On March 9th, the award-winning Farnham Youth Choir celebrated its 40th anniversary with a concert at the beautiful Holy Trinity Church, in London’s Sloane Square. The packed concert was attended by family, friends, former conductors, patrons and alumni of the choir, as well as the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan Earwaker and Councillor Graham White, co-leader of Farnham Town Council. The choir received many messages of support and congratulations including notably from His Majesty, King Charles III.

The King would have me pass on his warmest wishes to you all at Farnham Youth Choir upon your 40th anniversary, and wishes you the best of luck for the World Choir Games later this year.

This special evening included performances from all three choirs in the FYC family – Training, Junior and Senior choirs – expertly conducted by Claire Robins, Margaret O’Shea and Patrick Barrett, accompanied by pianists Matthew Rickard and Susan Norman, and organist Brian Cotterill. Additionally, the concert included an Alumni Choir, made up of members from throughout the choir’s 40-year history, and an impressive performance by the FYC ensemble – a chamber choir made up of the choir’s current oldest members.

The programme ranged from the 1500s with Croce’s Cantate Domino to works by contemporary composers Michael Higgins and Tracy Wong, an arrangement of the folk song Drunken Sailor, a medley from Mary Poppins, choral favourite The Lord Bless You And Keep You by John Rutter, and many others – there really was something to suit all musical tastes! One audience member described it as ‘An absolutely captivating array of beautiful music’.

A particular highlight was the performance by all choirs of the spiritual I’m Goin’ Up A Yonder, which brought a tear to many eyes, choir and audience alike! The choir was delighted to welcome back Joanna Tomlinson, FYC’s Artistic Director from 2016-2021, to conduct this poignant song, which brought back so many happy memories of past performances and tours.

Former Artistic Director Joanna Tomlinson, Founder David Victor-Smith and current Artistic Director, Patrick Barrett

FYC was founded by David and Gillian Victor-Smith in 1984, as at that time there were fewer opportunities for young people, particularly girls, to sing at this high level. Under David’s leadership, followed by Jo Tomlinson and current Artistic Director Patrick Barrett, the Senior Choir has won numerous competitions, including the prestigious BBC/Sainsbury’s Youth Choir of the Year in 1992 and 1998, as well as, more recently, first prize at international choral competitions in Provence and Hull in 2023. Therefore it was a real treat to hear David conduct the Senior and Alumni choirs in a firm FYC favourite, the spine-tingling The Water of Tyne, which formed part of the choir’s winning performance in 1992. This 40th anniversary performance was beautifully accompanied by FYC alumnus Graham Ross, now Director of Music at Clare College, Cambridge.

“What was obvious from this celebration was that Farnham Youth Choir has provided so much joy for the audience and musicians alike. Long may this continue. Here’s to at least another 40 years!”

— Gareth Treseder, composer