From Past and Present choir members:
“Having completed my first term and concert with CCS, I just want to say how welcoming everyone has been – definitely one of the most friendly choirs with which I have ever sung. The after-concert buffet is unique and special”
“I had always wanted to join a choir but although I was in the school choir very many years ago, I didn’t have the courage to have a voice test. Joining CCS is one of the best things I have done. It is the one activity that I have stayed with. My mental health is very up and down and singing is my salvation, together with the friendship and support from other choir members. Singing has so many benefits, both mental and physical.”
The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins December 2025
“To Conductor Ben, Fiona , all you basses, tenors, altos and sopranos 🎶🎶
Not to mention the orchestra who were outstanding too and indeed the soloists.
The work you put in to this most challenging of works resulted in the most amazing concert.
A concert you can all be justly proud of…..
I salute you all and thank you for a thrilling experience.
With very best wishes
Susan”
“Hello everyone
I have had so many people come up to say what an excellent concert it was, how well it was sung, and how much they enjoyed it… just wanted to share.
Warm wishes to you all
Alison”
A Classical Celebration December 2024
Concert Feedback is from our Conductor and Musical Director Benedict Goodall as it perfectly sums up what was a lovely evening with very positive feedback from our audience –
“Well, What can I say? It was an absolutely brilliant concert! I’m so proud of how you all sang, and the performance we gave. There were some real highlights for me: the Gloria of the Mass which was lively and exciting; The Heavens are Telling which was so energetic and had so much wonderful enthusiasm to it; Drop, Drop Slow Tears which was just beautiful – well blended, rich sound, and brilliant ensemble. Everything we’ve been working towards as a choir really paid off so huge congratulations! It just gets better and better each time.” BG
A massive thanks go to Fiona for accompanying us in the rehearsals and for her excellent playing alongside the Cotswold Ensemble in the concert. What an excellent performance of Anthony Hedge’s work.
We were also accompanied by Malcolm Pearce on the organ. Malcolm was Musical Director for the choir for some years and we were so fortunate that he was able to not only play for the concert, but also to step in for Ben at three of our rehearsals.
Last, but not least, the soloists. Where would we be without them? Special thanks to our Soprano Soloist – Margaret Lingas, who stepped in as a replacement at the last minute. She was joined by Clement Collins Rice (tenor), and Robert Nicholas (Bass).
COME AND SING DAY – MAY 2024
Choruses from Gilbert & Sullivan Operas
This was a new venture for us and we had no idea how popular it would be. We needn’t have worried as not only did we welcome back past choir members, but also new singers (who we hope may decide to join our choir).
We provided tea, coffee, biscuits, cakes and a buffet lunch which gave us the opportunity to catch up with old friends and to meet new ones. Admittedly, Ben had to get us leaping about after lunch to re-energise us!
We were fortunate to have a G&S expert among us. Robin Wilson was able to explain the plots as we went along. This all added to the enjoyment of the day.
Many people asked if we could hold another Come and Sing Day, and this is already planned for 2025. Check Future Events for tickets.
From concert goers:
Review: Cumnor Choral Society Spring Concert, 16th March 2024
Celebrating Stanford: Bible Songs and Songs of the Feet
Cumnor Choral Society’s spring 2024 concert under their Musical Director Benedict Goodall was an excellent and interesting program of music by Charles Villiers Stanford. Timed to perfection falling within a fortnight of the 100th anniversary of his death on March 29th, it did not disappoint.
The first half of the concert was a performance of Stanford’s set of six Bible Songs celebrating freedom, trust, hope, peace, battle and wisdom, each being a combination of an arrangement of a psalm sung by a soloist which was answered by a choral setting of a hymn, all accompanied on organ. The three soloists – soprano Harriet Smith, alto Celia Butterfield and tenor Ashley Turnell – were all first class and on a personal note I very much enjoyed Ashley’s particularly expressive performance. The choir’s response to each solo was confident and sensitive throughout, conveying the changing emotions of each song.
After a short break, the evening continued with the choir singing Stanford’s ‘Songs of the Fleet’ with bass soloist Robert Nicholas. This demanding set of songs was performed with great confidence by the choir and Andrew Knowles’ sensitive accompaniment on piano brought out the nuances of the contrasting song moods with high acclaim.
The evening closed in traditional Cumnor Choral Society fashion with a splendid spread of food and the opportunity for all to celebrate the evening together.
What clearly came across was a happy, well-prepared choir in their second concert under conductor Benedict Goodall. The choir is clearly moving forward all the time attracting, supporting and welcoming new members of differing levels of experience.
Many congratulations and well done!! Here’s to next time…….
Dr Christine M Booth
Review: Cumnor Choral Society Concert, 2nd December 2023
Music for Advent & Missa Sancti Nicolai
All the stops were pulled out for a joyous concert when Cumnor Choral Society presented an appropriate, well-programmed selection of music for Advent followed by Haydn’s Missa Sancti Nicolai –or Santa Claus as we know him today. It certainly got me and all the audience into the mood for preparing for Christmas!
It was a great pleasure to see the smiles on the singers faces who had clearly embraced their new Director of Music, Benedict Goodall, at this the first concert under his leadership. Their singing has clearly moved up a notch, as widely acknowledged by members of the audience sitting around me.
Not that their very well-respected past Director, Peter Foster, had been forgotten. Peter’s accompaniment throughout the evening was extremely sensitively executed with much professional skill on the organ, supporting the singers at every turn. Perhaps we could have a solo from him next time?
The four soloists, Harriet Smith, Celia Butterworth, Clement Collins Rice and Robert Nicholas, were all superb much to the audiences delight and acclaim, joining in the spirit of the evening supporting the choir throughout.
The evening was rounded off with festive refreshments – more than plenty for all in true Cumnor Choral Society tradition!!
Many congratulations to you all for a wonderful evening of music and very much looking forward to your next concert.
Dr Christine M Booth
Spring Concert 2023
Wow! Wonderful performance of Haydn’s Creation with an amazing buffet supper afterwards. This was a last hoorah for their Musical Director, Peter Foster, and what a way to go! The addition of both Great Milton and Wheatley Singers was needed for such a large work. The soloists were a delight. A really brilliant evening. I look forward to their next concert in the Winter.
Yiannis Antiohos
Spring Concert 2022
The choir’s rendition of Faure’s Requiem and Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer was very touching – so much so that I found myself feeling rather melancholy. It was lovely to hear the voices without their usual orchestral accompaniment: the combination of voice and organ for these pieces was just right.
Morgan Morys-Carter
Christmas Concert 2019
I had a real treat when I went to CCS’s performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. They were joined by Great Milton and Wheatley Singers and accompanied by the Hurst Sinfonia.
As usual it was a stunning performance, in my view one of their best. Peter Foster certainly gets the best out of his singers. For a small choir to attract such talented soloists has to be a feather in their caps and proof that they are a choir worth joining.
We were also treated to orchestral pieces: Sinfonia from Cantata No.29, Air and Gigue from Orchestral Suite No.3.
As usual they provided a sumptuous after-concert buffet.
I spoke to their Chairman who told me they are always looking for more singers to join them.
Clare Isaacs
From Past and Present choir members:
“What a fantastic rehearsal. I loved all of it, especially Peter’s ability to be very meticulous and still send us home with a sense of achievement!”
“Having completed my first term and concert with CCS, I just want to say how welcoming everyone has been – definitely one of the most friendly choirs with which I have ever sung. The after-concert buffet is unique and special”
“I had always wanted to join a choir but although I was in the school choir very many years ago, I didn’t have the courage to have a voice test. Joining CCS is one of the best things I have done. It is the one activity that I have stayed with. My mental health is very up and down and singing is my salvation, together with the friendship and support from other choir members. Singing has so many benefits, both mental and physical.”
From concert goers:
Review: Cumnor Choral Society Spring Concert, 16th March 2024
Celebrating Stanford: Bible Songs and Songs of the Feet
Cumnor Choral Society’s spring 2024 concert under their Musical Director Benedict Goodall was an excellent and interesting program of music by Charles Villiers Stanford. Timed to perfection falling within a fortnight of the 100th anniversary of his death on March 29th, it did not disappoint.
The first half of the concert was a performance of Stanford’s set of six Bible Songs celebrating freedom, trust, hope, peace, battle and wisdom, each being a combination of an arrangement of a psalm sung by a soloist which was answered by a choral setting of a hymn, all accompanied on organ. The three soloists – soprano Harriet Smith, alto Celia Butterfield and tenor Ashley Turnell – were all first class and on a personal note I very much enjoyed Ashley’s particularly expressive performance. The choir’s response to each solo was confident and sensitive throughout, conveying the changing emotions of each song.
After a short break, the evening continued with the choir singing Stanford’s ‘Songs of the Fleet’ with bass soloist Robert Nicholas. This demanding set of songs was performed with great confidence by the choir and Andrew Knowles’ sensitive accompaniment on piano brought out the nuances of the contrasting song moods with high acclaim.
The evening closed in traditional Cumnor Choral Society fashion with a splendid spread of food and the opportunity for all to celebrate the evening together.
What clearly came across was a happy, well-prepared choir in their second concert under conductor Benedict Goodall. The choir is clearly moving forward all the time attracting, supporting and welcoming new members of differing levels of experience.
Many congratulations and well done!! Here’s to next time…….
Dr Christine M Booth
Review: Cumnor Choral Society Concert, 2nd December 2023
Music for Advent & Missa Sancti Nicolai
All the stops were pulled out for a joyous concert when Cumnor Choral Society presented an appropriate, well-programmed selection of music for Advent followed by Haydn’s Missa Sancti Nicolai –or Santa Claus as we know him today. It certainly got me and all the audience into the mood for preparing for Christmas!
It was a great pleasure to see the smiles on the singers faces who had clearly embraced their new Director of Music, Benedict Goodall, at this the first concert under his leadership. Their singing has clearly moved up a notch, as widely acknowledged by members of the audience sitting around me.
Not that their very well-respected past Director, Peter Foster, had been forgotten. Peter’s accompaniment throughout the evening was extremely sensitively executed with much professional skill on the organ, supporting the singers at every turn. Perhaps we could have a solo from him next time?
The four soloists, Harriet Smith, Celia Butterworth, Clement Collins Rice and Robert Nicholas, were all superb much to the audiences delight and acclaim, joining in the spirit of the evening supporting the choir throughout.
The evening was rounded off with festive refreshments – more than plenty for all in true Cumnor Choral Society tradition!!
Many congratulations to you all for a wonderful evening of music and very much looking forward to your next concert.
Dr Christine M Booth
Spring Concert 2023
Wow! Wonderful performance of Haydn’s Creation with an amazing buffet supper afterwards. This was a last hoorah for their Musical Director, Peter Foster, and what a way to go! The addition of both Great Milton and Wheatley Singers was needed for such a large work. The soloists were a delight. A really brilliant evening. I look forward to their next concert in the Winter.
Yiannis Antiohos
Spring Concert 2022
The choir’s rendition of Faure’s Requiem and Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer was very touching – so much so that I found myself feeling rather melancholy. It was lovely to hear the voices without their usual orchestral accompaniment: the combination of voice and organ for these pieces was just right.
Morgan Morys-Carter
Christmas Concert 2019
I had a real treat when I went to CCS’s performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. They were joined by Great Milton and Wheatley Singers and accompanied by the Hurst Sinfonia.
As usual it was a stunning performance, in my view one of their best. Peter Foster certainly gets the best out of his singers. For a small choir to attract such talented soloists has to be a feather in their caps and proof that they are a choir worth joining.
We were also treated to orchestral pieces: Sinfonia from Cantata No.29, Air and Gigue from Orchestral Suite No.3.
As usual they provided a sumptuous after-concert buffet.
I spoke to their Chairman who told me they are always looking for more singers to join them.
Clare Isaacs
Cumnor Choral Society 