Chanctonbury Chorus is a well respected choir of singers of all ages
who enjoy rehearse together weekly for major concerts through the year.
We perform with our orchestra in the beautiful Steyning Parish Church and also at a number of other local venues.
SIOBHAN DENNING began learning violin and piano at an early age and won a scholarship as a Junior Exhibitioner to the Guildhall School of Music at the age of 13. She read music at Sussex University, where she was secretary of the Music Union and a Choral Scholar studying choral conducting under Laszlo Heltay and John Birch. She was awarded a Masters degree at the same university.
KIRKLAND (assistant conductor) studied bassoon at Birmingham Conservatoire before taking a Master’s degree and then training as a music therapist. After a further spell in higher education, Liz qualified as a teacher in 2002, and started her teaching career at The Beacon School in Banstead. As head of music, she supports the development of education.
Chanctonbury Chorus is a thriving mixed choir based in the lovely town of Steyning, West Sussex. We hold concerts during the year, performing some of the greatest choral works to the highest standards possible, using professional soloists and accompanied by an orchestra.We believe that choral music repertoire of the past – including the present day - is a treasure-trove.
The culmination of our weekly rehearsals are two major concerts throughout the year. We strive for the highest level of musicianship and our choir is complemented by professinal solosists and orchestra. We also have included ballet, bringing a whole new dimension to performances and bring choral music accessible to a larger audience.
What a fabulous performance of Handel's Messiah. The musicianship and passion of the choir was simply outstanding.
Concertgoer
It’s official. Chanctonbury hearts beat as one.
The latest medical research has shown that choir singers not only harmonise their voices, they also synchronise heartbeats.
Researchers in Sweden monitored the heart rates of singers as they performed a variety of choral works.They found that as the members sang in unison, their pulses began to speed up and slow down at the same rate. Medics believe the synchrony occurs as singers coordinate their breathing.
Dr Bjorn Vickhoff, from Gothenburg University in Sweden, said: "The pulse goes down when you exhale and when you inhale it goes up.
The researchers also found that choral singing had the overall effect of slowing the heart rate saying: "When exhaling you activate the vagus nerve, we think, that goes from the brain stem to the heart. And when that is activated the heart beats slower.
There have been studies on singing which show long-terms effects on lowering blood pressure.
Rehearsals take place from 7 to 9pmevery Wednesday evening (during term time) at The Towers campus of Steyning Grammar School, Upper Beeding.
We prepare for at least two major choral works throughout the year. Our rehearsals are demanding but we're a friendly lot and have members of many ages and abilities.
Learn more about how to get involved...
There are no auditions in joining Chanctonbury Chorus.
We have two open evenings throughout the year for those interested but we welcome anyone to our weekly rehearsals inrespective of any previous musical experience.
We just ask for a commitment to learn and a passion for singing.
Call us on 07917 817118 or email to info@chanctonburychorus.org to learn more.Chanctonbury Chorus is one of the finest choirs in Sussex.
Having begun singing in his late twenties, Edward quickly began to develop a professional career, studying privately with Russell Smythe and Gary Coward. In 2015 Edward became a member of the Glyndebourne Chorus, and worked for four years on various critically acclaimed productions, including performances at the BBC Proms and worldwide cinema broadcasts.
Stephen (tenor) studied at Trinity College, London and then at the Benjamin Britten International Opera School at the Royal College of Music. His career has led to roles with most of the major UK opera companies also touring companies such as Opera Della Luna, English Touring Opera, Carl Rosa Opera and the D'Oyly Carte Opera. Recent engagements have included his début at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre as the tenor soloist in Gabriel with the English Concert
Jess Dandy (alto) studied at Trinity College, Cambridge and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she held a fellowship and graduated with distinction. She was the winner of the London Bach Society Singers Prize 2017 and Oxford Lieder Young Artist 2018. She currently studies with Gary Coward. A Britten-Pears Young Artist and Heidelberger Frühling Scholar, she has performed at 22 Mansfield Street, Holywell Music Room, Wigmore Hall, Barbican Hall, Pierre Boulez Saal and Heidelberg Stadthalle.
Lesley-Jane’s (soprano) has a full concert diary with oratorio work, and her extensive experience encompasses the mainstream repertoire - she frequently performs works by Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Elgar and Verdi - as well as many more unusual pieces. She is also an exuberant performer when required, and is a popular choice for new works, and for large-scale pieces such as Vaughan Williams’s Sea Symphony or Elgar The Kingdom.
Michael was trained in the Russian technique at the Polish National Ballet School and in 1998 won the highly prestigious ‘Prix de Lausanne’ international ballet competition. After this, he completed his training at the Royal Ballet Upper School in London. Michael had a successful career as a soloist dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, His repertoire included; The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo & Juliet.
Lucy (soprano) studied Music and Italian at Royal Holloway, University of London, attended the Conservatorio di Benedetto Marcello, Venice, and graduated with an M.Mus in Performance and Composition from Newcastle University. She was awarded a bursary to Oxenfoord International Summer School to work with Janis Kelly, Linda Ormiston, David Cowan, Jamie Macdougall and Robin Bowman and was twice awarded bursaries to study voice at The Dartington International Summer School
Alistair (baritone) has been praised by Opera Magazine for his “resonant and scything baritone” and “athletic vocal presence”. The 2018 - 2019 season saw Alistair perform the role of Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro and sing Haydn's Creation conducted by Jane Glover CBE. He made his debut Le Baron de Montefiascone in Isouard’s Cendrillon for Bampton Classical Opera and appeared with The Monteverdi Choir and Sir John Eliot Gardiner at La Scala, Milan, Musikverein Vienna and Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
SARAH (soprano) was raised in Devon and obtained a degree in Modern Languages at Exeter University. She sang with the Exeter University Singers, and has gone on to sing in several other choirs, currently including the Horsham Chamber Choir, Cantilena, the Chantry Quire, the Richard Roddis Singers, and the Chanctonbury Chorus. She enjoys singing both as a chorister and soloist. Sarah lives in Storrington and works as a garden designer. Solo performances include Brahms Requiem; Vivaldi Gloria; Mozart ‘Mass in C’ Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.
HANNAH FISHER (mezzo soprano) is in her third year of studying B.Mus Vocal Performance at the University of Chichester Conservatoire with Marcia Bellamy and Susan Legg. She has performed in an array of concerts at the university including the Annual Languages Concert and the Annual Concert of English Song. Other performances have included Bach’s Cantata 149 with the University Chamber Orchestra and Handel’s Messiah.
Chair - Soprano
info@chanctonburychorus.org
Treasurer - Baritone
info@chanctonburychorus.org
Membership - Alto
info@chanctonburychorus.org
Concert Director - Bass
info@chanctonburychorus.org
Bringing a rich and diverse musical landscape to audiences.