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OXSHOTT CHORAL SOCIETY

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WHO WE ARE

Oxshott Choral Society is a friendly and enthusiastic amateur SATB choir which rehearses every week in Oxshott village in Surrey. We currently have around 70 singers, from Oxshott, Cobham, Esher, Claygate and further afield. No auditions are held, and although the ability to read music would be an advantage, it is not a requirement.

 

Apart from our own concerts locally, Oxshott Choral Society is a member choir of the famous Leith Hill Musical Festival (LHMF) which is held annually at Dorking in Surrey and, under conductor Brian Kay, is established as one of England's leading choral events. We welcome new members in all voices throughout the season. Rehearsals are held each Wednesday evening at 8pm at St Andrew's Church Hall, Oakshade Road, Oxshott KT22 0LE.

History
Conductor
Accompanist
Committee
 

History

Oxshott Choral Society was founded in 1936 by Margaret Willis.
It was one of the first choirs to become part of the LHMF, inaugurated by the Vaughan Williams family in 1905 for amateur choral societies and conducted for many years by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Apart from a brief suspension during the war, the society operated until 1970 and then from 1975, when it was reformed by Valerie Beynon. With her expertise and enthusiasm, we have gone from strength to strength, celebrating Val's 25th anniversary as conductor in 2000.

Conductor
 

Our conductor is Valerie Beynon ARCM DDMES. Valerie was born and brought up in Sheffield.  She always enjoyed music - dancing, singing and piano from an early age.  As a child, she attended weekly concerts by the Halle Orchestra under the baton of Sir John Barbirolli - a fabulous experience.

She went to school in North Wales where she furthered her musical studies, playing 3rd violin (no less!) in the school orchestra and being leader of the choir.  After school she went to Dartington College of Arts and on to Rolle College, Exmouth following a course for musical education in schools.  She continued her singing studies and achieved her ARCM in singing teaching.

Returning to Sheffield to begin her teaching career, she joined the Bach choir, often travelling to Huddersfield, Leeds and Bradford to give concerts.  In 1970 she moved to Oxshott with her parents, taking a teaching post at Danes Hill School, where she moved from Director of Music to Head of Pastoral Care. She still conducts the Chamber Choir there.

She continues to enjoy every aspect of her career, particularly her musical life.  Her work with choirs and her connections with the Festival have brought much happiness and many wonderful friends.

Accompanist    -    David Harvey comes from Witley in Surrey and has recently moved back to the county. He studied at the Royal College of Music with John Blakely and specialized in piano accompaniment at the Royal Academy of Music with Iain Ledingham and Andrew West. He spent a further year at the Academy as recipient of the one-year Shinn Fellowship. Besides Oxshott Choral Society David is also the accompanist for Horsley Choral Society and has worked with a number of other choirs including the Holst Singers. At the Benjamin Britten International Opera School (RCM) he has played for many language coaches and has played opera scenes for directors including Mike Ashman and John Copley. He has been repetiteur for Stowe Opera and Pavilion Opera. Most recently David has enjoyed working on Lindsay Posner's new production of Carousel (Tour/West End); The Mikado for the Gilbert and Sullivan Festival Company in Buxton; Cabaret with singer Laura Armstrong at Lauderdale House, North London.

Committee

The choir is managed by a committee, elected annually.
The current committee is as follows:

Chair:	Mike Newman
Secretary:	Sue Rees
Treasurer:	Sharon Dawes
Librarian:	Graham Pattenden
Publicity:	Helen Foster

Voice representatives

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