NEXT CONCERT

BACH MASS IN B MINOR

7.30pm Saturday 29th March 2025, St Mary’s Church, Henley on Thames

We are still on a high from a wonderful night of music making to a capacity crowd!

Click on the link here for a selection of pictures.

More reviews and updates soon.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest works by one of the world’s greatest composers, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor combines monumental scope and majesty with deep emotional expression. Completed a year before his death in 1750, when the composer was already blind, it was never performed in his lifetime.

Drawing on a variety of musical styles, to create a work of exceptional richness and scale, the Mass in B Minor remains a defining example of Bach’s genius.

With a 100 strong choir, cast of topflight young soloists and a baroque ensemble led by Katie Holmes, under the baton of Musical Director Richard Harker, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience Bach’s transcendental masterpiece in Henley.

Richard Harker, conductor

Harriet Burns, soprano – “Harriet Burn’s voice is brilliant and rich, comfortable even in stratospheric heights.” BBC Music Magazine

Eva Gheorghiu, soprano – “Gheorghiu… sparkles.” Operatoday.com

Charlie Morris, alto – “Morris had show-stopping impact” The Times

Nick Allen, tenor – “… definitely a voice to watch out for.” Bachtrack.com

Jack Holton, baritone – “Jack Holton’s deep, rolling baritone carries with warmth and ease.” Cherwell.org

Katie Holmes, baroque ensemble lead

HANDEL MESSIAH

7.00pm Saturday 30th November 2024, St Mary’s Church, Henley on Thames, RG9 2AT

This concert was a sold out triumph! Pictures and review soon.

HENLEY YOUTH CHOIR “CHRISTMAS JINGLE”

5.00 – 6.00pm Sunday 8th December 2024, The Green Room, Marketplace, Henley on Thames, RG9 2AU

New singers always welcome!

Mondays at 7.30pm during term times, d:two, 55 Market Place, Henley on Thames RG9 2AA

Rehearsals take place on  Mondays at 7.30, d:two, Market Place, Henley.  There are no auditions. Come to a  free, friendly rehearsal and discover or re-discover the joy of singing with a big chorus. Tenors and basses especially welcome but we have vacancies in all sections.

The programme for 2025 contains some of the masterpieces of the choral repertoire.

• Spring  Concert 2025 Bach B minor Mass Saturday 29th March, St Mary’s Church, Henley on Thames
• Summer Concert 2025 glorious Mozart Coronation Mass, Beethoven Choral Fantasia, Haydn Insanae et Vanae and Pergolesi Magnificat – some real choral fireworks there! Saturday 21st June, The Christ Church Centre, Henley on Thames

See Join pages, or call Wendy Hawkins, Membership Secretary on 01491 576929 or simply come along on a Monday in term time. You will be sure of a warm welcome.

You can get a flavour of Henley Choral Society, including repertoire, workshops and past concerts from looking through the website. We look forward to seeing you soon.

A selection of past concerts

SUMMER SOUNDS

6.30pm Saturday, 22nd June 2024, St Mary’s Church, Henley on Thames, RG9 2AT

A packed St Mary’s Church enjoyed a colourful trip across continents and through time in Alexander L’Estrange’s joyful jazz-infused Zimbe! and Ahoy! Sing for the Mary Rose. Read the review here.

SONGS OF PEACE

7.30pm Saturday, 6th April 2024, The Great Hall, University of Reading

Our concert to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of D-Day, featuring Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem (‘Grant us peace’), Elgar The Spirit of England and Finzi  Lo, the Full, Final Sacrifice in a packed Great Hall, University of Reading was a great success with a wonderful audience raising over £1,000 for the Royal British Legion. Review here.

THE HENLEY BIG SING

Saturday 14th October, 2023, Henley Town Hall

What an absolutely amazing event this was!  Over 300 adults and children joined us to sing at the two events on the day AND you raised over £1,000 for Riverside Counselling.

Report and pictures here.