choral Conducting Masterclass

A Winter Day: Christmas 2022

Harlequin’s Autumn Teatime Concert: A Sacred Paradise

9th July 2022

We sang a short concert of sacred music spanning the 16th to 21st Centuries, featuring well-loved favourites by Bruckner and Stanford, interspersed with little-known gems by Aleotti and Wheeler. 

Harlequin Summer Concert: Chansons Françaises

9th July 2022

We sang a wide selection of French songs, ranging from the sixteenth century to the present day, and also enjoyed some well-loved piano solos. Composers included Debussy, Ravel, Fauré, Saint-Saëns and Poulenc.

Brandenburg presents Harlequin and Chantage

11th June 2022

Music Directors James Davey and Amy Bebbington are long-standing friends and colleagues, having both sung in Choros Amici, are practitioners for the Association of British Choral Directors and co-creators of the London International Choral Conducting Competition. They were delighted to be bringing their own chamber choirs Harlequin and Chantage together for the first time at St Stephen Walbrook, singing sacred and secular works to salve the soul.

Come & Sing Event — Vaughan Williams, Stanford and many more

14th May 2022

A wonderful time was had by all with delicious cakes, fantastic repertoire and glorious weather! We explored Vaughan Williams’ lesser-known Sun, Moon, Stars and Man, alongside his Mystical Songs and Shakespeare Songs. We also enjoyed Stanford’s motets, Janet Wheeler’s Beati Quorum Via, new OUP composer Becky McGlade’s Come my way, my truth, my life, Sarah Cattley’s recent setting of Ursula Vaughan Williams’ text, Western Wind and music from Canadian composer Eleanor Daley.

Sound, Silence, Stillness

26th March 2022

Harlequin presented its first concert of 2022, on the theme of sound, silence and stillness. As well as reflective pieces by Harris, Runestad, Hagenburg and Simon & Garfunkel, we were also very pleased to include compositions from the winners of our 2020 CoronaComposer competition. Click here for more information about the competition and the winning composers.

Harlequin Christmas Concert 2021

17th December 2021

Our Christmas concert, ‘Joy to the World!’ included carols and classics for choir and trumpets directed by Amy Bebbington. The concert featured Harlequin Chamber Choir, world-famous trumpeter Crispian Steele Perkins, and Tillingbourne Junior School Choir directed by Louise Djadali.

On Windover Hill

7th March 2020
Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Harlequin Chamber Choir, Corra Sound

Harlequin recently gave the world premiere of a new cantata by composer, Nathan James. On Windover Hill was inspired by the Long Man of Wilmington, an ancient figure carved into the South Downs. The music, scored for SATB choir and chamber orchestra, was performed in the beautiful surroundings of the 12th Century Boxgrove Priory in West Sussex and was attended by a capacity audience. The cantata also included two dancers from First Dance Studios and a number of readings given by Cole Moreton (author & journalist), Peter Martin (poet), Emily Jeffery (BBC presenter), Justin Hopper (author), and Philip Carr-Gomm (author) – pictured below. Our colleagues at Corra Sound also gave a rare performance of Goblin Market by Ruth Gipps, accompanied by the strings of the RPCO.

The choir also gave the first UK performance of Wyndore in 82 years, by Avril Coleridge-Taylor, along with pieces by fellow Sussex composers, Frank Bridge, John Ireland, and Thomas Weelkes.

We are grateful to the Arts Council, The RVW Trust, and The Ambache Trust for their support for this concert.

Photographs by Rachel Poulton