Wimbledon Choral Society – Music of the Stars – 7:30pm
This concert draws from the rich talent of English composers, two of whom are Wimbledon Choral favourites - Cecilia McDowall and Michael Higgins. McDowall's Ave Maris Stella (Hail, Star of the Sea) was the first work of hers published by OUP. Its seven short sections merge into a single powerful wave with elements of peace and tranquility mixed in with a turbulent yet joyful mid-section. Music of the Stars was published in 2023 and the text used demonstrates the power of music as a means of consoling and uplifting in challenging times. In the two YouYube clips below, the composer explains her approach to these two works. At the time writing, it is believed ours will be the UK concert performance premiere of this work in its original orchestration.
Ralph Vaughan Williams (President WCS 1946-1958) often used English folk songs as the source and inspiration for some of his works. He adapted the old song Dives and Lazarus to become the hymn tune known as Kingsfold, named after the village located a few miles south of where he lived in Leith Hill, West Sussex. The text associated with the tune is usually I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say and the choir will sing this prior to the players performing the composer’s Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus.
The concert opens with Elgar’s delightful Serenade for Strings and, towards the end, includes Michael Higgins’ beautiful O Salutaris Hostia, his arrangement of Elgar’s Nimrod (from the Enigma Variations).
Concert Programme
Elgar : Serenade for Strings
McDowall : Ave Maris Stella
Vaughan Williams : I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say [hymn Kingsfold]
Vaughan Williams : Five Variants of Dives & Lazarus [same theme as Kingsfold]
Higgins : O Salutaris Hostia
McDowall : Music of the Stars (UK premiere)
We are delighted to be working with members of the City of London Sinfonia again in this concert.
Upcoming Events
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