London Concert Choir – Howells Requiem & Stainer The Crucifixion – 7.30pm
in London Concert Choir for an evening of sacred music from two of the great English choral composers, in the perfect setting.
The understated beauty and emotion of Herbert Howells’ interwar Requiem offers the perfect foil for the reverent Victorian grandeur of John Stainer’s Passiontide oratorio, The Crucifixion.
Howells’ unaccompanied Requiem brings his unmistakable compositional voice and very personal interpretation to the Church’s liturgy for the dead. Composed in 1932, but unpublished until 1980, it provided the genesis of the more complex and widely acclaimed Hymnus Paradisi. With characteristic precision and clarity, Howells evokes loss, grief, reflection and redemption, blending elements of the Latin mass and The Book of Common Prayer.
Our audience is invited to join the choir in singing the hymns of The Crucifixion, ably led by conductor Mark Forkgen. This is a chance to experience the piece as originally conceived by Stainer, who intended it as a participatory act of worship and mediation, inspired by Bach’s Passions and with the directness of an English libretto. Alongside recitatives, choruses and solos, the piece includes renowned hymn tunes that joined the canon of sung worship in the Anglican communion and beyond.
Our concert venue is especially well-matched with this musical programme. Holy Trinity Sloane Square was described by John Betjeman as “the cathedral of the Arts and Crafts movement”. Its richly decorated interior is a visual expression of the aesthetic, social and spiritual ideas of the Anglo-Catholic revival, with which the church was closely connected in the late 19th century.
Our performance in the beautiful and evocative space at Holy Trinity promises to bring Stainer and Howells’ immediacy, devotional sincerity and blend of traditional and modern elements to life for a contemporary audience.
The choir is joined by soloists William Searle (tenor) and Toby Stafford-Allen (bass-baritone) and organist Martyn Noble.
London Concert Choir, one of London’s most versatile choirs, is recognised for its fresh and responsive interpretation of a wide choral repertoire, from sacred works to jazz, opera and musical theatre. Under the leadership of conductor Mark Forkgen, the choir regularly performs in venues across London, working with leading orchestras and solo performers.
Upcoming Events
Now May We Singen – 7.30pm
A gala concert of Cecilia McDowall’s music to celebrate her 75th birthday
Brought together by their love, partnership and patronage of one the world’s most celebrated contemporary composers, this very special concert will celebrate the breadth and brilliance of Cecilia McDowall in her 75th birthday year. With performances of commissions, a unique collaboration between the choirs and rare chances to hear hidden gems from McDowall’s choral world, this performance promises to enrich and enlighten.
London Oriana Choir : Dominic Ellis-Peckham
Vox Anima Chamber Choir : James Meaders
City Chamber Choir : Stephen Jones
Addison Singers Chamber Choir : Matthew Thomas Morgan
Matthew Hough, piano
Fenella Humphreys, violin
Elder High School Glee Club – 3pm – FREE CONCERT
Celebrate the songs you love! Broadway showstoppers, American folk traditions, & pop favourites — performed in rich four-part men's harmony.
Elder High School is an all-boys high school in Cincinnati, Ohio, and its acclaimed Elder Glee Club has toured across the United States and much of Europe since 1976. For this concert tour, the ensemble is led by Co-Directors Marco Colant and Justin Kohler.
From the bright lights of Broadway to beloved folk tunes from the US to Africa, and chart-topping pop — experience it all in powerful four-part male harmony! Audiences will enjoy a vibrant mix of classics, including timeless hits by The Temptations, the joyful groove of Stevie Wonder, and the sun-soaked harmonies of The Beach Boys. The program also features moving spirituals such as Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel, Climbin’ Up the Mountain, Poor Man Lazarus, and We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace, adding depth and soul to the performance. Blending rich choral tradition with the energy of pop and soul favourites, the Elder School Glee Club delivers an uplifting musical experience that celebrates harmony, nostalgia, and the joy of live performance.
SSCS – Messa di Gloria – Giacomo Puccini – 6pm
SSCS is delighted to invite you to our Summer Concert 2026 on Sunday 5 July at 6pm, directed by Oliver Lallemant. The programme is Giacomo Puccini's Messa di Gloria and tickets are available here or on the door. You can download the flyer here. SSCS is always looking for even more members to be a part of our wonderfully fun and engaging choir. There's no audition; we welcome everyone. Email Olly for details admin@sloanesquarechoralsociety.com