Merton SingFest Returns in October
Following the huge success of the 2017's inaugural Merton SingFest
2017’s inaugural Merton SingFest was a huge success, with more than 30 choirs, consisting of nearly a thousand singers, sharing the joy of song. This year we have invited even more choirs to take part, showcasing the diversity of Merton’s musical life. Merton SingFest 2018 takes place between Saturday 13 October and Wednesday 17 October 2018.
Merton Mayor Marsie Skeete launches Merton Singfest 2017
Merton SingFest is spearheaded by the Wimbledon Choral Society - a 100-year-old choir of 150 singers that regularly sells out venues such as, Cadogan Hall, Southwark Cathedral, and the Royal Festival Hall - and Merton Music Foundation (MMF) - a Registered Charity advancing music education in the borough.
The Wimbledon Choral Society will feature as one of the amateur adult choirs in ‘A Celebration of Choirs’ on Saturday 13th October, a day of free concerts by local choirs at St John’s Church Spencer Hill (see later for a list of choirs confirmed at this date). Other free events over the SingFest include the Merton Schools SingFest on Tuesday 16th October and Wednesday 17th October, where 15 or more school choirs from across the borough will get together to let their voices be heard.
A particular highlight of the 2017 SingFest was a Gospel ‘come and sing’ workshop lead by the Royal Academy of Music’s Professor of Jazz Composition, Pete Churchill. As Sarah Hendry, Chair of Wimbledon Choral Society, said afterwards: “It was great to see so many people of different ages and abilities inspired by Pete to join together in foot-stomping, finger-clicking, life-affirming musical mayhem. It’s what singing in a choir is all about, losing yourself in the whole.”
The Big Heart Band 2017
Building on last year’s success Pete, and colleague Adam Saunders, will deliver another lively and informative gospel session featuring a new set of groove classics. All are welcome to attend on Sunday 14th October in St. Mark’s Church Hall.
In 2018 every choir will perform Adam Saunders’ poignant arrangement of Streets of London by Ralph McTell, a fitting reminder that all around us there are people who struggle to get by and to be accepted. Adam is a composer and pianist, and teaches at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
Soo Bishop, Programmes Director of the Merton Music Foundation, said: “The Merton SingFest has been a long held dream of mine, and I was absolutely delighted with how it went last year. SingFest celebrates the simple joy of singing together, and the power of music to enthuse, inspire and enrich our lives.”
Merton SingFest is very grateful to Marcus Beale Architects for their continued and generous financial support in 2018.
September 10, 2018